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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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Macrotera latior, female, side
Macrotera latior, female, side
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Macrotera latior, male, back
Macrotera latior, male, back
Macrotera latior, male, back

Petrified Forrest National Monument = Rich in bees and bee species. In this case the semi cute Mactrotera latior. Many the these tiny Macrotera are plant specialists garnering pollen from only a few plant species. Sierra Willams took the pictures and Elizabeth Garcia did the photoshopping.

Petrified Forrest National Monument = Rich in bees and bee species. In this case the semi cute Mactrotera latior. Many the these tiny Macrotera are plant specialists garnering pollen from only a few plant species. Sierra Willams took the pictures and Elizabeth Garcia did the photoshopping.

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Macrotera latior, male, face
Macrotera latior, male, face
Macrotera latior, male, face

Petrified Forrest National Monument = Rich in bees and bee species. In this case the semi cute Mactrotera latior. Many the these tiny Macrotera are plant specialists garnering pollen from only a few plant species. Sierra Willams took the pictures and Elizabeth Garcia did the photoshopping.

Petrified Forrest National Monument = Rich in bees and bee species. In this case the semi cute Mactrotera latior. Many the these tiny Macrotera are plant specialists garnering pollen from only a few plant species. Sierra Willams took the pictures and Elizabeth Garcia did the photoshopping.

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Macrotera portalis, m, back, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, back, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, back, Cochise Co., AZ

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

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Macrotera portalis, m, face, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, face, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, face, Cochise Co., AZ

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

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Macrotera portalis, m, left side, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, left side, Cochise Co., AZ
Macrotera portalis, m, left side, Cochise Co., AZ

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

Late breaking new...this was identified by Don Harvey as Macrotera portalis (formerly in Perdita...now its own genus)Bee with Big Head. This is a Perdita...a male collected in Cochise County Arizona by Tim McMahon. Why such a big head. Unclear because sometimes in the same species have small heads.

Map displaying Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019
Map displaying Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019
Map displaying Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019
Map displaying Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019

This map displays Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019, due to a choke anamoly on the ETM+ sensor's solid state recorder. 

Visit the Landsat Headlines for more information about this event. 

This map displays Landsat 7 scenes not acquired Dec 17, 2019, due to a choke anamoly on the ETM+ sensor's solid state recorder. 

Visit the Landsat Headlines for more information about this event. 

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Martinapis luteicornis, f, back, Cochise Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, back, Cochise Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, back, Cochise Co. AZ

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

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Martinapis luteicornis, f, face, Cochise, Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, face, Cochise, Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, face, Cochise, Co. AZ

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

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Martinapis luteicornis, f, side, Cochise Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, side, Cochise Co. AZ
Martinapis luteicornis, f, side, Cochise Co. AZ

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

An obscure bee of the desert, Martinapis luteicornis only is active early in the morning just as the sky begins to lighten. At least one paper indicates that they are specialists on Psorothamnus scoparius or the Broom Dalea.

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Martinapis luteicornis, M, back, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, back, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, back, Wilcox, AL

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

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Martinapis luteicornis, M, face, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, face, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, face, Wilcox, AL

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

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Martinapis luteicornis, M, side, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, side, Wilcox, AL
Martinapis luteicornis, M, side, Wilcox, AL

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

I am spacing at the moment as to who lent me these species, but hopefully can track that down and correct the record. Such a lovely odd bee. It forages a dawn in the deserts of the Southwest, is big, lush and lovely. One of only 3 species. This one caught in Wilcox, AZ...probably at the Bee Course. Photographed by Dejen Mengis.

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Medeola virginiana 2, Indian Cucumber Root
Medeola virginiana 2, Indian Cucumber Root
Medeola virginiana 2, Indian Cucumber Root

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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.

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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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Medeola virginiana 2, Indian-Cucumber Root
Medeola virginiana 2, Indian-Cucumber Root
Medeola virginiana 2, Indian-Cucumber Root

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

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Medeola virginiana 3, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman
Medeola virginiana 3, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman
Medeola virginiana 3, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

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Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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.

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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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Medeola virginiana, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian-Cucumber Root, Howard Co, Md, H Metzman

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Indian Cucumber Root, Medeola virginiana. I have eaten its root ...and it does taste like cucumber....you need a lot of them though, tiny. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

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Megachile addenda, F, Back, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Back, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Back, NJ, Monmouth County

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

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Megachile addenda, F, Face, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Face, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Face, NJ, Monmouth County

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

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Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile