Coast redwoods (Cupressaceae: Sequoia sempervirens) towering over a hiking trail. Person for scale. Some of these trees can approach 400 feet in height and live well over 2000 years. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013. #NationalParks

Cliff fendlerbush (Hydrangeaceae: Fendlera rupicola) is a small shrub native to the southwest US and northern Mexico. It typically grows on rocky slopes in mountainous areas, often among pinyon-juniper woodlands. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, 15 Apr 2017.

Ashy gray lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Olla v-nigrum) are widespread throughout the Americas. Their populations are negatively affected by introduced Asian lady beetles, who compete with them for the same pest insect prey. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, 15 Apr 2017.

The Sideling Hill roadcut in western Maryland is a textbook example of a syncline. Here the sedimentary rock bedding has been folded into a U-shape by compressive tectonic forces. The corresponding A-shaped anticlines on either side have been eroded away. I-68 west of Hancock Maryland, 02 Nov 2010.

Salmonberry (Rosaceae: Rubus spectabilis) can be found in damp forests along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. Similar to the raspberry, this woody perennial forms dense prickly thickets. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013.

Eight-spotted forester moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Alypia octomaculata) inhabit much of eastern North America. They're usually found near host plants for their larvae like wild grape and Virginia creeper. Unlike most moths, adults are diurnal. Side Cut Metropark near Maumee Ohio, 08 Jul 2012.

The Rio Grande River and a distant Santa Elena Canyon. Mexico is on the left, Texas is on the right. Big Bend National Park, Texas, 10 Feb 2014. #NationalParks

Weathered Cedar Mesa Sandstone in the Valley of the Gods at sunset. It was deposited in coastal dune environments during the Permian Period (270-280 mya). Near Mexican Hat Utah, 10 May 2018.

Willow leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Plagiodera versicolora) were introduced to North America from Europe in the early twentieth century. They feed on willow and poplar trees, but predators control their population so they aren't considered serious pests. Blissfield Michigan, 24 Apr 2025.

Sand and gravel interbedded with volcanic ash from eruptions about six million years ago. In many places this soft ash, known as tuff, is protected from erosion by harder cap stones, forming hoodoos or "tent rocks." Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico, March 2008.

Elk (Artiodactyla: Cervidae: Cervus canadensis) are the second largest deer in the world. They thrive in and around open woodlands in large parts of North America and east Asia. They mainly graze on grass but also forage on other plants. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 24 Sep 2020.

Common yarrow (Asteraceae: Achillea millefolium) is widespread in the northern hemisphere. It has been used for centuries in a variety of medicinal applications, and over 100 chemicals have been identified with potential pharmacological uses. Pinckney State Recreation Area, Michigan, 09 Jun 2012.

Desert stink beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Eleodes spp.) inhabit much of western North America. They get their common name because they live in arid regions and can spray a foul-smelling defensive fluid. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, 15 Apr 2017.

Wood betony (Orobanchaceae: Pedicularis canadensis) can be found in various habitats in eastern North America. Flowers can be red or yellow, but the color doesn't seem to matter to bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus spp.) who are the main pollinators. Zaleski State Forest, Ohio, 02 May 2014.

Common midge adults (Diptera: Chironomidae) look kind of like mosquitoes (Culicidae). One difference is mosquitoes tend to rest with their hind legs in the air, while midges tend to rest with their front legs in the air. Common midges also do not bite. Blissfield Michigan, 25 Apr 2011.

The Chisos Mountains in Texas were created by volcanic activity 35 to 44 million years ago. One prominent feature in the central Chisos Basin is the Window, a gap in the mountains that looks down on the Chihuahuan Desert below. Big Bend National Park, Texas, 10 Feb 2014. #NationalParks

Weathered volcanic rocks along the High Peaks Trail. Formed from intrusive magma 23 million years ago, movement along the San Andreas Fault has since carried it nearly 200 miles from where it originated. Pinnacles National Park, California, 16 Dec 2012. #NationalParks

Banana slugs (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Ariolimacidae: Ariolimax spp.) inhabit coniferous rainforests along the Pacific coast of North America. They feed on plant material, moss, fungi, and animal droppings and help disperse seeds and spores. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013.

Spotted spurge (Euphorbiacae: Euphorbia maculata) is a fairly common weedy annual in much of the United States. It’s relatively intolerant of competition so it’s most often found in open areas like gardens, lawns, and fields. The milky sap is a skin irritant and toxic. Clayton Michigan, 19 Jul 2013.

Imperial moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Eacles imperialis) inhabit woodlands throughout much of North America. Their larvae feed on a wide variety of host trees, but adults don't feed at all. These large moths live just long enough to breed. Palmyra Michigan, 21 Jun 2012.

Cedar Falls is the largest waterfall by volume in the Hocking Hills region. Here the water of Queer Creek wears its way through a fracture in the Black Hand sandstone, which was deposited about 350 million years ago. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio, 13 Mar 2011.

Somewhere along the Pacific coast. Redwood National Park, California, 25 Jul 2015. #NationalParks

Dunlins (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae: Calidris alpina) spend winters along mild shorelines around the world, then migrate to the arctic in the summer to breed. In either locale they feed on invertebrates and the occasional small fish. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, 14 May 2014.

Curlycup gumweed (Asteraceae: Grindelia squarrosa) is native to much of the US and southern Canada. Like other gumweeds this species exudes sticky sap from its leaves and flowers. It also concentrates selenium from soil and can be toxic to mammals. Colorado National Monument, Colorado, 04 Aug 2013.

A male tarantula (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma sp.), one of dozens running across a road looking for females. Kings Canyon National Park, California, 12 Aug 2011.

The North Fork of the Virgin River cutting through Zion Canyon. Zion National Park, Utah, March 2010. #NationalParks

Silky beach pea (Fabaceae: Lathyrus littoralis) can be found on coastal dunes in the Pacific Northwest. The bicolored flowers are mainly pollinated by bees. As with other members of the bean family, fertilized flowers develop into seed pods. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013.

A pair of narrow-winged damselflies (Odonata: Ceonagrionidae) in a mating ritual. Like dragonflies, these insects typically stay close to ponds, streams, and rivers because their young are aquatic. Side Cut Metropark near Maumee Ohio, 27 Jun 2012.

A common midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) resting on a bloodroot (Papaveraceae: Sanguinaria canadensis). Blissfield Michigan, 14 Apr 2025.

Coast redwoods in early morning fog. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013. #NationalParks

I have no idea what I do on here that leads to so many NSFW furry accounts showing up in my discover feed. 😆

The weathered sedimentary rocks of The Amphitheater. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 12 Apr 2014. #NationalParks

A purple sailor (Anthoathecata: Porpitidae: Vellela vellela), one of thousands washed up on a Pacific beach. Similar to man o' wars, they use a "sail" to move across the water with the wind. Sometimes, however, the wind can strand them on beaches. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015.

A dragon cloud eating the sun. Madison Township Michigan, 16 Aug 2025.

Golden-mantled ground squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Callospermophilus lateralis) can be found in a variety of habitats in the western US and Canada. They hibernate in the winter and spend summers fattening up on wide variety of food. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 22 Sep 2020.

Great sage (Lamiaceae: Salvia summa) can only be found on limestone cliffs in small, scattered parts of the Chihuahuan Desert. This perennial flowers early in the spring. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, 15 Apr 2017.

Oil beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae: Meloe spp.) are named for the oily substance that exudes from the joints of adults. Larvae hitch rides on bees back to their nests, where they feed on bee eggs and provisions. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 22 Sep 2020.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean and a tidepool near Kalaloch. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015. #NationalParks

Porcelain grays (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Protoboarmia porcelaria) are medium-sized moths found in the eastern US and Canada. Larvae are called dash-lined loopers and are typical "inchworm" caterpillars. They feed on a variety of evergreen and deciduous trees. Blissfield Michigan, 13 Aug 2025.

Desert marigold (Asteraceae: Baileya multiradiata) can be found throughout much of the southwest US. Although it can survive drought conditions, this perennial is capable of growing quickly in the presence of some water. North of Las Vegas, Nevada, 07 Apr 2013.

A sagebrush checkerspot (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Chlosyne acastus) taking nectar from a desert prince's plume (Brassicaceae: Stanleya pinnata). These plants are toxic to most animals because they take up a large amount of selenium from the soil. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 09 Apr 2018.

Taking a break from a long paddling trip on Rainy Lake. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, 17 Jun 2020. #NationalParks

A mature male meadowhawk (Odonata: Libellulidae: Sympetrum sp.) resting on a peach at a farmer's market. As with other dragonflies they're predators of other insects and this one probably had little interest in eating the peach. Cambridge Junction Michigan, 17 Aug 2025.

Like other slipper orchids, pink lady's slipper (Orchidaceae: Cypripedium acaule) has a lower flower petal that is modified into a slipper shape. It temporarily traps insects who are forced to escape through a narrow passage where they transfer pollen. Manistee River Trail, Michigan, 02 Jun 2019.

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 smooth oxeye (Asteraceae: Heliopsis helianthoides). Oak Openings Metropark near Swanton Ohio, 15 Jul 2012.

Abundant throughout much of North America, Canada Geese (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) are often encountered near water. In the spring they’re commonly seen in family groups, with vulnerable goslings sticking close to their protective parents. Zaleski State Forest, Ohio, 02 May 2014.

Upper Yellowstone Falls in a dense conifer forest. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 05 Sep 2014. #NationalParks

Big devils beggartick (Asteraceae: Bidens vulgata) is a native of wetlands in much of North America. It’s most commonly found in marshes, floodplains, moist meadows, damp open woodlands and any area with sufficient sunlight and moisture. Clayton Michigan, 11 Sep 2013.

Northern green frogs (Anura: Ranidae: Lithobates clamitans melanota) can be found in wetlands throughout northeastern North America. They're often sold as pets, sometimes incorrectly labeled as bullfrogs. Waterloo State Recreation Area near Chelsea Michigan, 02 Sep 2012.

A view of the rocky Atlantic coast looking south from Cadillac Mountain. Acadia National Park, Maine, 27 Oct 2015. #NationalParks