Science. What thoughts does this word bring to mind? Webster uses terms such as "systemized knowledge" and "the scientific method."

Art. Now what does this imply? Webster describes it with words like "workmanship" and "imaginative power." The two disciplines seemingly have little in common — one is based on knowledge and facts; the other focuses on emotion and creativity.

Gino J. Dangelo (senior-wildlife and fishery science) bridges the gap between the two in his own creative way. He does so with his wildlife photography.

Dangelo's collection, Natural Instincts, opened yesterday at Art Alley in the HUB-Robeson Center and will be on display through March 11.

The thirty 11-inch-by-14-inch color photographs focus on white-tailed deer.

"I try to show different stages of their life cycle," he said. "The photographs go from a young deer to different aspects of adult deer life to death."

Dangelo plans on pursuing a career in wildlife biology and intends to use his art in his desired profession: wildlife management.

"I want to bring the PR side to wildlife biology," he said. "It often turns into number crunching. I try to bring it back to the animal with photography."

He plans on obtaining his Ph.D. and will most likely work for a state agency, an institution that deals with political, educational and social issues concerning wildlife.

"The educational aspect is where I would like to use my photography," he said.

Dangelo was introduced to photography in high school and is pursuing a minor in it at Penn State. Although he has photographed people, wildlife remains his preferred subject.

"I feel a spirituality from the animals and try to convey that. I try to bring individuality to each animal and to photograph it like you would photograph a person," he said.

The subjects found in Natural Instincts are residents of the Penn State Deer Research Facility and of the Valley Forge National Historical Park, located in Valley Forge. Dangelo has found little difference between the deer he has photographed in the wild and in captivity.

"No matter where these animals are photographed, they are never tame. I try to show their wildness," he said.

"I thought the photographs were nicely done and well executed," said Jeannine Janssen, publicity assistant for the HUB-Robeson Gallery.

She feels that exhibits such as Natural Instincts add a warmer, more educational atmosphere to the HUB.

"Sometimes looking at art gets students out of everyday life," she said. "We do what we can here at Penn State to promote art."

Dangelo's exhibit is a part of this effort. Passers-by will see the spirit and individuality Dangelo captures in his photography.

His ability is not an exact science; it takes an artistic eye to see beauty in the quality of wildness.