Baltic rush is one of the world's most widespread plant species, and can take four years to produce the lovely intricate seed heads shown here. This rush is most often found in wetland ecosystems, and has been shown to be a nitrogen fixer. Photos taken in June of 2017 and 2016 at the Swaner Preserve wetland ponds in Park City, Utah.
With pollinators across the world in decline, it's neat to get a long look at one of these lovely bees. Bee species are still being discovered in North America at a rapid pace, and one useful feature for identification is the pattern of the wing cells, as is shown here. Taken August 2016 at the Historic Wallin Farm property on the Swaner Preserve in Park City, Utah.
Various wetland slugs and Columbia spotted frogs on the Swaner Preserve in Park City, Utah. The Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) is a listed sensitive species in the state of Utah where many coordinated reintroduction efforts are taking place.
The intricacies of flowers and their functional parts never ceases to amaze me. These photos were taken at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City Utah, May 2016.
Canada thistle (cirsium arvense) is a widespread and difficult to control noxious invasive species. It's particularly difficult to deal with because the plant propagates by way of rhizomes in the root system as well as with seeds. This makes Canada thistle a bad candidate for most traditional means of control, and is the reason many land managers are exploring the efficacy of biocontrols.
Species of lichen often grow slowly (at a rate of < 1mm/year) and can thrive in harsh conditions where little else survives. As a result, species of lichen are thought to be some of the most ancient living organisms on the planet.
Bee balm (of which there are many wild and cultivated species, all belonging to the genus Monarda) has long been used for its strong antiseptic properties, and shares a compound present as an active ingredient in many modern mouthwashes.
Photo taken May 2016 in Sugarhouse, Utah.
In Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests, American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are often also present. This cohabitation represents another of the nature's many symbiotic relationships - the squirrels feed on the fir cones, eating it like cob of corn to get at the seeds inside. The act of eating the tree's fruit then disperses the seeds, thereby benefitting all invovled.
Ash tree core samples from urban trees in Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah. These samples are part of an urban ecology research project at the University of Utah studying the history of city trees and climate change.
Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) is a favorite snack for hummingbirds and long-tongued moths.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom each spring and is easy to spot growing in large clusters on sunny hillsides.
Kids love earthworms. One of the most exciting parts of working in environmental education is having the ability to get kids outside and get their hands a little dirty.
