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"An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton (external skeleton), a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods include all insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. Their body plan consists of repeated segments, each with a pair of appendages. Their versatility has enabled them to become one of the most species-rich members on the planet. They have over a million described species, making up more than 80% of all described living animal species. They range in size from microscopic plankton up to forms a few meters long. [Source]"

This conflict is between a metallic green bee, and a yellow jacket that happened pretty quickly.

Singing in the new year is this Yellow Headed Black Bird I got at the mash in 2011. 2012 feels like it is going to be a great year, dont you feel it??

While deep in the Ochoco Mountains we ran across a nice flowing creek. I love running water and just had to stop!! Upon inspection of where we were it was obvious this spot had been used as a hunting camp. The legs of the elk and the "meat hangers" (we laughed for I am sure there is a real name for them ha) , that were nailed to the trees. The feathers laying around looked as if maybe a turkey was in the mix with the elk? Even a spot for a bathroom. Gave us this impression. Guy wondered further down the creek then I for things happen to catch my eye. So I was wondering around on my own taking shots of the ice that was found where the water was not running fast. As I was doing my thing I heard some racket that was obviously coming from the trees and from birds. As you can imagine wild creatures do not just sit still so one can snap off photographs, so off I went to get this loud birds photographs! There were at least 3 of these birds, however non of them were all that impressed with any of us there! From the information I gathered of this bird, these must of been truly wild Gray Jays!! Not yet ingrained with human presents. I first thought this was a nutcracker. We have many of those around so it seams. Same family as these Gray Jays, but so is the steller's jay,blue jay and the western scrub jay , the crows, the ravens there is a lot of species in the Corvidae family!! From the sub species of the Gray Jay and getting these photographs in the Ochoco mountains this determined these to be the Bicolored Gray Jay. One thing all these birds have in common is, they are very smart!! Smarter then humans give them credit for! Over the Cascade Mountains there is yet another sub species of the Gray Jay over there with different needs and habits. That Gray Jay does not like snow, the ones here better like snow! Like all birds of the Corvidae family, they are pretty much scavengers, however it appears all the species of the Gray Jay have different food s

Winners have been announced of the biggest annual competition of animal photography organized by the Zoological Society Of London. This contest is launched in 2012 to promote nature photography. This is a big inspiration for the professional and amateur nature photographers. This competition has incited the photo artists to explore the wonders of nature with more enthusiasm.

As I was sitting in my spot watching the birds,butterflies,bees just enjoying the nice weather we have here in the high desert of Oregon I looked over to one of our ponds and seen the swimming young frogs wanting their piece of bread. Well, I can not just feed them one day and not the other right?

This Boisduval's Blue Butterfly is yet another one of our endangered species here in Oregon. These butterflies rely on the wild Lupine flower to survive. Wild Lupine which is disappearing.

Captured this butterfly on a hike into the canyon here in Central Oregon.

This swallowtail was coming in for a drink when I captured this shot with his shadow happily following.

Karner Blue Butterfly Melissa blue butterfly. This is a endangered butterfly species found only in a few places now. The larva feed off the wild lupine, which is going away. They only lay their eggs on the wild lupine. This was captured at a wild breeding spot here in Oregon that we stumbled upon.

Spiders Web Over The Creek. We ran upon this creek that was still running pretty good. I like spiders web, there neat !

Smile Big For The Camera. This is a red dragonfly that comes to our backyard pond. He was paying attention to what I was doing, looking straight at me in this shot.

Water Skipper found in a pond here in Oregon.

The Social Butterfly. I was sitting in the truck minding my own, when this butterfly landed in front of me and stuck around long enough for a couple photographs. Than fluttered off.

Honey Bee Caught Hard At Work : wildlife photography

Activity Within A Sunflower. I noticed something was not right with this sunflower, upon closer inspection I found a row of bees within the sunflower.

Meet the Sweat Bee. Rather pretty in color with the fluorescent green dont you think? The flower the Sweat Bee is feeding on is a wild Strawberry plant that just started growing on it's own. No doubt the seeds coming from the birds?