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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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Lasioglossum pacatum, F, side, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum pacatum, F, side, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum pacatum, F, side, UT, Garfield County

Bryce Canyon in Utah is not just magnificent canyons and spectacular scenery, it also has lots of very small bees such as this one, Lasioglossum pacatum.

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Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Back, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Back, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Back, WA, San Juan County

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

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Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Face, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Face, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Face, WA, San Juan County

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

close up of image
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Side, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Side, WA, San Juan County
Lasioglossum pacificum, F, Side, WA, San Juan County

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

close up of image
Lasioglossum packeri, F, Back, WY, Park County
Lasioglossum packeri, F, Back, WY, Park County
Lasioglossum packeri, F, Back, WY, Park County

This Lasioglossum comes from Yellowstone National Park. If we actually had a good shot of its head you would see that it has an interesting and large one, but we don't, so you just have to be satisfied with the top of the abdomen, which is nice enough for a bee. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. Photoshopping by Wayne Boo.

This Lasioglossum comes from Yellowstone National Park. If we actually had a good shot of its head you would see that it has an interesting and large one, but we don't, so you just have to be satisfied with the top of the abdomen, which is nice enough for a bee. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. Photoshopping by Wayne Boo.

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Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, back, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, back, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, back, Pennington Co., S. Dakota

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

close up of image
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, face, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, face, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, face, Pennington Co., S. Dakota

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

close up of image
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.

close up of image
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Back, CA, Humboldt
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Back, CA, Humboldt
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Back, CA, Humboldt

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

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Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Face, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Face, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Face, CA, Humboldt County

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

close up of image
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

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Lasioglossum pectorale, f, back, Centre Co., PA
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, back, Centre Co., PA
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, back, Centre Co., PA

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

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Lasioglossum pectorale, f, face, Centre Co., PA
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, face, Centre Co., PA
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, face, Centre Co., PA

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

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Lasioglossum pectorale, f, left side, Centre Co., PS
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, left side, Centre Co., PS
Lasioglossum pectorale, f, left side, Centre Co., PS

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

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Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Back, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Back, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Back, MI, Alger County

Lovely and subtle wings, patterned in tiny hairs and blinged with iridescenceOne of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

Lovely and subtle wings, patterned in tiny hairs and blinged with iridescenceOne of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

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Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Face, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Face, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Face, MI, Alger County

One of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

One of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

close up of image
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Side, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Side, MI, Alger County
Lasioglossum perpunctatum, F, Side, MI, Alger County

One of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

One of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

close up of image
Lasioglossum pictum, f, back, Pennington Co., SD
Lasioglossum pictum, f, back, Pennington Co., SD
Lasioglossum pictum, f, back, Pennington Co., SD

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

close up of image
Lasioglossum pictum, f, face, Pennington Co., SD
Lasioglossum pictum, f, face, Pennington Co., SD
Lasioglossum pictum, f, face, Pennington Co., SD

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

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