Erik

I was checking out a small park near my work last spring and came across this pair of polyphemus moths. Probably the most common of the silkmoths in my area. #bugs #insects #moths #entomology #lepidoptera #minnesota #nature #wildlife #polyphemusmoth #cool #photography

This Flame-colored Tanager was enjoying itself as I was drinking drinking some tea one cool morning. The mountains south of San Jose were amazing with birds. #birds #birding #costarica #tanager #nature #wildlife #photography #pretty #cool

One of my favorite butterflies from Colorado is Papilio multicaudata (two-tailed swallowtail). These large butterflies are always impressive and obviously beautlful.
#insects #entomology #butterflies #butterfly #lepidoptera #nature #wildlife #colorado #beautiful #wow #swallowtail #butterfly #cool

Indigo Buntings are among the yearly spring visitors to my grandparents feeders in Wisconsin. I've recorded 27 different species in one day on their small property, including seven species of woodpeckers. #birds #birding #nature #wildlife #cool #beautiful #indigobunting #blue #wisconsin #wow #photo

Meet the toad bug (Gelastocoridae). These small cryptic bugs are quite masterful in the way of camouflage. And yes they do hop like toads, honestly its the only way I manage to realize they are there. #insects #entomology #nature #wildlife #toadbug #cool #camouflage #bugs #photo

Bald Eagles really are something else. I consider myself lucky I get to see these birds almost daily and able to have chances to get photos. #baldeagle #eagles #birds #nature #wildlife #photography #minnesota #majestic #cool #huge #birding

Callophrys gryneus (juniper hairstreak) is a small beautiful butterfly with a brown and green coloration. As the name suggests these feed on juniper trees as caterpillars. #insect #insects #butterfly #butterflies #entomology #nature #wildlife #colorado #beautiful #wow #photo #green #cool

Believe it or not this is a sleeping bee. This Triepeolus sp. (cuckoo bees) decided to take a rest on this flower. I've seen many bee species do this behavior and it's quite cool to see. #insect #insects #entomology #nature #wildlife #colorado #cuckoobees #bees #hymenoptera #cool #tired #sleep

The first time I ever saw a moose was in Colorado. I was on a birding trip and got out of the car, turned around and standing at the edge of the parking lot was this moose. Needles to say I was surprised. These things are huge! #colorado #nature #wildlife #moose #cool #photography #wow #mammals

I was trying to get pictures of this Northern Shrike when a hummingbird flew in and crashed the party. I remember that day fondly. #birds #colorado #nature #wildlife #photography #photobomb #northernshrike #hummingbird #cool #uninvited

Just like this Diogmites species of robber fly, I too like to hang out while eating my meal. I prefer other people though.. not a branch. #insects #entomology #flies #fly #diptera #nature #wildlife #photography #colorado #food #robberfly #mealtime #yummy #cool #awesome

I've always found the viceroy (Limenitis archippus) to be a fascinating butterfly. When I was a kid I was fooled a couple times thinking they were monarchs. #insects #entomology #butterflies #lepidoptera #mimicry #nature #wildlife #viceroy #pretty #photography

I didn't realize Common Snapping Turtles had a perpetual smile. Makes them more adorable imo. #snappingturtle #turtles #nature #wildlife #photography #minnesota #smile #cool #reptiles

It took forever to get a decent picture of this hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe). As the name suggests, they are indeed as fast as hummingbirds. #insect #moths #hummingbirdmoth #nature #wildlife #entomology #lepidoptera #sphingidae #fast #cool #photography #insects #minnesota

Tiger beetles are one of my favorite groups of insects. This is Cicindela sexguttata, one of the most common tiger beetle species in my area. #insects #entomology #tigerbeetles #coleoptera #beetles #nature #wildlife #photography #pretty #cool #minnesota #cicindela #green

We were birding a road when we saw movement in a tree and looked up and boom, a stunning Great Green Macaw. This endangered bird is the rarest I've seen in my short birding journey. #birds #costarica #nature #wildlife #endangered #beautiful #amazing #photography #wow #rare #macaw #birding

I mean it when I say every bird I saw while in Costa Rica was a highlight. I've obviously seen pictures of Scarlet Macaws but actually seeing these birds in person was dazzling. #costarica #birds #birding #scarletmacaw #nature #wildlife #beautiful #wow #colors #photography #awesome #parrots

I remember doing some night birding one evening and we walked by a pond full of glowing eyes. Spectacled Caimans are so cool. #costarica #reptiles #spectacledcaiman #awesome #cool #caimans #nature #wildlife #photography

I did the biggest double take when I found this super orange specimen of Dactylotum bicolor. Definitely the most orange I've ever seen on this species. #insect #insects #entomology #nature #wildlife #colorado #amazing #orange #beautiful #wow #pretty #photography #grasshopper #orthoptera #colorful

This group of White-nosed Coati wanted to join for a little birding session. I miss Costa Rica. There's so much more animals for me to find. #costarica #mammals #nature #wildlife #coati #birding #cute #adorable #video #rainforest #cool

Apparently this Say's Phoebe really wanted to be the center of attention. #birds #nature #wildlife #colorado #photography #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #attention #funny #birding

Most of the larger moths in the collection. These drawers contain Sphingidae and Saturniidae. Always exciting to see them come to the lights at night. #insects #lepidoptera #entomology #sphingidae #saturniidae #insectcollection #cool #science #biology #moths #sphinxmoth #awesome

I remember the first time I saw a Blue Grosbeak when I lived in Colorado. The only word I said was "wow". I need to go back soon. #birds #nature #photography #wildlife #colorado #birding #beautiful #blue #grosbeak #wow #awesome #naturephotography #cool #pretty

Cypherotylus californicus is a beautiful species of fungus beetle. I found them to be pretty common in the foothills of Colorado. Only downside is that the colors fade after you pin them. #insect #insects #colorado #coleoptera #entomology #beetles #fungus #beautiful #cool #nature #photography #blue

A beautiful Blanding's Turtle. A state threatened species here in Minnesota. Still the only one I've ever seen. Hopefully next year I'll have more luck. #minnesota #turtles #reptiles #threatened #rarespecies #cool #nature #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #awesome

I'm so happy I found a population of Regal Fritillary butterflies so close to me. These pics are from last summer when I saw this species for the very first time. Can't wait to go back next summer for more pics. #insects #butterflies #butterfly #lepidoptera #nature #beautiful #awesome #minnesota

My first time ever seeing bullet ants in person. These suckers were huge! I want to go back to Costa Rica and do more exploring. #insects #ants #bulletant #costarica #nature #awesome #cool #hymenoptera #wildlife #explore #video #rainforest

Keeping Monarch caterpillars as a young kid is what got me into insects and nature. Definitely a beautiful species. Also have a new video about mimicry in insects on my youtube! #insects #entomology #butterfly #butterflies #lepidoptera #nature #photography #beautiful #awesome #cool #insect

The only picture I've managed to get of the beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker. I manage to see 3-4 of these birds each year so I was elated to randomly be in a position to snap a quick photo. #birds #nature #wildlife #woodpeckers #wisconsin #photography #beautiful #cool #awesome

Yeah definitely! I have plenty of bird photos to share.