Funnel weaver spiders (Agelenidae), also known as grass spiders, are a fairly common group of spiders in Maryland. Their body markings can be very similar to that of a wolf spider, but because wolf spiders don’t spin webs, it’s usually … Continue reading
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a … Ok. Is it just me, or does that scientific name looks like it came from a Coyote-Road Runner cartoon? “Sandwichensis?” Really? It’s a sparrow, and there are a lot of sparrows out … Continue reading
The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a fairly common backyard bird with a few distinguishing characteristics that make it east to pick out. Females are mostly gray and white and the juveniles look very similar to a Savannah Sparrow, but … Continue reading
Thanks for the viewer mail on this one – we have ourselves a Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura). I caught this sucker at Millington Wildlife Management Area, which – if I haven’t said it on a ton of other posts – … Continue reading
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
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
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 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 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 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 Common Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) is a summer butterfly that is very easy to identify. As its name would suggest, the Wood Nymph hangs out around wood; often positioning itself along logs or grasping to tree bark. It will … Continue reading
The Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) is just that – common. Over the past two years, I have noticed it more in the summer months leading into the fall rather than earlier in the spring. I don’t see the Buckeye, typically until late … Continue reading