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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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greensand2
greensand2
greensand2

Another picture of greensand, this is the same sample as the last one, but one that was wetted down ... what follows is the rest of the post from the previous picture of greensand....greensand dug from my backyard, which at one point was on the ocean floor...and at a point in the future will return to that state.

Another picture of greensand, this is the same sample as the last one, but one that was wetted down ... what follows is the rest of the post from the previous picture of greensand....greensand dug from my backyard, which at one point was on the ocean floor...and at a point in the future will return to that state.

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Ground Cherry, Patuxent Bee Lab
Ground Cherry, Patuxent Bee Lab
Ground Cherry, Patuxent Bee Lab

You know, as a society, we have thought a great deal about plants, but mostly on the food and prettiness spectrums not so much on the ecological slider. So, here you have a Physalis seed husk, on the food end of the spectrum the genus gets about a 3.5 because tomatillos are in here, and a couple of other edibles, but its not one of the food powerhouses.

You know, as a society, we have thought a great deal about plants, but mostly on the food and prettiness spectrums not so much on the ecological slider. So, here you have a Physalis seed husk, on the food end of the spectrum the genus gets about a 3.5 because tomatillos are in here, and a couple of other edibles, but its not one of the food powerhouses.

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Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Back, MD, St Marys County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Back, MD, St Marys County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Back, MD, St Marys County

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

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Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Face, MD, St Mary's County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Face, MD, St Mary's County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Face, MD, St Mary's County

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

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Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Side, MD St Marys County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Side, MD St Marys County
Gynandromorph, Lasioglossum hitchensi, Side, MD St Marys County

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

Gynandromorph, bilaterally half male/ half female, very rare, the left hand side of this he-she is male (13 antennal segments / lacking pollen carrying hairs on the legs) and the right it female with 12 antennal segments and pollen carrying scopa on the hind legs. The differences are most obvious on the face shot and the underside shot.

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Habronattus coecatus 2, U, face, Patuxent, MD
Habronattus coecatus 2, U, face, Patuxent, MD
Habronattus coecatus 2, U, face, Patuxent, MD

Habronattus coecatus (Thanks Ben Coulter for the determination) Jumping Spider, set in hand sanitizer after storage in alcohol and photographed through a cuvette

Habronattus coecatus (Thanks Ben Coulter for the determination) Jumping Spider, set in hand sanitizer after storage in alcohol and photographed through a cuvette

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habropoda excellens, m, ut, back
habropoda excellens, m, ut, back
habropoda excellens, m, ut, back

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

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habropoda excellens, m, ut, face
habropoda excellens, m, ut, face
habropoda excellens, m, ut, face

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

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habropoda excellens, m, ut, side
habropoda excellens, m, ut, side
habropoda excellens, m, ut, side

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

Habropoda excellens, Three spotted Digger Bee, specimen collected by K. Moredock in Utah, USADigger Bees in the genus Habropoda occur around the world across middle northern latitudes and are usually plant specialists, collecting pollen from only a small number of all the plant species that might be available.

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Habropoda-laboriosa,-female,-side
Habropoda-laboriosa,-female,-side
Habropoda-laboriosa,-female,-side

Habropoda laboriosa, female, Maryland Kent County Spring 2012. Blueberry specialist.

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Halictus brunnescens, M, Back, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Back, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Back, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

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Halictus brunnescens, M, Face, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Face, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Face, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

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Halictus brunnescens, M, Side, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Side, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus brunnescens, M, Side, Greece, Aegan Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

Halictus brunnescens: probably the largest species of Halictus in the Mediterranean region of Europe, together with its sibling species Halictus quadricinctus. They are usually found on large purple thistles. In early summer you can see the females digging themselves into the flower to reach the nectar. Picture taken by Sara Guerriera.

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Halictus confusus, m, back, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, back, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, back, Prince George's Co., MD

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

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Halictus confusus, m, face, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, face, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, face, Prince George's Co., MD

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

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Halictus confusus, m, right side, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, right side, Prince George's Co., MD
Halictus confusus, m, right side, Prince George's Co., MD

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

Once of our dirtball species. Common, found almost everywhere including people's gardens and in our agricultural fields. This is group (Halictus) if often identifiable in the males by the the dark spot/section on the outer face of the hind tibia.

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Halictus farinosus, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Halictus farinosus, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Halictus farinosus, F, Face, UT, Garfield County

Bees of Bryce Canyon...yep, plenty of different kinds of bees in this National Park including this darling but drab Halictus farinosus. 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, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

Bees of Bryce Canyon...yep, plenty of different kinds of bees in this National Park including this darling but drab Halictus farinosus. 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, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

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Halictus farinosus, F, Side, UT, Garfield County
Halictus farinosus, F, Side, UT, Garfield County
Halictus farinosus, F, Side, UT, Garfield County

Bees of Bryce Canyon...yep, plenty of different kinds of bees in this National Park including this darling but drab Halictus farinosus. 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, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

Bees of Bryce Canyon...yep, plenty of different kinds of bees in this National Park including this darling but drab Halictus farinosus. 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, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

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