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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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Lone star tick, U, Ventral, Arkansas, Hot Springs Village
Lone star tick, U, Ventral, Arkansas, Hot Springs Village
Lone star tick, U, Ventral, Arkansas, Hot Springs Village

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

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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Lophophora williamsii, native to SW Texas and Mexico
Lophophora williamsii, native to SW Texas and Mexico
Lophophora williamsii, native to SW Texas and Mexico

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.

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.

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Lucanus elephus, md
Lucanus elephus, md
Lucanus elephus, md

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.

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Lucanus elephus, md, head
Lucanus elephus, md, head
Lucanus elephus, md, head

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.

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Lucanus elephus, straight on head, md
Lucanus elephus, straight on head, md
Lucanus elephus, straight on head, md

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.

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Ludwigia alternifolia seedbox with weevil, Asanthoscelides
Ludwigia alternifolia seedbox with weevil, Asanthoscelides
Ludwigia alternifolia seedbox with weevil, Asanthoscelides

Look in the bottom right hand side of the seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) pod we opened up.

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Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman
Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman
Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman

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.

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.

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Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman 2
Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman 2
Ludwigia alternifolia, howard county, MD, helen lowe metzman 2

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 specimens was collected by Helen Lowe Metzman who also took the photographs. P.S.

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 specimens was collected by Helen Lowe Metzman who also took the photographs. P.S.

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Ludwigia alternifolia, Seedbox, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Ludwigia alternifolia, Seedbox, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Ludwigia alternifolia, Seedbox, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman

Ah, the seedbox, Ludwigia alterniflolia, check out the pictures of its seed elsewhere on our site. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Meetzman. 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.

Ah, the seedbox, Ludwigia alterniflolia, check out the pictures of its seed elsewhere on our site. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Meetzman. 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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Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, coccoon, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, coccoon, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, coccoon, Virginia, Chincoteague

Mystery Moth cocoon from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This cocoon is about 12mm long. One can see the playground effect in that polyester is incorporated into the cocoon along with lichens and bark. Very modern. Could use help in determining the species.

Mystery Moth cocoon from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This cocoon is about 12mm long. One can see the playground effect in that polyester is incorporated into the cocoon along with lichens and bark. Very modern. Could use help in determining the species.

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Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, pupae, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, pupae, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, pupae, Virginia, Chincoteague

Mystery Moth pupal case from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This cuccon is about 12mm long. One can see the playground effect in that polyester is incorporated into the cocoon along with lichens and bark. Very modern. Could use help in determining the species.

Mystery Moth pupal case from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This cuccon is about 12mm long. One can see the playground effect in that polyester is incorporated into the cocoon along with lichens and bark. Very modern. Could use help in determining the species.

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Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, wing, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, wing, Virginia, Chincoteague
Luke Whitaker's moth collection, U, wing, Virginia, Chincoteague

Mystery Moth from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found as cocoons by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This most is about 6mm long. Could use help in determining the species. Check out the other two pictures in this series which a full cocoon and pupal case shots.

Mystery Moth from Chincoteague Island, Virginia on playground equipment found as cocoons by they very young naturalist Luke Whitaker while playing. This most is about 6mm long. Could use help in determining the species. Check out the other two pictures in this series which a full cocoon and pupal case shots.

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back

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

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

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back

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

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

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,

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

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

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U

The Endangered Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, looking somewhat like a little fluffy kitten, poodle insect thing

The Endangered Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, looking somewhat like a little fluffy kitten, poodle insect thing

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face, U
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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Side, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Side, U
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M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

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M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

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Macronia sp., side, MD, Montgomery County
Macronia sp., side, MD, Montgomery County