Scarlet-bordered Assassin Bug (Rhiginia Cruciata), Taken April 25, 2025, In Georgia, US

Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), taken September 15, 2024, in Georgia, US

Some of my favorite bee photos! I think I had my nicer lens on for these, so they turned out a bit higher quality than others. Taking pictures of bees moving frantically from flower to flower is hard enough already—add in needing to get close and it's near impossible because they run away! My more ranged lens is nice for insects like bees, butterflies, and dragonflies that are large enough to focus easily from afar and are too skittish for getting super close. These turned out pretty cute!

Eastern Subterranean Termites (Reticulitermes flavipes), taken February 26, 2025, in Georgia, US

Where there is wood, there is termites. This area of the woods with tons of dead pines is a buffet for them, so of course I found a ton of them lol. It's always interesting to watch them shy away from the light when exposed!

Crab Spiders (Genus Mecaphesa), taken April 12, 2025, in Georgia, US

Some crab spiders hiding underneath flowers! This is a known undescribed species, currently labeled "black tibia spot" (for obvious reasons) as far as I know. I see them pretty often hanging out, especially on fleabane flowers like this. Crab spiders are ambush predators, and most in the genus Mecaphesa lie in wait on similarly-colored flowers until a prey item (flies, beetles, and perhaps small bees) lands on it. The spider quickly overtakes its prey and hides underneath the petals of the flower to enjoy. A rather boring life for us, but these guys don't seem to mind!

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), taken March 21, 2025, in Georgia, US

A lovely dove cooing into the evening sun. Someone was on the other end of their song, likely a partner, and I could hear them calling back. Not only is this dove's call very calming, but—when you can find them—they're interesting to watch while calling! You can see in the second photo this dove puffing its neck feathers up and tucking its head in to call. It was both holding a conversation and keeping an eye on me in case I got any closer—professional multitasking!

Snake-headed Flatworm (Rhynchodemus sylvaticus), taken March 21, 2025, in Georgia, US

Takes your worm on a string and makes it SLIMY and BALD!!!!

Look at him. I love him. I showed him to my friend and was told he is pathetic, but that is just not the case. This is the ideal life form. With this, "would you love me if I was a worm" takes on a whole new meaning. Of course I would love you if you became this. With your stupid long nose and little light-sensing eyes. Perfect!!

Nosy Pill Woodlice (Armadillidium nasatum), taken February 26, 2025, in Georgia, US

A nice pill bug family of four, living the life underneath a log I flipped. They didn't do much, but I suppose I too would be stiff with terror if a giant flipped my dark, unmoving house over and exposed me to the elements! I put them back after I was done, and they probably went right back to whatever conversation they were having before I interrupted them, so no harm no foul!

Versute Sharpshooters (Graphocephala versuta), taken October 15, 2023, in Georgia, US

Some beautiful "red morph" versute sharpshooters looking all snug in some leaves! These photos were taken in their favorite little patch of plants—tall with long, tightly packed leaves for good protection and lots of surface area. I always find lots of G. versuta in there, though I often find G. coccinea (Red-banded Leafhopper) and many other assorted species of leafhoppers in the patch as well!

White-jawed Jumping Spider (Hentzia mitrata), juvenile male, taken March 9, 2025, in Georgia, US

I love this small baby man with his bald patch on his head... It's a little too early for it to be jumping spider season, but I'm still occasionally seeing juveniles out and about. As April comes in, the magnolia greens will begin reaching adulthood and breeding! Mitrata waits until a little later in the year, but that just means I get to see the awkward teens for longer!

Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata), female (top) & male (bottom), taken May 22, 2025, in Georgia, US

A beautiful pair of ebony jewelwings that were fluttering around each other! I wouldn't put it past them to be flirting lol. These pictures are a great side by side comparison of the sexual dimorphism of the species. Females are a dark metallic blue/green with a bold white spot on the apex of each of their four wings, while males are a brilliant metallic green with solid black wings. There are also slight morphological differences, but those are very hard to see unless you have a camera or the insect is very still, which jewelwings are not. I've just learned to remember that white spot = female!