Jeremy Sell
@jeremysell.bsky.social
Ecology and nature nerd. Plant and insect lover. Professional horticulturist. Michigander. Adventurer. Collector of experiences, not things. BA in Biology and Geology. Dated photos here are © my own.
Dusty lacewings (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) are small but important predators of aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other pestiferous insects. They differ from other lacewings partly because they are covered in a white waxy powder. Blissfield Michigan, 14 Jun 2011.
November 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Dusty lacewings (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) are small but important predators of aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other pestiferous insects. They differ from other lacewings partly because they are covered in a white waxy powder. Blissfield Michigan, 14 Jun 2011.
Native to the western US from Washington to Arizona, California poppies (Papaveraceae: Eschscholzia californica) are perhaps most common in their namesake state. In some places they can be so dense their large, bright flowers are hard to miss. Klamath Mountains of California, 26 Apr 2013.
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Native to the western US from Washington to Arizona, California poppies (Papaveraceae: Eschscholzia californica) are perhaps most common in their namesake state. In some places they can be so dense their large, bright flowers are hard to miss. Klamath Mountains of California, 26 Apr 2013.
Great Blue Herons (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Ardea herodias) range between Central America and Canada depending on season, but they're present year-round in most of the US. Since they mainly eat fish, they're usually found near water. Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina, 28 Oct 2018.
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Great Blue Herons (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Ardea herodias) range between Central America and Canada depending on season, but they're present year-round in most of the US. Since they mainly eat fish, they're usually found near water. Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina, 28 Oct 2018.
Forested slopes and snow-capped peaks along Hurricane Ridge. Olympic National Park, Washington, 18 Apr 2015. #NationalParks
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Forested slopes and snow-capped peaks along Hurricane Ridge. Olympic National Park, Washington, 18 Apr 2015. #NationalParks
Great Egrets (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Ardea alba) were nearly hunted to extinction during the feathered hat fad of the late nineteenth century. Conservation efforts helped them recover, and today they can be found in wetlands across the Americas. Everglades National Park, Florida, 09 Apr 2012.
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Great Egrets (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Ardea alba) were nearly hunted to extinction during the feathered hat fad of the late nineteenth century. Conservation efforts helped them recover, and today they can be found in wetlands across the Americas. Everglades National Park, Florida, 09 Apr 2012.
Squawroot (Orobanchaceae: Conopholis americana) is widespread but uncommon across eastern North America. It lacks chlorophyll, is parasitic mainly on oaks and beeches, and is only conspicuous when it flowers in April. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 11 Apr 2016.
November 24, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Squawroot (Orobanchaceae: Conopholis americana) is widespread but uncommon across eastern North America. It lacks chlorophyll, is parasitic mainly on oaks and beeches, and is only conspicuous when it flowers in April. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 11 Apr 2016.
Sweat bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) females keep busy excavating nests in the ground, provisioning the nests with prey for their young, and feeding on flower nectar and pollen. They're important pollinators of a variety of crops. Palmyra Michigan, 30 May 2021.
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Sweat bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) females keep busy excavating nests in the ground, provisioning the nests with prey for their young, and feeding on flower nectar and pollen. They're important pollinators of a variety of crops. Palmyra Michigan, 30 May 2021.
Wild Turkey males (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo) begin courtship in March and advertise their fitness by strutting about in a showy fashion. These ladies did not seem impressed with this one. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 10 Apr 2016.
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Wild Turkey males (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo) begin courtship in March and advertise their fitness by strutting about in a showy fashion. These ladies did not seem impressed with this one. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, 10 Apr 2016.
Cedar Mesa Sandstone was deposited in coastal dune environments during the Permian Period, about 270-300 million years ago. This bedding can reach over 1000 feet in thickness and has eroded exposures all over southeast Utah. Bullet Canyon north of Mexican Hat Utah, 11 May 2018.
November 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Cedar Mesa Sandstone was deposited in coastal dune environments during the Permian Period, about 270-300 million years ago. This bedding can reach over 1000 feet in thickness and has eroded exposures all over southeast Utah. Bullet Canyon north of Mexican Hat Utah, 11 May 2018.
Common wheat (Poaceae: Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crops in the world. Although first cultivated thousands of years ago in the Middle East, it didn't become common in North America until settlers moved into the prairies in the 1870s. Blissfield Michigan, 17 Jun 2025.
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Common wheat (Poaceae: Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crops in the world. Although first cultivated thousands of years ago in the Middle East, it didn't become common in North America until settlers moved into the prairies in the 1870s. Blissfield Michigan, 17 Jun 2025.
Slender crab spiders (Araneae: Philodromidae: Tibellus spp.) spend most of their time on foliage hunting insect prey. Signal flies (Diptera: Platystomatidae) move their wings when they walk, and this perhaps makes them more obvious prey for these spiders. Palmyra Michigan, 03 Jul 2013.
November 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Slender crab spiders (Araneae: Philodromidae: Tibellus spp.) spend most of their time on foliage hunting insect prey. Signal flies (Diptera: Platystomatidae) move their wings when they walk, and this perhaps makes them more obvious prey for these spiders. Palmyra Michigan, 03 Jul 2013.
Here comes the sun. Blissfield Michigan, 24 Nov 2025.
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Here comes the sun. Blissfield Michigan, 24 Nov 2025.
Agaves (Asparagaceae: Agave spp.) are succulents adapted to arid conditions, like this flowering individual in the Chisos Basin near sunset. Some species can grow for decades before they flower. Big Bend National Park, Texas, 10 Feb 2014.
November 24, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Agaves (Asparagaceae: Agave spp.) are succulents adapted to arid conditions, like this flowering individual in the Chisos Basin near sunset. Some species can grow for decades before they flower. Big Bend National Park, Texas, 10 Feb 2014.
Adult warty leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Fulcidacini) are notable for their appearance, which is said to resemble caterpillar droppings. This may serve as camouflage against predators. Their larvae, in contrast, build protective cases from their own feces. Clayton Michigan, 26 Jul 2011.
November 23, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Adult warty leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Fulcidacini) are notable for their appearance, which is said to resemble caterpillar droppings. This may serve as camouflage against predators. Their larvae, in contrast, build protective cases from their own feces. Clayton Michigan, 26 Jul 2011.
Globemallows (Malvaceae: Sphaeralcea spp.) include several dozen species that are primarily found in arid regions of North America. Most look similar to each other, with cup-shaped flowers and downy stems and leaves. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 12 Apr 2014.
November 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Globemallows (Malvaceae: Sphaeralcea spp.) include several dozen species that are primarily found in arid regions of North America. Most look similar to each other, with cup-shaped flowers and downy stems and leaves. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 12 Apr 2014.
Shrubby cinquefoil (Rosaceae: Dasiphora fruticosa) is relatively widespread, cold-hardy, and long-flowering. This makes it a reliable source of pollen and nectar for a variety of insects, including ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, 08 Aug 2014.
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Shrubby cinquefoil (Rosaceae: Dasiphora fruticosa) is relatively widespread, cold-hardy, and long-flowering. This makes it a reliable source of pollen and nectar for a variety of insects, including ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, 08 Aug 2014.
Atlantic ghost crabs (Decapoda: Ocypodidae: Ocypode quadrata) hunt and scavenge on beaches from New England to southern Brazil. Their common name comes from their pale color and nocturnal habits. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.
November 22, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Atlantic ghost crabs (Decapoda: Ocypodidae: Ocypode quadrata) hunt and scavenge on beaches from New England to southern Brazil. Their common name comes from their pale color and nocturnal habits. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, 17 Jun 2017.
Wild Turkeys (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo) inhabit most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico, in open woodlands where they forage for nuts, seeds, and insects. They sleep in the relative safety of trees, but nest on the ground. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 11 Apr 2014.
November 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Wild Turkeys (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo) inhabit most of the US and parts of Canada and Mexico, in open woodlands where they forage for nuts, seeds, and insects. They sleep in the relative safety of trees, but nest on the ground. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, 11 Apr 2014.
Paederus rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederus spp.) can be found throughout much of the world. They prefer moist environments in which to lay their eggs. Some species have a toxin in their blood called paederin that can cause skin irritation in humans. Clayton Michigan, 28 Sep 2012.
November 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Paederus rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederus spp.) can be found throughout much of the world. They prefer moist environments in which to lay their eggs. Some species have a toxin in their blood called paederin that can cause skin irritation in humans. Clayton Michigan, 28 Sep 2012.
One of the better sunsets I've seen. Palmyra Michigan, 21 Jun 2021.
November 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
One of the better sunsets I've seen. Palmyra Michigan, 21 Jun 2021.
Moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) look and fly like tiny moths but are flies. They're also called drain flies or sewage flies because they're often seen in bathrooms and near other septic lines. Their larvae feed on organic sludge that builds up in drains. Adrian Michigan, 21 Nov 2025.
November 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) look and fly like tiny moths but are flies. They're also called drain flies or sewage flies because they're often seen in bathrooms and near other septic lines. Their larvae feed on organic sludge that builds up in drains. Adrian Michigan, 21 Nov 2025.
Woodlice (Isopoda: Armadillidiidae), also known as pill bugs or roly-polies, are the terrestrial relatives of aquatic isopods. Since they're in the class Malacostraca, they're more closely related to lobsters, crabs, and shrimp than other arthropods like insects. Blissfield Michigan, 19 Jun 2025.
November 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Woodlice (Isopoda: Armadillidiidae), also known as pill bugs or roly-polies, are the terrestrial relatives of aquatic isopods. Since they're in the class Malacostraca, they're more closely related to lobsters, crabs, and shrimp than other arthropods like insects. Blissfield Michigan, 19 Jun 2025.
White gypsum dunes and desert plants against the San Andres Mountains. White Sands National Park, New Mexico, March 2008. #NationalParks
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
White gypsum dunes and desert plants against the San Andres Mountains. White Sands National Park, New Mexico, March 2008. #NationalParks
Mule ears (Asteraceae: Wyethia amplexicaulis) is relatively conspicuous throughout much of the intermountain western US. This sunflower relative features long, broad leaves that resemble mule ears as well as large yellow flower heads. Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 19 May 2016.
November 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Mule ears (Asteraceae: Wyethia amplexicaulis) is relatively conspicuous throughout much of the intermountain western US. This sunflower relative features long, broad leaves that resemble mule ears as well as large yellow flower heads. Great Basin National Park, Nevada, 19 May 2016.
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.
November 21, 2025 at 2:10 PM
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.