A Beautiful Dragonfly
The Sonoran Desert may not imply a great place to see dragonflies, but interestingly enough, it is! Find one healthy wetland ecosystem, and it tends to be loaded with them! Tucson, AZ.
A Broad-Billed Portrait
Behold: The intricate detail of a broad-billed hummingbird! These magical little forest fairies are exclusive to the western hemisphere. The tropics of Africa and Asia have insects and small birds which satisfy comparable ecological roles, but nothing quite like hummingbirds! Madera Canyon, AZ.
A Fly’s Eyes
When zooming in extremely close to an insect’s face, one can see the kaleidoscope of panels that make up it’s compound eyes. This wonderful subject is gold-backed snipe fly. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.
A Fly’s Eyes
When zooming in extremely close to an insect’s face, one can see the kaleidoscope of panels that make up it’s compound eyes. This wonderful subject is gold-backed snipe fly. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.
A Grizzled Profile
A young grizzly shows off it’s massive profile. Look closely and take note of the porcupine quills covering it’s snout. Lesson hard-learned. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming.
A Lizard’s Lair
The stunning Eastern Collared Lizard surrounded by his beautiful home. Tonto National Forest, AZ.
A Magnificent Profile
This Rivoli’s hummingbird (formerly known as the magnificent hummingbird) was kind enough to allow a few seconds for his head shot. Photo taken at Madera Canyon, AZ, USA.
A Ridged Profile
Meet Arizona’s state reptile, the ridge-nosed rattlesnake. These small mountain-dwellers have truly striking features!
Abert’s Squirrel
A denizen of Arizona’s coniferous forests, the Albert’s Squirrel is a welcomed campground visitor. Mount Lemmon, AZ, USA.
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn woodpeckers will form tribes which defend territory and cache sometimes thousands of acorns, each contained within it’s own tiny, perfectly-shaped hole of a dead tree. These food stores often sate them through lean times, such as winter. Madera Canyon, AZ.
Alien Encounter
It wasn’t the X-files that convinced me aliens exist….it was this Chinese Praying Mantis. She’s in the process of cleaning her pedipalps (claws), while perched on flowering Russian Sage. Photographed near Selinsgrove, PA, USA.
Alien Face
The two eyes are easy to see, but gaze for another moment and you may notice a smiling face. Tucson Botanical Gardens, AZ, USA.
Ambush Bug
This unusual insect is a common, yet rarely-seen inhabitant of American gardens. Ambush bugs are tiny predators that, true to their name, sit atop flowers, awaiting tiny flying insects. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.
American Avocets
Just before sunset and with the combined dramatic light from an approaching storm, these avocets cut a remarkable scene!
American Bittern
An American Bittern takes off from it’s perch among the cattails. These birds have mastered the camouflage of their vegetated homes. Tucson, AZ.
American Snout
American snout butterfly, certainly an extremely bizarre/interesting subject. It’s name couldn’t be better suited! Photographed in Winfield, PA.
An Elk’s Home
This beautiful elk was proudly displaying his fresh velvet right along the roadway. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.
Ancient Tree
An old, dead evergreen tree, which I came upon along a hiking trail at Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, NM, USA.
Anna in Flight
A male Anna’s hummingbird, occupied by the never-ending search for nectar. Photo taken at Madera Canyon, AZ.
Anna’s Profile
The beautiful array of colors on the gorget of an Anna’s Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are often considered “pink,” but an overcast day highlights so much more. Tucson, AZ.
Arizona Woodpecker
This lovely lady was very busy pecking away at the wildflower stalks. Much easier to excavate than a tree, I would imagine! Chiricahua Nat Monument, AZ.
Arrow-Shaped Micrathena
A nice, close look at the underside of a tiny Arrow-Shaped Micrathena spider. These lovely orb weavers are denizens of Northeastern US woodlands, where they build rather unique webs. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
Atlantis Fritillary
Despite being an extremely numerous butterfly in the upper half of Arizona, I had never encountered one prior to a drive along to Mongollon Rim.
Avocets Mirrors
What a beautiful reflection! These American Avocets were so perfectly reflected in the early morning stillness. Willcox, AZ.