Found throughout conifer forests of North America, white-spotted sawyer beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Monochamus scutellatus) are economically important tree pests. They attack several species of pines, spruces, and firs, often causing significant injury. West Yellowstone, Montana, 07 Sep 2014.

Gray whales (Artiodactyla: Eschrichtiidae: Eschrichtius robustus) inhabit coastal waters of the northern Pacific. They make one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling more than 10,000 miles (16,000 km) annually between feeding and breeding grounds. Puget Sound, Washington, 18 Apr 2015.

The Mesquite Flat sand dunes and the Amargosa Range. Death Valley National Park, California, 22 Dec 2012. #NationalParks

Western skunk cabbage (Araceae: Lysichiton americanus) inhabits wet, shady areas from Alaska to California. The long, narrow flower clusters are enveloped in bright yellow spathes. They give off a pungent odor that attracts fly and beetle pollinators. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015.

Although there are tens of thousands of species of parasitoid wasps, this species (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Vulgichneumon brevicinctor) is one of the most common in North America. They prey on a variety of moth larvae that are major crop pests. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Ohio, 17 May 2015.

Conkle's Hollow is a fun little hike on misty mornings. This 200 feet deep gorge is made of Black Hand Sandstone, deposited in a river valley during the early Carboniferous (350 mya). Flowing water created it and is now eroding it. Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve near Logan Ohio, 07 Aug 2011.

Solution caves form when slightly acidic groundwater slowly dissolves and transports calcite, usually in limestone rock. At Oregon Caves the calcite is in the form of metamorphosed limestone known as marble. The resulting formations are similar. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon, 25 Jul 2015.

California dreamin' on such a winter's day. #AlphabetChallenge #ThemesWeek (Week S for Sunsets)) #PhotographersOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin

Caddisflies (Trichoptera) are usually found near lakes, ponds, and streams. Their larvae are aquatic and most build cases to conceal and protect themselves. Although adults resemble moths and fly at night, their wings are covered in hairs instead of scales. Palmyra Michigan, 29 Sep 2014.

Marsh marigold (Ranunculaceae: Caltha palustris) is found in marshes, swamps, and wet woodlands throughout the northern hemisphere. The flowers produce abundant pollen that attracts insects like these hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae). Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, 25 May 2012.

Kemp's ridley sea turtle babies (Testudines: Cheloniidae: Lepidochelys kempii) being released into the Gulf of Mexico. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 16 Jun 2017.

A blue columbine (Ranunculaceae: Aquilegia coerulea) infested with the larvae of columbine leafminer flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae: Phytomyza miniscula). Blissfield Michigan, 14 Jul 2025.

Velvet mites (Trombidiformes: Trombidiidae) are tiny arachnids found worldwide. They're so small they would be hard to see, but their bright red coloration makes them stand out. Larvae parasitize insects and other arachnids, and adults feed on insect eggs. Clayton Michigan, 01 Oct 2010.

Half Dome and the Merced River one autumn. Yosemite National Park, California, 27 Oct 2013. #NationalParks

Within the volcanic Snake River Plain, rifting periodically releases lava at the surface. Numerous cinder cones, spatter cones, fissures, and lava flows have been formed over the last 15,000 years. Some basalt cinders have a glassy lustre. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, 22 May 2016.

Bighorn sheep (Artiodactyla: Bovidae: Ovis canadensis) rams live in social groups separate from females and juveniles, except during mating season. The individuals here were hanging out in the alpine tundra one morning, chewing their cud. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 06 Aug 2013.

Brachiopods are shelled marine creatures that superficially resemble clams and oysters. Although still living, they were most abundant in the Paleozoic Era (540-252 mya). Since they're common fossils they're useful for dating rocks. The Knobstone Escarpment near Leota, Indiana, 19 Jan 2013.

Greater bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae: Bombylius major) are found in woodlands thoughout much of North America. Adults are usually seen in the spring feeding on wildflowers. Their larvae, however, are parasitoids of wild bees. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 11 Apr 2016.

A tiger swallowtail (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Papilio sp.) feeding on the nectar of a spotted joe pye weed (Asteraceae: Eutrochium maculatum). Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve near Logan Ohio, 07 Aug 2011.

Mountains and trees along the Skagit River. North Cascades National Park, Washington, 16 Aug 2014. #NationalParks

An immature cicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) molting into an adult at sunset. Palmyra Michigan, 31 Aug 2013.

Common grays (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Anavitrinella pampinaria) can be found in and around woodlands throughout most of North America. Their larvae mimic twigs for camouflage and feed on a variety of plants including apple, pear, willow, poplar, ash, and clover. Blissfield Michigan, 08 Jul 2025.

Sylvan Pass (8530 feet), Top Notch Peak (10238 feet), and the rest of the Absaroka Range dominate the east side of Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 07 Sep 2014. #NationalParks

Steller's Jays (Passeriformes: Corvidae: Cyanocitta stelleri) can be found throughout evergreen forests of western North America. They're often seen in campgrounds, picnic areas, and backyards while looking for easy meals to steal. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 23 Sep 2020.

A banded argiope (Araneae: Araneidae: Argiope trifasciata) and her web covered in morning dew. Clayton Michigan, 24 Sep 2013.

Robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) are voracious predators of other insects. They patiently wait for prey to pass by and then grab them. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to inject digestive enzymes and then suck out the insides. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.

A great day hike at Joshua Tree is the Lost Palms Oasis Trail. The 7.5 mile round trip is mostly rolling terrain, but it gets pretty rugged near the oasis. It's recommended to go early or late in the day, and bring plenty of water. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 10 Apr 2018. #NationalParks

A hazy evening sunset from Lane Cove, looking out toward Sleeping Giant in Ontario. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, 25 May 2012. #NationalParks

Common morning glory (Convolvulaceae: Ipomoea purpurea) is native to Mexico and Central America but has been introduced throughout much of the world as an ornamental. In many places where it has found its way into the wild it's considered weedy. Clayton Michigan, 13 Sep 2013.

Phainopeplas (Passeriformes: Ptiliogonatidae: Phainopepla nitens) are common in hot areas of the American southwest and Mexico. They eat insects and fruit, but their favorite food is desert mistletoe (Santalaceae: Phoradendron californicum). Joshua Tree National Park, California, 09 Apr 2018.

A hover fly (Diptera: Syrphidae) on a dandelion (Asteraceae: Taraxacum officinale). Adults feed on pollen and nectar and serve as important pollinators. Larvae of most species are predators and many feed on aphids and help control their populations. Manistee River Trail, Michigan, 02 Jun 2019.

American dog ticks (Ixodidae: Dermacentor variabilis) are common arachnids in eastern North America. Larvae and nymphs feed on rodent blood, but adults feed on several larger mammals, including humans. They can transmit both Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Clayton Michigan, 07 May 2013.

Sol Duc Falls in the morning twilight. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015. #NationalParks

Of all the caves I've seen in the US there's one I'd recommend above all others. It's big, spacious, accessible, and filled with gorgeous calcite cave formations. I've gone back repeatedly and think of it as the "best" cave in the country. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, 11 Feb 2014.

Yellow-legged mud daubers (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Sceliphron caementarium) are industrious wasps that can be found throughout North America. They keep busy feeding on nectar and pollen, building nests out of mud, and provisioning them with paralyzed insect prey. Clayton Michigan, 24 Jun 2013.

Desert bluebells (Hydrophyllaceae: Phacelia campanularia) are native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of southern California and Arizona. Although classified as vulnerable in the wild, they are often cultivated for gardens and landscaping. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 10 Apr 2018.

Ventana Canyon northeast of Tucson Arizona, 20 Mar 2024.

The Christmas riverwalk at Comstock Park in Adrian, Michigan, 17 Dec 2018.

Graphocephala sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Graphocephala spp.) can be found in a variety of habitats throughout the Americas. They feed on a number of different plants, and like other leafhoppers they're quick to jump out of sight in the blink of an eye. Blissfield Michigan, 10 Jul 2011.

Lassen Peak in northern California is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. Although the area is littered with steaming fumaroles and boiling mudpots, there are also serene lakes from the abundant snowmelt. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, 22 Oct 2013.

Starflower (Primulaceae: Lysimachia borealis) is a common perennial in woodlands of Canada and the northern US. The small flowers are pollinated mainly by small native bees and yield tiny blue fruit. Manistee River Trail, Michigan, 02 Jun 2019.

Adult spicebush swallowtails (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Papilio troilus) feed on nectar from a variety of plants including this buttonbush (Rubiaceae: Cephalanthus occidentalis). Larvae, in contrast, feed largely on spicebush leaves. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark near Swanton, Ohio, 13 Jul 2014.

California ground squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Otospermophilus beecheyi) are common along the US west coast. In spite of falling prey to a variety of predators, especially rattlesnakes, their fecundity and adaptability have helped them thrive. Yosemite National Park, California, 11 Aug 2011.

Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 16 Jun 2017.

Sunset over the Kings River at Cedar Grove. Kings Canyon National Park, California, 12 Aug 2011. #NationalParks

Six-spotted tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindela sexguttata) are easy to spot thanks to their metallic green coloration. They're one of the most common tiger beetles in the eastern United States. Congaree National Park, South Carolina, 04 Jun 2013.

Mountain goats (Artiodactyla: Bovidae: Oreamnos americanus) inhabit higher elevations of the northern Rockies. These animals can be dangerous and should be viewed from a distance, but this one stepped out right in front of me on a trail. Glacier National Park, Montana, 09 Aug 2014.

Early morning at Lane Cove, looking out toward Sleeping Giant in Ontario. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, 26 May 2012. #NationalParks

Fringed polygala (Polygalaceae: Polygaloides paucifolia) can be found in wet woodlands throughout northeastern North America. Also known as gaywings, these short perennials flower from April until June. Manistee River Trail southwest of Mesick Michigan, 02 Jun 2019.

Emeralds (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Geometrinae) are small moths that occur worldwide and are most common in the tropics. Most have a green coloration but some can appear yellow or brown in the spring. Like other Geometrids their larvae are typical "inchworms." Blissfield Michigan, 13 Jul 2025.