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There is currently a surge in both infections and deaths in the United States. This is especially true for the state of Michigan. The virus is heavily impacting unvaccinated people, especially along the western half of the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. If the above graphic doesn’t scare you, it should, unless of courseContinue reading “The pandemic and some bones”

I have several references for North American spiders, but nothing to help with spiders south of the US. Therefore, I have relied on information on the Internet and iNaturalist, which is an excellent reference for all plants and animals. This green spider took advantage of a hole in the leaf, almost like a trap-door. ThisContinue reading “Panama – spiders”

When I was in Panama in 2019 I saw a great number of insects, some of which I could identify. Others, like the above beetle is still waiting for identification. The above weevil was not only attractive, but also fairly large for a weevil. The above hieroglyphic moth was a species that I have lookedContinue reading “Panama – insects”

When I was in Panama in 2019 I saw quite a diverse group of plants, such as the fern pictured above. It was, quite frankly overwhelming, especially since I did not have any good references for them. Ferns, whether terrestrial or arboreal were especially interesting. But with over 900 ferns and relatives it is quiteContinue reading “Panama – a few plants”

During my trip to Panama in 2019 there were many butterflies out and about. One day we encountered a mineral “slick” – soils rich in minerals that were wet, but drying in the sun. There were hundreds of butterflies on the ground. This is a small photographic sample of them. Underwing of a least heliconian.Continue reading “Panama – butterflies”

In 2019 my friend Mike and I went to Panama with other friends on a bird-watching tour in hopes of seeing a Harpy Eagle. We spent the majority of time in the Darien, the eastern-most Province in Panama down at the Darien Gap which separates Panama from South America. Roadside Hawk and Gray Hawk wereContinue reading “Panama – hawks and more”

A 3×3 m patch of reindeer lichens on the sand near our cabin at Whitefish Point. This is what much of the open area of our property looks like. The is some scattered false dune heather among the lichens. The reindeer lichens are in the genus Cladina. In this picture green reindeer lichen (Cladina mitis)Continue reading “Sunday dose of lichens”