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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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Halictus ligatus, m, left side, Centre Co., PA
Halictus ligatus, m, left side, Centre Co., PA
Halictus ligatus, m, left side, Centre Co., PA

Halictus ligatus. One of the crow bees of the North America. It occurs almost everywhere and remains common in urban and disturbed sites, where it is just fine with gathering pollen from alien weeds and flower beds.

Halictus ligatus. One of the crow bees of the North America. It occurs almost everywhere and remains common in urban and disturbed sites, where it is just fine with gathering pollen from alien weeds and flower beds.

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Halictus poeyi, female face
Halictus poeyi, female face
Halictus poeyi, female face

Halictus poeyi, female, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida

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Halictus poeyi, female, back
Halictus poeyi, female, back
Halictus poeyi, female, back

Halictus poeyi and its counterpart Halictus ligatus are 2 of the most common bees in Eastern North America. H. poeyi is runs to the south and H. ligatus to the north. There is enough overlap in characters that at this point they are considered indistinguishable. These species are well in the known range of only H. poeyi in St.

Halictus poeyi and its counterpart Halictus ligatus are 2 of the most common bees in Eastern North America. H. poeyi is runs to the south and H. ligatus to the north. There is enough overlap in characters that at this point they are considered indistinguishable. These species are well in the known range of only H. poeyi in St.

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Halictus poeyi, female, side
Halictus poeyi, female, side
Halictus poeyi, female, side

Halictus poeyi and its counterpart Halictus ligatus are 2 of the most common bees in Eastern North America. H. poeyi is runs to the south and H. ligatus to the north. There is enough overlap in characters that at this point they are considered indistinguishable. These species are well in the known range of only H. poeyi in St.

Halictus poeyi and its counterpart Halictus ligatus are 2 of the most common bees in Eastern North America. H. poeyi is runs to the south and H. ligatus to the north. There is enough overlap in characters that at this point they are considered indistinguishable. These species are well in the known range of only H. poeyi in St.

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Halictus resurgens, F, Back, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Back, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Back, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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.

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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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Halictus resurgens, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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.

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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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Halictus resurgens, F, Side, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Side, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Halictus resurgens, F, Side, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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.

From the Aegean Islands of Greece comes what is most likely the most common Halictus in the region. Collected by Jelle Devalez. 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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Halictus tectus, f, back, montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, back, montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, back, montgomery co, md

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

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Halictus tectus, f, face close up , Montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, face close up , Montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, face close up , Montgomery co, md

20X Lens Tests. I am posting 3 pictures taken with a "new" 20X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Infinity Corrected Long WD Microscope Objective attached to an old 200mm Pentax lens. This allows me to start getting into some extreme stack territory. That said this lens new is over $2000.00 U.S. However, I found a scratched one on Ebay for $300.00.

20X Lens Tests. I am posting 3 pictures taken with a "new" 20X Mitutoyo Plan Apo Infinity Corrected Long WD Microscope Objective attached to an old 200mm Pentax lens. This allows me to start getting into some extreme stack territory. That said this lens new is over $2000.00 U.S. However, I found a scratched one on Ebay for $300.00.

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Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md
Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

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Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md, side
Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md, side
Halictus tectus, f, montgomery co, md, side

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

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Halictus tectus, f, scutum, montgomery county, md
Halictus tectus, f, scutum, montgomery county, md
Halictus tectus, f, scutum, montgomery county, md

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage.

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Hallomenus scapularis pale form, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis pale form, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis pale form, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

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Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA
Hallomenus scapularis, dorsal, Turkey Run, Fairfax Co., VA

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

A series of 6 pictures of 3 species of very uncommon beetles that are new records for the region from George Washington Memorial Parkway unit of the National Park Service. Collected by Brent Steury. Hallomenus scapularis is a beetle of polypore fungi. There are 2 color forms which may or may not be different species.

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Haltichellinae,-face
Haltichellinae,-face
Haltichellinae,-face

Unknown Haltichellinae Wasp, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

Unknown Haltichellinae Wasp, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

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Haltichellinae,-side
Haltichellinae,-side
Haltichellinae,-side

Unknown Haltichellinae, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

Unknown Haltichellinae, Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012, Determined by Michael Gates

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Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel calyx Howard County MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Seems like the pharmacy is mostly full of long-winded chemical names these days....but you can still find the astringent Witch Hazel in almost any drug store and how nice to know that it is a native plant. These are the left over calyx parts from the fall blooming plant.

Seems like the pharmacy is mostly full of long-winded chemical names these days....but you can still find the astringent Witch Hazel in almost any drug store and how nice to know that it is a native plant. These are the left over calyx parts from the fall blooming plant.

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Back1, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

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Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychridium dimidiatum, U, Face, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

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Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County
Hedychrum parvum Aaron, U, Back, MD, Baltimore County

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o

Another Chrysidid wasp (cuckoo wasp) from the Hart-Miller Dredge Spoil site in Baltimore Harbor, collected by Eugene Scarpulla, photographed by Brooke Alexander Identification by Lynn KimseyCanon 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 o