Erin Aylor carving new totem in 2006
Rangers visited Erin Aylor's workshop to see the progress of the new totem pole.
Group photo of totem painters - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
The group of scouts and the artist pose for a photo after finishing painting the new totem pole for Camp Greentop.
Japanese Barberry - National Parks Gallery
Japanese Barberry, Berberis thunbergii, is native to Japan, but is found in Catoctin Mountain Park. You can recognize it by its spines and red berries in the fall. It was first introduced in the 1860s/1870s as ... More
Japanese Barberry - National Parks Gallery
Japanese Barberry, Berberis thunbergii, is native to Japan, but is found in Catoctin Mountain Park. You can recognize it by its spines and red berries in the fall. It was first introduced in the 1860s/1870s as ... More
Sugar bowl, 19th century - Public domain dedication photo
A brown and black glazed jar with a bird on top, North America, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Japanese Stiltgrass - National Parks Gallery
Japanese Stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum. Native of India to East Asia this grass was first recorded in Tennessee in 1909. At that time the grass was commonly used as a packing material for Asian porcelain, a... More
Blue Blazes Whiskey Still trail
Blue Blazes Whiskey Still trail. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Northern Red Salamander - National Parks Gallery
Northern Red Salamander Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Spotted Jewelweed/Spotted Touch-me-not
Spotted Jewelweed/Spotted Touch-me-not. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
White-tailed Buck - National Parks Gallery
White-tailed Buck Public domain photograph of a deer, wild animal, wilderness, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - National Parks Gallery
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Marcescence - public domain image
Leaves of beeches (pictured here), oaks and hornbeams stay on the trees long after other deciduous trees have shed their leaves. This is called marcescence. There are various advantages marcescence can provide ... More
Catoctin Mountain Park - Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, blooms in the fall. When the fruit capsule opens in the fall, the seeds can shoot out explosively up to 20'.
Mile-a-minute - National Parks Gallery
Mile-a-minute, Persicaria perfoliata, is a non-native herbaceous, annual, trailing vine. It grows rapidly, as its name suggests.
Scarlet Tanager, female - National Parks Gallery
We enjoy the scarlet tanager (female shown here right after she had taken a bath) in the summer. They migrate to northern South America for the winter.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Wolf Rock
Wolf Rock. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Timber Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Five-lined Skink - National Parks Gallery
Five-lined Skink Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Accessibility on the Spicebush Trail in Chestnut Picnic Area
Accessibility on the Spicebush Trail in the Chestnut Picnic Area. The pathway is natural-looking specially bonded WoodCarpet® that is firm and stable.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Trout Lily
Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum. This lily gets its name because of the similarity between the markings on its leaves and those on trout.
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar - National Parks Gallery
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Red-bellied Woodpecker - National Parks Gallery
Red-bellied Woodpecker Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cottontail Rabbit Tracks in the Snow
Cottontail Rabbit Tracks in the Snow
Catoctin Mountain Park - Ground Ivy
Ground Ivy is native to Europe and southwestern Asia, but has been introduced to North America and is common in many areas.
National parks: Coltsfoot - public domain image
Coltsfoot. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Violet - public domain image
Violet. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Orange-patched Smoky Moth - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Orange-patched Smoky Moth Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Redbud - public domain image
Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis. The bees who pollinate these flowers, such as carpenter bees, have to have long tongues to reach the nectar.
Nursery Web Spiders - National Parks Gallery
Nursery Web Spiders Public domain photograph of a nursery, agriculture, garden, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Hog Rock Overlook at Catoctin Mountain Park
Hog Rock Overlook in Fall. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Big Hunting Creek in Winter - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Big Hunting Creek in Winter. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Water Ripples
Water Ripples. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Accessibility on the Spicebush Trail in Chestnut Picnic Area
Accessibility on the Spicebush Trail in the Chestnut Picnic Area. The pathway is natural-looking specially bonded WoodCarpet® that is firm and stable.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrasher Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Spined Micrathena and Web - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Female Spined Micrathena, Micrathena gracilis, and her web. Only females of this species build webs.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Walking Stick
Walking Stick Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Pickerel Frog
Pickerel Frog Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Hog Rock Overlook - National Parks Gallery
Hog Rock Overlook. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Net-winged Beetle - National Parks Gallery
This net-winged beetle, Calopteron sp., is on a milkweed leaf underneath some aphids feeding on honeydew that the aphids are producing. Honeydew is a sugar-rich liquid aphids and some scale insects secrete as ... More
Northern Saw-whet Owl - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Northern Saw-whet Owl Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - House Centipede
The house centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata, is generally nocturnal and very fast with all of its legs to provide locomotion.
Big Hunting Creek in Summer - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Big Hunting Creek in Summer. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Eastern Gray Squirrel - National Parks Gallery
Eastern Gray Squirrel Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Virginia Bluebells
Virginia Bluebells. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Cabbage Butterfly
Cabbage Butterfly feeding on milkweed. Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Big Hunting Creek - National Parks Gallery
Big Hunting Creek. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanager Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cunningham Falls in Winter - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Cunningham Falls in Winter. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cicada after emerging from nymph skin
Cicada after emerging from nymph skin.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Barred Owl
Barred Owl Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Fishing Spider
The web of the Fishing spider, Dolomedes sp., acts as a nursery for the young, not to catch prey.
Eastern-screech Owl, gray morph
Eastern-screech Owl, gray morph, is 6-10" tall, and is the second smallest owl in our area after the northern saw-whet owl.
National parks: Spicebush - public domain image
Spicebush. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Katydid Nymph
Katydid Nymph - Scudderia Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly, female
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly, female Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Earwig - public domain image
Earwig Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus, is one of our first plants to flower in the spring. Its foul odor attracts pollinators such as bees, flies and even stoneflies.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Miterwort - public domain image
Two-leaved Miterwort, Mitella diphylla. The flowers are very small (~1/6" wide). and the entire plant is 4-18" tall.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Millipedes mating
Millipedes mating Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers are smaller (5.5" to 7.1") than Hairy Woodpeckers (9.25" - 9.8") and have a smaller bill. The outer tail feathers of downy woodpeckers are white with a few black spots or bars.
National parks: Robins - public domain image
Robins Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Zebra Swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar
The Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar, Lophocampa caryae, has hairs that can cause itchy rashes on your skin and if the microscopic barbed hairs are transferred to your eyes there can be serious medical complica... More
Giant Leopard Moth and Caterpillar
Giant Leopard Moth and Caterpillar. The Giant Leopard Moth, Hypercompe scribonia, has a wingspan of up to 3.5”.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Garlic Mustard
Non-native Garlic Mustard poses a severe threat to plants and animals in our area.
White-tailed Fawn - National Parks Gallery
White-tailed Fawn Public domain photograph of a deer, wild animal, wilderness, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars, Euchaetes egle, have chemical defenses that they acquire from the milkweed that deters predators, so it has good odds of achieving its full development as a moth. These cater... More
American Carrion Beetle - National Parks Gallery
American Carrion Beetles have a diet of dead animals, fly larvae and fungi.
National parks: Locust - public domain image
Locust. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Nursery Web Spiders - National Parks Gallery
Nursery Web Spiders Public domain photograph of a nursery, agriculture, garden, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Juvenile Robin
Juvenile Robin Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Barn Spider
Barn Spider Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Restroom at Chestnut Picnic Area with universal access
Restroom at Chestnut Picnic Area with universal access Public domain photograph of a cabin, log house, dwelling in National Park, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Christmas Fern
Christmas Fern. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage is one of the first flowers in the spring to bloom. It grows in and around creeks and the blooms can be under leaves. Its foul odor attracts pollinators. This plant is thermogenic (it can raise it... More
Spotted Apatelodes Moth Larva, Apatelodes torrefacta
Spotted Apatelodes Moth Larva, Apatelodes torrefacta.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Thurmont Vista
Thurmont Vista. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: Columbine - public domain image
Hummingbirds love the Wild Columbines, Aquilegia canadensis. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
White-tailed Deer - National Parks Gallery
White-tailed Deer Public domain photograph of wildlife, animals, wilderness, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Spined Micrathena
Female Spined Micrathena, Micrathena gracilis. Only females of this species build webs.
Pileated Woodpecker, Male - National Parks Gallery
Pileated Woodpeckers are large, being about 16.5" in length. Females and males look similar. Males have a red stripe on the cheek while females have a black stripe on the cheek and their red cap is less extensi... More
Juvenile Five-lined Skink - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Juvenile Five-lined Skink Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Wolf Rock
Wolf Rock. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Jack-in-the-pulpit - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Jack-in-the-pulpit. Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers have a fungus-like smell that attracts many small insects, like fungus gnats.
Eastern Box Turtle - National Parks Gallery
Eastern Box Turtle Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Showy Orchis
Showy Orchis. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
White-breasted Nuthatch - National Parks Gallery
White-breasted Nuthatch Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Long-jawed Orb Weaver - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Long-jawed Orb Weaver. Its chelicerae (mouthparts) actually have fangs that contain venom.
Big Hunting Creek - National Parks Gallery
Big Hunting Creek. Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Spring Beauty
Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Eastern Rat Snake - National Parks Gallery
Eastern Rat Snakes are not venomous, but will protect themselves with a painful bite if you approach them too closely. They are very beneficial because they play an important role in controlling the rodent population.
Dark-eyed Junco - National Parks Gallery
Dark-eyed juncos are one of the most abundant forest birds in North America.
Catoctin Mountain Park - Mountain Laurel
Mountain-laurel, Kalmia latifolia, is a thicket-forming shrub/small tree. It usually starts blooming around late May in this area.
Red-shouldered Hawk - National Parks Gallery
Red-shouldered Hawks are forest raptors that are permanent residents of this area. Their prey includes small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Red Admiral, dorsal and ventral view
Red Admiral, dorsal and ventral view. Red Admirals, Vanessa atalanta, can migrate seasonally to southern states for the winter and some can hibernate in the area. They hibernate on tree trunks and branches and ... More
Scarlet Tanager, male - National Parks Gallery
Scarlet Tanager, male Public domain scan of print / book page depicting birds, ornithology, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Catoctin Mountain Park - Red Maple
Red Maple, Acer rubrum. Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description