Big Bend National Park The Milky Way was so readily visible to the naked eye It’s been five years since I took this photo of the silhouette of an ocotillo against the starry night sky in Big Bend National Park. I have to say that despite taking astrophotography in several other parts of the country, […]
Northern Lights Forecast The sky went from a shade of green to a burst of red I’ve chased the Northern Lights for my entire adult life. Whenever I’ve heard a forecast that the Northern Lights might be visible near to where I am, I have attempted to see them. There was one night when I […]
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 […]