Images

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring--When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;Thrush's eggs look like little low heavens, and thrushThrough the echoing timber does so rinse and wringThe ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing;The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brushThe descending blue; that blue is all in a rushWith richness; the ra

The male of the female Lithurgopsis gibbosus already presented on this site. An uncommon species compared to its sister genus Megachile, it is often overlooked because of the superficial similarities.

A bee from across the pond. This is Lithurgus chrysurus. This is a Euro bee, but in the 70s some one noticed that their house in Philipsburg, NJ was being drilled to bits by bees.

A bee from across the pond. This is Lithurgus chrysurus. This is a Euro bee, but in the 70s some one noticed that their house in Philipsburg, NJ was being drilled to bits by bees.

In North America this genus are primarily cactus pollen specialists. Since this one was captured in the sandhills of North Carolina by Heather Campbell it is undoubtedly covered in Prickly Pear cactus pollen.

A new record for Hawaii for Maui, this introduced species (only some members of Hylaeus are native) was known from other islands but this appears to be the first record for Maui. Not surprising since it nests in wood and could easily be transported among islands or it is big enough that it could simply fly there.

A new record for Hawaii for Maui, this introduced species (only some members of Hylaeus are native) was known from other islands but this appears to be the first record for Maui. Not surprising since it nests in wood and could easily be transported among islands or it is big enough that it could simply fly there.

Lithurgus tibialis: a fascinating species in that it is much smaller and looks quiet different from other Lithurgus species occurring in Europe and has the peculiar preference for flowers of Chrozophora, a quite unusual pollen source.., but from studies in Greece it is clear that the females almost solely visit this plant and collect its pollen.

Lithurgus tibialis: a fascinating species in that it is much smaller and looks quiet different from other Lithurgus species occurring in Europe and has the peculiar preference for flowers of Chrozophora, a quite unusual pollen source.., but from studies in Greece it is clear that the females almost solely visit this plant and collect its pollen.

Ah, the lovely wild hummingbird attracting Cardinal Flower. Nice to have bright red emerging from the wetlands every once in a while. Photograph and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Indian tobacco - Check out the pooched out lower parts of the flower (not sure of the technical name). An annual that crops up all over the place in Maryland. Specimen and picture by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Great Blue Lobelia. A tall plant mid summer plant that is a nice addition to the relatively sparse bloom at that time of year for bees. So, you should plant some. Pictures and specimens taken by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Great Blue Lobelia. A tall plant mid summer plant that is a nice addition to the relatively sparse bloom at that time of year for bees. So, you should plant some. Pictures and specimens taken by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Here you go, the Lone Star ticket to disease and the famous 1,000,000,000 seed ticks at a time,Amblyomma americanum, the specimen is from Arkansas provided by the dog of FT Eyre in Arkansas.photography by Brooke Alexander Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler

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One of two species of native peyote cacti. Native to the Southwest and under threat in the wild from over collection. Photography by Helen Lowe Metzman.

The Giant Stag beetle ....Lucanus elephus....a huge beetle of eastern forests. This specimen can from California, Maryland and was collected by members of Bartlett Tree Company.

The Giant Stag beetle ....Lucanus elephus....a huge beetle of eastern forests. This specimen can from California, Maryland and was collected by members of Bartlett Tree Company.

The Giant Stag beetle ....Lucanus elephus....a huge beetle of eastern forests. This specimen can from California, Maryland and was collected by members of Bartlett Tree Company.

Square is not something Nature normally trucks in with plants. But here it is the seedbox (Ludwidia alternifolia). A plant that is a fan of wet areas and is related to Evening Primroses. This winter specimen was collected by Helen Lowe Metzman who also took the photographs. P.S.

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful