American Toad – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern You’ll be gulping down water that averages 143 degrees Fahrenheit! What do Bill Clinton, Al Capone, and Major League Baseball all have in common? They all of ties to Hot Springs, Arkansas. This photo of an American toad was taken while in Hot Springs National Park. It’s […]
Praying Mantis – IUCN Conservation Status: Varies Mantids will not develop wings until their final molt These alien looking insects are masters of camouflage and ambush predation. They are often not seen because of this stealth lifestyle. These cryptic creatures have triangle shaped heads. They have large complex eyes that take up most of their heads. Praying mantis have […]
JImsonweed – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data The jimsonweed flower opens up every night as the sun goes down This jimsonweed plant is one of the most interesting plants that has ever grown in my yard. To start off, the corollas of the plant twist shut during the day. Corollas are the collection of all […]
Flat Crep – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data Once a snag falls over, it’s called a log! This flat crep was spotted while out for a hike in Brown County State Park in Indiana. My wife and I were soaking in the moderate heat that was a nice respite from the upper 90-degree days we […]
Painted Turtle – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Painted turtles are the most widespread turtle in North America This painted turtle was quite the surprise. I was on a bike ride about a mile from home when I saw a round disc moving across the road. It was about six inches from my tire. I […]
Great Spangled Fritillary – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern This great spangled fritillary was enjoying the many native flowers This photo was taken at Brown County State Park in southern Indiana. Jill and I had set up camp and were out for a hike on a hot summer day in July. This great spangled fritillary […]
Garter Snake – IUCN Conservation Status: Varies This garter snake slithered across the trail right as I was about to set my foot down. I took this photo of a common garter snake while hiking back from Round Knob on the Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana. With 150’ of prominence, Round Knob is the third […]
Northern Harrier Hawk – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Harrier hawks have the longest wing and tail relative to their body size compared to any other raptor in North America This majestic predator is known as a harrier hawk. There are 16 species within the genus. This particular harrier hawk is called a northern harrier hawk. It is […]
Raccoon – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern To our great luck, the raccoons had gone the same direction, and I was able to take this photo. This photo of a raccoon was taken with a Tamron 150-600mm lens while hiking in Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. My brother and I were out taking photos with […]
Yellow Garden Spider – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data The yellow garden spider is a very common spider found throughout the contiguous United States, Hawaii, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. This yellow garden spider had built its nest in my parents’ backyard. I took this photo one morning in late August. Throughout my childhood […]