Flood water reflecting the cypress trees. Congaree National Park, South Carolina, 04 Jun 2013. #NationalParks

A bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus sp.) feeding on nectar from a squawroot (Orobanchaceae: Conopholis americana). Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 11 Apr 2016.

Steller sea lions (Carnivora: Otariidae: Eumetopias jubatus) inhabit northern Pacific coastlines from California to Japan. They’re often encountered resting together on rocks and shores, basking in the warmth of the sun while they digest their food. Puget Sound, Washington, 18 Apr 2015.

Newhalem Creek at North Cascades National Park, Washington, 15 Aug 2014. #NationalParks

Although this plant is called desert holly (Amaranthaceae: Atriplex hymenelytra), it’s unrelated to true hollies (Aquifoliaceae: Ilex spp.). The common name comes from the resemblance of the leaves and red fruit to those found on true hollies. Death Valley National Park, California, 10 Mar 2010.

Ebony bugs (Hemiptera: Thyreocoridae) feed on wildflowers and their developing seeds, so they're usually encountered in fields, meadows, prairies and roadsides. These individuals were feeding on a wild carrot (Apiaceae: Daucus carota). Clayton Michigan, 13 Jul 2010.

Once found only in western North America, House Finches (Passeriformes: Fringillidae: Haemorhous mexicanus) are now common throughout the east as well. After being introduced as potential pets in New York in 1940, a few escapees helped establish a vast new population. Clayton Michigan, 25 Feb 2013.

Common mullein (Scrophulariaceae: Verbascum thapsus) occurs throughout North America as a biennial invasive weed introduced from Eurasia. The first year plants look like fuzzy cabbages, and in the second year they grow into larger plants with tall yellow inflorescences. Brady Nebraska, 29 Jul 2025.

Hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are also called flower flies since these important pollinators are often seen on flowers like this fleabane (Asteraceae: Erigeron sp.). Although similar in appearance to bees, flies only have one pair of wings instead of two. Blissfield Michigan, 07 Jun 2011.

Yellow-bellied marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Marmota flaviventris) are never far from their rocky burrows in the western US. They spend summers fattening up on plants before hibernation, but this one seemed to take a moment to admire the view. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 06 Aug 2013.

Giant sequoias (Cupressaceae: Sequoiadendron giganteum) can live for over 3000 years and grow to over 30 feet in diameter and nearly 300 feet in height. The individuals shown here are relatively young and small by those standards. Kings Canyon National Park, California, 12 Aug 2011.

A Colorado potato beetle larva (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Leptinotarsa decemlineata) feeding on a cultivated potato plant (Solanaceae: Solanum tuberosum). When you grow organic, you get to spend a lot of time squishing things like this. Blissfield Michigan, 16 Jun 2012.

A horned lizard (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae: Phrynosoma sp.) blending in. Camouflage is their first line of defense, but they can also puff themselves up to look bigger. Some species can even squirt blood from their eyes at predators. Joshua Tree National Park, California, 10 Apr 2018.

Rose geranium (Geraniaceae: Pelargonium graveolens) is from southern Africa, but its cultivars have seen widespread use as ornamentals. This one is known as 'citrosum' and is marketed as "mosquito plant" and "citronella," but those terms apply to several plants. Blissfield Michigan, 26 Mar 2025.

Alderflies (Megaloptera: Sialidae) inhabit much of the world, but are most common in the northern hemisphere. Since their predaceous larvae are aquatic, they're most often seen near lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. Females lay eggs on vegetation over the water. Blissfield Michigan, 27 May 2011.

Avalanche Lake at the end of the Avalanche Lake Trail. This moderate hike is about a five mile round trip. Glacier National Park, Montana, 09 Aug 2014. #NationalParks #Hiking

Dark-eyed Juncos (Passeriformes: Emberizidae: Junco hyemalis) spend warmer months in coniferous forests of the Appalachians, Rockies, and Canada to feed on insects and breed. They overwinter at lower elevations and latitudes to forage for seeds and keep warm. Clayton Michigan, 14 Mar 2013.

Common mallow (Malvaceae: Malva neglecta) is native to Eurasia but has been introduced elsewhere for culinary use. The leaves and seeds are not only edible but also nutritious. It's considered weedy in North America but isn't particularly invasive. Blissfield Michigan, 07 Jun 2011.

The larvae of purslane sawflies (Hymenoptera: Argidae: Schizocerella pilicornis) are leaf miners that feed on common purslane (Portulacaceae: Portulaca oleracea). They tunnel within the leaves and fatten up before pupating into wasp-like adults. Palmyra Michigan, 27 Jul 2010.

Devils Tower is a dramatic feature that dominates the Black Hills skyline. Reaching nearly 1,300 feet in height, it was formed when magma intruded into sedimentary rock. These softer rocks have since eroded, leaving the hard igneous rock behind. Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, 17 Aug 2014.

An American bison (Artiodactyla: Bovidae: Bison bison) heading up the road. The pavement probably made for easier walking than the brush. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, 12 Aug 2014. #NationalParks

Cleftleaf wildheliotrope (Hydrophyllaceae: Phacelia crenulata) inhabits much of the US southwest. The small but showy purple flowers are bell-shaped and grow in dense clusters. They emerge from a coiled stem that unfurls like a scorpion’s tail. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 12 Apr 2014.

A katydid nymph (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) feeding on the pollen of a sulphur cinquefoil (Rosaceae: Potentilla recta). Clayton Michigan, 27 Jun 2014.

Thunder Hole and the Atlantic Ocean. Acadia National Park, Maine, 27 Oct 2015. #NationalParks

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.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Passeriformes: Parulidae: Setophaga coronata) resting in a tree. I suspect this individual was taking a break on its way north for breeding season. Pinckney State Recreation Area near Chelsea Michigan, 05 May 2013.

Adult monarch butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danaus plexippus) often take nectar from common milkweeds (Apocynaceae: Asclepias syriaca), but can feed on a variety of flowers. Their larvae, in contrast, require milkweeds to develop properly. Side Cut Metropark near Maumee Ohio, 27 May 2012.

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.

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.

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.

American toads (Anura: Bufonidae: Anaxyrus americanus) are native to much of eastern North America. They're often in proximity to shallow water that's required for their aquatic tadpoles. On warm damp nights their high pitched mating calls often fill the air. Blissfield Michigan, 12 May 2026.

Blue columbine (Ranunculaceae: Aquilegia coerulea) is native to the Rocky Mountains but various cultivars have seen widespread use as ornamentals. They're often pollinated by hawkmoths and bumble bees. Blissfield Michigan, 12 May 2026.

Luna moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Actias luna) can be found in deciduous forests in eastern North America. Their larvae feed on several species of trees, but adults don't feed at all. They only live for about a week, just long enough to mate and lay eggs. Blissfield Michigan, 12 May 2026.

Wildfire smoke over the Yosemite Valley just before sunset. Yosemite National Park, California, 11 Aug 2011.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

March flies (Diptera: Bibionidae) spend most of their lives as larvae in shallow soil. Once or twice a year those of the same species in a given area pupate and emerge as adults in unison. They then spend just a few days mating and laying eggs before they die. Palmyra Michigan, 28 May 2017.

Looking down on clouds from about 8000 feet thanks to an inversion layer. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, 16 Apr 2017. #NationalParks

Harbor seals (Carnivora: Phocidae: Phoca vitulina) inhabit the coastal waters of much of North America and northern Europe. They spend a lot of time at sea hunting fish and shellfish, but always return to shore to rest. Channel Islands National Park, California, 26 Oct 2013.

Sweet after death (Berberidaceae: Achlys triphylla) gets its common name from the fragrant vanilla-like aroma that is released by its dead and dried leaves. This plant can be found in temperate rainforests in the Pacific Northwest. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, 15 Aug 2014.

Antlike flower beetles (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) superficially resemble ants and are often found in similar environments. Adults are often seen on plants and in leaf litter. Larvae live in soil, rotting wood, and among rocks where they feed on decaying plant matter. Blissfield Michigan, 22 Nov 2012.

There goes the sun. Blissfield Michigan, 06 May 2026.

Found throughout the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin deserts, desert globemallow (Malvaceae: Sphaeralcea ambigua) thrives in the rocky, sandy soil of the southwest. It's a larval host for a variety of butterflies, and it resists encroachment by invasive plants. Near Las Vegas, Nevada, 07 Apr 2013.

Found throughout the Pacific Northwest, the Varied Thrush (Passeriformes: Turdidae: Ixoreus naevius) is a relatively common inhabitant of rainforest understories. In summer they feed primarily on arthropods, and switch to fruit and seeds in winter. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015.