Photos / Sounds
What
Genus FlabelligeraObserver
ryanmarquisDescription
I found it in a shallow tidepool. It was moving rather quickly, as it interacted with a piece of sea vegetation.
A video of it in motion can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/67541247
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Raven (Corvus corax)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
There were around half a dozen of these on the beach, digging crustaceans and other food out of the muddy sand.
Photos / Sounds
What
Peanut Worms (Order Sipuncula)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
There were literally hundreds, if not thousands, of these on the beach. They created small mounds, many of which had one end of the sea cucumber partially exposed.
Another family found these recently and dug one up. They're definitely peanut worms. The picture of the one in the hand is apparently only a part of the organism.
For the full write-up on this trip, visit: http://keepontrekkin.ryanmarquis.com/2013/06/03/a-may-day-at-bishops-beach/
Photos / Sounds
What
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Just as the Sun set, the sounds of Canada Geese began to rise out of the distance. A great flock became visible, first as a black string waving across the orange sunset sky, and then becoming clearly distinguishable as they flew directly overhead. Their direction was easterly, then they shifted directions to the north-east, and then back east again and disappeared below the trees at the edge of my vantage point.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
This caterpillar has been on the same small bush in my yard for at least the past few days; moving from leaf to leaf, leaving almost nothing left as it eats.
Photos / Sounds
What
Larkspurleaf Monkshood (Aconitum delphiniifolium)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Larkspurleaf Monkshood (Aconitum delphinifolium)
Photos / Sounds
What
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Note: synonymous with "Rana sylvatica"
Went out looking to photograph wood frogs; while we were unable to locate any fully developed frogs, we found literally hundreds of tadpoles in a vernal pool next to a gravel roadway.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus ChrysomelaObserver
ryanmarquisDescription
Mating pair of ladybird beetles
Photos / Sounds
What
Woolly Lousewort (Pedicularis lanata)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Growing well above treeline in mountains above the Skyline Trail, near Cooper Landing, Alaska.
Common name: Wooly Lousewort
(inaturalist.org apparently doesn't have this species in its database)
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Growing wild all along the Skyline Trail near Cooper Landing, Alaska.
Photos / Sounds
What
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
These were growing along the edge of a lake. Root system is submerged. Appears to be a type of buttercup, but I can't nail down the species.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
I usually camp along this lake (Johnson Lake) at least once a year, expecting to seen the Loons that are always present. I quickly realized that these were different.
Photos / Sounds
What
Skimmers (Family Libellulidae)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
I'm unsure whether these are dragonfly or damselfly nymphs, so I chose to just not go any further than the order Odonata. I understand that the stage I observed them in is as they emerge from the water and then moult into the adult Odonata; however, I do not know how long this process takes. Is it possible that I observed them on the single day that they exist on land as nymphs?
Photos / Sounds
What
American Beaver (Castor canadensis)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
This beaver was on the beach laying at the bottom of the bluff. It seemed very lethargic but was alive and breathing seemed regular. It hardly moved in response to my presence. I left it there for about 1.5 hours and it was in the same spot on my way back through. As I watched it, it moved a little. At one point -- as the photograph shows -- it got up and repeatedly scratched/rubbed itself on one of its legs and then torso. I'm not sure if it was wounded or sick, but it definitely didn't seem to exhibit the skittish behavior I've noticed of most beavers.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
This Bald Eagle was with about a dozen others in an area near an adult moose carcass. A few of the eagles stayed with the carcass, while others dotted the trees nearby.
Photos / Sounds
What
Moose (Alces alces)Observer
ryanmarquisDescription
Yearling male moose drinking from a puddle.
