Plume Thistles – iNaturalist In a home garden many people would consider thistles to be a weed I took this photo during a hike on the east side of Eagle Creek Park. This is the side of the park that does not get as much traffic. I think this is because you do not have […]
Desert Christmas Cactus – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The fruits will stay on the stem until winter This photo of a desert Christmas cactus was taken while on a trip to Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas. This was a plant that I had never seen before, but I was immediately taken aback […]
Mason Wasps – BugGuide The abdomen is noted by three thin stripes The wasp pictured here is a pitted mason wasp. This is a solitary wasp that is found across the United States and southern Canada. It’s most common east of the Great Plains. Within the Euodynerus genus, it is the most common species. The […]
Spotted Scorpionfish – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern You can generally get very close because this fish trusts its camouflage Scorpionfish are masters of camouflage. They have numerous cirri covering their body (mainly head). Cirri are the fleshy appendages that are used for sensing and camouflage. This scorpionfish is facing to the right. The red eye in the top […]
Porkfish – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern With the proper exposure and lighting, a photograph can reveal interesting details Porkfish is a funny name for a fish, especially for a fish that humans generally don’t eat. Porkfish are a member of the grunt family. Like other grunts, porkfish can grind their teeth to make a pig-like grunting […]
Bandtail Searobin – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern With the proper exposure and lighting, a photograph can reveal interesting details This month we are highlighting “close up” photography, also referred to as “macro” photography. This is my favorite type of photography when it comes to shooting underwater. I enjoy this because as a diver you often can’t […]
Lower Antelope Canyon Flash flooding can occur even when there isn’t any rainfall locally Lion’s Head is one of the most iconic photo subjects in Lower Antelope Canyon. I was fortunate enough to take this photo while on a guided tour through the canyon, which is the only way that you can visit this slot […]
Silvery Checkerspot Caterpillar – Butterflies and Moths of North America Silvery checkerspot caterpillars are typically black with yellow lines and spots This family of caterpillars (Nymphalidae) are known for their branched spines. If you look at the silvery checkerspot caterpillar from above, these spiked spines are easier to see. Silvery checkerspot caterpillars are typically black with yellow […]
Yellowstone National Park [Opal Pool] can eject water up to 70 feet in the air! This lesser-known hot spring in the Midway Geyser Basin is called Opal Pool. This hot spring sits at roughly 132 degrees Fahrenheit. It is classified as a fountain geyser. Although its eruptions are rare and random Opal Pool is still considered active. Typically, the […]
Havasupai Tribe The Havasupai Tribe refers to themselves as the “People of the Blue Green Water” The trail down to Havasu Falls begins at Hualapai Hilltop which overlooks Hualapai Canyon. The canyon rim sits 5,200 feet, nearly one mile, above the canyon floor. After 8 miles of hiking, you are rewarded with one of the […]