Tanoak

Plants > Trees

The Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), historically celebrated as the Tanbark Oak, is an ancient, magnificent broadleaf evergreen tree that forms the essential understory canopy of California and Oregon’s coastal redwood forests. Representing a unique...

Pacific Spiketail

Invertebrates > Dragonflies

The Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) is a colossal, powerful mountain dragonfly that patrols the clear, rushing mountain torrents and cascading creeks of the western cordillera. Wielding immense, glowing turquoise-green compound eyes and a long, dagger-like...

California Laurel Borer

Invertebrates > Beetles

The California Laurel Borer (Rosalia funebris), widely celebrated as the Banded Alder Borer, is universally acclaimed as one of the most spectacularly patterned beetles in North America. Flaunting high-contrast, zebra-like bands of stark velvety jet-black and clean...

Texas Night Snake

Reptiles > Snakes

The Texas Night Snake (Hypsiglena jani) is a small, secretive, rear-fanged colubrid native to the rocky canyonlands and arid scrub of the American Southwest and Mexico. Instantly recognizable by its striking cat-like vertical pupil eyes and three prominent dark brown...

Torrent Sculpin

Fish > Sculpins

The Torrent Sculpin (Cottus rhotheus) is a tough, heavy-headed benthic fish built specifically to conquer the fastest, most violent whitewater rapids and rocky riffles of Pacific Northwest river systems. True to its name, this specialized sculpin uses an exceptionally...