Galleries

As this is a work-in-progress section, not every category is populated, nor all links active.

Biology in a mineralogy website? At first blush, one might reasonably question the inclusion, until it is realized that everything—essentially—is the same thing! The atoms that comprise the human body are the same as those that construct all animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, air, water…and rocks.

Physics tells us that quarks combine to form baryons (protons and neutrons); which combine with electrons to form atoms that define the 92 naturally occurring elements; most of which combine with other atoms to form all the known (and unknown) compounds; the study of which is the purview of chemistry.

At some point after Earth’s primordial history, critical chemical combinations produced animated systems capable of utilizing and reproducing a myriad of other essential chemicals—and themselves—that led to what we now call Life. Some of those life forms are microbes (the province of microbiology), some are plants (…botany), and still others are animals (…zoology).

It is important to realize that, for example, the calcium atoms in a limestone rock are exactly the same as those in our bones and teeth. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.—all the necessary elements required for Life (even arsenic in trace amounts!)—originate from the rocks and minerals of the Earth (defined and qualified by geology).

Physics, chemistry, biology…and geology; these various disciplines of science are simply different perspectives that focus on specific arenas of existence. The avenues they pursue ultimately arrive at the same place…a repository called Knowledge!

This section is dedicated to my repository of Knowledge that defines me as a naturalist and geologist, garnered through decades of study and field experience. It is my Life List of the plants, animals, and natural phenomena (to compliment my collection of rocks and minerals) that occur in the Mojave Desert region of the United States, and that I have experienced, witnessed, observed, collected, photographed, and/or studied. Photos I have taken in other regions (e.g. Florida, Arkansas, Wyoming, etc.) represent organisms/events that do occur in the Mojave in some capacity, but I have not yet experienced or photographed (or gotten good enough photos to use) in the desert itself.

If it’s not on my lists, then I’ve never seen it in nature. However, I have not had the opportunity to personally photograph everything on my Life List (while in other extraordinary circumstances, I have been blessed not only to have seen something rare, but managed to snap off only a couple of lucky shots). In this regard, I utilize stock photos from the internet, under the precepts of Fair Use, to compliment for educational purposes otherwise poor or inadequate photographs of my own taking. I am not, after all, a photographer by trade or expertise (although I am getting better at it every day). Such photos are marked by a gold dot, which I intend to replace with my own photographs if/when opportunity favors me again in the future.

Descriptions are intentionally brief and approximate, as these are in many cases subjective (sizes, weights, colors, etc.). There are innumerable other resources available to inquire for more precise information, written by specialists in their fields (as geology, and more specifically mineralogy, is my area of expertise). I have also taken the liberty of using certain abbreviations for conservation of written space. These include NA (North America), SA (South America), CA (Central America—if I’m referring to California, you’ll know by context), “m” (male), “f” (female), "sw" (southwest), and so forth. The context should be obvious.

As I’ve collected/photographed much of this knowledge and experience over the course of many years, likewise I expect it will take me years to come to finally complete this project (if I live long enough!) and eventually compile into physical digests. Many of the intended sections are not yet populated, and clicking on an image will not evoke any response. There’s nothing wrong with your computer! I just haven’t gotten to it yet. By the same token, I recommend you check back often for additions and updates.

As a final note, I welcome feedback, anecdotes of person experiences, submissions…any interaction or inquiry is encouraged and appreciated. I hope this website fulfills your personal research, curiosity, and intellectual inquisitiveness.

Gary Miles Lehman