Admittedly, some editing was required to lend such a dramatic contrast. That said, this young scaly pholiota mushroom was still a dramatic and beautiful stand-out in the dreary forest. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
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 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.
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.
Among their many other unique attributes, horned lizards are identified by the shape of their “crown.” The regal horned lizard wears a crown that’s more majestic than many other species. Photographed near Tucson, AZ..
Encountered in the middle of a hiking trail, I nearly stepped on this sidewinder rattlesnake. This picture depicts it amidst the natural surroundings.
We humans aren’t the only creatures that adore pine nuts! Squirrels, however, don’t need expensive hummus to accompany them. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming.
A denizen of Arizona’s coniferous forests, the Albert’s Squirrel is a welcomed campground visitor. Mount Lemmon, AZ, USA.
A denizen of Arizona’s coniferous forests, the Albert’s Squirrel is a welcomed campground visitor. Mount Lemmon, AZ, USA.
While watching a group of sea otters just offshore, an elderly woman informed me it was the best show this location had seen in years! What a wonderful experience! Morro Bay, CA.
Now estimated to only stand around 20,000 individuals, researchers place the original desert bighorn sheep population to have numbered over half a million. Their current numbers are actually a huge improvement over the 1960’s, when there were only approximately 6,000 left. The population growth of these endangered mammals can largely be attributed to federal and state protections, in addition to strong reintroduction efforts. Needless to say, just seeing these impressive creatures in the wild was an incredible experience. The novelty to watch and photograph them for several hours was extraordinary. Tucson, Arizona.
Clinging to the stem of a goldenrod plant, these two ambush bugs make such an adorable couple.! Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
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.
The two eyes are easy to see, but gaze for another moment and you may notice a smiling face. Tucson Botanical Gardens, AZ, USA.
Pictured are two short-eared owls. The individual in flight decided to dive-bomb the perched owl in what appeared to be a territorial stunt. Photographed near Washingtonville, PA, USA.
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.
Just before sunset and with the combined dramatic light from an approaching storm, these avocets cut a remarkable scene!
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 Oystercatchers are stunning shorebirds that specialize in extracting oysters, snails, etc from their protection. Gulls will sometimes watch these elegant shellfish specialists and dive in to steal their food after it’s removed. Puerto Penasco, MX.
American snout butterfly, certainly an extremely bizarre/interesting subject. It’s name couldn’t be better suited! Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.
An old, dead evergreen tree, which I came upon along a hiking trail at Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, NM, USA.
A male Anna’s hummingbird, occupied by the never-ending search for nectar. Photo taken at Madera Canyon, AZ.
Arizona sister butterfly lapping moisture droplets from a nearby stream. Photographed at Mt Lemmon, AZ.
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.