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 […]
Green Frog – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Their body color can range from green to brown to gray This photograph was taken at Bangor City Forest in Maine. Green frogs are typically found close to water, and that was the case here. There is a pond just out of frame. The green frog was perched motionless and […]
Northern Leopard Frog – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern Most leopard frogs tend to be shades of green or brown with a leopard pattern This is a northern leopard frog sitting along a brook in Bethel, Maine. I find it challenging to shoot photos of frogs. They typically get spooked and jump away. However, this time I was […]
California Aglaja – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data Although it looks like a nudibranch, it is actually a headshield slug We are looking at a marine sea slug called a California aglaja. Its scientific name is Navanax inermis. I took this photograph in about fifty feet of water in the Channel Islands National Park. This particular sea […]
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 […]
Inland Wood Oats – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data Inland wood oats are also known as river oats Hiking along a trail on the Green Belt in Austin, Texas; I saw these whimsical oats dancing about in the sunlight along the trail. I was quite surprised to see these, as I had never seen any […]
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 […]
Slosson’s Mason Wasp – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data We were hiking along the 2,500 foot long Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk when we came across this Slosson’s mason wasp This spectacular pollinator photo was taken when I was on a hike with Matt in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. This park sits right next […]
Checkered Melon Beetle – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data These types of beetles are known as skeletonizing leaf beetles or flea beetles Big Bend National Park is a magnificent desert landscape that includes the Chisos Mountains and border the Rio Grande. Within this park there are many species of pollinators. Some are endemic to the […]