The photographs in this section are examples of some of the ways that nature manipulates light, which is one of the foundations of nature’s beauty.
Spiderwebs are made of birefringent material. Birefringence is an optical phenomenon that can occur with materials which have a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. Spiderweb fibers also have other optical properties that result in wavelength interference and contribute to the development of discrete color bands. Bloomington, IN 2017.
Dew drops on spiderwebs refract and reflect light to reveal prismatic colors when viewed from certain angles relative to the direction of the sunlight. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Rainbows result from the reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets in the atmosphere creating a continuous spectrum of colors in an arc in the sky. Stillwater Marsh, Bloomington, IN 2016.
Iridescence is an optical phenomenon of surfaces in which hues change with the angle of observation and the angle of illumination. The iridescence of many animals is created by microstructures in their surface that interfere with light, as with this dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus). Northfork Wildlife Refuge. Bloomington, IN 2016.
Over the span of ten minutes, several glowworms (larva of fireflies) on their search for prey painted this abstract image of their bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism, usually resulting from the reaction of the light-emitting molecule luciferin and the enzyme luciferase. Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 2018.
Green is the primary color of nature. Green light is what is left over after chlorophyll in leaves uses the energy of red and blue light to drive photosynthesis. Mountain Lake, VA 2010.
The eggs of the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) have a symbiotic relationship with a green alga (Oophila amblystomatis) that grows in the egg capsules. The alga provides the salamander embryos with oxygen from photosynthesis in exchange for nitrogenous waste coming from the growing embryos. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2015.
The range of colors in this lotus inflorescence are the result of different pigments in the maturing seeds and surrounding tissues. Pigments are materials or compounds that change the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. Nature produces pigments in abundance. Lake Lemon,IN 2016.
During the fall the level of green chlorophyll decreases in leaves while yellow-orange carotenoid and red anthocyanin pigment levels increase. These pigments produced the mosaic of colors in this Sycamore leaf. Bloomington, IN 2015.
Textures and forms are fundamental to the beauty of nature.
Leaf veins are crucial for distributing water and nutrition throughout the body of plants. They create a tapestry of texture in this tulip tree leaf (Liriodendron tulipifera) - Bloomington, IN 2016.
Intermixed masses of salamander and Wood frog eggs in pond water. Early spring rains trigger many species of frogs and salamanders to return to their birthing pond in order to mate. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018.
Abstract ice formations along the edge of McCormick’s Creek. McCormick’s Creek State Park 2018.
In many tropical rainforests the leaves of some palm species may last for several years and are often transformed by the action of microbes and fungi that live in or on the leaves. Le Salva, Costa Rica 2018.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) are ground nesting birds and have evolved patterned eggs that blend with the color and textures of the nest site. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge, Linton, IN - 2016
Crinoids are a group of sea creatures related to starfish and sea urchins. . Now only evidenced by their fossils, these organisms were abundant in the Paleozoic Era (350 mya) when Indiana bedrock was formed. Monroe county, IN 2010.
Mosses and lichens are among the first organisms to colonize open spaces. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018
Lichens are a composite organism of fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria) that can create a multitude of colored forms on a diversity of substrates. Bean Blossom Bottoms, IN 2016.
Reindeer moss (Cladonia rangiferina) is very abundant in alpine tundra but is also found in dry open areas in Indiana. Crooked Creek Lake, IN 2012.
The photographs in this section depict qualities of nature that our own eyes usually do not see.
Light reflecting off of the microscopic bodies of protozoa in pond water as they swim among the currents left by larger creatures can create abstract images of pond water life. 2017.
The motions of protozoa paint a pointillist-like abstract with the light reflected from their microscopic bodies. 2018.
There are over 40 species of fireflies in Indiana. Some species can be told apart by the duration of their flashes as seen here by using a long exposure in combination with intentional camera motion.
Stars appear to streak through the sky as the earth rotates on its axis. The North Star is just out of the frame to the lower left. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge, Linton, IN 2018.
The wakes of whirligig beetles swimming on the surface of a woodland pond create mesmerizing patterns as seen in this infrared photograph. This photograph appeared on the cover of the book “Adaptation of Metapopulations: How interaction changes evolution” written by my friend and colleague Distinguished Professor Michael J. Wade.
This composite image shows most of the birds that visited my yard one January morning. 2018.
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) in the act of diving from my roof to snatch a worm. Bloomington, IN 2017.
The white bark of Sycamore tree (Platanus occidentalis), the golden-brown of birch leaves (Betula sp.) and camera motion create an impressionistic forest. Yellowwood State Forest, In 2017.
Seasonal colors from January to December of 2015.
The dictionary definition of a portrait is a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face. A face is also a means of identification. The photographs in this section also represent portraits since they show visible features that are used as means of identification.
The long thick bill, pale iris and the iridescence of their feathers are among the features that distinguish Grackles from other black birds. Bloomington, IN 2017.
Many deer, like this one in my backyard, eke out a living in our town. Bloomington, IN 2015.
Flowers are, in a way, the face of plants since flowers are among the most distinguishing identifying features of the flowering plants. Lotus (Nelumbo sp.) is an aquatic plant that originated in Asia but has “naturalized” in many other parts of the world and is considered invasive in some locations, including Indiana. Lake Lemon, IN. 2010.
Damselfly nymphs live in many freshwater habitats and are voracious predators of smaller pond creatures, including mosquito larvae. They resemble dragonflies in their adult stage but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
An American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) poses on the way to the spring breeding grounds. Griffy lake, Bloomington, IN. 2017.
The bronze copper (Lycaena Hyllus) is found throughout North America, preferring low, wet areas such as bogs, marshes, wet meadows, and ponds. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge. Linton, IN 2016.
The Yellow lady slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) is an orchid that is native to North America. Deam Wilderness, IN 2018.
The Kentucky warbler (Geothlypis formosa) is a small migratory bird that breeds and spends the summer in central and eastern USA then migrates to the Yucatán Peninsula and islands in the Caribbean for the winter. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Box turtles (Terrapene Carolina) are slow moving, slow maturing, and long lived. They produce few offspring per year, making them particularly susceptible to loss of habitat and other human impacts on the environment. Bloomington, IN 2018.
Freshly hatched adult Chaoborus midge. The larva (commonly called glassworms) are voracious predators and are common to lakes and ponds. The adults breed but do not feed. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Newly fledged Eastern Bluebird. Bloomington, IN 2018.
This Eastern Bluebird family nested and raised their young in my backyard. Bloomington, IN 2018.
Male juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species in eastern North America. They are migratory and spend their winters in Florida, southern Mexico and Central America. Bloomington, IN 2017.
The Carolina locust, or grasshopper, (Dissosteira carolina) is one of the largest grasshoppers in North America. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge, Linton, IN 2018.
Turkey and Black Vultures pose for a portrait. Turkey vultures were the most common vulture in Indiana until Black vultures started to arrive around 1990. Paynetown State Recreation Area, IN 2018.
Plants are the foundation of our life. They are essential as our source of energy, food, materials, medicine, and a source of beauty.
Asclepias syriaca - Bloomington, IN - 2017
Passiflora incarnata - Bloomington, IN - 2018
Jeffersonia diphylla - Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve, IN - 2018
Cypripedium parviflorum - Deam Wilderness, IN - 2018
Helianthus annuus. Bloomington, IN 2016.
Dodecatheon sp. - Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve, IN - 2016
Unidentified species of sweet pea. Stillwater Marsh. Bloomington, IN 2017.
Mating systems are incredibly diverse. Some systems rely on chemical communication, some use sound, others depend on visual cues. Most depend on multiple signals. Successful completion of mating ultimately requires the transfer of gametes for fertilization.
A male eastern red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), in amplexus with a female (below), entices her to mate by wafting pheromone towards her with his tail. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2010.
The longer days and warm rains as winter comes to an end signal salamanders and other amphibians to woodland ponds to mate. Once in the pond, numerous males of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) deposit packets of sperm (spermatozoa) on leaf litter in the water for a female to pick up with her cloaca to fertilize her eggs. The females will then lay about 100 eggs in a jelly mass that they position to adhere to sticks or other support in the pond. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Most plants involve multiple partners to achieve fertilization. Passion flowers (Passiflora incarnata)lure bees and other insect to collect pollen from their anthers so that their pollen can be transferred to receptive stigmas, preferably on a different Passion flower plant. Bloomington, IN 2018.
Insects do “it” too. The iridescence of these mating dogbane beetles (Chrysochus auratus) comes from nano structures in their exoskeleton. Northfork Wildlife Refuge, IN 2018.
This male wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) is clasped (amplexus) onto the back of a gravid female that may carry him into the water and let him fertilize her eggs. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018.
A male wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) in amplexus with of a gravid female. The egg masses beneath them are from other wood frogs. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018.
Warm spring rains bring large numbers of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) to woodland ponds were the males congregate to wait for the arrival of females. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018.
Male green darner dragonfly (Anax junius) clasped to a female as she deposits eggs onto submerged plants. The green darner dragonfly is the largest dragonfly in Indiana and one of the few dragonfly species that migrate. Northfork Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington, IN 2018.
Two male American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) competing over a female. Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 2017.
Male American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) in amplexus with a female. Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 2017.
A male American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) trilling for love. The rapid movement of air in and out of the vocal sac sac is evidenced by the concentric ripples radiating away from the toad. For a few nights each spring, there can be thousands of toads trilling in and around their breeding grounds. Griffy Lake, Bloomington, IN 2017.
Taking time to peer deep into the night sky can fill one with awe and inspiration.
Well, not exactly stargazing. Wood frog tadpole resting on leaf litter with protozoan “stars” in the pond water. 2018.
The milky way from 11,500 feet. Telluride, CO 2015.
Comet Lovejoy. Yellowwood Forest, IN 2015.
Comet Lovejoy passing near the Pleiades. Yellowwood State Forest, 2015.
Star trails over Bear Run coal mine (left) and the town of Linton (right). The mine operates 24/7 and its lights glow brighter than the lights of Linton. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge. Linton, IN 2017.
The light emanating from the Bear Run coal mine is powered by electricity generated from the burning of coal. Goose Pond Wildlife Refuge. Linton, IN 2017.
Celestial triangle formed by the moon, Jupiter and Venus. Bloomington, IN 2015.
Sliver of the sun before eclipse totality. Golconda, IL 2017.
The eclipse during totality (photo exposed for the corona). Golconda, IL 2017.
The 2017 total eclipse (photo exposed for solar prominences). Golconda, IL 2017.
January Lunar eclipse. Bloomington, IN 2019.
Camouflage is the ability of organisms to avoid observation or detection by predators by blending into their environment though coloration, visual patterns, and/or body shape. The organisms shown in this gallery display various degrees of camouflage.
Moth on leaf litter. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2016.
Moth on lichen-covered tree bark. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2016.
Leech in pond water. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2018
Toad in leaf litter. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Bloomington, IN 2017.
Gray tree frog on lichen-covered bark. Northfork Waterfowl Management Area, Bloomington, IN 2017.
American toads have many color variants that help them blend in with the leaf litter of the forest understory. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, Bloomington, IN 2017.
Spider on leaf litter. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica 2017.
Eastern Screech owl in tree. Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve, Lake Monroe, IN 2018.
Sea slug on sand of a tidal pool in my shadow. Costa Rica, 2017.
The diminutive Northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans) is one of the smallest vertebrates in North America but their calls are loud and are often described as sounding like pebbles clicking together.
Natural beauty is size-independent. A world of small wonders can be revealed with a macro lens, a little patience, and some attention to detail.
A spotted salamander tadpole (Ambystoma maculatum) contemplates escape from its egg capsule. The egg capsule contains a green alga (Oophila amblystomatis) which provides oxygen that helps fuel the tadpole’s growth.
Reaching about 5 mm tall, freshwater bryozoa have a crown of ciliated tentacles that filter water and trap algae and other microscopic organisms. The cilia and tentacles then deliver the algae and other organisms to the mouth at the base of the tentacles.
This tiny American toad is nearly done transforming from a tadpole into its adult form. It is almost ready to leave the water to migrate into the woods where American toads live for most of the rest of their life.
Flocking is the phenomenon in which self-propelled individuals organize into an ordered motion. Flocking is typically associated with birds, fish (schooling), and herding animals but flocking also occurs in bacteria and other microorganisms like the motile green algae in this photograph.
Daphnia, also called water fleas, are small planktonic crustaceans that live in aquatic habitats around the world. During their growing season, females reproduce asexually after molting and hold their developing eggs in their brood pouches.
Stentor are unicellular ciliated protists and are common in freshwater. Reaching up to a few mm in length, they are among the largest unicellular organisms. A ring of cilia around the trumpet-shaped anterior sweeps in food and also aids in swimming. The Stentor here are likely Stentor coeruleus, which have a blue-green color due to a pigment called stentorian.
Evolution has populated nature with many strange and wonderous things. Not surprisingly, many of the “alien” creatures in science fiction stories and movies are modeled after real creatures that inhabit our own ecosystems. This galley page introduces some of the “aliens” that live in habitats around Bloomington, IN.
Damselfly nymphs live in many freshwater habitats and are voracious predators of smaller pond creatures, including mosquito larvae. They resemble dragonflies in their adult stage but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Pelecinus polyturatoris the only species of the family Pelecinidae in North America. The adults drink nectar and do not sting. Females can be up to 7 cm long and use their long thin abdomen to lay eggs in buried beetle larvae, which the Pelecinuslarvae eat. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Chaoborus spend the majority of their life in the larval stage. They are commonly called glassworms due to their nearly transparent bodies. Air sacs at their front and back help them migrate up and down in the water column. They pupate after four growth instars. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Pupa of Chaoborus resemble little Pez dispensers. The pupa hatch into small midges. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Some members of the aquatic insect family Nepidae are commonly called water scorpions because of their grasping forelegs and the long extension at end of the abdomen. The posterior extension is used like a snorkel and conducts air to the tracheae on the abdomen. Yellowwood State Forest, IN 2017.
Eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) are social insects that build web tents in tree branches. With a preference for cherry or apple species, they feed before dawn, at midafternoon, and after sunset. They return to their tent between feedings. Bloomington, IN 2016.
A photogram is a photographic image made (without a camera) by placing objects directly onto the surface of a light-sensitive material, usually photographic paper, and then exposing it to light. Because many plant-based pigments are light sensitive, it is possible to use leaves as a photographic medium. This gallery contains photographs of local organisms that were “transferred” into leaves of various native plants. This multistep process produces unique images of biodiversity in the leaves that provided the photosynthetic energy that fueled that biodiversity. Moreover, the leaf photograms are captured using the same pigments that drive the photosynthetic process.
The process involves covering a leaf with a black & white positive transparency printed from a photograph and then placing the masked leaf in sunlight. The leaf pigments degrade faster in the areas of the leaf that receive more light in comparison to areas that are masked. Since chlorophyll is the dominant pigment, the method has often been called chlorophyll printing. However, leaves contain other light-sensitive pigments and other photochemical changes may occur during the process that result in the formation of other colors that were not apparent when the leaves were collected. It may take from one day to several days for the image to appear in the leaf depending on variables like the species of plant, cloud cover, temperature, etc. The leaf photograms can last for years if well dried and stored in the dark but will usually fade if kept in the light. Due to their ephemeral nature, once an image is developed in a leaf, I make photographs of the leaf photograms and store the originals in a plant press in the dark.
The eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) is a small legume tree native to eastern North America. The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a passerine that is also native to North America.
Polymnia canadensis, also known as "small-flowered leafcup" is native to eastern North America, has fragrant leaves, and is typically found in moist areas over calcareous rocks. The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird native to North America.
The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is native to the northeastern parts of North America. The clear-winged hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe) is native throughout much of North America.
The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small frog that is widespread in wetlands throughout the eastern United States and Canada. The arrowhead plant (Sagittaria latifolia) is native to wetlands in southern Canada and the United States.
The red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) is a one of the most numerous woodland salamanders in eastern North America. Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) are woodland plants found across most of the eastern United States and Canada.
Damselfly nymphs (Zygoptera sp.) can be found in many freshwater habitats. The Virginia bluebell (Mertensia virginica) is a spring ephemeral native to eastern North America.
Between the fall and spring semesters each year since 2013 I’ve taught an overseas study class on tropical biology in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of most biodiverse places on earth yet it is smaller than the state of Indiana. During the class, we travel around the country to explore a variety of different ecosystems. When time permits, I try to photograph some of what we see. This gallery shows some examples of just a small fraction of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Male Howler monkey at the La Selva Biological Research Station watching over the members of his troop as they moved across a gap between trees where they were feeding. Most mornings around sunrise at the station, the booming calls of howler monkeys resonate through the air. No alarm clocks are needed. 2013.
Female howler monkey with baby. 2019.
Glass-winged butterflies drink nectar but are also known to obtain additional nutrients from the droppings of insectivorous birds, like antbirds. 2016.
The Purple-throated Mountain Gem (Lampornis calolaemus) is one of around 50 species of hummingbirds found in Costa Rica. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, 2015.
Much of the moisture in cloud forests comes from cloud fog that condenses on the plants. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, 2013.
Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) are common along the coast of Costa Rica. These two were resting near the shore in Tamarindo. 2015.
Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) are large arboreal lizards native to Central, South America and the Caribbean. They are primarily herbivorous and can reach about 5 feet in length. La Selva 2015.
The Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) is among the largest hummingbirds in Central America, reaching 5 to 6 inches in length. Monteverde, 2015.
The red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is the poster child of Central American rain forests. La Selva 2013.
The fer de lance (Bothrops asper), or terciopelo, is among the most dangerous venomous pit viper species in Costa Rica. They can reach 6 feet in length but their cryptic color pattern makes them difficult to see. La Selva 2014.
The eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) is a relatively small pit viper (less than 3 ft). They occur in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, brown, and green. The “eyelashes” are modified scales. La Selva 2015.
Cloud forests are known for their abundance of epiphytic plants, like those covering the trunk of this tree. 2015.
The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a large member of the Trojan family. The bright iridescence of its feathers and the nearly 2 foot-long tail streamers of the male are impressive. Mirador de Quetzales, 2018.
Mirador de Quetzales, 2017.
The volcano junco (Junco vulcani) is endemic to the high mountains (above 10,000 feet) of Costa Rica and western Panama. Cerro de la Muerte, 2018.
The volcano hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) is a tiny hummingbird endemic to open areas, paramo, and edges of elfin forest at altitudes from 1850 m to the highest peaks. This one was at about 11,500 feet on Cerro de la Muerte, 2018.
Two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) eating leaves on the campus of the La Selva Biological Research Station, 2019.
The broad-billed motmot (Electron platyrhynchum) inhabits humid forest in the foothills and lowlands of eastern Costa Rica. La Selva, 2019.
The pale-billed woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) is similar in size to the pileated woodpecker we have in Indiana. They prefer wet forests and semi-open woodlands ranging from Mexico to Panama. La Selva, 2019.
The black-billed nightingale thrush (Catharus gracilirostris) is a small thrush endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. Mirador de Quetzales, 2019.
Students exploring and learning about the cloud forest environment. Monteverde, Costa Rica 2019.
Tree ferns grow in tropical and submontane rain forests. They can grow as tall as 30 feet and have fronds that may reach about 9 feet long. Monteverde cloud forest, 2019.
The Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the national tree of Costa Rica. It is in the family Fabaceae and is found in the seasonally dry Guanacaste province on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. 2019.
The highlands of northern Costa Rica are known for their nearly constant winds. The shape of many of the trees in the highlands bear witness to the force of the wind. Windmills in the highlands produce a significant amount of electricity for Costa Rica.. 2019.
The keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is famous for its large colorful bill (and for being the Fruit Loop bird). They eat a lot of fruit but also consume bird eggs, insects, lizards, and frogs. La Selva 2018.
It is easy to see spiders in the tropics because many are large like this wolf spider, which was about 2 inches in diameter. La Selva 2018.
Millipedes play an important role in forest recycling by eating decomposing pant material. Monteverde, 2018.
The broad-headed litter frog (Craugastor megacephalus) is a nocturnal frog that lives among the leaf litter in wet forests. La Selva 2018.
Stained glass window in the church Iglesia de Sarchi. Sarchi, Costa Rica, 2019.
