A Magnificent Frigatebird (Suliformes: Fregatidae: Fregata magnificens) soaring over the Gulf of Mexico. Mature males like this one have a bright red throat pouch they can inflate for courtship displays. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, 10 Apr 2012.
Common mallow (Malvaceae: Malva neglecta) is native to Eurasia but was introduced elsewhere for culinary use. The leaves and seeds are edible and also nutritious. It's considered weedy in North America but isn't particularly invasive. Blissfield Michigan, 06 Jun 2026.
Bald Eagles (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae: Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were once decimated by hunting, trapping, and poisoning. Widespread use of the pesticide DDT made things worse until it was banned in 1972. Since then their numbers have increased. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 07 Sep 2014.
Jack-in-the-pulpit (Araceae: Arisaema triphyllum) is easy to recognize thanks to a prominent spadix enveloped in a single colorful bract. It's relatively common in eastern North America. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, 25 May 2012.
In spite of the name, the larvae of hickory tussock moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lophocampa caryae) feed on a variety of trees and shrubs. They spend summer gorging on leaves, overwinter as pupae, and emerge as brown and white adults in spring. Pinckney State Recreation Area, Michigan, 18 Aug 2012.
Kelso Dunes originated from the erosion of the granitic San Bernardino Mountains to the west. Wind carried the sand eastward until it reached a trap between the Providence and Granite Mountains, where the wind slowed and dropped its sand load. Mojave National Preserve, California, 22 Dec 2012.
Bean leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cerotoma trifurcata) can be found throughout much of North America. They're significant pests of soybeans but also feed on other legumes as well as melons and squash. Blissfield Michigan, 20 Mar 2011.
European drone flies (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalis arbustorum) were introduced to North America from Europe. Like other hover flies adults feed on flowers like this wild carrot (Apiaceae: Daucus carota). Larvae are aquatic and live in standing water, dung, or compost. Clayton Michigan, 13 Jul 2010.
A Canada Goose (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) keeping a watchful eye on a passing group of Ring-necked Ducks (Anatidae: Aythya collaris). This particular goose chose to make her nest on top of a muskrat den, giving her an ideal defensive position. Clayton Michigan, 30 Mar 2016.
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
Jeremy Sell
The Atlantic Ocean and Sand Beach early in the morning. Acadia National Park, Maine, 27 Oct 2015. #NationalParks
