The Orchard-Orb-Weaver (Leucauge venusta) is one of the more beautiful, common and recognizable orb-weaver spiders in Maryland. I have run across this particular orb-weaver species at Milllington Wildlife Management Area, Elk Forest WMA and White Clay Creek in Delaware, so … Continue reading
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The Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) is just cool looking, and it has an awesome name. Wolf spiders, in general, are hairy, brown or gray nasty looking characters with large bodies and long legs. They are at home in your … Continue reading
Spiny Orb-Weaver is a group of spiders most easily identified by a large abdomen covered in spikes. The photo above is easily one of my favorites taken with my macro lens. I haven’t been able to identify the exact specimen … Continue reading
Harvestmen (Leiobunum), are a group of arachnids that some people commonly refer to as “Daddy long-legs.” The particular species pictured above is common in Maryland and other states along the eastern coastline. Early summer months – June and July – … Continue reading
The Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) is at the northern extent of its U.S. range in Maryland. The Southern Leopard is common in the southeastern part of the U.S. and is not found north of Maryland. Within the state, it … Continue reading
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) or the Common Snapping Turtle is an extremely widespread snapper that inhabits most of the United States, including all parts of Maryland. Turtles are common at almost all wildlife areas in Maryland, especially along the Chesapeake … Continue reading
The Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) is a medium sized lizard found across the state of Maryland. The gray lizard grows to less than a foot long (about 6 or 7 inches) and can be found across much of the mid-atlantic U.S. … Continue reading
The Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata) is a ground beetle common in forest areas in all parts of Maryland. The beetle is found in most of the northeastern United States, north into Canada and to south, around Kentucky. It can fly, obviously, … Continue reading
The Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is a small to medium sized songbird that can be found year round in all areas of the state of Maryland. The Cedar Waxwing east various berries or small insects and is usually perched in … Continue reading
The Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a medium-sized, predatory bird in the hawk family. The Northern Harrier can range in all parts of Maryland year round. The one in the photo above was photographed in January at Eastern Neck Island National … Continue reading
The Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinas) is a small member of the Woodpecker family very similar in appearance to a Sapsucker. This photo was taken from some distance and in mid-peck, but I’m going with Red-bellied for a few reasons. The … Continue reading
The White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an extremely popular hunting subject in Maryland. The species is recognizable from its … white tail .. or more specifically the white coloring on the underside of its tail. The species is extremely popular … Continue reading
The Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) are primarily an Asian species, but they have been introduced to Assateague Island, and you may get lucky and spot one during a visit. The one in the photo above is a female. Females have … Continue reading
The Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is probably the most common rabbit you will see in the state of Maryland. It can be found in woods and forest, around wetlands, open fields, backyards, parks and of course, wildlife areas. The other … Continue reading
The Groundhog (Marmota monax) is a pretty popular and good sized rodent that you may come across in an open park, woods or even your backyard. They are fairly common in Maryland and the animal itself has a large distribution … Continue reading
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large, brown and white predatory bird similar in appearance to many hawks. The Osprey was a threatened species at one time, but I think its doing pretty well now, with populations across much of … Continue reading
The wild horses at Assateague Island State Park, as they are most commonly known, are actually feral horses. Feral is a word used to describe species which may be wild now, but are descended from ancestors species that were once domestic. Now that we … Continue reading
The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small, but brightly colored blue bird found in wooded areas. I have only encountered an Indigo Bunting once, it was at Millington WMA, and I only picked up on the small bird because its blue … Continue reading
The Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) is one of several medium sized woodpeckers found in the state of Maryland. Its look is extremely similar, practically identical to that of the Downy Woodpecker, however, the Downy tends to be a few inches … Continue reading
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small member of the heron family. It has much shorter legs than some of the other waterfowl you will see in Maryland, like egrets and the Great Blue Heron. The Green Heron is … Continue reading