Tree Crinum – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data It has the common name: poison bulb, Asian poison bulb, giant crinum lily, grand crinum lily, and spider lily I took this photo while on the big island of Hawai’i. It was planted near the condo that my wife and I were staying at. I was mesmerized […]
Pileated Woodpecker – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern They have a characteristic red crest, or “mohawk” The pileated woodpecker can often be heard tapping its beaks against trees as it searched for its next meal. Common to North America, this is the third largest woodpecker in the world and the largest woodpecker in North America. […]
Northern Cardinal – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The adult male is red in color with a black mask over its eyes that extends to the upper chest. There are many names for this common bird that is native to North America. The most common name is northern cardinal, while it is also known as […]
Chukar – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The chukar is an upland game bird that belongs to the pheasant family This photo was taken while Jill and I were walking around the top of Haleakala after having watched the sunrise on her birthday. We were in Hawaii for our honeymoon, staying on Maui. We woke […]
Atlantic Puffin – IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable There were puffins standing on land, flying, swimming, taking off, and landing This photo was taken off Eastern Egg Rock Island in Maine. During the summer months, Atlantic puffins gather on a remote island off of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. There are tour companies that go for puffin cruises and whale […]
Atlantic Yellow-Nosed Albatross – IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered They have a black bill with an orange trim This is a bird I might never see again. It is an endangered bird called an Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross. This photograph was taken from a boat just offshore of Eastern Egg Rock Island in Maine. This was a vagrant sighting, meaning […]
Bald Eagle – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern In 2007, bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list altogether This majestic raptor is a juvenile bald eagle. Many of us are familiar with the history of the bald eagle in America. Ben’s previous story can get you up to speed. We are encouraged to see a rebound […]
Red-backed Salamander – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern They tend to prefer neutral soils and will avoid acidic soils This creature does not have lungs! Instead, it breathes through a process called cutaneous respiration. So long as its skin is moist, red-backed salamanders can exchange gas through their skin. These interesting amphibians are only two to four inches […]
Common Whitetail Skimmer – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data Female whitetail skimmers will release their fertilized eggs into water, mud, or vegetation This is a common whitetail skimmer dragonfly photographed near the Zealand River in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. More specifically, this is a male dragonfly. How do the males differ visually from the females? Male […]
Orchard Orbweaver – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data The orchard orbweaver will suck this liquid out of the bite hole These ornate spiders are called orchard orbweavers. If you live in the eastern United States, this spider is one of the more commonly seen spiders. They are found from Canada to Brazil. Technically, there are two almost identical […]