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Plume moths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) are easy to recognize thanks to their unique appearance. They hold their thin wings horizontally when at rest, giving them a distinct T-shape. Like many moths adults are attracted to lights at night. Blissfield Michigan, 14 Jun 2025.

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Stilt bugs (Hemiptera: Berytidae) are hemimetabolous insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Young nymphs like the one shown here resemble adults and gradually become even more adult-like with each molt. Their final molt adds complete wings and reproductive organs. Blissfield MI, 22 Jun 2014.

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Twelve-spotted skimmers (Odonata: Libellulidae: Libellula pulchella) are often seen near lakes and ponds throughout much of North America. Mature males like this one have twelve dark spots and eight light spots. Females and immature males lack the light spots. Clayton Michigan, 27 Jun 2014.

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Buttonbush (Rubiaceae: Cephalanthus occidentalis) is found mainly in wetlands of eastern North America. The flowers are popular with pollinators and the fruit and seeds provide food for birds. Deer are also known to browse on the foliage. Everglades National Park, Florida, 08 Apr 2012.

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Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are important predators of plant pests, especially aphids. The larvae are attracted to the honeydew excreted by aphids and then feed on them and their eggs. Like many moths, adults like this one are attracted to lights. Blissfield Michigan, 12 Jun 2025.

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This would be a good time to avoid the beaches along western Lake Erie. 😄

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Coastal tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Ellipsoptera hamata) are found along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to southern Texas. Like other tiger beetles these insects are predators of other arthropods. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 15 Jun 2017.

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Snail eater beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Scaphinotus spp.) are widespread inhabitants of forests. They're relatively large and nocturnal insects that eat snails and slugs. The individual shown had very large mandibles and wasn't afraid to bite. Redwood National Park, California, 26 Apr 2013.

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I had to fill in the gaps between my rhododendrons and hostas, so I went with dark pink impatiens for color. This spot is north-facing and gets very little sun, so these shade-loving plants do well here. Blissfield Michigan, 12 Jun 2025.

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The species of jumping spider shown here (Salticidae: Habronattus decorus) is widespread across eastern North America. Males like this one have shiny reddish abdomens and are less than 1/4" (5 mm) in length. Females have fuzzy abdomens and are slightly larger. Blissfield Michigan, 12 Jun 2025.

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This is the oldest photo of me, with my mom, the day I was born. Late 1976. She passed away in 2015.

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Huitlacoche, also known as corn smut, is a fungus that grows on sweet corn. Looks gross, but after learning it's a delicacy in Mexico I decided to try it. It tastes like corn but with a fluffy texture. I mixed some with scrambled eggs and cheese in breakfast burritos and thought it was pretty good.

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Rawr 🐯

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Twinflower (Caprifolaceae: Linnaea borealis) grows in cool, wet woodlands across the northern hemisphere. This small evergreen perennial blooms in summer, with pale pink flowers arranged in pairs. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, 17 Jun 2020.

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In addition to science and nature, I am a huge fan of history and art. Presented here without particular context or reason is "The Execution of Louis XVI" by Georg Heinrich Sievking, 1793.

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Little Blue Herons (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Egretta caerulea) inhabit marshes, estuaries, and other wetlands from the southeast US to Brazil. They patiently wade and watch for fish to catch, and nest in nearby trees. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.

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A spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Episyron sp.) provisioning her nest with a paralyzed banded orb weaver (Araneae: Araneidae: Argiope trifasciata). When not feeding their children these wasps like to indulge in flower nectar and pollen. Clayton Michigan, 27 Sep 2013.

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Broadleaf stonecrop (Crassulaceae: Sedum spathulifolium) can be found on the rocky slopes of seaside cliffs and inland mountains from British Columbia through California. The bright yellow flowers and succulent leaves make this an eye-catching perennial. Klamath Mountains, California, 26 Apr 2013.

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Buckwheat (Polygonaceae: Fagopyrum esculentum) isn't related to true wheat (Poaceae: Triticum aestivum), but historically the seeds have been used much in the same way. The flour can be used in bread, pancakes, and noodles. Me and four sisters for scale. Blissfield Michigan, circa June 1980.

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A swamp milkweed leaf beetle larva (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Labidomera clivicollis) nibbling on a swamp milkweed (Apocynaceae: Asclepias incarnata) on the edge of a floodplain forest. Blissfield Michigan, 10 Jul 2011.

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After American bison were nearly hunted to extinction in the nineteenth century, the last few hundred found refuge at Yellowstone. They've since been reintroduced to many other areas, becoming so numerous that they often block traffic. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 06 Sep 2014. #NationalParks

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Fairy duster (Fabaceae: Calliandra eriophylla) flowers in late winter in much of the southwest US and northern Mexico. This spreading shrub thrives in deserts and also provides food for a variety of insects as well as deer. Saguaro National Park (East), Tucson Arizona, 16 Feb 2017.

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Columbian black-tailed deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae: Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) inhabit forest margins along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to southern California. They breed in autumn and give birth to fawns like this one in the spring. Olympic National Park, Washington, 19 Apr 2015.

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Common sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) look somewhat like wasps, but can be distinguished in part by their lack of thin waists. Adults visit flowers, but larvae feed on foliage. This particular species (Dolerus nitens) appears earlier in the spring than others. Palmyra Michigan, 31 Mar 2013.

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With their large flowers and colonial growth, white trilliums (Melanthiaceae: Trillium grandiflorum) are perhaps the most conspicuous spring ephemeral in eastern North America. These perennials appear in woodlands in April and provide food for early-season insects. Blissfield Michigan, 27 Apr 2008.

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Saguaros, chollas, prickly pears, and palo verdes against the Santa Catalina Mountains. Saguaro National Park (East), Tucson Arizona, 17 Mar 2024.

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My goal here is to keep a bright sunny spotlight on all that is beautiful in the world. But geez I don't know how long I can keep ignoring our slide into 1930s Germany. Eventually they will come for the people who just enjoy nature.

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