Recently, we found a tick on the shoulder of an 84 yo man who was being seen for an unrelated problem. A picture was taken through a dermatoscope.
It is clear to me that tick identification is complicated.
There is a helpful video on Tick Identification produced by the University of Maine. It may be helpful to send the tick to a state lab for definitive identification. This 30 second video (also from the State of Maine) describes tick removal and where to send the bugger for identification.
With regards to the tick pictured above, I am not certain if this is a deer tick or a dog tick. I will follow patient and share his office visit with his primary care physician.