"Wanderer"

I felt a certain bond with this fellow as he wandered across a rugged section of trail I was hiking. We crossed paths just after an awesome thunderstorm pounded the landscape. He is a Red Eft, the terrestrial developmental stage of the Red-Spotted Newt. This amphibian wanders the landscape for about 3 years before entering a pond to complete its development to the all-aquatic adult phase.

"From the Sands of Time"

This baby Snapping Turtle has emerged from the sand, hatching to become the newest generation of his species. His ancestors reach back about 65 million years ago – long past the last Ice Age (13,000 years ago) that deposited the grains of sand that cover his body. These turtles can live up to 30 years.

"Fresh as Spring"

Many Canada Geese goslings are marching around the nature center this spring. I resist the desire to play with them or pick them up. . .  so far.

The camouflage patterning and cryptic coloring helps the fluffy goslings blend in with the dappled sunlight on the grass as they feed. Protective parents – ever vigilant – protect them and shepherd them about.

"Nestmates"

Just hatched, these baby House Finches are so precious and vulnerable, but momma finch found the perfect, protected location for the nest: right outside our front door on a christmas wreath left over from winter. Their story begins here.

"Fluid Form"

This photo was taken by my wife Melanie early one morning. The sea star (the "correct" term for starfish) was caught in a tide pool, and a little while later, buried itself in the sand. Also note the ripples of water and sand.

"Winged Art"

This Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly flew past my face and landed just long enough to point my camera at it. Funny how some insects species are exalted, while others despised – all because of their appearances.

"S"

This baby Garter snake and several of his siblings caught our attention as my wife an I were hiking recently. I grabbed the camera and snapped a few quick shots. This snake chose to stop and threaten me by coiling in a striking posture. It was fantastic to see this little string bean of a snake try to intimidate me as I moved the camera for a close up. A moment later, he though better about his tactic and bolted away under the leaves.

"Weedhopper"

Fascinating creatures, grasshoppers. They thrive in the blazing heat of late summer, encased in their armored suit, feasting on grass leaves and the seed heads. So many cool looking patterns, colors, and markings on their exoskeleton, all with purpose.

"M is for Mouse"

This inquisitive little fellow did not seem to be afraid of me as he darted about the short grassy area near a parking lot. He came towards me several times, inching his way with whiskers twitching. I offered my finger to him and he reached out and grabbed it for a moment then moved a few inches away and sat on a cottonwood leaf. I let him be. Click here to see a few seconds worth of video of that moment.

Baby Milksnake

"Just a shell of its former self"

This exuvia, or shed exoskeleton of a dragonfly nymph still clings to the vegetation in the pond where it developed. Once it was ready, it climbed out of the water to shed its skin and unfurl its new wings.

Baby Black Ratsnake

One of many that hatched and slithered out from a rotting tree stump to warm itself in the sun. At this age and size, rodents are not on the menu! An adult rat snake can grow to 5 feet in length.

"Green Hornet"

A tiny pollen-eating wasp on a Hedge Bindweed flower.

"Milkweed Bug on Sweet Pepperbush"

"Mollusk in Hand"

This creature was partially buried in the tidal zone of Ormand Beach in Florida. I was looking for shells and thought I had an empty one, when to my delight, the shell's occupant was at home! A friendly greeting followed, as you can see here. . .

"8 Eyes, 8 Legs, and a Whole Lotta Eggs"

Nursery Web Spider carrying egg sac made of silk on a blue tarp. I had disturbed her safe haven when I went to fold up this tarp that was on the ground. I paused to permit her time to escape into a nearby stone wall.

Milkweed Bug nymphs

They molt and grow as they feed on the sticky, toxic juices of the Common Milkweed plant. Here, they cluster together perhaps for warmth, or perhaps to appear larger and more intimidating to predators. Often red and orange in an animal's coloring warns would-be predators that the animal tastes bad or is even toxic to eat.

Baby Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

So cute and curious, yet appropriately wary. I could have held this bunny in one hand. Contrary to what some people think, rabbits are not rodents. They are of the genus Lagomorpha which includes Hares. Lagomorphs have four incisor teeth (front) in the top jaw, where Rodentia have only two. There are other differences, but surely the long ears and fluffy cottontail are enough to let you know it is not a rat! 

You might notice the ticks drinking blood with impunity from the rabbit's ear. Such are the hazards of the wild.

"Hunter and the Hunted"

It is always a powerful thing when I witness predator and prey engagements in nature. In such a primal moment, I have a clash of feelings despite my understanding of ecology and the cycle of life and death. Nature may be violent at times, but it is never cruel. Predators like this Red-tailed Hawk must be precise and quick, or they do not eat. In turn, this refinement of hunting prowess minimizes suffering in its prey – the squirrel – because the hawk's surprise attack with razor sharp talons and bone snapping impact kills quickly.

"No Lifeguard on Duty"

A female Mallard duck found the hotel swimming pool to her liking. After the pool had closed for the day and everyone had left the area, she merrily paddled about, quacking (happily, it seemed) for an extended interval. Eventually, she flew off into the sunset.

"Jiminy's Cousin"

A Short-winged Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis). Katydids are distinguished from grasshoppers by their typically long, filamentous antennae. They are more closely related to crickets than grasshoppers. This one is immature, but its antennae seem fully developed.

"Jeweled Dragon Rising"

This photo was a gift. I was actually taking a picture of the vegetation against the water as a background. A hopeful study of contrast between the brown leaves and blue sky reflections. As it turns out when I got the pictures on my computer, I saw this scene – a freshly emerged dragonfly just after it emerged from it's larval stage into an adult. It had just finished pumping fluid into it's wings and tail (abdomen) of its new body form, clinging opposite to the exuvia or shell case of its former self. 

"Bath Time"

Mourning Doves are among my favorite birds. They are just so beautiful!

"Nectar of Life"

There is something so gentle and sacred about this, the simple yet profound act of finding nectar in life.

"Peek-a-boo"

Milkweed beetles, like most beetles, have excellent eyesight. Scurrying around the backside of leaves and stems to avoid the paparazzi naturalist and his camera, this fellow was curious to see if I had left yet, and came back around, peering through a hole in a nearby leaf.

"Red Raider"

The genus and species name of this deliciously shiny red beetle is Lilioceris lilii (pronounced "Lily-o-serrus lily-eye"). Beautiful and voracious, this individual and his cohorts fairly decimated our lilies this past spring. We still got to watch the flowers bloom though, and observe this lovely critter ply his craft, too.