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Purple jellydisc
A bizarre fungus, the purple jellydisc, Ascocoryne sarcoides. The hairs are those of a small mammal, probably a white-footed mouse. The world of fungi is fascinating, bizarre, and impossibly diverse. I...
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Plenty is in a name when describing species
Jewel mudbug, Lacunicambarus dalyae, at OSU Museum of Biological Diversity/Jim McCormacColumbus DispatchDecember 15, 2019NATUREJim McCormacMore than 1.7 million living species have thus far been...
View ArticlePhotography Workshops and Tours: 2020 Slate!
Two years ago, Debbie DiCarlo and I began collaborating on field-based photography workshops. We finished our second season last October, with a sensational trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at...
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Christmas "Bird" Count at The Wilds
A grand view of a big swath of The Wilds in Muskingum County, Ohio, as seen last Saturday just before sunrise. That was the day of the Chandlersville Christmas Bird Count, and I was there to...
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Beautifully eerie fogscapes
The white roof of a barn melds into pea soup fog so thick you could, as they say, cut it with a knife. The structure sits only 50 feet or so off the rural lane from which I made the photo. Wyandot...
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Kestrel flyby, and a showy prairie sunset
As always, click the photo to enlargeA male American kestrel wings by, having been flushed from a roadside wire by a passing vehicle. I was ready for him. Big Island Wildlife Area, Marion County,...
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Limpkin's rare journey from Florida to Ohio causes stir among bird watchers
A limpkin with freshly caught snail at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge/Jim McCormacLimpkin's rare journey from Florida to Ohio causes stir among bird watchersColumbus DispatchDecember 29, 2019NATUREJim...
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Gray Squirrel
A gray squirrel offers a nice perspective on its incredibly bushy tail. I shot this one in the backyard, and squirrels around here have it pretty good. Feeders offer unshelled peanuts, all manner of...
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Nature: Witch hazel blooms add burst of color to winter
Witch hazel in full bloom/Jim McCormacColumbus DispatchJanuary 5, 2020Witch hazel blooms add burst of color to winterNATUREJim McCormacFall’s native flora disappeared months ago. The last of autumn’s...
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A melanistic fox squirrel
As always, click the photo to enlargeRight time, right place. I happened to glance out the porch windows into the backyard this afternoon, and was stunned to see a huge black squirrel perched...
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And now, a (partially) white blue jay!
So, just a few days ago, a melanistic fox squirrel appears in the yard. I wrote about that oddity in my last post. This morning I glance out the back window and what do I see? This strange and...
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Nature: Sighting of fox squirrel came with a colorful twist
This melanistic fox squirrel appeared in the writer's backyard on January 9/Jim McCormac A normally colored eastern fox squirrel/Jim McCormacSighting of fox squirrel came with a colorful twistColumbus...
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Woodlouse Spider
This woodlouse spider has taken up residence in my basement. I've got no problem with giving her free room and board, but did make her submit to a modeling session today. These spiders are armed with...
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White-headed jay continues on
This stunning white-headed blue jay appeared in my yard on January 12, and here's a photo from yesterday. He/she - although I dubbed it "Albert" - was out there raiding the feeders this morning. I...
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Orchid Photography Workshop!
A gorgeous Miltonia hybrid orchidSpectacular Orchids! Photo Workshop, Cleveland Botanical Gardens: February 9The family Orchidaceae is probably the most fabled, mystical and celebrated plant families...
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Southern flying squirrels! Many, many!
I recently had the opportunity to tag along on one of professor Don Althoff's southern flying squirrel research projects. This was not my first time at the flying squirrel rodeo. I wrote about a...
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Old barns, of two flavors
While passing through rural Washington County, Ohio, yesterday, I passed by two barns, each of a different stripe. I couldn't resist stopping for a quick shot of them.The finest looking "Mail Pouch"...
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Insect/Photography Talk! Monday, 2/3, Columbus
A Zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon, watches for prospective mates atop a swamp thistleI'm giving a talk next Monday, February 3, for the Westbridge Camera Club. The venue is Midwest Photo, the legendary...
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Nature: Genetics play role in blue jay's lack of blue
An unusual white-headed blue jay prepares to visit the writer's feeders/Jim McCormacNATURE: Genetics play role in blue jay's lack of blueColumbus DispatchFebruary 2, 2020NATUREJim McCormacIn my last...
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Albert the white-headed blue jay appears in video
At the risk of wearing out Albert's welcome, here's a bit more on the handsome white-headed blue jay, from this morning. I've made a few prior posts that go into some detail about genetics and the...
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