Setting Sun over Rosario Strait

An insanely vibrant and colorful sky over Rosario Strait as the sun sets behind Washington's Decateur and Lopez Islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This view shows Blakely Island to the left and Cypress Island to the right. Photographed from Fidalgo Island in Anacortes.

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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

One of the smallest of the songbirds in the eastern half of North America, the highly charismatic and extremely voracious blue-gray gnatcatcher is also one of the hardest to see clearly. The fly at seemly reckless speeds through thick foliage, and rarely stop for more than a second or two before launching into the air for another round of acrobatic avian maneuvers fro tiny flying insects. This one was one of many seen perching among the bald cypress trees just log enough to swallow yet another insect before going off in search for the next victim in Southwest Florida's Corkscrew Swamp near Naples.

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Interesting Nature Facts #127 - Zebra Longwing https://www.richleighton.com/interesting-nature-facts-127-zebra-longwing/

RichLeighton.com

Interesting Nature Facts #127 - Zebra Longwing - RichLeighton.com

When it is disturbed, the zebra longwing butterfly makes a creaking sound by wiggling its body. At night, large groups will roost together on tree limbs. They return to the same roost night after night.

Interesting Nature Facts #41 - Chihuahuan Raven https://www.richleighton.com/interesting-nature-facts-41-chihuahuan-raven/

RichLeighton.com

Interesting Nature Facts #41 - Chihuahuan Raven - RichLeighton.com

Chihuahuan Raven! Welcome to the next installment of a new series of nature photos that will be short & sweet, and all about the native and naturalized wildlife that is all around us with just one or two interesting nature facts that you might not know about.

Juvenile American Alligator

A well-fed juvenile American alligator enjoys a sun-warmed log in the Corkscrew Swamp near Naples, Florida.

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Brooding Skies over Fidalgo Island https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-brooding-skies-over-fidalgo-island-rich-leighton.html

Joshua Tree

Probably the most famous Southwest American yucca, the joshua tree has been a symbol of various religions and cultures for thousands of years. This one was photographed inside of Joshua Tree National Park in southern California, although I've seen them growing in great abundance inSouthern Nevada and Northwestern Arizona as well.

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Ingalls Creek

Ingalls Creek in Washington's Cascade Mountains is utterly beautiful throughout the year. In summer, it is surrounded by tall granite mountains and lined with millions of subalpine and montane wildflowers. In winter with fresh snow, it provides a view that's hard to beat. This particular section of the creek was found by accident while following a downy woodpecker through the snow on a chilly late January afternoon.

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Twisted Rib Cactus (Thelocactus setispinus)

Also known as the miniature barrel cactus, this interesting little low-elevation cactus barely reaches 7 inches at its tallest and is usually found in the shady mesquite tree thickets of Central to South Texas. It is easy to identify by its 13 twisted ribs, 10-19 radial spines on each areole with one hooked central spine sticking outward. This golf ball-sized specimen was one of many hundreds found in a wilderness area just outside of Mission, Texas on a cool mid-October evening.

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The REAL Snowbirds!!!!! https://www.richleighton.com/the-real-snowbirds/

RichLeighton.com

The REAL Snowbirds!!!!! - RichLeighton.com

These images were from Fernandina Beach and Anastasia Island. OK - Bring on the pictures of the real snowbirds!