Salticus scenicus “Zebra Jumping Spider” Salticidae (female)
Missoula, MT
June 26, 2014
Robert Niese
This abundant, charismatic jumping spider was introduced to the US from Europe, but can now be found throughout most of the North American continent.
Northwestern/American Crow (Corvus caurinus/brachyrhynchos) Corvidae
Cape Flattery, WA
August 19, 2014
Robert Niese
While, as a scientist, I seriously doubt the validity of the “Northwestern” distinction for our PNW crows, if there were ever a crow that could be called a “Northwest Crow” it would have to be one at Cape Flattery (the northwestern-most point in the contiguous US). Northwestern Crows are, however, likely a subspecies of the American Crow and can only be identified based on their range of occurrence, which undoubtedly overlap for most regions.
Ectoedemia sericopeza “Norway Maple Seedminer” Nepticulidae
Missoula, MT
September 25, 2014
Robert Niese
These teensy-tiny moths are rarely over 2mm in length and are among some of the smallest lepidopterans in the world. Their larvae, which are equally infinitesimal, feed exclusively on (and within!) the tissues of the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), an introduced species which lines most of our streets here in Missoula.
Anthopleura elegantissima “Aggregating Anemone” Anthozoa
Olympic National Park, WA
June 1, 2013
Robert Niese
A very common intertidal resident here in the Puget Sound and on the open coast. If it’s big and green, it’s Anthopleura xanthogrammica. If it’s white and has very fine tentacles (usually subtidal, not intertidal) then it’s Metridium. Now you can identify 90% of the anemones you find in your backyard!
Stellar Dendrite snowflake (with rime) at 1°F
Missoula, MT
December 9, 2013
Robert Niese
Learn how to identify snowflakes here!
Platycryptus californicus Salticidae
Missoula, MT
June 5, 2014
Robert Niese
An extremely abundant, charismatic jumper commonly found on door frames and windowsills throughout the summer here in Missoula.
Trifolium pratense “Red Clover” Fabaceae
Missoula, MT
October 18, 2013
Robert Niese
Columnar Basalts (17.4-6 myo), Frenchman Coulee
Vantage, WA
April 7, 2013
Robert Niese
Basalt columns such as these famous and well-climbed basalts outside Vantage, WA, are formed as lava cooled and fractured. Fracture lines form vertical, polygonal columns often known as “organ pipes” or “postpiles” here in the PNW. This landscape was then carved by some of the largest floods North America has ever seen, which roared through the Columbia Basin dozens of times between 1700 and 1500 years ago. These floods were largely caused by an ice dam at the edge of Glacial Lake Missoula which repeatedly broke and re-froze throughout this period.
Phidippus “clarus” Salticidae
Missoula, MT
September 17, 2014
Robert Niese
Phidippus jumpers are some of the largest jumping spiders in the world. Here in Montana, we have several red-backed species, all of which are about the size of a nickel. They are excellent house-guests and will rid your home of flies, roaches, and other mid-sized arthropods in a matter of days.
Sage Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) Emberizidae
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, WA
April 7, 2013
Robert Niese
Washington is home to the northernmost populations of Sage Sparrows in North America. These birds are sagebrush and chaparral obligates and are threatened throughout the state as these ecosystems get converted into range lands.
Northwest Naturalist 