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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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Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

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Haltichellinae,-face
Haltichellinae,-face
Haltichellinae,-face

Unknown Haltichellinae Wasp, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

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Haltichellinae,-side
Haltichellinae,-side
Haltichellinae,-side

Unknown Haltichellinae, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

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Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Seems like the pharmacy is mostly full of long-winded chemical names these days....but you can still find the astringent Witch Hazel in almost any drug store and how nice to know that it is a native plant. These are the left over calyx parts from the fall blooming plant.

Seems like the pharmacy is mostly full of long-winded chemical names these days....but you can still find the astringent Witch Hazel in almost any drug store and how nice to know that it is a native plant. These are the left over calyx parts from the fall blooming plant.

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

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Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

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Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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, link to a .pdf of o

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Helianthus angustifolius L. 2, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius L. 2, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius L. 2, Swamp Sunflower

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

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Helianthus angustifolius L. 3, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius L. 3, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius L. 3, Swamp Sunflower

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

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Helianthus angustifolius Linnaeus, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius Linnaeus, Swamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius Linnaeus, Swamp Sunflower

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

Kick butt pollinator plant. Put in your garden please. Helianthus angustifolius - Swamp sunflower. The perennial sunflowers are underappreciated, particularly compared to the way overused Susans. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe metzman.

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Hemiptera, U, Dorsal, WV, Hardy County
Hemiptera, U, Dorsal, WV, Hardy County
Hemiptera, U, Dorsal, WV, Hardy County

Unknown Stinkbug from Hardy County, West Viginia. Photograph 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.

Unknown Stinkbug from Hardy County, West Viginia. Photograph 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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Hemitrichia, Lava Lamp Slime Mold
Hemitrichia, Lava Lamp Slime Mold
Hemitrichia, Lava Lamp Slime Mold

Glossy capped just emerged lava lampish sporangia of a Hemitrichia Red Slime mold of some sort. Note how some are conjoined and at this stage they have nifty transluscent stalks. Found during the Adirondack BioBlitz by the fungal hunting Susan Hopkins. Photo by the Dejen Mengis.

Glossy capped just emerged lava lampish sporangia of a Hemitrichia Red Slime mold of some sort. Note how some are conjoined and at this stage they have nifty transluscent stalks. Found during the Adirondack BioBlitz by the fungal hunting Susan Hopkins. Photo by the Dejen Mengis.

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Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Hepatica, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Hepatica, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Hepatica, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Hepatica nobilis - Roundlobe Hepatica. Delicate, an early marker of spring, understory species. Specimen collected by and picture taken by Helen Lowe Metzman.

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Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Roundlobe Hepatica
Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Roundlobe Hepatica
Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Roundlobe Hepatica

One of the first woodland plants flowering in the spring....am looking forward to the plants waking up this year and the cycle starting anew. Specimen and photography by Helen Lowe Metzman.

One of the first woodland plants flowering in the spring....am looking forward to the plants waking up this year and the cycle starting anew. Specimen and photography by Helen Lowe Metzman.

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Heriades carinata, f, back, Prince George's Co, MD
Heriades carinata, f, back, Prince George's Co, MD
Heriades carinata, f, back, Prince George's Co, MD

Many of the bees of the world are small, here is yet another one, Heriades carinata. This species nests in tiny little holes, often those made by wood boring/powder post beetles. It carries its pollen underneath its abdomen and is long and slim, so that it can inhabit these tiny holes to lay a series of eggs in a series of cells filled with pollen and nectar.

Many of the bees of the world are small, here is yet another one, Heriades carinata. This species nests in tiny little holes, often those made by wood boring/powder post beetles. It carries its pollen underneath its abdomen and is long and slim, so that it can inhabit these tiny holes to lay a series of eggs in a series of cells filled with pollen and nectar.

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Heriades carinata, f, side, Prince George's Co, MD
Heriades carinata, f, side, Prince George's Co, MD
Heriades carinata, f, side, Prince George's Co, MD

Many of the bees of the world are small, here is yet another one, Heriades carinata. This species nests in tiny little holes, often those made by wood boring/powder post beetles. It carries its pollen underneath its abdomen and is long and slim, so that it can inhabit these tiny holes to lay a series of eggs in a series of cells filled with pollen and nectar.

Many of the bees of the world are small, here is yet another one, Heriades carinata. This species nests in tiny little holes, often those made by wood boring/powder post beetles. It carries its pollen underneath its abdomen and is long and slim, so that it can inhabit these tiny holes to lay a series of eggs in a series of cells filled with pollen and nectar.

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Heriades carinata, F, Side, VA, Wolftrap
Heriades carinata, F, Side, VA, Wolftrap
Heriades carinata, F, Side, VA, Wolftrap

A small hole nesting bee related to Osmia, beatifully arrayed in dark black pitting and short, prone, white bands of hair. Found at Wolf Trap National Park for the Perfoming Arts in Virginia

A small hole nesting bee related to Osmia, beatifully arrayed in dark black pitting and short, prone, white bands of hair. Found at Wolf Trap National Park for the Perfoming Arts in Virginia

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Heriades carinatus, F, Back, VA, Wolftrap
Heriades carinatus, F, Back, VA, Wolftrap
Heriades carinatus, F, Back, VA, Wolftrap

A small hole nesting bee related to Osmia, beatifully arrayed in dark black pitting and short, prone, white bands of hair. Found at Wolf Trap National Park for the Perfoming Arts in Virginia

A small hole nesting bee related to Osmia, beatifully arrayed in dark black pitting and short, prone, white bands of hair. Found at Wolf Trap National Park for the Perfoming Arts in Virginia

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