Best Wild Silkmoth

Leroy offers a more wild, earthy, and intensely terroir-driven perspective. These wines often showcase a distinct savory character, leaning into notes of wet stone, mushroom, and forest floor alongside the Chardonnay fruit. They are for the adventurous drinker who appreciates the 'dirt' and complexi...

Sandwood Bay is a remote coastal inlet located in Sutherland, in the northwest of Scotland. The beach is entirely inaccessible by vehicle, requiring visitors to complete a roughly 7-mile round-trip walk to reach the shoreline. It is geographically distinguished by the presence of Am Buachaille, a pr...

Bombus dahlbomii is a species of bumblebee native to the temperate forests of southern South America, specifically Chile and Argentina. It is characterized by its large physical size and dense orange-colored fur, traits that distinguish it from other bumblebee species. The insect functions as a prim...

An Alpheus species that forms a well-documented symbiotic partnership with goby fish on coral reefs, sharing a burrow where the nearly blind shrimp relies on the goby for predator warnings.

The atlas moth is a large tropical moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for its impressive wingspan, often exceeding 12 inches, and distinctive eye-like markings. These moths are primarily found in Southeast Asia and are used by scientists studying insect coloration and camouflage....

Vaccinium angustifolium, commonly called the lowbush blueberry, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern and central North America. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form low colonies and produces small blue berries that are eaten fresh, processed commercially, and used by wildlife. The speci...

Fragaria vesca, commonly called wild strawberry, woodland strawberry, or alpine strawberry, is a perennial plant in the rose family with a broad native distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. It produces small aggregate fruits formed from an enlarged receptacle, with the true fruits appearing a...

The Pacific cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis, is a marine shrimp distributed across tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific. It advertises at reef cleaning stations with conspicuous red and white coloration and long white antennae, then removes ectoparasites, dead tissue, and debris from visiting fish...

The luna moth is a large North American moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Known for its striking pale green wings and long tails, it’s notable for being one of the first moths to emerge in spring. These nocturnal insects are particularly fascinating to amateur naturalists and those intereste...

Goldbug Hot Springs offers a remote soaking experience within the Salmon-Challis National Forest of Idaho. Six natural hot springs pools are accessible via a challenging two-mile hike through wilderness terrain. The springs’ warm water is fed by waterfalls, creating unique thermal features. This loc...

The Hercules moth is a massive Australian silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. It’s notable for being one of the largest moths in the world, with wingspans reaching up to 30 centimeters. Males are particularly striking due to their vibrant blue coloration. These moths are primarily nocturna...

Rubus fruticosus agg. is a collective botanical name applied to a complex group of closely related European blackberry plants in the rose family. These perennial brambles typically produce arching or trailing canes, compound leaves, and aggregate fruits composed of many small drupelets that turn dar...

Lucky Bay is a remote coastal inlet located within Cape Le Grand National Park in southwestern Australia. It’s known for its pristine white sand and calm waters, offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing including kangaroos and seals. Matthew Flinders recognized its significance during...

Welcome Flat Hot Pools offer naturally heated water experiences within Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Located along the Copland Track, these pools are accessible via a hike and provide a unique opportunity to bathe in geothermal waters. They are popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts seeki...

Wineglass Bay is a strikingly shaped beach located within Freycinet National Park in Tasmania, Australia. Its unique crescent form contrasts dramatically with the imposing Hazards mountain range that overlooks the bay. The pristine waters and geological formations make it a significant scenic destin...

J2, known as Granny, was a female orca belonging to J-Pod, a distinct group within the Southern Resident killer whale population of the Pacific Northwest. She is notable for her exceptional age, with estimates placing her lifespan around 105 years – making her one of the oldest documented marine mam...

The Chiltepin, or chiltepe, is a small, round wild chili pepper native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is classified as Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum and is considered the closest wild relative of cultivated bell peppers and jalapeños. Known for its sudden and intense...

Mocha Dick was a large sperm whale that resided in the Pacific Ocean near Mocha Island, Chile during the early 19th century. This animal gained notoriety for its remarkable resilience against repeated whaling attempts, leading to numerous accounts of its size and ferocity. Its existence significantl...

A73, formerly known as Springer, is a Northern Resident orca residing in British Columbia waters. This individual gained significant recognition due to his successful rehabilitation following an injury sustained during captivity. Scientists and researchers study A73 to understand the potential for r...

Bombus hyperboreus is a species of Arctic bumblebee recognized for having the northernmost geographical distribution of any bumblebee in the world. It inhabits extreme cold environments across Greenland, northern Russia, and the high Arctic tundra. The species is a parasitoid or cuckoo bumblebee, me...

Vaccinium myrtillus, commonly called bilberry, is a low-growing shrub in the heath family native across much of Europe and parts of northern Asia. It bears small blue-black berries whose flesh is dark and strongly pigmented, unlike the pale interior of many cultivated blueberries. The fruit contains...

The rosy maple moth is a North American silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Noteworthy for its vibrant pink and orange coloration, it’s one of the largest moths in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. These moths are particularly interesting to lepidopterists and those studyi...

Cloudberry, or Rubus chamaemorus, is a low-growing perennial plant in the rose family found across Arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It produces aggregate fruits that ripen from red to amber or golden orange and commonly grows in bogs, peatlands, and tundra. The fruit is gathe...

The Cecropia moth is a large North American silk moth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Noteworthy for its impressive wingspan – often exceeding six inches – it’s one of the largest moths in the region. Adult Cecropias are primarily nocturnal and feed on tree sap. Their caterpillars, voracious le...

The chiragra mantis shrimp, Gonodactylus chiragra, is a marine stomatopod found across tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific. It is a smasher-type mantis shrimp whose reinforced, club-shaped raptorial appendages strike hard-shelled prey such as snails, crabs, and other mollusks. Its robust build and po...

The comet moth is a distinctive North American silkmoth belonging to the Saturniidae family. Its most notable feature is its exceptionally long tail, extending up to twice the length of its body. Endemic to the southeastern United States, it’s particularly studied by lepidopterists and those interes...

Bombus polaris, commonly known as the Arctic bumblebee, is a cold-adapted insect native to the high Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is physiologically distinct for its dense yellow and black hair, which provides crucial insulation. It also possesses the capacity for end...

Terwilliger Hot Springs are a series of wild hot springs located within the Oregon Wilds of the Willamette National Forest. Four natural pools offer varying temperatures, typically reaching up to 112°F. The springs' location deep in a forested area and undeveloped nature makes them appealing for tho...

Ruffles was a male Southern Resident orca, specifically part of the J1 matriline. He gained recognition through his distinctive, highly undulating dorsal fin shape – a rare trait among this population. Researchers followed Ruffles for years, documenting his movements and behavior as part of ongoing...