Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Name: Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia

Observation: This giraffe did not want to come from behind the tree.  It almost seemed like it knew someone was looking at it and it didn't feel like having it's picture taken.  The giraffe is such a tall animal.  As I reading on the giraffe it says the giraffe is an even toed mammal (wikipedia.org, 2011).  Additionally, the giraffe is unable to swim (wikipedia.org, 2011).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe

Crocodile

Name: Crocodile

Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Superorder:	Crocodylomorpha

Observation: there are so many people who have crocodile for clothing.  When I looked at the crocodile I wondered do many people think of the animal when they are purchasing crocodile made shoes or purses.  Maybe we all need to re-evaluate our view on nature because these animals hold alot more importance than we really give them credit for.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile

Lion (Panthera leo)

Name: Lion (Panthera leo)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia

Observation: I immediately thought of "the Lion King" as soon as I saw this.  The lion looked like it was gazing upward as if it was thinking of a master plan.  Looking at this lion gave me a sense that the lion is king of the jungle sort of notion.  It's hair looked like a dark version of the sun.  Some male lions can exceed 550lbs and they are the second largest living cat after the tiger (wikipedia.org, 2011).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion

Rhinoceros

Name: Rhinoceros

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia

Observation: When I see this I see an elephant and a hippo combined.  Humans really don't like to have dirt on them but this rhinoceros didn't seem to mind.  It almost looked as if it rolled around in the dirt and then stood up.  The skin looked to be quite rough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros

Gorilla

Name: Gorilla

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia

Observation: The first thing that interested me with seeing this Gorilla was the hair on the arms but not on the chest.  The chest sort of reminded me of leather.  I obviously can't say if it felt like leather.  Interestingly, the gorilla is the next closest relative to the humans after the chimpanzee (wikipedia.org, 2011).  This is a gorilla in captivity and because of the human connection I wonder if someone could actually have one living in their home? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorilla

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Name: Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia

Observation: it's very interesting to me that this animal can spend as much time in the water as it can.  My research showed that it is considered to be a semi-aquatic animal.  They remain cool by staying in the water during the day.  Reproduction and birth also takes place in the water (wikipedia.org, 2011).  To be semi-aquatic is one of the coolest things I've ever heard of.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippopotamus

Ostrich

Name: Ostrich

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata

Observation: this was taken at the philadelphia zoo and the first thing that sticks out to me every time I see a picture of an ostrich is the neck of the ostrich.  It has such an elongated neck that makes it so distinct from other animals.  I did a little reading on the ostrich and found out that when the ostrich feels threatened it will either hide itself by lying flat against the ground or run away (wikipedia.org, 2011).  The running away idea makes sense but what makes no sense to me at all is the ability to lie flat.  How is that possible when the body of the ostrich is so long.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich

White-bellied Parrot,White-bellied Caique (Pionites leucogaster)

Name: White-bellied Parrot,White-bellied Caique  (Pionites leucogaster)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation: I thought of toucan sam from the fruit loops box when I immediately saw this bird.  I can't believe how these birds have such deep and rich colorful appearances. If you look at the bottom of the bird you see the smallest, yellow color right below the green.  The is a tri-colored bird is what I would like to call it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_Parrot

Umbrella Cockatoo, White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba)

Name: Umbrella Cockatoo, White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation:  This bird white appearance really stood out.  It also looks like it's bending over in this picture but the bending over just includes the head of the bird extending forward but it looks sort of like forward and inward if that's understandable.  This is a bird that if I decided to have a pet bird, it would be this one.  The white appearance is really phenomenal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_Cockatoo

Pine Tree

Name: Pine Tree

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida

Observation:  I was in Chesapeak City, MD and as I approached this I thought "CHRISTMAS" this is exactly what people use for christmas trees and it was interesting because I was driving past this and it was next to a tow truck company.  This tree that people use for christmas I bet people ride by it all of the time and never pay it any attention.  It caught my eye because since the class began I've paid more attention to nature and what things in nature actually mean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_tree

Sparrow

Name: Sparrow

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation:  I knew immediately this is the bird I see all around buidings and in my everday travels but I couldn't believe myself, someone who loves learning new things, I never thought to inquire about what kind of bird it was and again this is a bird that frequents different office buildings everyday so it's familiar to most. 

White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)

Name: White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation: I was intrigued by this bird because of it's really dark black feathers and that one bright white spot on it's neck.  I can't believe that the black is so black and the white is so white.  I took this picture as the wildlife refuge and the colors of the bird reminde of a penguin but obviously this bird and the penguin vastly differ in size and overall appearance (excluding the color which is the similarity).

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Name: Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii

Observation:  I actually eat striped bass and to see it this small made me wonder if I ever would eat it again.  It's a baby striped bass in this picture and of course I know all fish that we eat start out as babies but to actually see it in this format put seafood eating in a different perspective for me.  Maybe not all seafood just striped bass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Name: Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation: When I reach the geese, an image popped into my head of the geese I sometimes see crossing the road ever so slowly stopping traffic and how they are in groups.  These geese pictured here in the water are in groups as well and I wonder do they travel that way all of the time.  I can't think of a time when I saw a goose alone and if it was alone it was walking across to join a group of geese.  Interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_geese

Japanese Hops (Humulus japonicus)

Name: Japanese Hops (Humulus japonicus)

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation: This looks just like garland that you see used as christmas direction.  I also thought about a school play I had been to and the children were doing a play on Zeus and they used someting similar to this (may have even been this) to wrap around themselves.  Looks very thick like it could grow for miles and miles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_hop

Eurpoean Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Name: Eurpoean Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation:  I wonder what a group of birds discusses?  Were they looking at us like we were weirdos for taking pictures and discussing them?  As I watched this group, it made me think that maybe we don't give bird or animal intelligence enough credit.  That if they can fly together and stick together than they obviously are discussing something and it makes sense because they're doing it as a group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Starling

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Name: Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation: "a real live woodpecker" was the first thing I thought.  This small, tiny bird actually pecks wood?  The beak seems quite pointy and I imagine it must be hard and because it's pointy it allows it to continuously peck at wood without being hurt.  Sometimes you can hit wood with a hammer and it won't break but wood can peck at it without pain.  Interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downy_Woodpecker

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Name: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Observation:  This looked like a flower that I would see in a flower shop.  The lavender color stuck out specifically because there were 3 specks of bright color in the sea of green leaves.  I wonder how come only three of the actual flowers sprouted out.  Does that mean if it were to be watered and given plenty of sunlight more of the flowers would bloom?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_Sharon

Smartweed (Polygonum)

Name: Smartweed (Polygonum)

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation:  I couldn't believe how many times I saw this and never thought of the fact that it had a name.  I'm so busy with meetings and work and just life I never take the opportunity to just simply view the nature around me.  I would probably just have said the purple thing over there and had I never took this class I would still be so lax about nature and it's beauty.

Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)

Name: Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation: The name marsh mallow is of course infamously known as the sweet white treat we all like to eat.  However, this flower looks nothing like the typical "marshmallow" we are used to.  I began to wonder if the treat and the flower were somehow connected and thought  how could they be this flower looks so drab.  After researching a bit I found that "
The root has been used since the Middle Ages in the treatment of sore throat.^[5] The later French version of the recipe, called pâté de guimauve (or "guimauve" for short), included an eggwhite meringue and was often flavored with rose water. Pâté de guimauve more closely resembles contemporary commercially available marshmallows, which no longer contain any actual marshmallow." (wikipedia.org, 2011).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Althaea_officinalis#

Jewel Weed (Impatiens)

Name: Jewel Weed (Impatiens)

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation:  This reminded me of dead flowers and weeds.  It just didn't have a appealing look.  Looking at and knowing the name has helped me develop the realization that all of the plants and flowers that we see no matter what they look like, even those who look like weeds all have a name.  We take it for granted and throw them in the "weeds" category but they are all individualized by name.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Name: Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves

Observation:  This bird was flying pretty quickly.  It made think about how fast it was flying and do all birds fly at the same speed or can they all fly at the same speed.  Also, I never thought a seagull would be in our local area.  It's interesting to find out all of the things that are nature based that we just don't think about or even know about that are all around us.

Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.)

English name and Scientific Name: Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta

Observation:  As I stared at the purple color and got closer to it, I realized that this was a bumble bee on the plant.  I thought to myself if I get closer to it is it going to sting me but surprisingly it stood still long enough for me to take at least 3 pictures of it.  I have found with flying insects they don't stay still for too long.  I think that as children we were told to stay away from them that we've developed this fear to get away from it because of the potential sting factor.  I thought the the bee sitting on top of the flower was actually a nice picturesque view of nature.

Questions:
1. why do they sting?
2. how exactly do they sting?
3. Are bumble bees afraid of honey bees?

William M. Schaffer, David W. Zeh, Stephen L. Buchmann, Suzanne Kleinhans, M. Valentine Schaffer and Jeb Antrim. 

Competition for Nectar between Introduced Honey Bees and Native North American Bees and Ants, Ecology, Vol. 64, No. 3 (Jun., 1983), pp. 564-577.  Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1939976.

Are bumble bees afraid of honey bees?

Honey bees have been observed to drive off other species of bees as well as hummingbirds.

Websites:

http://www.bumblebee.org/

http://www.pestproducts.com/bumble-bees.htm

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/bbumbleb.html

Asclepias verticillata

Name: Asclepias verticillata

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation:  This actually looked like a bunch of weeds that were on their way to the dying stage.  It just didn't look like a beautiful plant that I would want to hang in my office.  Ironically, it is weed and it is used for medicinal purposes by Native American tribes (wikipedia.org, 2011).  It really just looked like a bad plant that even if someone from a nursery tried to nurse it back to health that it might have been too far gone for that.  Interestingly, I also found that it is poisonous to plant and livestock (wikipedia.org, 2011).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_verticillata

Lobelia cardinalis

Name: Lobelia Cardinalis

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation: Upon arrival on viewing this plant, I noticed that it looked just like a regular plant.  When I say regular plant I mean the average plants that we see on someone's window sill.  This plant was at the wildlife refuge.  Scientific research, says the plant is a native to the Americas, from southeastern Canadasouth through the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America to northern Colombia. It grows to about a meter tall (when in flower) and has bright red flowers (Wikipedia,org, 2011).  As you can see this is a Lobelia that is not "in flower".

Rudbeckia triloba

Name: Rudbeckia triloba

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots

Observation: The first thing I noticed about this about this plant was that it looked like small sunflowers.  I remember driving to Georgia when I was a kid and seeing this in fields down the roads we traveled.  When I looked on Wikipedia to get some information it read "it is sometimes grown in gardens but it is usually seen in fields or along roadsides." (wikipedia.org, 2011)

Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo-bubo)

English and Scientific Name:  Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo-bubo)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Observation: Upon approaching this owl, I couldn’t help but notice how large it is.  It has very distinct colors and looks like a “rough” bird.  A dog started to bark at the owl while we were there and the owl immediately stared at the dog and puffed out to such a big size.  It almost looked like it gained weight before my eyes, that’s how much it puffed out.  It does that when it gets angry or feels threatened.    

Questions:

1.      Is the Eagle owl the world’s largest owl?

2.      Where does the name Eurasian stem?

3.      Because of the name “eagle owl” is there a connection between the eagle and the owl?

Scientific Research:

Jacobs, J. Warren. Bald Eagle (Haliætus leucocephalus.) and Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Occupying the Same Nest. The Wilson Bulletin, Vol. 20, No. 2 (Jun., 1908), pp. 103-104.  Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4154205

Because of the name “eagle owl” is there a connection between the eagle and the owl?

On January 15^th, 1908 it was discovered that both and eagle and an owl were occupants of the same nest (Jacobs, 1908).  A researcher climbed 70 ft to view the top of the nest and discovered two Eagle eggs and 4 feet from the bottom discovered two Owl eggs.

Websites:
http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Bubo&species=bubo
http://aviary.owls.com/owls/eagle-owl.html
http://www.conservationcentre.org/scase21.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Eagle-owl

White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)

English and Scientific Name:  White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)

Kingdom: Plantae

(Unranked): Angiosperms

(Unranked): Eudicots

Observation: The white on this flower is very bright.  The green leaf is also a very bright green.  I also viewed this at the wildlife refuge.  Usually when I see a white flower it has been from a flower shop and manicured in some fashion but this was not which was fascinating to me. 

Questions:

1.      Where does the white snakeroot reside?

2.      Why do they call it the white snakeroot?

3.      Is it poisonous?

Scientific Research:

Sackett, Walter. The Connection of Milksickness with the Poisonous Qualities of White Snake-Root (Eupatorium urticaefolium). The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Mar., 1919), pp. 231-259. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30082048

Is it poisonous?

The white snakeroot has been associated with a disease of cattle, sheep and horses, variously designated as “milksickness”, “milk sick”, “staggers”, “trembles” and “slows”.  Later opinion has tended to confirm this view (Sackett, 1919).

Websites:
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/wh_snakeroot.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Snakeroot
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=1040
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AGALA

Japanese Honey Suckle (Lonicera japonica)

English and Scientific Name:  Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Kingdom: Plantae

Unranked: Angiosperms

Unranked: Eudicots

Observation: I have never seen this before today’s visit.  It really opened my eyes that the trees are brought over from other regions.  I did learn today that the oriental region of plants are aggressive.  After my research, I learned that this plant is sold in American Nurseries (wikidpedia, org., 2011).

Questions:

1.      Since honey is in the name, is it edible?

2.      Does it have a smell?

3.      Since this is an oriental region based plant, is it used in herbal medicine?

Scientific Research:

Andrews, E.F. THE JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES, Torreya,
Vol. 19, No. 3 (March, 1919), pp. 37-43. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40595996

Does it have a smell?

Yes, it is has a very fragrant and flowery smell. 

Website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Honeysuckle
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/honeysuckle.shtml
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/loja1.htm
http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/invasive-species-management/invasive-plant-management/japanese-honeysuckle-control

Honey Locust Tree (Gleditsia triacanthos)

English and Scientific Name: Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Eudicots

Observation: I would see these on the sidewalk randomly but never knew exactly what they were.  I realized I usually see them in the fall and just step on them as I’m walking.  I paid attention to the pod looking pieces and it reminded me of snap string beans. 

Questions:

1.      Since honey is in the name, is it edible?

2.      Do they only grow in the fall?

3.      How tall can the tree grow?

Scientific Research:

Meehan, Thomas. On a White-Seeded Variety of the Honey Locust, Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. 37, (1885), pp. 404-405. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4061140

Since honey is in the, name is it edible?

Honey Locust trees, single specimens bear fruit annually, thus making the pods edible.

Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust
http://www.treehelp.com/trees/locust/locust-types-honey.asp
http://www.cirrusimage.com/tree_honey_locust.htm
http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ID=24

Duckweed (Lemnaoideae)

English and Scientific Name: Duckweed (Lemnaoideae)

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Monocots

Observation: My first thought upon seeing this at the class trip was this looks like some sort of fungus.  Since it is in water I wonder what happens to it on ground?  It seemed to be grouped together so I assume that meant it was a lot.  It’s not like you can see 12 roses where you can count how many you have this duckweed looked as if you could only estimate how much was there and even that seems questionable.

Questions:

1.      Can it only live in water?

2.      Does it start out with stems and then fall off?

3.      With no stems how does it grow?

Scientific Research:

McLay, C.L. The Distribution of Duckweed Lemna Perpusilla in a Small Southern California Lake: An Experimental Approach, Ecology, Vol. 55, No. 2 (Mar., 1974), pp. 262-276.  Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1935215

Can it only live in water?

Duckweed is an aquatic plant and resides floating in water.  Additionally, it is an unrooted plant.

Websites:

http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/duckweed.htm
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/documents/DW/Dw2.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckweed

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

English and Scientific Name: Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Eudicots

Observation: What I learned about this is that it can actually grow in an infertile environment (wikidpedia.org, 2011).  I didn’t think it was possible for plants to grow in such an environment.  This is another organism that I viewed at the wildlife refuge. 

Questions:

1.      Is it edible?

2.      Why is it able to grown in infertile environments?

3.      Does it need water to grow?

Scientific Research:

Rey, Pedro. Spatio-Temporal Variation in Fruit and Frugivorous Bird Abundance in Olive Orchards, Ecology, Vol. 76, No. 5 (Jul., 1995), pp. 1625-1635. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1938163.

Is it edible?

Yes, olive orchards play an important role in maintaining frugivorous bird populations in the Mediterranean area.

Websites:
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/autmnolive.shtml
http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/Autumn_Olive.pdf
http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/invasive-species-management/invasive-plant-management/autumn-olive-control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Olive

Stonefly (Plecoptera)



English and Scientific Name: Stoneflies (Plecoptera)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Observation: I saw this in during one of my many trips to Dunkin Donuts.  It was poised on the menu while I was ordering my items.  I immediately thought it was a grasshopper but after researching I found out that it wasn’t.  I realize so often if we are familiar with an organism if we see something that looks similar to the one we’re familiar with we automatically classify it as the familiar organism.  There are a myriad of organisms that we are just so unfamiliar with their existence.

Questions:

1.      Can it hear me?

2.      How did it end up here?

3.      Can they live in water?

Scientific Research:

Allan, J. David. Feeding Habits and Prey Consumption of Three Setipalpian Stoneflies (Plecoptera) in a Mountain Stream, Ecology, Vol. 63, No. 1 (Feb., 1982), pp. 26-34. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1937027

Can they live in water?

Yes they can live in water but they cannot live in polluted water so if residing in water it has to be fresh water.

Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plecoptera
http://bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/bugs/stonefly/stonefly.phtml
http://www.troutnut.com/hatch/13/Insect-Plecoptera-Stoneflies
http://bugguide.net/node/view/76