A cricket or katydid nymph (Orthoptera: Ensifera) hiding from my attempts to photograph it just before sunset. Crickets and katydids can be distinguished from grasshoppers thanks to their long antennae. Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Caelifera) have short antennae. Blissfield Michigan, 02 Jul 2025.

Coyotes (Carnivora: Canidae: Canis latrans) are common throughout North America and will hunt or scavenge for a wide variety of prey. The individual here seemed to be after ghost crabs in the early morning twilight. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.

Virginia spring beauty (Montiaceae: Claytonia virginica) is native to eastern North America and is common in deciduous woodlands. Like other spring ephemerals it flowers before trees leaf out, providing much-needed pollen and nectar for early-season insects. Blissfield Michigan, 21 Apr 2025.

Chickweed geometers (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Haematopis grataria) inhabit much of the US and Canada. These small moths can be seen in open areas like fields, meadows, and yards. Their larvae feed on chickweed, smartweed, clover, and other small plants. Blissfield Michigan, 26 Jun 2025.

Sunrise over Lake Kabetogama from the Woodenfrog Campground. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, 24 Jul 2012. #NationalParks

Night-flowering silene (Caryophyllaceae: Silene noctiflora) is native to Eurasia but has been spread across much of the world. In North America it's a common weed in grain crops. The flowers open at night to attract moths who feed on the nectar and pollinate them. Blissfield Michigan, 26 Jun 2025.

A male seaside dragonlet (Odonata: Libellulidae: Erythrodiplax berenice) guarding his territory near the Gulf of Mexico. These dragonflies inhabit salt marshes and mangrove swamps along eastern North America. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.

Striped cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Acalymma vittatum) are common crop pests in eastern North America. Larvae and adults feed on many plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, including cucumbers, melons, and squash. This one was feeding on yellow squash. Blissfield Michigan, 07 Jun 2011.

Northern Flickers (Piciformes: Picidae: Colaptes auratus) can be seen year round in much of the US, southern Canada, and parts of Mexico. In the summer many migrate north into Canada to breed. Their main food source is insects. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 09 Apr 2018.

A view of Cranberry Creek, a tributary of Rainy Lake, from the backcountry paddle campsite located there. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, 17 June 2020. #NationalParks

American Goldfinches (Passeriformes: Fringillidae: Spinus tristis) live year-round in much of the US. Depending on the time of year they also venture into Canada and Mexico. Their winter plumage isn't as bright as their summer colors, but they still stand out. Clayton Michigan, 25 Feb 2013.

Eastern juniper (Cupressaceae: Juniperus virginiana) inhabits much of eastern and central North America. It's a pioneer species that is among the first plants to colonize disturbed areas. Female plants produce fleshy blue cones, each holding several seeds. Blissfield Michigan, 25 Jun 2025.

Maple loopers (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Parallelia bistriaris) are medium-sized moths native to eastern North America. The can be found in and around deciduous woodlands, where their larvae feed on maple, birch, and walnut trees. Blissfield Michigan, 30 Jun 2025.

Tunnel Arch, formed from the weathering of Entrada sandstone. These sediments were deposited in beach and dune environments during the Jurassic, about 140-180 million years ago. Arches National Park, Utah, 15 Apr 2014. #NationalParks

The seed heads of western pasqueflowers (Ranunculaceae: Pulsatilla occidentalis) look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. These plants can be found on gravel slopes and in moist mountain meadows from the Pacific Northwest to Montana. Glacier National Park, Montana, 09 Aug 2014.

A crab spider (Araneae: Thomisidae) waiting to ambush a pollinator on a roughleaf dogwood (Cornaceae: Cornus drummondii). Blissfield Michigan, 16 Jun 2011.

Brown Pelicans (Pelecanidae: Pelecanus occidentalis) were decimated by pesticide use in the twentieth century but conservation efforts have helped them recover. Today they're a common sight along seashores, like this group along the Gulf of Mexico. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 16 Jun 2017.

The Cholla Cactus Garden near the Hexie Mountains. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 10 Apr 2018. #NationalParks

Yellow-bellied marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmota flaviventris) are never far from their rocky burrows in the western US. While their eastern groundhog cousins (Marmota monax) are called "woodchucks," these furry herbivores are called "rockchucks." Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 19 May 2016.

Althaeus leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Althaeus spp.) have an obligate relationship with plants in the mallow family. The tiny individual here was feeding on the pollen of a hibiscus (Malvaceae: Hibiscus sp.). Adrian Michigan, 20 Jul 2024.

Dahlias (Asteraceae: Dahlia spp.) are flowering perennials native to Mexico and Central America. Dozens of species exist, as well as numerous hybrids cultivated for gardens. Their unique tubers have historically had nutritional and medicinal uses. Blissfield Michigan, 30 Mar 2026.

Sunrise over the basin and range looking east into Utah. The highest mountain is Notch Peak. Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 19 May 2016.

There goes the sun. Blissfield Michigan, 30 Mar 2026.

A small cascade near the Reflection Lakes. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, 15 Aug 2014. #NationalParks

Like other bees, eastern carpenter bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopa virginica) enjoy flower pollen and nectar. This individual was in a greenhouse checking out the marigolds (Asteraceae: Tagetes sp.). Blissfield Michigan, 29 May 2011.

Canadian wood nettle (Urticaceae: Laportea canadensis) is native to wet wooded areas of eastern North America. Although it possesses stinging hairs that can cause itching, it doesn't seem to be as severe as that from introduced stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Blissfield Michigan, 24 Jun 2025.

Ribbon snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Thamnophis saurita) are common in wetlands across much of eastern North America. Growing up to three feet in length, these semi-aquatic predators feed on small amphibians, fish, spiders, and worms. North Country Trail near Pittsford Michigan, 29 Mar 2026.

Shrubby cinquefoil (Rosaceae: Dasiphora fruticosa) is native to cool and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere. It's cold-hardy, long-flowering, and low maintenance, making it popular for use in landscaping. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, 08 Aug 2014.

Large-flowered bellwort (Colchicaceae: Uvularia grandiflora) is native to eastern and central North America. It can be found in broken shade of damp woodlands. The nodding flowers attract a variety of bees, and the seeds are distributed by ants. Zaleski State Forest near Athens Ohio, 02 May 2014.

Most treehoppers are very host-specific, feeding only on certain trees or shrubs. The nymphs of this species (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Enchenopa sp.) were feeding on black walnut trees (Juglandaceae: Juglans nigra). Blissfield Michigan, 14 Jun 2011.

The moon over the weathered volcanic rhyolite of the Chiricahua Mountains. These rocks were formed in the Turkey Creek Caldera around 27 million years ago. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, 16 Feb 2017.

Wild raspberries (Rosaceae: Rubus spp.) are woody perennials found in temperate regions around the world. Their long, arching stems are often thorny, and the aggregate fruit is edible. Commercial varieties produce fruit that is larger and sweeter. Cambridge Junction Michigan, 29 Jun 2025.

Antelope ground squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Ammospermophilus spp.) can be found in the southwest US and northern Mexico. They often inhabit the relative safety of rocky landscapes where cover from predators is never far away. Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico, 08 Feb 2014.

Delicate Arch was formed from the weathering of Entrada sandstone. These sediments were deposited in beach and dune environments during the Jurassic, about 140-180 million years ago. Arches National Park, Utah, Mar 2010.

Groundhogs (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmota monax) live in underground burrows and usually run to them to escape danger. When caught in the open away from a burrow they will sometimes climb trees instead. Blissfield Michigan, 30 Jun 2012.

Cutleaf toothwort (Brassicaceae: Cardamine concatenata) is a spring ephemeral found in woodlands of eastern North America. The leaves are narrow and coarsely toothed, and the four-petaled flowers attract early season pollinators. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 11 Apr 2016.

Spotted peppergrass moths (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Eustixia pupula) inhabit fields and other open spaces across the eastern half of North America. Larvae feed on cabbage and Virginia peppergrass, both of which are common in this area. Blissfield Michigan, 27 Jun 2025.

Quarter-inch or pea-sized hail only occurs here every few years on average, so although it's not much it's relatively notable. The only time I've seen bigger hail was half-inch or dime-sized hail that pelted me near the summit of Guadalupe Peak in Texas. Blissfield Michigan, 26 Mar 2026.

Forested mountains shrouded in clouds and mist near the Cataloochee Valley. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 05 Jun 2013. #NationalParks

Banded longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Typocerus velutinus) mating on a swamp milkweed (Apocynaceae: Asclepias incarnata). Blissfield, Michigan, 30 Jun 2012.

Slender toothwort (Brassicaceae: Cardamine angustata) inhabits wet woodlands of eastern North America. Like other spring ephemerals it flowers early in the season, taking advantage of adundant sunlight before trees leaf out. Blissfield Michigan, 14 Apr 2025.

Female and immature male eastern pondhawks (Odonata: Libellulidae: Erythemis simplicicollis) are green but mature males like this one turn blue with age. This individual was hiding in the leaves of a cabbage from Florida, sluggish but still alive so I released it. Blissfield Michigan, 24 Mar 2026.

A bit of a rainbow after a storm. Clayton Michigan, 29 Jul 2020.

Like most diurnal reptiles, American alligators (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae: Alligator mississippiensis) often bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature and aid their digestion. Everglades National Park, Florida, 08 Apr 2012.

Amur honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae: Lonicera maackii) is one of several bush honeysuckles introduced to the United States from Asia. First brought here in the 1890s, it has since spread dramatically and become invasive, outcompeting native plants. Side Cut Metropark near Maumee, Ohio, 14 Oct 2012.

Shining flower beetles (Coleoptera: Phalacridae) are dark and only about 1-3 mm in length. They would be hard to see if not for their tendency to congregate on brightly-colored asters like this goldenrod (Asteraceae: Solidago sp.). Some species feed on aster pollen. Clayton Michigan, 23 Sep 2011.

White miller caddisflies (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Nectopsyche spp.) are often attracted to lights, but they normally hang out near slow moving water their aquatic young require. Larvae build portable cases from bits of sand and plant material for protection. Blissfield Michigan, 28 Jun 2025.

A cat hiding from the sun on a very hot day at Mission San Juan. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio Texas, 15 Jun 2017.

An Arizona white-tailed deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae: Odocoileus virginianus couesi) stretching to feed on the foliage of an alligator juniper (Cupressaceae: Juniperus deppeana). Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, 17 Feb 2017.

Mountain laurel (Ericaceae: Kalmia latifolia) is a broafleaf evergreen found in much of the eastern US. The flowers are visited by bees but the honey made from them, like all parts of the plant, is toxic in sufficient amounts. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 04 Jun 2013.