Nature Photographer and Music Producer
The other day a tiny gray butterfly landed on a cosmos bloom in my garden, and I was lucky enough to get a macro shot of the moment. Up close,
Continue readingA Tiny Visitor: Gray Hairstreak on My Cosmos
Today, I made another excursion to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Portland, Oregon, and I was captivated by the diverse array of bee species that call this lush habitat home.
Continue readingExploring the Buzz: Bees of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
The Leaf Cutter Bee, belonging to the genus *Megachile*, is an important yet often overlooked pollinator in various ecosystems. Known for its remarkable nesting behavior and unique leaf-cutting abilities, this
Continue readingThe Leaf Cutter Bee: An Ecological Marvel and Pollination Powerhouse
Are you seeing delicate white butterflies fluttering around your garden lately? Chances are, they might be the charming cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae) paying you a visit. I had a
Continue readingThe Fascinating Cabbage White Butterfly: A Visitor to Your Garden
Praying mantises are considered beneficial insects for gardens because they eat many types of insect pests that can damage crops and plants. These pests include flies, beetles, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, and
Continue readingPraying Mantis
A pollinator is anything that helps carry pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part of the same or another flower (stigma). The movement of pollen
Continue readingImportant Pollinators
A yellow bumblee in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge July 2023 Bombus fervidus, commonly known as the golden northern bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee found in North America. This fascinating
Continue readingThe Yellow Bumble Bee
The zebra-backed jumping spider, scientifically known as Salticus scenicus, is a species of spider that belongs to the family Salticidae. As the name suggests, this spider has a distinctive appearance
Continue readingZebra Back Jumping Spider
Honeybees are an essential part of our ecosystem, and their importance cannot be overstated. These tiny creatures play a crucial role in pollinating plants, which is essential for the growth
Continue readingThe Bees Are Back
My backyard is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. I have planted native trees, ferns, grasses, clover, and flowers to attract birds, squirrels, cotton tail rabbits, chipmunks,
Continue readingCritters In My Back Yard