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“There are five species of lichen in this image,” says photographer Bruce D. Taubert of his photo, which was made near Canyon Lake in Central Arizona. “Unfortunately, there are no common names, and the scientific names are almost unintelligible.” So, what exactly is lichen? Simply put, it’s a fascinating composite organism that is both fungal and plant-like in nature. Lichen’s outer skin is made of strands of fungal hyphae, or branching filaments. Its innards are interspersed with individual algae cells.

The North American Nature Photography Association has announced the top 250 images from its annual Showcase competition.

In Arizona, we look forward to autumn the way Minnesotans look forward to spring. It’s a change in temperature and a chance to be outside again. But, eventually, autumn leaves and winter starts creeping in. 

No, this isn’t a cat, even though it somewhat resembles one. Rather, this is a ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), which is actually more closely related to the raccoon. In Arizona, these nocturnal omnivores can be found in rocky habitats near water. According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, ringtails — the official state mammal — can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees, making them exceptional climbers. These tiny creatures live in dens, sometimes in tree hollows or abandoned mines, and thrive on fruit, lizards, snakes, birds, bird eggs and some small mammals.

Members of the family Riodinidae, Ares metalmark butterflies (Emesis ares) are found across Southern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico and Mexico and are prevalent in oak woodlands and washes. The butterflies — notable for their orange undersides, small black spots and white-and-gray fringe — thrive on flower nectar and typically emerge from their cocoons in July. Bruce D. Taubert photographed this metalmark on a blanket flower near Patagonia in Southern Arizona.