The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a tall, white, wading bird very common in the state of Maryland. On the scale of commonality, I would have to rank this one right up there with the Great Blue Heron. It’s like, … Continue reading
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The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a tall wading bird extremely common in the state of Maryland. Great Blue Heron can be found anywhere, across the state. While coastlines of large bodies of water are an obvious choice, you could … Continue reading
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a very recognizable red bird prominent in the eastern part of the United States. It also has an extremely boring scientific name. What’s up with that? The male Northern Cardinal sports the red color … Continue reading
The Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) is a small bird with a short tail common in wooded areas and forests. I took the photo above at Eastern Neck Island Refuge, and that’s the only time I have ever saw one of … Continue reading
The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) probably doesnt need much explanation. It’s the common and easily recognized jay everyone sees in their backyard. It’s available year-round aross the state of Maryland and the greater United States. I’ve seen them outside my home in … Continue reading
The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a nasty looking character. Not nearly as abundant and extensive across the state of Maryland as the Turkey Vulture, the Black Vulture is most likely found in the eastern part of the state. Areas like Eastern Neck … Continue reading
The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) is a small, mostly yellow bird common across the United States and lower portions of Canada. It has a year-round range in Maryland. I’ve photographed this species of finch at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in late summer. … Continue reading
The Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) is a large and very brightly colored butterfly that can be found across the state of Maryland. I have encountered the Red-spotted Purple most often in wooded areas and forests. It flies quickly and will … Continue reading
The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a distinctive brushfoot and very unique in the state of Maryland. In flight, it can sometimes look like one of the Lady butterflies, but at rest, the Admiral is immediately recognizable as no other … Continue reading
The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) is a medium-sized butterfly with a bright color and recognizable markings. It’s easy to see where this guy gets his name. The striped pattern on its upper and lower wings is very zebra-like. My impression … Continue reading
The Red-Banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops). Admittedly, this is a terrible photo, but it does do a good job of displaying the very pronounced banded markings on the hindwing of the Red-Banded Hairstreak. This is the only photo I have of … Continue reading
The White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) is a southeastern hairstreak with a distinctly marked hindwing and beautiful top wing. The White M is a medium size butterfly, but would probably be considered large for a hairstreak. It is not very common … Continue reading
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a butterfly that makes a living looking exactly like the Monarch. It is slightly smaller, but has an almost exact color and wing pattern. The glaring top wing difference – an additional horizontal black vein – is very obvious, … Continue reading
The Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) is a striking orange butterfly. It is mostly a southern species, but does inhabit Maryland and can be found in states to the north as well. Personally, I have photographed them at Idylwild and Deal … Continue reading
The Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) is part of a family of small gray butterfly with a very similar appearance and a range throughout North America. Range maps I have seen on the Azures have them up to Alaska, across much … Continue reading
The Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is one of three dark swallowtail butterflies extremely common in Maryland. I think that I may see the Spicebush more often than the Black and Pipevine swallowtails, but it’s so hard to know. The Spicebush … Continue reading
The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a large, black beautiful buttefly. A big fan of flowering plants, it will fly low to the ground or eye level and often continues to flutter its wings when at rest. This particular swallowtail … Continue reading
The Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is a small, speckled, orange and black butterfly that can be found all across Maryland, from the spring into the fall months. I have run across one as late as November at Eastern Neck Island … Continue reading
The Pink-Edged Sulphur (Colias interior) is not very popular in Maryland, according to every map, website and book I have ever seen, so I can’t really say I got one here. The photo above was taken at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. If you didn’t … Continue reading
The Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) is another popular sulphur butterfly that is widespread in Maryland. Much of the same logic applies to these sulphurs, you have no idea which one your seeing with the naxed eye, unless you can catch … Continue reading