Leighton Photography & Imaging

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  • Although this impressive and well-known succulent is known around the world as one of the most common houseplants in the world, Kalanchoe daigremontiana goes by dozens if not more common names such as devil's backbone, alligator plant, Mexican hat plant, good luck plant, mother of thousands (should be mother of a thousand names), it is considered invasive and unwelcome outside of it's native Madagascar. It spreads very easily and even thrives in arid, dry environments because the little "baby" plants develop in the hundreds and thousands on the edges of the leaves, drop off and start new plants. This one was one of literally thousands of them growing in a nature preserve in Harlingen, Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
    Alligator Plant (Kalanchoe daigremon..ana)
  • An unusual hybrid find! Although kalanchoe succulents are known around the world as some of the most common houseplants in the world, this one goes by dozens if not more common names such as devil's backbone, alligator plant, Mexican hat plant, good luck plant, mother of thousands (should be mother of a thousand names), it is considered invasive and unwelcome outside of it's native Madagascar. It spreads very easily and even thrives in arid, dry environments because the little "baby" plants develop in the hundreds and thousands on the edges of the leaves, drop off and start new plants. What is unusual about this one is that it is actually a hybrid of two Kalanchoe species, both from Madagascar: Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe delagoensis. This one was one of literally thousands of them growing in a nature preserve in Harlingen, Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
    Alligator Plant: "Houghton's Hybrid"..nii)
  • An unusual hybrid find! Although kalanchoe succulents are known around the world as some of the most common houseplants in the world, this one goes by dozens if not more common names such as devil's backbone, alligator plant, Mexican hat plant, good luck plant, mother of thousands (should be mother of a thousand names), it is considered invasive and unwelcome outside of it's native Madagascar. It spreads very easily and even thrives in arid, dry environments because the little "baby" plants develop in the hundreds and thousands on the edges of the leaves, drop off and start new plants. What is unusual about this one is that it is actually a hybrid of two Kalanchoe species, both from Madagascar: Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe delagoensis. This one was one of literally thousands of them growing in a nature preserve in Harlingen, Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
    Alligator Plant: "Houghton's Hybrid"..nii)
  • Also known as the holly-leaved Oregon grape, this member of the Mahonia genus can tolerate drier conditions than other native Oregon grape shrubs and is easily recognized by the distinctive waxy, holly-like leaves as well as the height it can grow - almost 9 feet tall! This one was was found growing in a forest near Olympia, Washington, heavy with fruit. While the fruit can be delicious, tart, pleasing and can be made into delicious jellies, jams and wines, caution must be taken as high doses of Oregon-grapes can cause nose-bleeds, kidney inflammation,  shortness of breath, or worse.
    Shining Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifo..ium)
  • Also known as the holly-leaved Oregon grape, this member of the Mahonia genus can tolerate drier conditions than other native Oregon grape shrubs and is easily recognized by the distinctive waxy, holly-like leaves as well as the height it can grow - almost 9 feet tall! While the fruit can be delicious, tart, pleasing and can be made into delicious jellies, jams and wines, caution must be taken as high doses of Oregon-grapes can cause nose-bleeds, kidney inflammation,  shortness of breath, or worse. This one was was found growing in a forest near Olympia, Washington, heavy with fruit.
    Shining Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifo..ium)
  • The highly controversial and extremely invasive Himalayan blackberry is might be considered the classic success story if looked at from the the view of this extremely aggressive invasive plant. Why it is called the Himalayan blackberry is a mystery to me, but it originally comes from Armenia and Iran. Introduced to the East Coast of the United States in 1885, it is believed it was confused with a similar European species of blackberry and with the help of local birds who absolutely love the berries, it had reached reached the West Coast of North America. This plant grows fast, easily outcompetes native foliage and is extremely tough to eradicate. On the plus side, this particular blackberry puts out bumper-crops of blackberries every summer that are absolutely delicious. I often see bushes laid out flat on the ground under the weight of all the berries. These were found growing in the Woodard Bay Conservation Area just outside of Olympia, Washington.
    Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)
  • Common in most of the western United States and Canada, the arrowleaf balsamroot is a member of the sunflower and aster family (hence the sunflower resemblance) and has a historical significance to the various tribes and peoples of the American West as a source of food and medicine. The large root can be baked or steamed as a good source of carbohydrates. The stems can be peeled and eaten, and even the seeds are a great source for both nutrients and calorie-rich oils. These beautiful examples this springtime beauty were photographed on a beautiful spring day just outside of Yakima, Washington.
    Arrowleaf Balsamroot
  • Common in most of the western United States and Canada, the arrowleaf balsamroot is a member of the sunflower and aster family (hence the sunflower resemblance) and has a historical significance to the various tribes and peoples of the American West as a source of food and medicine. The large root can be baked or steamed as a good source of carbohydrates. The stems can be peeled and eaten, and even the seeds are a great source for both nutrients and calorie-rich oils. These beautiful examples this springtime beauty were photographed on a beautiful spring day just outside of Yakima, Washington.
    Arrowleaf Balsamroot
  • If this little chipmunk looks wary, it is for good reason. It was being actively hunted by a short-tailed weasel (stoat) at the edge of Lower Waterton Lake in southern Alberta's Canadian Rocky Mountains.
    Least Chipmunk
  • Male coho salmon (also called a silver salmon) spawning in the Greenwater River in Pierce County, Washington far up in the Cascade Mountains. Coho males in this final part of their life cycle have bright red "cheeks" and have tails that are in relatively good shape compared to their female counterparts who often have pure white tails from losing all their scales and even skin from digging out a nest in the gravel to lay their eggs. This one was taking a rest near the shore behind a fallen tree that was creating a sort of calm in the otherwise fast-moving alpine river.
    Spawning Coho Salmon
  • Ancient basalt columns are a typical sight in Central Washington. They are formed by cooling lava, forming cracks that create these columns by contracting. The faster the lava cools, the thinner the columns. These thick columns cooled gradually over some time. The presence of the lichens that now cover the stony face is an indicator of very good air quality and a lack of pollution.
    Lichen-Covered Basalt Cliff in Cowic..nyon
  • The Cholla Cactus Garden is located in the Pinto Basin in Southern California's Joshua Tree National Park. These teddybear chollas are quite beautful to see in  person, but beware: I bumped into one of them and pieces broke off as my arm came into contact with the hooked needles causing a suprising amount of pain! Good thing I happened to have a pair of pliers on me to pull them out!
    Teddybear Cholla Cactus Garden
  • Bull thistle (also known as spear thistle) is another invasive thistle that has spread across most of North America and is most frequently found in disturbed habitats. The benefit of this sharp and prickly, hard to eradicate weed is that it is a very good source of food and nectar for bees, butterflies, birds amd insects.
    Bull Thistle
  • Although not in flower, a unique view nonetheless - a pair of the rare and endangered confederate trillium (left) and the spotted trillium (right) growing next to each other in a forest in Tallahassee, Florida. The confederate trillium on the left is showing its distinct silvery-light green markings in the center of the leaves, while the spotted trillium to the right shows a more uniform mottling on the leaves. There is a good chance that there might be some hybridization as there seems to be a similar pattern while lacking the unique and telltale coloring.
    Trilliums (Confederate and Spotted)
  • A ghost orchid high in a pop ash tree in a secret location in Collier County. It's good to know that they do in fact grow quite well outside of the Fakahatchee Strand and the Corkscrew Swamp!
    Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)
  • The bristly beard lichen (Usnea hirta) is a common type of fruticose lichen found in cooler or mountainous habitats and is a very good indicator species for environmental pollution. Where there is little to no air and water pollution, the strands of this fungus will grow long with many branches, and with poor quality surrounding, these lichens will either die, or not exceed more than a few millimeters in length. These long, healthy fiberous branches are indications a healthy Pacific Northwest habitat in next to Soos Creek in Kent, Washington.
    Bristly Beard Lichen (Usnea hirta)
  • In an arid environment, after a good rain is a great time for finding butterflies such as this woodland skipper in Central Washington.
    Woodland Skipper
  • The golden currant is one of the most attractive found across most of North America, excluding the American Southeast and Canada's Maritime provinces. Commonly associated with dry, gravelly streams and creeks, the bright red berries are particularly good for making jelly!
    Golden Currant
  • Like many cacti of the American Southwest, cacti are often found around piles of rocks, perhaps they once sheltered the tiny seedling from wind and rain. This beavertail cactus in the Mojave Desert is off to a good start. Many of this species reach a height of six feet and a base of about twelve feet across.
    Beavertail Cactus
  • A ghost orchid high in a pop ash tree in a secret location in Collier County. It's good to know that they do in fact grow quite well outside of the Fakahatchee Strand and the Corkscrew Swamp!
    Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)
  • By the time I saw my first Rickett's noddingcaps orchid, It had already flowered and gone to seed. A good key to identifying this species is the underside of the heart-shaped leaves. If they are green - they you probably have this orchid.
    Rickett's Noddingcaps (Triphora rick..tii)
  • Pale grass-pink orchid growing in the Apalachicola National Forest. A good identification tool (not 100% accurate) is that the sepals are curved upward in what I call an "I surrender" pose. Not very scientific, but I think everyone gets the idea!
    Pale Grass-Pink (Calopogon pallidus)
  • One of the most delicious wild mountain berries of the Western United States and Canada, these serviceberries (also called the saskatoons) are slightly past their prime - probably as they were just out of reach of the local herd of bighorn sheep that regularly roam this rural mountain slope of Mineral County, Montana. Bad news for the hungry wildlife, but good news for the future serviceberry seedlings!
    Serviceberries aka Saskatoons
  • Just about nobody notices the tiny, delicate green flowers of the stinging nettle. And they usually don't even notice this common North American native woodland plant at all until they walk through a patch of it with bare legs or bare feet, when the intense itching and burning starts when the sharp needles that cover the leaves puncture the skin. The good thing is that the pain goes away after about 5 or 10 minutes. This one was found in full flower in an old-growth forest in the Woodard Bay Conservation Area just outside of Olympia, Washington.
    Stinging Nettle Flowers
  • Almost ready to eat! These golden currants are about to burst with tart, fruity goodness along the banks of Cowiche Creek as it flows through the desert steppe in Central Washington.
    Golden Currant