2008-What a Wonderful Year!

Yellow Lady Slipper

Wow! I can't believe tomorrow is January 1st. And, yours truly will be another year older- and wiser, I hope. 2008 was a tremendous year for me and I believe 2009 will be just as exciting!

Little Floating Bladderwort

Monarch Ovipositing in April

Hognose Snake. Photo by John Howard.

I thought I would end the year with a big thank you to all my co-workers, friends and family. I think you all truly helped make this a great year. I witnessed so many cool things. Life birds, plants, insects, butterflies, dragonflies and with such great company. I think every outing I went on was a blast. I honestly cannot remember a trip that stunk. Even the ones I struck out on what I was looking for. The company always made up for it. Simple hikes on the property, to out and out quests for rarities, all have been great!

Green Salamander

Hummingbird Moth on Common Milkweed

At first I thought I would list everyone, but I am so terrible at remembering, I would surely forget someone, and I wouldn't want to do that. But you all know who I have been out exploring with. So, here it is:

Thank You!! Thank You!!!Thank You!!! Thanks a million!!!

Spider and Wasp interaction. Photo By Jim McCormac.

Wheel Bug on False Sunflower

Black Widow

Harvester Butterfly on Horse Dung

Fishing Spider

Crested Coral Root Orchid

Two special honorable mentions- One to my sister, Joyce. She has put up with muddy boots, help me wash mud encrusted pants and Keen's, and encouraged my exploring. The other, to my brother, Charles for getting me the awesome camera to help me capture many of these images. Thank you so much!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!

Yellow-fringed Orchid

Pink Lady Slipper Orchid

Devil's Urn Fungus with Tiny Spiders Inside

Doe near Side of Road at Eagle Creek