Artomyces – iNaturalist [G]uineafowl puffer is commonly harvested [in the marine trade] This photo of Artomyces was taken while on a hike in the Deam Wilderness in southern Indiana. The Deam Wilderness covers 12,472 acres, and it is managed by the Hoosier National Forest. I always love taking photos of the weirder parts of nature, […]
Guineafowl Puffer – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern [G]uineafowl puffer is commonly harvested [in the marine trade] Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District affords you the opportunity to quickly see many of the reef fish species of the Hawaiian Islands. This photo was taken on my wife’s birthday during her first-ever snorkeling trip. […]
Monroe Lake [T]he waters were much calmer once we arrived there Some days are better than others on a lake. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it’s cloudy, sometimes it’s sunny, and sometimes the water level is so high that the surrounding woods and parks are entirely flooded. That was the situation for this kayak on Monroe […]
Loggerhead Shrike – IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened A tomial tooth is not actually a tooth, but a sharp tooth-like projection located on the end of the bill You would never guess that this bird is nicknamed the “butcherbird”. Looks can be deceiving. The loggerhead shrike is a small bird measuring between eight and nine inches long […]
Zion National Park This short but beautiful trail is located in the middle of Zion National Park in Utah I love National Parks, but I hate the crowds. I’m sure you can relate. There is a reason why these places are popular, they are our nation’s natural treasures. However, enjoying the quiet beauty of these natural places can […]
Common Eider – IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened Mature male common eiders have an orangish-yellow wedge-shaped bill The common eider is not as common as the name suggests. Common eider are considered a large sea duck, occupying Arctic coastline in North America, Greenland, Northern Europe, and parts of Russia. Their breeding areas are farther north than their […]
Zulu Giant This is a sacred place to the Hawaiian culture…called Leina-a-ka’uhane The plant you’re looking at in this photo is a Zulu giant, also known as the starfish flower. This is an invasive succulent that is native to South Africa and Tanzania. I saw this flower while just beginning a hike to the westernmost […]
Yellowstone National Park The pronghorn was grazing comfortably while snow was coming down sideways This exotic looking animal is called a pronghorn. It is the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. When pronghorn sprint, they can reach speeds of around 50 miles per hour. They are known for their sustained speed over long distances. Why are pronghorn so […]
Volcanoes National Park Hāpu’u pulu plants with their massive fronds that can grow to heights of twenty-five feet! As we hike along the north rim of the Kīlauea Iki trail in Volcanoes National Park in Hawai’i, there was an abundance of forest all around us. This was in stark contrast to the Kīlauea Iki Crater […]
Permit – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Permit are extremely efficient swimmers due to their body design The three large fish on the left are called, “permit”. These large silvery fish are not a frequent sighting on the Florida Keys reefs. Some people think the bubbles from scuba divers attracts their attention. They rarely hang around for […]