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.
Encountered in the middle of a hiking trail, I nearly stepped on this sidewinder rattlesnake. This picture depicts it amidst the natural surroundings.
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.
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.
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.
Found in shaded forest, this lesser-encountered Orb Weaver species is one of the few spider species to hang on the web with it’s head pointed upwards. Photographed in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
The barred owls in Okefenokee Swamp often liked to sit in trees (sometimes only a few feet above the swamp), constantly scanning the quagmire for snakes and frogs. They weren’t afraid to hunt at any hour, day or night. Photo taken at Stephen Foster State Park, GA, USA.
A very large American Bullfrog, pictured basking over the murky, vegetated waters of his/her swamp home. Photo taken in Harrisburg, PA, USA.
The flower of a bishop’s hat cactus, observed at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, AZ.
Black rat snake in her natural environment. Due to their body structures and means of movement, snakes are often frustrating photo subjects, making it hard to pass on the more “photogenic” individuals. Photo taken near Danville, PA, USA.
A pair of eastern tailed blues, a species of hairstreak butterfly, caught in the act of coitus. Photo taken near Lewisburg, PA, USA.
Witnessing a wild bobcat clean itself less than 30 feet away from me was downright incredible! This observation was entirely unplanned and occurred during a short walk. Cats will be cats! Tucson, AZ.
Brown anoles are an invasive species which have effectively displaced their native green kin in many sub-arboreal habitats throughout Florida. This fellow is performing a territorial display. Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.
When we so closely examine such a thing as a butterfly’s wing, the texture looks so much different. This specimen was a well-preserved monarch butterfly, encountered on a damp, chilly morning hike. Photo taken in Loyalsock State Forest, PA, USA.
Sometimes photo subjects are encountered in the funniest places. While searching for fossils, this little cardinal jumping spider was unearthed from a layer of rock in which she was hiding. Photo taken near Beaver Springs, PA, USA.
In the forest, the peaceful forest, the coati sleeps tonight… The sycamore branches lent the perfect touch to this magical forest scene! Coatimundi photographed in Madera Canyon, AZ.
One of these neotropic cormorants snagged a catfish that was entirely too big to be swallowed in one try. Naturally, this drew the attention of a second cormorant who was able to steal the catch. This, of course, attracted a third and forth cormorant to the scene. By the time one of the birds finally managed to swallow the very dead fish, it had passed between 6 different cormorants over the course of nearly two minutes and amidst much splashing, flailing, and biting. Gilbert, AZ, USA.
Being such intelligent and adaptable creatures, I have an enormous amount of respect for coyotes. They are very quick to adjust their habits based on environmental changes, as well as human development. These canines eat a wide variety of food items, including mammals, reptiles, birds, fruit, and even vegetable matter. Not only are they prevalent throughout the desert, but coyotes thrive in the middle of large cities. Picture Rocks, AZ.
Silhouetted by the setting sun, a flock of sandhill cranes moves to their roosting spots for the night. Willcox, AZ, USA.
The perfect camouflage artist, this bobcat seemed to materialize from the brush. Tucson, AZ, USA.
A couple of chanterelle waxy caps. On such a dark, dreary day, the camera flash illuminated them in such a way as to give the impression of tiny little lanterns. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
The fawn on the left seemed to be the leader, as it kept a close eye on me for a few seconds, then snorted and took off, closely followed by it’s companion. Photo taken near Northumberland, PA, USA.
The tiny strawberry hedgehog cactus produces a dazzling display of dramatic flowers. Saguaro NP West, AZ.
Watching burrowing owls can be a very tiresome endeavor. Despite my strong adoration for owls these little cuties spend an inordinate amount of time simply standing in front of burrows. On the rare occasion of action (such as this grasshopper catch), the flurry of action is over almost immediately after it begins. Chandler, AZ.
Green anoles are only actually green when they’re feeling healthy and confident. They turn brown when encountering a predator, but when it’s feeling extra brazen, a male might go as far as to perform territorial “push-ups,” while puffing out his red dewlap (throat). Photo taken at Lake Louisa State Park, FL, USA.
A green heron spearing fish from it’s shadowy perch. Look closely, and you may notice something grasped in it’s bill. Photo taken near Harrisburg, PA, USA.
An Eastern Screech Owl of the rufous (red) color phase, catching some pre-sunset illumination. Photographed near Turbotville, PA.
When closely inspecting a purple coneflower (echinacea), the plant has a very alien appearance. This wild honeybee no doubt had quite a plunder at this enormous flower! Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.
A horned grebe drake, showing off his striking breeding plumage. Two of these handsome devils spent some time fishing directly in front of me. Photo taken at Montour Preserve, PA, USA.
A beautiful flock of sandhill cranes fly off toward the spectacular sunset. Willcox, AZ
Attempting to camouflage itself from both predator and prey alike, an American Bullfrog hides in the heavy duckweed. Photo taken near Harrisburg, PA, USA.
These tiny, beautiful sweat bees go by many names, “Green Metallic” being one. Extremely effective pollinators, these insects collect both pollen and nectar to feed their young. Shown on mint flowers. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.
A lovely pair of red milkweed beetles perched on a well-chewed common milkweed leaf. Photo taken in Selinsgrove, PA.
As seen from beneath, this large cluster of beautiful, tiny mushrooms were found growing on a rotting hemlock log. Photo taken at Tall Timbers State Park, PA, USA.
A cluster of pinwheel marasmius mushrooms. These beige-colored, extremely tiny shrooms are easy to overlook. Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
Named after the golden-yellow robes the early Roman prothonotaries used to wear, these beautiful warblers spend their days foraging and defending brushy territory, often bordered by water. Prothonotary Warbler photographed in Okefenokee NWR, GA, USA.
This eastern red salamander was all-smiles about having his/her picture taken. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.
Setting between the arms of a large saguaro cactus, the disappearing sun invites many of the desert’s creatures to emerge. Saguaro NP West, AZ, USA.
These large, incredible birds will overwinter en-masse at a few specific locations across the US. Soon before spring is under way, they disperse to summer breeding grounds. Willcox, AZ.
Like any self-respecting hiker, I despise the swarms of mosquitoes that emerge during really wet summers, but as a nature lover, find myself in awe at the vast array of fungi that also appear. This Scaly Pholiata cluster was encountered deep in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
A young sidewinder tasting the air as it sizes me up. Like other snake species, these small rattlesnakes use their tongues to periodically “taste” the air. This helps them to keep tabs on the surroundings.
Every few years, the valleys surrounding Tucson will receive a gentle dusting of snow. Once in a blue moon, however, snow will actually accumulate, turning this normally hot/dry desert into a winter wonderland. I was extremely fortunate to witness this aberration within 2 months of living here. This photo even managed to capture a few falling snowflakes. Saguaro National Park West.
A close-up “profile” shot of the beautiful American Tree Swallow. Already a lovely bird, the bright sunshine really helped to intensify the gorgeous coloration. Photo taken at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, PA, USA.
This young green treefrog was barely over an inch long, and I discovered him/her sitting on a palmetto at the edge of my campsite. Photo taken at Stephen Foster State Park, GA, USA.
Toad lilies bloom rather late in the year. This one didn’t even start to open it’s mesmerizing flowers until the last days of September. Although I’m always a tad biased against non-native plants, this Japanese perennial is a lovely shade-tolerant plant which offers beauty when many others are going to seed. Photo taken in Winfield, PA, USA.
This is my absolute favorite waterfall on Rickett’s Glen State Park’s (PA) Fall’s Trail. Many of the other waterfalls are more intricate, but something about the setting of Tuscarora Falls reminds me of something from a fairy tale.
Although short-lived, a mass cicada emergence spells a feast for any number of birds and reptiles in the Sonoran Desert. This Western Cicada was hanging on a gate at the end of my backyard hiking trail.
These ground squirrel siblings, although appearing quite sweet, will take any measures to literally steal food from another’s mouth. Tucson, AZ, USA.
This enormous zebra-tailed lizard had an even bigger ego. Upon my approach for a close shot, rather than fleeing, this brazen lizard decided to make a territorial display. He looks rather human in this shot. Saguaro NP East, AZ.
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