Monthly Archives: April 2014

Mesa Verde National Park

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Spanning over 80 square miles (207 square km) of mesas, cliffs, and canyons in southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park protects the largest, densest collection of Native American archaeological sites in the United States. Over 5,000 sites have been discovered to … Continue reading →

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Calling Attention to the World’s Deadliest Animal

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

This week Microsoft founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates has called attention to the world’s deadliest animal, and what can be done to reduce its impact on humans. Although many people are fearful of big pointy-toothed predators like sharks, wolves, lions, crocodiles, and snakes, mosquitoes … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entomology, General | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Random Plant: Cleftleaf wildheliotrope

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Flowering from April through June, cleftleaf wildheliotrope (Phacelia crenulata, Hydrophyllaceae) can be found in desert shrublands and pinyon-juniper woodlands throughout the American southwest. The leaves of this plant are dark green, oblong, wavy, and lobed. They’re largest near the base … Continue reading →

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Canyonlands National Park

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

A large, maze-like wilderness of rocky mesas, cliffs, canyons, and rivers, Canyonlands National Park protects an amazing region of southeast Utah. Established in 1964, this park features breathtaking views, imposing landscapes, a fascinating range of geologic features, as well as a variety of … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Culture, Geology, National Parks, Paleoecology, Vertebrate Zoology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Random Insect: Tiger moth larva

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Last week I found a number of these tiger moth larvae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) crawling around on the ground at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. They were at an elevation of about 7000 feet in a pinion-juniper woodland … Continue reading →

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Mountain Bluebird

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

While traveling across southern Utah last week my wife and I kept seeing momentary flickers of blue from some unknown bird. On our final day at Arches National Park we finally got a clear view of one of them. An … Continue reading →

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Bryce Canyon National Park

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

A wonderland of fiery rock formations mixed with rich evergreen forests and meadows, Bryce Canyon National Park preserves some truly amazing natural features in southern Utah. First protected in 1923, this park is perhaps best known for having one of the largest … Continue reading →

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Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Centered around a 100-mile-long (161 km) wrinkle in the earth’s crust, Capitol Reef National Park preserves a region of south-central Utah that harbors beautiful landscapes as well as fascinating geology, cultural features, animals, and plants. The geologic history of this area can be traced back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Culture, Ecology, Geology, National Parks, Paleoecology, Vertebrate Zoology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hickman Natural Bridge at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

This brief clip captures the size of Hickman Natural Bridge at Capitol Reef National Park east of Torrey, Utah.  Recorded 04/12/2014.

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A slow start to spring

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

After experiencing the snowiest and fifth-coldest winter on record in southeast Michigan, it’s no surprise that many plants have been slow to emerge this spring. Today I compared the current development of my garden perennials to photos I took in March of … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Ecology, General, Weather and Climate | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Worst Winter Ever is Finally Over

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Here in southeast Michigan older people still talk about “The Winter of ’78.” The 1977-1978 winter season saw record-setting snowfall and at least one significant blizzard, making it one for the record books. Until now. The winter of 2013-2014 shattered many … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Weather and Climate | Tagged | 1 Comment

Antelope ground squirrel

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Antelope ground squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Ammospermophilus spp.) are common inhabitants of the deserts of the southwest United States and northern Mexico. They can often be found in the relative safety of rocky landscapes where cover from predators is never far away. These small rodents … Continue reading →

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