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Snow wonderland above (and in) the clouds: Snowsho

Snow wonderland above (and in) the clouds: Snowshoeing and exploring Snow Lake and Snoqualmie Pass with my man! Josh @beard_on_fire

Instagram post 17903911871998612

Instagram post 17903911871998612

Two of the ~100 eagles we saw during our epic eagl

Two of the ~100 eagles we saw during our epic eagle expedition on the Skagit River. @skagitrivereagletours

#skagitriver #northcascades #northcascadesnationalpark #seattle #pnw #pnwonderland #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #baldeaglephotography #baldeagles #skagiteagles #maddenscience

Had an amazing experience on the Skagit River with

Had an amazing experience on the Skagit River with @skagitrivereagletours and Luke, our captain. It was great to be back in the PNW. We saw over 100 eagles! The weather was as expected - pouring rain, 40 degrees - thank goodness the driftboats had heaters, and very grateful for our excellent captain, navigating especially high waters.

I love being able to see the rain. Though we saw a ton of eagles, the photography conditions were not quite ideal - cold, rain, raging river and moving boat, low light, and far away eagles. But the nature experience was epic and we loved it nonetheless! I guess we'll have to come back!

Any advice - I'm wondering how to take better photos in such conditions (I'm shooting Sony A7IV + 200-600mm, manual + auto iso) *some of the shots I'll post are actually screen shots from 4K video footage.

#skagitriver #northcascades #northcascadesnationalpark #seattle #pnw #pnwonderland #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #baldeaglephotography #baldeagles #skagiteagles #maddenscience

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

What sounds like a monkey and loves to bang its he

What sounds like a monkey and loves to bang its head against a tree? Pileated Woodpecker: Dryocopus pileatus!

These fun birds avoid concussions thanks to some amazing adaptations! Their spongy skulls act like shock absorbers, while thick neck muscles help distribute the impact. Their beaks are slightly longer on the bottom, directing force away from the brain, which is small, tightly packed, and positioned to minimize injury. These features let them hammer away at trees without harm. Lots of biomimicry innovation potential!

Had a blast watching @taylor_fritz battling at the

Had a blast watching @taylor_fritz battling at the US Open. We got to watch him beat Casper Ruud in Louis Armstrong. Now he's in the finals! 🇺🇸 @usopen @usopen_tennis #maddenscience #usopentennis #tennis #tennisphotography #flushingmeadows #louisarmstrong #taylorfritz🇺🇸 @zooyko @d.petronio15

Caroline Wozniacki @carowozniacki floating above t

Caroline Wozniacki @carowozniacki floating above the tennis court! @usopen @usopen_tennis #maddenscience #usopentennis #tennis #tennisphotography #flushingmeadows #grandstand #carolinewozniacki @zooyko @d.petronio15

Mostly airborne @janniksin ! Had an amazing time

Mostly airborne @janniksin !
Had an amazing time at the US Open this weekend. Lucky to see so many incredible athletes. *Jannik probably being my favorite. Gotta love his game and mindset. This was on Arthur Ashe. I love the shadows, the grace, the power, the poetry. @usopen @usopen_tennis #maddenscience #usopentennis #tennis #tennisphotography #flushingmeadows #arthurashe #janniksinner @zooyko @d.petronio15

Say hello to this adorable baby alligator! 🐊 I

Say hello to this adorable baby alligator! 🐊 I took this shot while hanging off the side of my canoe. Captured in stunning detail, this little hatchling showcases its incredible Integumentary Sense Organs (ISOs). These tiny, dot-like structures are visible along its jawline and serve a vital purpose in detecting vibrations and changes in water pressure, helping the alligator navigate and hunt in its aquatic environment. Can you count how many there are?!

Did you know? ISOs are highly sensitive and can detect even the slightest movements in the water, giving baby alligators a significant advantage when searching for prey or avoiding predators. This natural adaptation is key to their survival in the wild.

Hatchling alligators are usually about 8-10 inches long and stay close to their mother for protection. This little guy is about 14-16 inches long. Their unique vocalizations, often called "yips," help them communicate with their mother and siblings. Born with a full set of teeth, they're ready to start their journey to becoming formidable predators.

#BabyAlligator #WildlifePhotography #CloseUp #IntegumentarySenseOrgans #NatureLovers #ReptileLove #WildlifeConservation #NaturePhotography #AlligatorHatchling #ScalyAdventures #WildlifeWednesday #PhotographersOfInstagram #DiscoverWildlife #reptile #maddenscience

Had an exhilarating time filming this majestic sle

Had an exhilarating time filming this majestic sleeping alligator. What a lovely experience! Experience the stunning details of this prehistoric beast in its natural habitat. Notice all the little fishies swimming around! Check out the full video on YouTube to see what happened at the end! *link in bio.

#Alligator #sleepingalligator #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #UpCloseAndPersonal #WildlifeVideo #NatureShot #PeacefulMoments #PrehistoricBeauty #maddenscience

Pretty morning light at Topsail Hill Preserve Stat

Pretty morning light at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

🎆 Happy Fourth of July! Fireworks Chemistry is

🎆 Happy Fourth of July! Fireworks Chemistry is one of my favorite and most excellent phenomena! Different elements from the periodic table create the dazzling colors we see in the sky. 

🔥 Red fireworks get their hue from Strontium (Sr) 
💙 Blue is thanks to copper (Cu).  
🍀 Brilliant greens are produced by barium (Ba).  
🌼 Yellows come from sodium (Na) 
👾 Gorgeous purples are a mix of strontium and copper. 

🌟 When the elements are heated💥, their electrons get excited and jump to higher energy levels. As they return to their original state, they release energy in the form of light – and that's the spectacular show we see! 

📸 This was my first time photographing fireworks. Luckily we were right next to some seasoned pros, who advised me on settings.  

ISO 50 | 28 mm | f11 | 4.0-6.0 s  

#Fireworks #July4th #ChemistryInAction #PeriodicTable #MaddenScience #Photography #FireworkScience #Fireworksphotography

BIOMIMICRY INSPIRATION: Kingfisher --> Bullet Trai

BIOMIMICRY INSPIRATION: Kingfisher --> Bullet Train. Did you know the design of Japan's Shinkansen bullet train was inspired by the kingfisher?

This wonderful example of biomimicry showcases how nature's designs can solve human challenges. Engineers observed the kingfisher's streamlined beak and head, which allow it to dive into water with minimal splash. By incorporating these features into the train's design, they reduced noise by 30% and improved speed and energy efficiency by 15%.

The Shinkansen can travel up to 320 km/h (200 mph) while maintaining a quieter and more efficient ride, thanks to the kingfisher's natural design. This blend of nature and technology not only enhances performance but also reduces environmental impact.
@biomimicryinstitute @biomimicry38

#Biomimicry #Innovation #NatureInspired #Kingfisher #BulletTrain #Design #Engineering #Sustainability #Nature #Technology #natureinspiration #Maddenscience #maddenbiomimicry

Just captured these stunning shots of a red-should

Just captured these stunning shots of a red-shouldered hawk! These magnificent birds are known for their striking plumage and piercing calls. Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) primarily hunt small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Here, she's caught a tasty squirrel. Hawks' predation can significantly influence squirrel behavior and population dynamics, as squirrels adapt by developing evasive maneuvers and altering their activity patterns to avoid detection. *I could definitely use a few more hawks in my backyard!

Cool fact: These raptors have a wingspan of about 37-43 inches and can live up to 19 years in the wild.

#RedShoulderedHawk #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #BirdWatching #RaptorLove #WildlifeConservation #NatureGram #BirdNerd #HawkLife #NaturePhotography #BirdBrilliance #WildlifeWednesday #maddenscience

Alligators 🐊 are important keystone species. *T

Alligators 🐊 are important keystone species. *This one was hiding behind some trees, I had fun trying to get her in focus from my moving canoe. In Florida, alligators play a crucial role in creating and maintaining "alligator holes." These depressions in wetlands are dug by alligators and can range from a few feet to over 15 feet in diameter. Alligator holes retain water during dry periods, providing a critical habitat and water source for various wildlife, including fish, birds, and other reptiles. This ecosystem engineering by alligators supports biodiversity and helps maintain the health of wetland environments in Florida. #Alligators #AlligatorHoles #KeystoneSpecies #WildlifeConservation #WetlandEcosystem #Biodiversity #NatureFacts #FloridaWildlife

Epic adventure - exploring the Cathedral of Palms

Epic adventure - exploring the Cathedral of Palms Trail to Shepherd Spring! with explorer Andy. Snakes, ticks, yellow flies, poison ivy, wading through swamps, biking through streams, bushwhacking through jungle, and all worth it. Super remote and wildly peaceful. #floridasprings #floridatrail #cathedralofpalms #swamp #adventure #exploration

BANDED WATER SNAKES! These guys are often mistaken

BANDED WATER SNAKES!
These guys are often mistaken for venomous cottonmouths, but don't worry—they're non-venomous! Banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata) thrive in freshwater habitats like swamps, marshes, and ponds. Their banded patterns offer great camouflage.

We often find them hanging out in this hole in a tree. These snakes are excellent swimmers and primarily feed on fish and amphibians. They use their keen sense of smell to track prey underwater. (They do this via their vomeronasal organ, also known as Jacobson's organ). And, look close, they have a special adaptation—a nictitating membrane that covers their eyes, providing protection and clarity underwater - kinda like goggles. Banded water snakes play a vital role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems by controlling fish and amphibian populations.

#MaddenScience #BandedWaterSnake #ReptileFacts #WildlifeWednesday #Herpetology #NatureLovers #ScienceEducation #vomeronasal

Special thanks to Morgan Hawkins, a PhD student at

Big time thanks to @mikeormsbee for sharing his ex

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