Alakai Swamp Trail Mount Wai’ale’ale once received 683 inches of rain in one year This photo was taken during one a surprising hike on the island of Kauai in Hawai’i. It was surprising for a few reasons. One, Jill and I had thought that we would only be hiking the Nu’alolo Trail on that day. […]
Grand Canyon National Park Suddenly the snow turned into sleet and then to rain I love this photo because in looking at it, you really feel like you are caught in the middle of a snowstorm. I took this photo while coming up from an eight-mile out-and-back hike down into the Grand Canyon. In the […]
Halloween Pennant Dragonfly – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern These dragonflies are only about 1.5 inches long! Let’s unpack this interesting name for this interesting creature. The primary body colors of orange and black make it easy to understand why it is called a “Halloween” dragonfly. The “Pennant” part of the name comes from this dragonfly perching […]
Green Anole – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The scientific name is Anolis carolinensis This photo was taken on the island of Kauai in Hawai’i. My wife, Jill, and I were coming down from the summit of Sleeping Giant on the east side of the island when I saw this little green anole hanging out […]
Northern Red Oak – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Oak trees are the national tree of the United States You are looking at a macro shot of an oak leaf during fall foliage. I love macro photography because it allows you to see something better than you can with your naked eye. Here is a full-sized photo […]
Katydids – IUCN Conservation Status: Varies The lifespan of a katydid is about a year This wild desert creature is called a Katydid. These grasshopper looking insects can grow to five inches in length. They are generally green, and have long hind legs and long antennae. Their antennae can actually be longer than their body. Katydids are a challenging […]
American Oystercatcher – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The orbital ring of an oystercatcher is orange-red This exotic looking bird is called an American oystercatcher, and it can be found in North, Central, and South America. This bird has a distinctive large orange beak that is used to access and consume shellfish. Obviously, oystercatchers catch oysters, but […]
Black Skimmer – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern It takes less than a month for a black skimmer to learn to fly! This is what it looks like inside a flock of black skimmers. Let’s unpack what we are looking at. This seabird is mostly black, with a white head. It has a unique beak. The base of the […]
American White Pelican – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern The beak of American white pelicans can be as long as 15 inches! American white pelicans can grow to be over five feet in length! Part of that length is their beak, which can grow to be fifteen inches long! Adult wingspans can approach ten feet. These birds typically […]
Chalk-fronted Corporal Dragonfly – IUCN Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN Each eye has up to 30,000 facets! I took this photo the day before my birthday in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Matt and I were camping there enjoying the beginning of summer. We had been out on a loop hike through the park when we came […]