Rough Cactus Coral – IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Although we are too zoomed-in to tell, the rough cactus coral colony is roundish in shape. Stony coral, like this rough cactus coral, have a limestone skeleton with a fleshy, colorful, textured, outer skin. As a scuba diver, if you spend time looking closely at coral, you […]
Cauliflower Coral – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern This was my first scuba dive in the Pacific Ocean, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty In 2022 I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the north shore of Oahu. While I was there I took a day trip down to the south shore […]
Hump Coral – IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened The tides and surf tend to be calm at Keawakapu Beach which makes for great snorkeling! This photo comes from a snorkeling adventure off the coast of Maui’s Keawakapu Beach in 2019. Keawakapu beach is great for snorkeling. You quickly find yourself in water that is ten […]
Finger Coral – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The scientific name of this species of finger coral is Porites compressa. This photo was taken while I was diving off the coast of Oahu. I was on my second dive at a site called the Nautilus. At this point I was probably in 40 feet of […]
Big Bend National Park The highest peak in the Chisos Mountains is Emory Peak at 7,825 feet This photo comes from a 2021 trip Ben, Nick, and I took to Big Bend National Park in west Texas. The photo shows the Chisos Mountains about an hour before sunset, commonly referred to as the golden hour of […]
Common Loon – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Loons are often confused with ducks because they are about the same size and also swim like a duck. In the remote northwestern corner of Maine is a large lake with a large name, “Mooselookmeguntic”. The word comes from the Abnaki and means “moose feeding place”. It is technically […]
Haleakala National Park Standing at approximately 200 feet tall, this cascade of water is a sight to behold. Makahiku Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Standing at approximately 200 feet tall, this cascade of water is a sight to behold. Located in the lush and verdant rainforests of […]
Kaneohe Bay access via He’eia State Park We saw 6 sea turtles! Kaneohe Bay is located on the northeastern coast of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The bay is known for its clear, turquoise waters and its abundance of marine life. One popular activity in Kaneohe Bay is kayaking out to the sandbar, a […]
Sky Pond Lake Trail Overall, the Sky Pond Lake Trail is a must-do for anyone visiting the Rocky Mountains The Sky Pond Lake Trail is a popular hiking trail located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The trail is approximately 8.5 miles round trip and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, as well as […]
Acadia National Park From the summit of Beech Mountain, you can see Echo Lake Located along Maine’s picturesque coastline, Mount Desert Island is the home of Acadia National Park. There are many trails to explore in this 49,075-acre park. There are also summits providing beautiful landscape views. The tallest mountain along the Atlantic Coast of the United States […]