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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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Augochloropsis metallica, F, Back, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Back, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Back, U

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's garden in Laurel, Maryland

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's garden in Laurel, Maryland

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Augochloropsis metallica, F, Face, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Face, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Face, U

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's in Laurel, Maryland

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's in Laurel, Maryland

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Augochloropsis metallica, F, Side, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Side, U
Augochloropsis metallica, F, Side, U

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's in Laurel, Maryland

This bee is in your garden! Have you seen it? Collected on the Tomatoes in Francisco Posada's in Laurel, Maryland

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Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

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Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

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Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

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Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, face, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, face, NC Moore County
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Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

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Baccharis halimifolia 2, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baccharis halimifolia 2, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baccharis halimifolia 2, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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.

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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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Baccharis halimifolia 3, Groundsel Tree, Howard County, Md
Baccharis halimifolia 3, Groundsel Tree, Howard County, Md
Baccharis halimifolia 3, Groundsel Tree, Howard County, Md

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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.

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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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Baccharis halimifolia, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baccharis halimifolia, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baccharis halimifolia, Groundsel tree, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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.

The smooth tones of an unexpected composite, Baccharis halimifolia. Photo taken by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland. 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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Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,eggs
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,eggs
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,eggs

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

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Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,face 10x
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,face 10x
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,face 10x

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

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Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

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bald faced hornet, nest 5x, beltsville, prince georges county
bald faced hornet, nest 5x, beltsville, prince georges county
bald faced hornet, nest 5x, beltsville, prince georges county

5X close-up of the homemade paper that made up the outside of a Bald-faced Hornet Nest here in Beltsville. I discovered the nest after getting stung when out trail running in the woods and went back to find that it was built on the ground in short vegetation. A few days later it was destroyed. Note the different colored fibers from different fiber sources.

5X close-up of the homemade paper that made up the outside of a Bald-faced Hornet Nest here in Beltsville. I discovered the nest after getting stung when out trail running in the woods and went back to find that it was built on the ground in short vegetation. A few days later it was destroyed. Note the different colored fibers from different fiber sources.

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bald faced hornet, nest, beltsville, pg county
bald faced hornet, nest, beltsville, pg county
bald faced hornet, nest, beltsville, pg county

3X close-up of the homemade paper that made up the outside of a Bald-faced Hornet Nest here in Beltsville. I discovered the nest after getting stung when out trail running in the woods and went back to find that it was built on the ground in short vegetation. A few days later it was destroyed. Note the different colored fibers from different fiber sources.

3X close-up of the homemade paper that made up the outside of a Bald-faced Hornet Nest here in Beltsville. I discovered the nest after getting stung when out trail running in the woods and went back to find that it was built on the ground in short vegetation. A few days later it was destroyed. Note the different colored fibers from different fiber sources.

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Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

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Baptisia tinctoria, Pennsylvania 1935
Baptisia tinctoria, Pennsylvania 1935
Baptisia tinctoria, Pennsylvania 1935

An Experiment. The B. tinctoria seeds came from a the old Patuxent Food Habits collection. We have an entire cabinet filled with seeds collected from the teens to the 30's from around the U.S. Orphaned now, I am taking pictures so they have at least one final use.

An Experiment. The B. tinctoria seeds came from a the old Patuxent Food Habits collection. We have an entire cabinet filled with seeds collected from the teens to the 30's from around the U.S. Orphaned now, I am taking pictures so they have at least one final use.

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Baptisia tinctoria, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

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bee 04487d04, f, angle, south africa
bee 04487d04, f, angle, south africa
bee 04487d04, f, angle, south africa

Serapista species , Unknown Pillow Bee, collected in South Africa by Laurence PackerThe zebra-like markings on this bee are diagnostic, the white stripes are formed from blade like brilliant white hairs that are particularly beautiful when viewed under high magnification. This genus forms a small group of four species found only in Africa.

Serapista species , Unknown Pillow Bee, collected in South Africa by Laurence PackerThe zebra-like markings on this bee are diagnostic, the white stripes are formed from blade like brilliant white hairs that are particularly beautiful when viewed under high magnification. This genus forms a small group of four species found only in Africa.

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bee 04487d04, f, back, south africa
bee 04487d04, f, back, south africa
bee 04487d04, f, back, south africa

Serapista species , Unknown Pillow Bee, collected in South Africa by Laurence PackerThe zebra-like markings on this bee are diagnostic, the white stripes are formed from blade like brilliant white hairs that are particularly beautiful when viewed under high magnification. This genus forms a small group of four species found only in Africa.

Serapista species , Unknown Pillow Bee, collected in South Africa by Laurence PackerThe zebra-like markings on this bee are diagnostic, the white stripes are formed from blade like brilliant white hairs that are particularly beautiful when viewed under high magnification. This genus forms a small group of four species found only in Africa.