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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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Diphaglossa gayi, f, side, chile
Diphaglossa gayi, f, side, chile
Diphaglossa gayi, f, side, chile

A large to huge, long-faced bee from Chile. The only member of its genus and strongly associated with the residual and now relictual beech forests of this country.

A large to huge, long-faced bee from Chile. The only member of its genus and strongly associated with the residual and now relictual beech forests of this country.

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Dolichopodid, Condylostylus near caudatus, Fly green vibrant, side
Dolichopodid, Condylostylus near caudatus, Fly green vibrant, side
Dolichopodid, Condylostylus near caudatus, Fly green vibrant, side

Condylostylus near caudatus, Long-legged fly, Dolichopodid, shot suspended in hand sanitizer, Maryland, Price George's County, Sciapodinae? Det provided by Flickr user Vox Sciurorum.

Condylostylus near caudatus, Long-legged fly, Dolichopodid, shot suspended in hand sanitizer, Maryland, Price George's County, Sciapodinae? Det provided by Flickr user Vox Sciurorum.

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Dragonfly, U, genitalia back
Dragonfly, U, genitalia back
Dragonfly, U, genitalia back

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

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Dragonfly, U, genitalia side
Dragonfly, U, genitalia side
Dragonfly, U, genitalia side

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

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Dragonfly, U, genitalia top
Dragonfly, U, genitalia top
Dragonfly, U, genitalia top

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

Ophiogomphus susbehcha, collected by Richard Orr along the Potomac River, super rare snaketail species

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Drepanaporus collaris, F, back1, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, back1, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, back1, Dominican Republic, La Ve

Drepanaporus collaris, Dominican Republic, La Vega, determination by Pompilid guru Juanita Rodriguez

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Drepanaporus collaris, F, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve

Drepanaporus collaris, Dominican Republic, La Vega, determination by Pompilid guru Juanita Rodriguez

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Drepanaporus collaris, F, side, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, side, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Drepanaporus collaris, F, side, Dominican Republic, La Ve

Drepanaporus collaris, Dominican Republic, La Vega, determination by Pompilid guru Juanita Rodriguez

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Dufourea monardae, F, Back, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Back, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Back, WI, Eau Claire County

One of about 3 Monarda specialist in Eastern North America. This uncommon bee was collected in Wisconsin, likely by Denny Johnson and photographed by Amber Reese. A northern species and not one we have had any experience collecting or observing. That said, it could occur in Maryland if people spend more time collecting off of Bee Balm.

One of about 3 Monarda specialist in Eastern North America. This uncommon bee was collected in Wisconsin, likely by Denny Johnson and photographed by Amber Reese. A northern species and not one we have had any experience collecting or observing. That said, it could occur in Maryland if people spend more time collecting off of Bee Balm.

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Dufourea monardae, F, Face, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Face, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Face, WI, Eau Claire County

A headshot of the uncommon specialist bee, Dufourea monardae. As one might suppose, based on the species part of its name this is a monarda specialist.

A headshot of the uncommon specialist bee, Dufourea monardae. As one might suppose, based on the species part of its name this is a monarda specialist.

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Dufourea monardae, F, Side, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Side, WI, Eau Claire County
Dufourea monardae, F, Side, WI, Eau Claire County

One of about 3 Monarda specialist in Eastern North America. This uncommon bee was collected in Wisconsin, likely by Denny Johnson and photographed by Amber Reese. A northern species and not one we have had any experience collecting or observing. That said, it could occur in Maryland if people spend more time collecting off of Bee Balm.

One of about 3 Monarda specialist in Eastern North America. This uncommon bee was collected in Wisconsin, likely by Denny Johnson and photographed by Amber Reese. A northern species and not one we have had any experience collecting or observing. That said, it could occur in Maryland if people spend more time collecting off of Bee Balm.

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Dufourea novaeangliae, f, back, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, back, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, back, Washington Co, ME

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

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Dufourea novaeangliae, f, face, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, face, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, face, Washington Co, ME

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

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Dufourea novaeangliae, f, side, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, side, Washington Co, ME
Dufourea novaeangliae, f, side, Washington Co, ME

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

An uncommonly collected species whose status is largely unknow because people don't spend enough time swimming in the mud to look at the bees coming to Pickerelweed. There are 3 eastern uncommon species all from different genera who are specialists on this plant...this is one, and was collected in Maine by Samantha Gallagher.

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Dynastes tityus, f, front face, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, front face, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, front face, MD

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

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Dynastes tityus, f, side face, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, side face, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, side face, MD

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

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Dynastes tityus, f, side, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, side, MD
Dynastes tityus, f, side, MD

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Female, Old, Found on the Ground, Scarred, Dirty, Ancient, Maryland, Dynastes tityus, Grubs live in rotten logs, HUGE. Found by Jessica Zelt while going on a walk. Pictures by Amanda Robinson.

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Dysdercus ocreatus U, back, Dominican Republic
Dysdercus ocreatus U, back, Dominican Republic
Dysdercus ocreatus U, back, Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic - Common on flowers November 2012 -Dysdercus ocreatus; identified by Tom Henry, many thanks

Dominican Republic - Common on flowers November 2012 -Dysdercus ocreatus; identified by Tom Henry, many thanks

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eastern worm snake
eastern worm snake
eastern worm snake

Carphophis amoenus amoenus - sadly one that I chopped up when digging my garden today...but at least I was able to take a picture. 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.

Carphophis amoenus amoenus - sadly one that I chopped up when digging my garden today...but at least I was able to take a picture. 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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eastern worm snake2
eastern worm snake2
eastern worm snake2

Carphophis amoenus amoenus - sadly one that I chopped up when digging my garden today...but at least I was able to take a picture. 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.

Carphophis amoenus amoenus - sadly one that I chopped up when digging my garden today...but at least I was able to take a picture. 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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Eaten-Leaf-White-Oak-Close-Up
Eaten-Leaf-White-Oak-Close-Up
Eaten-Leaf-White-Oak-Close-Up

White Oak, Insect damage, August 2012, Beltsville, Maryland