Natural Nations: Nature & Survival

We are a non-profit community that promotes the conservation and preservation of natural habitats.

[natural-nations-official]

[natural-nations-official]

Spring is trying to kick the door in on Winter with all this warm weather. Found some egg clusters of possibly the next generation of frogs on our hike today! Hoping that Winter doesn't slam the door back in Spring's face! Looking forward to sharing more adventures and learning more about nature with you all! ~Damon Follow & like for more! #amphibian #amphibians #herpetology #herping #fauna #animal #animallover #animalphotography #frog #frogs #frogsofinstagram #nature #naturephotography #outdoorphotography #outdoorsphotography #animalsofinstagram #animals #wetland #wetlands #outdoor #outdoors #outdoorsadventure #outdoorsadeventures (at Charlestown State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaulAn0u26q/?utm_medium=tumblr

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This species is Ocypode quadrata, also commonly known as the Atlantic Ghost Crab, and though it is the most common crab on the Atlantic Coast Line it is becoming more and more of an uncommon sight. These guys are nocturnal so you can find these quick scuttling guys typically at night passed 8:00 (how they tell time I haven't a clue), but they do occasionally make daytime appearances. They come out of their sandy burrows almost nightly to return to the ocean to moisten their gills and nibble some food. They are omnivores and detritivores meaning they eat pretty much anything even if it is decaying matter. Unfortunately, their populations have decreased directly due to human encroachment. They are severely impacted on heavily frequented beaches because they are usually either trampled to death by either humans or vehicles. Our presence being even close to them causes a decline in their habitat suitability by throwing off their reproduction cycle, food supply, compressing sand which they make their burrows, and light pollution. -Damon Like and follow us for more! #crab #crabs #ghostcrab #beach #wildlife #wildlifephotography #fauna #outdoorsphotography #animalsofinstagram #animallover #animals #animal #animalphotography #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #outdoors #outdoorphotography #naturephotography (at Clearwater Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUzsfASFvSC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[natural-nations-official]

This is a female Lithobates catesbeianus, also known as the American Bullfrog. They are true frogs native to Eastern North America that get their name from the sound the males make during mating which is reminiscent to a bull's bellow. They are voracious ambush predators that will eat any creature they can overpower and cram in their mouth. They have been spread almost globally as a food source for humans. This otherwise unnatural spread paired with their aggressive feeding and breeding habits and skittish behavior, has made them an invasive nuisance species outside its native range creating problems for otherwise native species. Males are sexually dimorphic compared to females being smaller with yellow throats. -Damon Follow and like for more! #amphibian #amphibians #herpetology #herping #fauna #animal #animallover #animalphotography #frog #frogs #frogsofinstagram #bullfrog #nature #naturephotography #outdoorphotography #outdoorsphotography #animalsofinstagram #animals #wetland #wetlands (at Mount St. Francis, Indiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRttz0Sh7r2/?utm_medium=tumblr

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This species is Chlorophyllum molybdites, also known as the "False Parasol" or "Vomiter". As the name "Vomiter" implies it is toxic when ingested causing vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues 1-3 hours after ingestion. It is most oftenly confused with the otherwise edible Shaggy Parasol and Shaggy Mane Mushrooms. They typically grow incredibly close to human dwellings, randomly springing up in patches of grass in yards or parks. Their ready availability and common misidentification makes them the most consumed poisonous mushroom in North America! -Damon Like and follow us for more! #fungusamongus #fungus #fungi #fungusphotography #fungiphotography #mycology #natural #nature #naturephotography (at New Albany, Indiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRd6OH9Bzhj/?utm_medium=tumblr

[natural-nations-official]

This is one of the three species of the Great Eastern Brood or Brood X. Known species are Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada septendecula, and Magicicada cassinii, but are also known as the 17-year Locust or 17-year Cicada. These guys have been underground as nymphs feeding on the sap from tree roots for last 17 years. They all emerge at relatively the same time, depending on the temperature, where they climb up on trees or other high surfaces and molt into their newly winged adult form. After this the adults proceed to fly around, sing their loud "songs", mate, lay eggs on tree branches and twigs, and subsequently die a few weeks later. Their massive population and short adult lifespan insures protection from complete predation, although many become a quick and easy meal throughout the Spring and Summer. The adults breed and die in a single year and they won't be seen again in their adult form until their offspring emerge in another 17 years (2038) -Damon Like and follow us for more! #nature #naturephotography #insect #insectsofinstagram #cicada #cicadas #insects #wildlife #wildlifephotography #animal #animals #animalphotography #bug #bugs #bugsofinstagram #fauna #outdoorphotography #outdoorsphotography (at Louisville Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPiND5GherF/?utm_medium=tumblr

[natural-nations-official]

Had a fun time at Brown County State Park and completing the 7 Vista Challenge. Also took an hood hike to and around Strahl Lake, unfortunately there were no mushrooms or snakes, just beautiful woodland lake views. Pretty busy park this week with everyone trying to escape the Louisville Metropolitan due to the Kentucky Derby! Hope everyone stays safe! -Damon Like and follow us for more! #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #natural #naturephotography #tree #trees #forest #forestphotography #woods #woodland #woodlands #woodlandphotography #outdoors #outdoorsphotography #outdoor #outdooradventure #outdoorsadventure (at Brown County State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/COXokhPB5XC/?igshid=164e2r0yrg0p6

[natural-nations-official]

We were visited by a fox last night doing some vixen's screams trying to find their mate. This particular species is either Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Gray Fox) or Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox). Gray Fox are native to Indiana and really like overgrown woodlands and forests, but due to the clearing of Indiana's timber their range has been reduced. Red Fox were introduced in the 1800's by humans and can be found in all kinds of suburban and rural habitats. With the area being more of a farmland/woodland habitat I would say it is more than likely a Red Fox. -Damon & Hannah Follow us for more! #fox #foxes #vixen #scream #wildlife #fauna #mating #matingseason #matingcall #redfox #grayfox #animal #animals #nature #naturelover #animallover (at Nabb, Indiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNzzxaGB3Py/?igshid=g624jgzh9chb

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I believe this is Regina septemvittata, also known as the Queen Snake. This species of snake is nonvenomous and are typically docile. They are semiaquatic and can only be found in clean, freshwater streams. Their diet consists mainly of crawdads but have been known to prey opportunistically on frogs, small fish, tadpoles, etc Their range is being restricted by the ever growing threat to their habitats due mainly to pollution which is causing their prey (crawdads) population to decrease in turn causing them to decrease. -Damon Follow us for more! #snake #snakes #reptile #reptiles #herpetology #herping #reptilelover #fauna #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #animal #animals #animalphotography #naturelover #naturelovers #outdoors #outdoorsphotography (at Clifty Falls State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNmnYrgBUjR/?igshid=111bin0925ubf

[natural-nations-official]

Fun little hike at Clifty Creek with the wife to see Big Clifty Falls! Also, yes I am on tiktok as well! -Damon Follow us for more! #hike #hiking #hikingadventure #hikingtrip #creek #stream #water #waterfall #waterfalls #waterfallsofinstagram #outdoors #outdoorsadventure #outdoorsphotography #nature #naturelover #naturelovers #stateparks #statepark (at Clifty Falls State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNhdubIB_Va/?igshid=17uit6mlj8rl5

[natural-nations-official]

Let's talk about cairns. They are fun to build and look pretty cool to us humans, but wildlife don't think they are cool. For some reason cairns have the uncanny ability to spook wildlife. If you are going to go to a State Park, National Forest, or National Park and are wondering where all the critters are you need to look around you. Heavy human traffic/population is one thing but these structures that individuals leave behind are unnatural and the wildlife that lives in the area knows it is unnatural and avoid those areas. The massive movements of rocks to build these cairns is leading to faster erosion which in turn is destroying habitats. On top of them being unnatural and destroying habitats, as if those weren't good enough causes already, people tend to build them in places that lead amateur hikers astray. So please do not build these, let rocks lay. If you see one of these, do the Nature a favor and knock it over. - Damon Follow us for more! #unnatural #rockstacking #cairn #cairns #stopcairns #stopstonestacking #conservation #preservation #nature #outdoors #erosion #statepark #stateparks #nationalpark #nationalparks #nationforest (at Clifty Falls State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNfbcOohOCv/?igshid=1ap8hfc5hy642

[natural-nations-official]

View for the night at Clifty Falls! Stay warm everyone! -Damon & Hannah Follow us for more! #nature #camping #campingtrip #campinglife #campfire #campfires #camp #outdoor #outdoors (at Clifty Falls State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbTWnYh7VR/?igshid=1axdj1i5y0yjg

[platycryptus]

a grasshopper-hunting wasp, Prionyx parkeri, making some good buzzing noises while excavating her burrow (in preparation to go hunt some grasshoppers)

[jazmush-deactivated20240908]

03.19.21 VS 03.21.21

My mushroom kit from Home Depot is working so well!! It was about 20 dollars and came with a block of Blue Oyster loving substrate, and I had to soak the block for 10 hours before I could start misting it daily. After day 5 I was super pleased to see some fruiting bodies. 3 days later they were already getting huge. Just wait for harvest time hehe.

[natural-nations-official]

The weather was so nice before this cold snap came through it had Podophyllum peltatum, also known as Mayapples or American Mandrake, popping up. These plants are perennial and colonies pop up every Spring across the Eastern parts of the U.S. and Southeastern regions of Canada. While these plants are common they are hosts to larva of the Golden Borer Moth and Mayapple Borer Moth which have shown population decline due to deforestation and overgrazing. Every bit of this plant contains podophyllotoxin which is poisonous when ingested. The ripe yellow fruits this plant bear are edible in very small amounts. Native Americans used to use this plant medicinally as an emitic (vomit inducer) and a cathartic (defecation accelerant). Modern medicine utilizes the podophyllotoxin substance in this plant as a purgative, cytostatic, antiviral, and antitumor. Podophyllotoxin is an active ingredient in some medical cream used to treat genital warts and derivatives of the toxin are used in some chemotherapeutic medications. -Damon #nature #natural #naturelover #naturelovers #botany #botanyphotography #botanical #flora #woodlandphotography #woodland #vegetation #medicine #medicinalplants #woods #poisonousplants #poisonous #toxic #toxin #forestlife #forest #forestphotography (at McCormick's Creek State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNM845Phg2r/?igshid=st48i9ozubbg

[screwyouandrew]

VIDEO SOURCE

(Turn on the sound!!)

[cedar-glade]

@myenemies, and let me be very clear

[birds]

Wot choo lookin’ at?