The Carpenter Bee

This bee, which is close to bumble-bee in size, is solitary and has a shiny black carapace (body) with thin wings that have a reddish brown sheen. It is known for drilling perfectly round holes into wood (it seems likely that is how it got the common name “carpenter bee”).  It is a solitary bee that hibernates during winter. Starting in late March, one individual showed up in my yard. A few weeks later, another specimen (same one?) showed up.   

This unusual bee is native to Europe and is one of the largest bees that lives there. It makes its nests in dead wood. 

Females have a stinger, whereas the males do not (they are harmless). 

It is restricted to latitudes near or above 30 degrees or so. It is found in Europe, India, central China, and southwestern USA (i.e., southern California. ).  To date, I have only seen two specimens, and they like
purple flowers.

Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Arthropoda

Class Insecta

Order Hymenoptera

Family Apidae

Genus Xylocopa

Type Species X. violacea (Linnaeus, 1758).

Two views of the same carpenter bee.

VULTURE

 KING VULTURE

This bird is a large scavenger bird with wingspan up to 6.5 feet. These birds weight up to about 7.5 pounds. They have an orange fleshy carbuncle on the beak. The rest of the animal is predominantly white (back and belly) with black wings. They lack a voice box but can make low croaking noises.

Figure 1. Image of a vulture via the Smithsonian Institution (open access).

This bird lives in tropical forests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is non-migratory. They will just anything but especially like carrion (e.g., dead meaty cattle and dead fish). It can lives 30 years in captivity. They live alone. They can soar for hours over  mountains.

Classification

Kingdom Animala

Phylum Chordata

Class Aves

Order Accipitriformes

Family Cathartidae

Genus Sarcoamphus

Type Species S. papa

This species is the last surviving species of this genus. Their numbers are decreasing primarily due to habitat loss.

Reference

Wikipedia, 2026

THE GREATER “BEE FLY”

 Bombylius major looks somewhat like a furry bee but with a long rigid proboscis used for drinking nectar from deep flowers. Actually, this animal is a fly! Its proboscis is not a stinger. Unlike a bee, Bombylius has only one pair of wings that are held away from the body. They can rotate their bodies around a vertical axis; this behavior is called “yawning,” when applied to a helicopter flight option. Their body length is 6 to 18 mm and their proboscis is between 5.5 and 7.5 mm in length; thus the entire animal is less than 26 mm long (1.25 inches); which is similar to the size of a bee. 

Figure 1. Bombylius major, approximately 25 mm in entire length (body and proboscis).

This bee mimic does not sting, bite, nor spread disease. It can tolerate arid and moist environments.

This bee mimic is most common in England, Scotland, and Wales. There are several hundred described species of this bee mimic.

Reference

Wikipedia, 2026

A VIPER FISH

 

A viper fish is any species belonging to genus Chauliodus. This post concerns the viper fish Chauliodus sloani. 

This particular species, which is a good representative of the nine known species of viper fish, lives at depths of about 200 m (660 feet) deep in most oceans; thus it inhabits the twilight (mesopelagic zone) of oceans. 

Viper fish are fierce predators with fangs. Chauliodus sloani has fangs so large that this fish cannot close its mouth over them. When closing its mouth, the teeth slide up to the front of the fish’s face. Its flexible neck allows it to bend its head back and stick out the lower jaw in order to reach out and grab fish, squid, and crustaceans. Once the jaws close, they form a “cage” of teeth that fit together. Its teeth make up about 10 percent of its body length. Their jaws are exceptionally strong. Also, the first vertebra is a shock-absorber; thus this fish can collide with and stun its prey.

The viper fish discussed in this blog post is iridescent dark silver/blue, with pale fins. It is also bioluminescence (i.e., wilth photophores on the ventral sides). These photophores probably attract prey.  

Chauliodus sloani can grow to over 30 cm in length. It has a large mouth but a narrow body. These fish can live up to 30 years!

   Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Actinopterygii

Order Stomiiformes

Family Stomiidae

Genus Chauliodus

Type Species C. sloani

This fish migrates vertically through tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. During the day, it prefers deep depths as much as 2500 m deep, but, at night, it migrates upward into shallower (about 500 m deep), where food is more plentiful.  

Figure 1. The viperfish Chauliodus sloani (about 30 cm in length). 

Figure 2. Chauliodus sloan (complete body).

Fenster Quartz

It seems that I cannot resist the various forms of quartz (silicon dioxide). In my defense, quartz (silicon dioxide) is the most common mineral on Earth (think beach sand and sand dunes) and one of the most diverse minerals-- in terms of its physical characteristics. 

To date, I have previously posted the following four write-ups about quartz: 

May 31, 2026 “Rose Quartz”

August 26, 2016 “Varieties of Quartz, Part 1”

Sept 14, 2018 “Varieties of Quartz, Part 2 “

Sept 23, 2028 Black Onyx Quartz

This current blog concerns a rare form of quartz, called “Fenster quartz  = (SiO₂)

During its crystallization, the sunken faces of fenster quartz crystals are occasionally sheeted over by a thin layer of more quartz that traps whatever water or mud might have been around at the time of the formation of this mineral. As a result, the crystallizing material experienced complex, fluctuating geological conditions during formation, which caused its unique layered appearance. This type of crystal has a very complicated internal structure that looks very complicated. Europeans refer to this material as “Fenster Quartz,” which is derived from the German word “das Fenster,” meaning “the window.” Fenster quartz develops in pegamatitic veins where unstable growth (with inclusions) took place. It is not a unique mineral, but it is an unusual growth pattern for quartz. 

Furthermore, fenster quartz is a coupling of clear quartz and elestial quartz. The result is that a crystal has repeating faces, which remind some folks of “an infinite multi-verse of repeating opportunities and outcomes.” This form of quartz is also known as “window quartz.” Variations of this mineral range from rusty/smokey” (like the one shown here) to perfectly clear. It is an affordable mineral if you wish to add it to your collection.

 

Fenster quartz is found in Brazil (most common source), Madagasgar, Africa, and in USA (at the Herkimer Diamond site---see one of my previous posts concerning this locality).

Two views (front and back) of the same specimen of fenster quartz (eclestial quartz) is 40 mm wide, 40 mm long, and 30 mm thick at its thickest point. It was collected at Arramberri, Nuevo Leon, south of Monterrey, in northeastern Mexico. 

Kori Bustard Bird

 This is the largest living, flying animal on Earth. The male is up to 4.5 feet in length and larger than the female. The Kori bird is a ground dweller that only flies when absolutely necessary.

Figure 1. Kori Bustard bird. Image from Smithsonian Institution (open access).

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Aves

Order Otidiformes 

Family Otididae

Genus Ardeotis

Type species A. kori

There are two living species of this bird, which found only in the Old World (Africa, India, Mozambique, and Australia).

The Kori Bustard bird may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight. The average adult male weighs about 25 pounds and is up to 4.5 feet in length, with a wingspan up to 9 feet. They live in open grassy areas and have no real nest. 

There are only two species.

Reference

Wikipedia, 2026.

GOLD AND SILVER

                                                                GOLD 

Who hasn’t heard about gold? From childhood and beyond, the word “gold” means wealth and power to most people. So practically everyone gets interested whenever the word “gold” is mentioned. 

Gold is a “noble metal,” meaning it does not rust nor lose its shine. 

Gold occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust and can be concentrated via three main processes; namely, 1) magmatic activity (= molten rock), 2) hydrothermal activity (= driven by heated underground magmatic fluids, e.g. hydrothermal veins), and 3) metamorphic activity (heat and pressure). 

There is also a fourth process: placer deposits, on the Earth’s surface, and involves  weathering/transport plus reworking via running water. 

 

Note: “Porphyry” gold deposits are associated with low-grade igneous intrusions in the 

Earth’s crust.

Primary gold is referred to as lode, whereas reworked gold (i.e., occurs in stream and river beds) is referred to as placer deposits. 

“Porphyry gold deposits” are associated with low-grade igneous intrusions. 

Gold can also occur in “greenstone belts,” which are metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, like the “Banded Iron Formations (BIFs).”

In sum, there is a considerable amount of terminology associated with “gold deposits.” 

The value of gold varies daily these days. As of March 21, 2026, the price of gold was approximately $4,504 dollars per ounce! Next week, no doubt, it will have a different value! 

          Figure 1. A hand-specimen of gold (2.5 inches wide). Image via the Smithsonian Institution.

                                                                   Silver

                                                                          

         Figure 2. A hand-specimen of gold (dimensions unknown). Image via the Smithsonian Institution.                       

                                                                  

Silver, whose chemical designation is “Ag,” occurs mainly with hydothermal-veiw deposits, which are commonly associated with igneous intrusions and volcanic activity. Silver is rarely found as a pure, native metal. Rather, it is usually combined with sulfur, arsenic, and antimony, and especially in association with lead-zinc and copper nickel ores. Furthermore, most silver is produced as a by-product of copper, lead, and zinc refining.

REFERENCE 

WIKIPEDIA, 2026

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

This “False Christmas Cactus,” is scientifically named Schlumbergera truncata, a succulent that blooms around November (rather than December). Thus S. truncata also goes by another common name, the “Thanksgiving Cactus.”

Schlumbergera truncata is indeed a cactus and it has sharp, pointy edges with claw-like tips. This cactus also displays flowers from mid-November to early December. Additionally, this cactus has leafless, flat, segmented green stems (caldodes) which act as photosynthetic organs. The ends of these stems are truncated, rather than pointed. The flowers of this cactus can be in shades of pink, orange, or whitel.

This cactus is endemic to a small area of the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where subtropical or tropical moist forests exist. (Wikipedia, 2026).

This cactus is commonly grown indoors to help improve air quality by filtering out airborne toxins, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.

  Classification

Kingdom Plantae

Clades (3 of them)

Order Caryophyllales

Family Cactaceae

Genus Schlumbergera

Type Species: S. truncate

                                                     Figure 1. Wide view. My backyard. 

Figure 2. Tall view. 

SPECULAR HEMATITE

Should this mineral be called “spectacular” hematite?  It is highly prized by collectors for its sparkle (as seen in Figure 1). Its chemical formula is Fe2O3 [= ferric oxide]. Hematite is the most important and widely used source mineral for iron. This mineral is mainly a sedimentary mineral, which gets altered by ground water. The hardness of this mineral is 5 to 6. It can be polished (as a gemstone) even though it is easily scratched or chipped. It also readily alters to the iron-mineral limonite.

Hematite is the most important and widely used source mineral for iron. More that 90 percent of iron in the USA is from hematite ore.

There are three types of hematite: shiny black (= specular hematite), brownish, and blood red. Vast deposits of it occur in the Lake Superior area. It is also found from New York to Alabama, as well as England, Switzerland, Italy, and Brazil.  The extensive Clinton iron beds of late Silurian age crop out over a length of about 700 miles in New York, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.

Figure 2 (see image below) refers to one way this mineral is determined: rub it on a streak plate (this is a common practice among mineralogists because certain minerals have a distinctive streak color, which can be different than the exterior color of a mineral).  

References

Berrry, L.G. and B. Mason, B. 1959. Mineralogy. Concepts, Descriptions, Determinations. W.H. Freeman and Company. San Francisco. 630 pp.

Sorrell, C.A. 19xx. Rocks and Minerals. Golden Nature Book. A field guide to rocks and minerals. Golden Press, New York. 630 pp.

Figure 1. Specular hematite. 43 mm length, 23 mm width.

Figure 2. The reddish residue left by hematite when it is rubbed against a two-inch long  “streak plate” [consisting of  porcelain]. Streak plates are commonly used in the identification of minerals.

GEOLOGY OF GRAND CANYON and COPPER CANYON

                                                                                            GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon is formed by a single river, the Colorado River. This canyon is 4,674 feet deep and 277 miles long. The ages of the rocks in this canyon range from Precambrian to Pennsylvian/Permian, with a combined duration of 1.8 billion years.

By the way, there is a commercially available, rubber-raft (or wood boat)  trip down through the Grand Canyon.

Figure 1. A representative portion of the Grand Canyon, Arizona; image by R. L. Squires, Sept. 1973.

                                                                                          COPPER CANYON

Copper Canyon is a scenic area in northwest Mexico, in the state of Chihuahua and is always compared (online at least) to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. The name “Copper Canyon” is derived from the copper-green hue of some of its canyon walls.

By the way, it is possible to take a commercial train through the Copper Canyon area, which has extensive Douglas Fir, pine, and oak trees along the route.

  

Copper Canyon is actually a misnomer. It is not a single canyon, rather it a network of six separate canyons with many side canyons. The deepest part of canyon network is 6,136 feet.

Copper Canyon encompasses about 25,000 square miles, that together is four to seven times the size of the Grand Canyon (depending on how you map the Copper Canyon area).

Cooper Canyon rocks consist primarily of explosive volcanic ash flows, mudflows, and breccia (angular conglomerates), deposited approximately 20 to 40 million years ago during early Eocene to early Miocene time. 

Figure 2. A representative area of a part of Copper Canyon (image modified from an image in the website entitled: images.pexels.com).

STAG BEETLE

Male stag beetles have overzised mandibles that resemble antlers. They are used to wrestle each other for favored mating sites. The females have much smaller bodies and jaws.

Stag Beetle image via public domain.

Stag beetles are not aggressive toward humans. These insects are rare and a symbol of good luck. In some cultures, they are used in for betting/gaming activities (i.e., fighting one another), but not in the USA. In most countries, they are rare and a symbol of good luck.

The fossil record of these distinctive insects ranges from late Middle Jurassic (Callovian) [176 million years ago] to recent.

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Arthropoda

Class Insecta

Order Coleoptera

Family Luncanidae

Genus Lucanus

There are many species; for example, in the USA alone, there are 30 species.

Reference

Wikipidea, 2026

MOLA FISH: AN UNFORETABLE ANIMAL

This large fish lives offshore, near the surface, in warm oceans. It is not a common fish. They typically lie on their side and move slowly by slapping their dorsal and anal fins in alternation.

Their length is usually 4 to 8 feet, with 11 feet the maximum. They

can weight up to 600 pounds. Their large, dorsal and anal fins characterize this fish. When viewed from above, they have the shape of a "coin"--wide but very narrow. But viewed sideways, they have a large surface area, and they look like a fish "chopped in half." They typically lie on their side, near the surface (as if they are sunning themselves).

They eat mainly squid and jellyfish. The Mola fish is no threat to humans. 

   Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Actinopterygii

Order Tetraodontiformes

Family Molidae

Genus Mola

Type species: M. mola (Linnaeus, 1758).

References

Reader's Digest, 1982. North American Wildlife. Pleasantiville, New York. 615 pp. 

Wikipedia. 2026. Mola mola.

all the following images are public domain images

Mola mola in motion.

Mola mola (showing the detail of its skin).

A "captured" Mola mola.

THE MOLE RATS

There are two types of mole rats (both small in size): the naked mole rat and the Damaraland mole rat.

Both are unique small rodents and live their entire lives underground, in burrowing eusocial colonies in Africa. These colonies are like those found in eusocial colonies of ants, termites, and bees. Similarly, fhere is also only a single queen in each mole colony. 

Both kinds of mole rats have no external ears and very tiny eyes (because they live all their lives underground, eyes/sight is not that important). 

The naked mole-rat, which lives in grassy, semi-arid regions of East Africa, is hairless with wrinkled skin that is red grayish-pink in color. This kind of mole rat can live up to 30 years.

                                            

Figure 1. Two views of a naked-mole rat: Heterocephalus glaber (about 3 inches long).

                          Figure 2. Inside view of the underground colony of H. glaber = Naked Mole Rat.

Figure 3. An adult Fukomys damarensis = Damaraland Mole Rat, which lives in Southern Africa, has short black/gray fur--along with a white patch at the top of the head. 

Both types of these mole rats have a long lifespan (up to 30 years). They are most closely related to porcupines and guinea pigs, than to true moles or rats. Both type of these mole rats have powerful teeth used to dig underground tunnel systems.

The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has a cam for the public to view a live colony of mole rats (if the cam is working).

                                   Classification

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Mammalia

Order Rodentia

        --------------------------------------------------------------

Naked Mole Rat:                         Damaraland Mole Rat:

Family Bathyegidae                     Family Bathyegidae

Genus Heterocephalus                 Genus Fukomys

Species glaber                                Species damasrensis

FOUR EXAMPLES OF POISONOUS FROGS

The higher classification of the four examples given below is the same:

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Amphibia

Order Anura

1. Bombina orientalis: “oriental fire-bellied toad”

Mildly toxic, green and black on top, orange stripes on bottom, not a true toad, up to 2 inches long and 2 ounces weight, semiquatic, lives in/near slow-moving water in temperate forests at elevations up to 3,600 feet. NE ASIA (e.g., Korea, NE China, southern Japan, NE Russia) 

Family Bombinatoridae

Genus Bombina

Type Species B. orientialis

-------------

2. Dendrobates azureus: “blue poison frog”

Family Dendrobatidae

Genus Dendrobates

Type species: azureus

This frog lives in "forest islands" surrounded by grasslands in southern in northeastern South America. They have few predators, but their tadpoles have no poison, thus they are eaten by predators. The adults are active during the day. They hide among boulders in streams because they lack toe webbing, thus they are poor swimmers and have to hide among boulders. They were not discovered until 1968. They are only two inches long and weight only 0.3 ounces.

-----------

3. Phyllobates terrebilis: “golden frog”

also known as the golden dart frog and golden poison-arrow frog (i.e., their poison is put on the tips of arrows and spears to kill prey).

Family Dendrobatidae

Genus Phyllobates

Type Species P. terribilis

Lives in rain forests in Columbia.

It is now endangered because of habitat destruction.

This species is the largest in physical size (up to 6 inches length) of the poison-dart family.

There are several color morphs: yellow, yellow-orange, metallic orange, green, and mint.

This frog is one of the “Harlequin toads,” which are all small, diurnal, and poisonous.

Native to South and Central America.

This is the most poisonous animal species on Earth. One tiny drop of toxin is all it takes to paralyze, and some cases, kill a foe (including humans). Columbia natives use the poison for their spear guns, when in search of prey. Even inhaling the fumes from this poison can be unhealthy.

----------

4. Dyscophus guineti “tomato frog”

Poisonous glands near its eyes. Also, this species can puff up its body.

The females are bright red-orange, whereas the males are yellow orange with black spots. This frog, which has a sticky tongue, eats small insects, larvae, and worms. It is an ambush predator. It lives 6 to 10 years, rarely up to 12 years. This genus is endemic to rain forests in northeast Madagascar. 

Family Microhylidae

Genus Dyscophus

Type species

REFERENCE

Wikipedia, 2026