Monthly Archives: October 2014

Random Plant: Sweet after death

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Sweet after death (Achlys triphylla, Berberidaceae) gets its common name from the fragrant aroma that is released by its dead and dried leaves. This scent has been compared to vanilla, and as a result it’s also known as vanilla leaf. In spite … Continue reading →

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Bald Eagle

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

The Bald Eagle (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae: Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been an iconic symbol throughout United States history. Long sacred to several Native American cultures, it was adopted as the national bird of the United States in 1782. Since then it has appeared on … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Halloween pennant

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Although I came across these Halloween pennants (Odonata: Libellulidae: Celithemis eponina) in late June, I thought I’d wait until a more festive time to post photos. The orange and black patterning does seem suggestive of jack-o’-lanterns. As with other dragonflies these … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Wild hollyhock

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Wild hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis, Malvaceae) goes by a number of other common names including streambank wild hollyhock, mountain hollyhock,  streambank globemallow, and maple mallow. The flowers are similar in structure to other members of the mallow family and have five wide, overlapping petals. This … Continue reading →

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California sea lion

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

California sea lions (Carnivora: Otariidae: Zalophus californianus) are relatively common inhabitants of the Pacific coast of North America. They breed in the summer along southern California and the Baja peninsula of Mexico. After breeding ends many migrate long distances, ranging from British Columbia … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Waved sphinx

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Like most other sphinx moths, the waved sphinx (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae: Ceratomia undulosa) is a rather large insect. The individual shown here was about two inches (50 mm) in length, and wingspans typically reach 3-4 inches (76-102 mm). This species gets its … Continue reading →

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Autumn comes to Michigan

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Although the hardwood trees have begun to change color here in southeast Michigan, they haven’t quite reached peak color yet. For better color a friend and I drove north a few hours to Huron National Forest and spent a couple of days … Continue reading →

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Yellowstone National Park

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Yellowstone National Park protects a vast array of spectacular and invaluable natural features within its 3469 square miles (8985 square km) in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It contains the world’s largest collection of geysers as well as many other geothermal features like hot … Continue reading →

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