Cotinis
@cotinis.bsky.social
Naturalist/photographer. Find me as @cotinis on BugGuide, Flickr, iNaturalist, Instagram, Mastodon, Blue Sky, and pixelfed.social. My professional background is in public health, especially environmental health.
Happy #Arachtober 12th!
Green Lynx Spider - Peucetia viridans (female)
Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
Perched on Yellow Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia flava.
Green Lynx Spider - Peucetia viridans (female)
Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
Perched on Yellow Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia flava.
October 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Happy #Arachtober 12th!
Green Lynx Spider - Peucetia viridans (female)
Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
Perched on Yellow Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia flava.
Green Lynx Spider - Peucetia viridans (female)
Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
Perched on Yellow Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia flava.
Happy #Arachtober 10th! Here are white and yellow versions of Misumenoides formosipes.
Location: Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
This is a wonderful preserve of @nature.org.
Location: Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
This is a wonderful preserve of @nature.org.
October 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Happy #Arachtober 10th! Here are white and yellow versions of Misumenoides formosipes.
Location: Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
This is a wonderful preserve of @nature.org.
Location: Green Swamp Preserve, Brunswick County, North Carolina (USA)
This is a wonderful preserve of @nature.org.
Happy #Arachtober the 8th! Something different for today, a public domain image from McCook's American spiders and their spinning work (1889). Original at:
www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42190084
The illustrator is Elizabeth Fearne Bonsall (1861 - 1956).
I cleaned up the image in GIMP.
www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42190084
The illustrator is Elizabeth Fearne Bonsall (1861 - 1956).
I cleaned up the image in GIMP.
October 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Happy #Arachtober the 8th! Something different for today, a public domain image from McCook's American spiders and their spinning work (1889). Original at:
www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42190084
The illustrator is Elizabeth Fearne Bonsall (1861 - 1956).
I cleaned up the image in GIMP.
www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42190084
The illustrator is Elizabeth Fearne Bonsall (1861 - 1956).
I cleaned up the image in GIMP.
Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis (26 October 2024, Encontro das Águas State Park, Brazil)
This one was spotted bathing and splashing across the river channel, swam over to investigate us, then caught an eel and consumed it noisily.
This one was spotted bathing and splashing across the river channel, swam over to investigate us, then caught an eel and consumed it noisily.
August 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis (26 October 2024, Encontro das Águas State Park, Brazil)
This one was spotted bathing and splashing across the river channel, swam over to investigate us, then caught an eel and consumed it noisily.
This one was spotted bathing and splashing across the river channel, swam over to investigate us, then caught an eel and consumed it noisily.
Happy Fly Day Friday, plus bonus critters. All from Gorges State Park in North Carolina.
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander - Plethodon metcalfi
Shiny-sided Bladetail - Machimus sadyates
Caterpillar (Noctuoidea) found on Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Compost Fly - Ptecticus trivittatus
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander - Plethodon metcalfi
Shiny-sided Bladetail - Machimus sadyates
Caterpillar (Noctuoidea) found on Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Compost Fly - Ptecticus trivittatus
August 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Happy Fly Day Friday, plus bonus critters. All from Gorges State Park in North Carolina.
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander - Plethodon metcalfi
Shiny-sided Bladetail - Machimus sadyates
Caterpillar (Noctuoidea) found on Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Compost Fly - Ptecticus trivittatus
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander - Plethodon metcalfi
Shiny-sided Bladetail - Machimus sadyates
Caterpillar (Noctuoidea) found on Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Compost Fly - Ptecticus trivittatus
Insects from an event at Chapel Hill Public Library (North Carolina) on 26 July 2025: #nationalmothweek.
Luna Moth - Actias luna (from other side of the sheet!)
Treehopper - Glossonotus acuminatus
Bold-feathered Grass Moth - Herpetogramma pertextalis
Beautiful Mantidfly - Leptomantispa pulchella
Luna Moth - Actias luna (from other side of the sheet!)
Treehopper - Glossonotus acuminatus
Bold-feathered Grass Moth - Herpetogramma pertextalis
Beautiful Mantidfly - Leptomantispa pulchella
July 28, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Insects from an event at Chapel Hill Public Library (North Carolina) on 26 July 2025: #nationalmothweek.
Luna Moth - Actias luna (from other side of the sheet!)
Treehopper - Glossonotus acuminatus
Bold-feathered Grass Moth - Herpetogramma pertextalis
Beautiful Mantidfly - Leptomantispa pulchella
Luna Moth - Actias luna (from other side of the sheet!)
Treehopper - Glossonotus acuminatus
Bold-feathered Grass Moth - Herpetogramma pertextalis
Beautiful Mantidfly - Leptomantispa pulchella
Happy World Snake Day! (26 July 2025)
Snakes I have photographed over the years...
Red-tailed Boa - Boa constrictor constrictor; Emas NP, BR
Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus; Cave Creek Canyon, AZ USA
Tiger Rattlesnake - Crotalus tigris; Santa Rita Mountains, AZ USA
#worldsnakeday
Snakes I have photographed over the years...
Red-tailed Boa - Boa constrictor constrictor; Emas NP, BR
Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus; Cave Creek Canyon, AZ USA
Tiger Rattlesnake - Crotalus tigris; Santa Rita Mountains, AZ USA
#worldsnakeday
July 17, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Happy World Snake Day! (26 July 2025)
Snakes I have photographed over the years...
Red-tailed Boa - Boa constrictor constrictor; Emas NP, BR
Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus; Cave Creek Canyon, AZ USA
Tiger Rattlesnake - Crotalus tigris; Santa Rita Mountains, AZ USA
#worldsnakeday
Snakes I have photographed over the years...
Red-tailed Boa - Boa constrictor constrictor; Emas NP, BR
Black-Tailed Rattlesnake - Crotalus molossus; Cave Creek Canyon, AZ USA
Tiger Rattlesnake - Crotalus tigris; Santa Rita Mountains, AZ USA
#worldsnakeday
Jagged Ambush Bug - Phymata species (nymph, 4-5 mm)
13 July 2025, Durham NC (USA)
A couple of these were found on fleabane (Erigeron species). They were brought in on their flowers for some studio shots. Such little tanks!
13 July 2025, Durham NC (USA)
A couple of these were found on fleabane (Erigeron species). They were brought in on their flowers for some studio shots. Such little tanks!
July 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Jagged Ambush Bug - Phymata species (nymph, 4-5 mm)
13 July 2025, Durham NC (USA)
A couple of these were found on fleabane (Erigeron species). They were brought in on their flowers for some studio shots. Such little tanks!
13 July 2025, Durham NC (USA)
A couple of these were found on fleabane (Erigeron species). They were brought in on their flowers for some studio shots. Such little tanks!
Birds from the Old Bynum Bridge area, Chatham County NC (USA), 18 April 2025.
1-Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea (female)
2-Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor (male and female)
3-Ruby-throated hummingbird - Archilochus colubris (female on nest)
1-Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea (female)
2-Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor (male and female)
3-Ruby-throated hummingbird - Archilochus colubris (female on nest)
April 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Birds from the Old Bynum Bridge area, Chatham County NC (USA), 18 April 2025.
1-Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea (female)
2-Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor (male and female)
3-Ruby-throated hummingbird - Archilochus colubris (female on nest)
1-Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea (female)
2-Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor (male and female)
3-Ruby-throated hummingbird - Archilochus colubris (female on nest)
More...
Tree Ear - Auricularia species
Dwarf Crested Iris - Iris cristata
Tree Ear - Auricularia species
Dwarf Crested Iris - Iris cristata
April 15, 2025 at 3:29 AM
More...
Tree Ear - Auricularia species
Dwarf Crested Iris - Iris cristata
Tree Ear - Auricularia species
Dwarf Crested Iris - Iris cristata
Wildflowers, and one fungus, from Johnston Mill Preserve, Orange County, NC (USA), 13 April 2025.
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei
Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
Eastern Bluestar - Amsonia tabernaemontana
Heartleaf Foamflower - Tiarella cordifolia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei
Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
Eastern Bluestar - Amsonia tabernaemontana
Heartleaf Foamflower - Tiarella cordifolia
April 15, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Wildflowers, and one fungus, from Johnston Mill Preserve, Orange County, NC (USA), 13 April 2025.
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei
Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
Eastern Bluestar - Amsonia tabernaemontana
Heartleaf Foamflower - Tiarella cordifolia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei
Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
Eastern Bluestar - Amsonia tabernaemontana
Heartleaf Foamflower - Tiarella cordifolia
Birds and graffiti from Old Bynum Bridge, Chatham County, NC on 8 April 2025.
Birds: Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Cardinal, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Graffiti labels itself, I guess.
Birds: Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Cardinal, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Graffiti labels itself, I guess.
April 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Birds and graffiti from Old Bynum Bridge, Chatham County, NC on 8 April 2025.
Birds: Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Cardinal, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Graffiti labels itself, I guess.
Birds: Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Cardinal, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Graffiti labels itself, I guess.
Beetles from 6 April 2025, Durham, NC (USA)
Bimaculate Longhorn Beetle - Molorchus bimaculatus bimaculatus
Weevil - Glyptobaris lecontei
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordellochroa scapularis
Carrion Beetle - Necrophila americana
All found on Flowering Dogwood, except for the carrion beetle!
Bimaculate Longhorn Beetle - Molorchus bimaculatus bimaculatus
Weevil - Glyptobaris lecontei
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordellochroa scapularis
Carrion Beetle - Necrophila americana
All found on Flowering Dogwood, except for the carrion beetle!
April 8, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Beetles from 6 April 2025, Durham, NC (USA)
Bimaculate Longhorn Beetle - Molorchus bimaculatus bimaculatus
Weevil - Glyptobaris lecontei
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordellochroa scapularis
Carrion Beetle - Necrophila americana
All found on Flowering Dogwood, except for the carrion beetle!
Bimaculate Longhorn Beetle - Molorchus bimaculatus bimaculatus
Weevil - Glyptobaris lecontei
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordellochroa scapularis
Carrion Beetle - Necrophila americana
All found on Flowering Dogwood, except for the carrion beetle!
Northern Water snake - Nerodia sipedon ssp. sipedon (male)
Location: Durham NC USA
This male had been in pursuit of a female, which rejected him and swam off. He retreated and gave me some lovely gaping threat displays before settling down to bask.
Location: Durham NC USA
This male had been in pursuit of a female, which rejected him and swam off. He retreated and gave me some lovely gaping threat displays before settling down to bask.
April 6, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Northern Water snake - Nerodia sipedon ssp. sipedon (male)
Location: Durham NC USA
This male had been in pursuit of a female, which rejected him and swam off. He retreated and gave me some lovely gaping threat displays before settling down to bask.
Location: Durham NC USA
This male had been in pursuit of a female, which rejected him and swam off. He retreated and gave me some lovely gaping threat displays before settling down to bask.
More spring wildflowers, etc.
Virginia Springbeauty - Claytonia virginica
Common Blue Violet - Viola sororia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei (in bud)
Honeydew Eater - Scorias spongiosa (fungus)
Virginia Springbeauty - Claytonia virginica
Common Blue Violet - Viola sororia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei (in bud)
Honeydew Eater - Scorias spongiosa (fungus)
March 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
More spring wildflowers, etc.
Virginia Springbeauty - Claytonia virginica
Common Blue Violet - Viola sororia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei (in bud)
Honeydew Eater - Scorias spongiosa (fungus)
Virginia Springbeauty - Claytonia virginica
Common Blue Violet - Viola sororia
Bashful Wakerobin - Trillium catesbaei (in bud)
Honeydew Eater - Scorias spongiosa (fungus)
Spring wildflowers, and one fungus, from Orange County, North Carolina (USA), 29-30 March 2025
Pennywort - Obolaria virginica
Rue Anemone - Thalictrum thalictroides
Bulbous Bittercress - Cardamine bulbosa
Atamasco Lily - Zephyranthes atamasco
Pennywort - Obolaria virginica
Rue Anemone - Thalictrum thalictroides
Bulbous Bittercress - Cardamine bulbosa
Atamasco Lily - Zephyranthes atamasco
March 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Spring wildflowers, and one fungus, from Orange County, North Carolina (USA), 29-30 March 2025
Pennywort - Obolaria virginica
Rue Anemone - Thalictrum thalictroides
Bulbous Bittercress - Cardamine bulbosa
Atamasco Lily - Zephyranthes atamasco
Pennywort - Obolaria virginica
Rue Anemone - Thalictrum thalictroides
Bulbous Bittercress - Cardamine bulbosa
Atamasco Lily - Zephyranthes atamasco
Frogs (and one spider) from Frog Night (20 March 2025) event as part of Durham (North Carolina) Creek Week.
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - Dolomedes triton
Green Treefrog - Hyla cinerea
Northern Cricket Frog - Acris crepitans
Green Frog - Lithobates clamitans
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - Dolomedes triton
Green Treefrog - Hyla cinerea
Northern Cricket Frog - Acris crepitans
Green Frog - Lithobates clamitans
March 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Frogs (and one spider) from Frog Night (20 March 2025) event as part of Durham (North Carolina) Creek Week.
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - Dolomedes triton
Green Treefrog - Hyla cinerea
Northern Cricket Frog - Acris crepitans
Green Frog - Lithobates clamitans
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - Dolomedes triton
Green Treefrog - Hyla cinerea
Northern Cricket Frog - Acris crepitans
Green Frog - Lithobates clamitans
"Barsoom", crop optimized for small screens.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Single exposure managed to get both the lunar disk and many stars--quite a pleasant surprise.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Single exposure managed to get both the lunar disk and many stars--quite a pleasant surprise.
March 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
"Barsoom", crop optimized for small screens.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Single exposure managed to get both the lunar disk and many stars--quite a pleasant surprise.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Single exposure managed to get both the lunar disk and many stars--quite a pleasant surprise.
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
Location: Durham NC USA (3 February 2025)
Making its usual rounds, searching for Rough Earth Snakes in my yard.
Location: Durham NC USA (3 February 2025)
Making its usual rounds, searching for Rough Earth Snakes in my yard.
March 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
Location: Durham NC USA (3 February 2025)
Making its usual rounds, searching for Rough Earth Snakes in my yard.
Location: Durham NC USA (3 February 2025)
Making its usual rounds, searching for Rough Earth Snakes in my yard.
"Barsoom"
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
March 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
"Barsoom"
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
Total lunar eclipse observed from Durham, NC USA 14 March 2025.
My 15 minutes of photography fame. A very talented artist, Adeline Robinson, has adapted (with permission) my photo of a Marbled Salamander for a print. Here's a screen capture of her post on Instagram, which does not show a preview well on Blue Sky.
February 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
My 15 minutes of photography fame. A very talented artist, Adeline Robinson, has adapted (with permission) my photo of a Marbled Salamander for a print. Here's a screen capture of her post on Instagram, which does not show a preview well on Blue Sky.
More birds from the Brazilian Pantanal, October 2024:
Southern Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
Jabiru - Jabiru mycteria
Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum
As always, see Flickr/iNaturalist for more.
Southern Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
Jabiru - Jabiru mycteria
Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum
As always, see Flickr/iNaturalist for more.
February 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
More birds from the Brazilian Pantanal, October 2024:
Southern Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
Jabiru - Jabiru mycteria
Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum
As always, see Flickr/iNaturalist for more.
Southern Crested Caracara - Caracara plancus
Jabiru - Jabiru mycteria
Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron - Tigrisoma lineatum
As always, see Flickr/iNaturalist for more.
A few mammals from the Brazilian Pantanal, October 2024:
Red Brocket - Mazama rufa
South American Tapir - Tapirus terrestris
Crab-eating Fox - Cerdocyon thous
Azaras's Capuchin - Sapajus cay
As always, many more photos on Flickr and iNaturalist.
Red Brocket - Mazama rufa
South American Tapir - Tapirus terrestris
Crab-eating Fox - Cerdocyon thous
Azaras's Capuchin - Sapajus cay
As always, many more photos on Flickr and iNaturalist.
February 10, 2025 at 3:16 AM
A few mammals from the Brazilian Pantanal, October 2024:
Red Brocket - Mazama rufa
South American Tapir - Tapirus terrestris
Crab-eating Fox - Cerdocyon thous
Azaras's Capuchin - Sapajus cay
As always, many more photos on Flickr and iNaturalist.
Red Brocket - Mazama rufa
South American Tapir - Tapirus terrestris
Crab-eating Fox - Cerdocyon thous
Azaras's Capuchin - Sapajus cay
As always, many more photos on Flickr and iNaturalist.
See Flickr for the full sequence. Again, Mars just shows up as a small red dot, and may be difficult to see. Here's the last of the five frames I wanted to post. Mars at upper right.
January 15, 2025 at 5:32 AM
See Flickr for the full sequence. Again, Mars just shows up as a small red dot, and may be difficult to see. Here's the last of the five frames I wanted to post. Mars at upper right.
Evening of 13 January 2025. Occultation took place from about 21:15 to 22:15 local time.
Viewed from Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mars was difficult to image compared to the bright full moon, but it comes in from about six o'clock and then exits at about one o'clock in the latter frames.
Viewed from Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mars was difficult to image compared to the bright full moon, but it comes in from about six o'clock and then exits at about one o'clock in the latter frames.
January 15, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Evening of 13 January 2025. Occultation took place from about 21:15 to 22:15 local time.
Viewed from Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mars was difficult to image compared to the bright full moon, but it comes in from about six o'clock and then exits at about one o'clock in the latter frames.
Viewed from Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Mars was difficult to image compared to the bright full moon, but it comes in from about six o'clock and then exits at about one o'clock in the latter frames.