Common Watersnake (Nerodia Sipedon), Juvenile, Taken May 22, 2025, In Georgia, US

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), taken March 11, 2025, in Georgia, US

A little sparrow frolicking in the moss and newly-sprouted grass. I could watch these guys for hours—they're just so charismatic! I especially like the dappled light of this spot, as it accentuates their camouflage. Rooting through the leaflitter under dappled sunlight, you'd be hard-pressed to find these guys!

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), male, taken February 27, 2025, in Georgia, US

A beautiful drinker!! This lovely male bluebird came to the bird bath for a few sips and stayed long enough for me to get some nice photos! His blue stands out against the tan and green background so nicely. In the video, he gets spooked at the end by a robin who flew away noisily overhead!

A reminder: if you were taught that mosquitoes in general are useless to the environment and could be eliminated “without consequence”, then you were taught incorrectly. People still regularly comment this silly notion on my posts with absolute confidence. Our goal is reducing risk to humans, NOT eliminating the dangerous animal altogether.

You don’t have to like irritating, gross, or dangerous animals (most people do not), but if you are ever arguing for the extinction of an entire animal species try to remember the natural world is unfathomably complex in ways none of us can predict.

Chaos

Stink Lacewing (Genus Chrysopa), taken April 2, 2025, in Georgia, US

A fresh new adult lacewing has graced this Earth! I almost walked right past him since he was at foot level on my boardwalk, hanging off an outlet box. As you can see, his wings are still drying and aren't fully expanded. Soon, they'll round out, harden, and he'll fly away in search of a mate!

Braconid Wasp (Family Braconidae), female, taken April 23, 2025, in Georgia, US

A elegant woman with an even more elegant butt-katana! This little lady was flitting around slowly in the wake of brief rainfall, likely cautious of flying, so she made an easy subject. My favorite types of wasps are ones who sit still and stare off into space for long periods of time—easy pickings!

Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), taken October 29, 2024, in Georgia, US

There is a thriving squirrel army in my backyard. On the days leading up to winter, there can sometimes be over a dozen inside the fence at once. This one stopped for a drink!

Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens), males, taken January 10, 2025, in Georgia, US

Year-round regulars at the feeders! They're always so full of personality. I can't wait to see the babies in the spring—they always look perpetually lost lol!

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), male, taken January 11, 2025, in Georgia, US

Nothing exciting, but I can't help but find this guy charming. His red feathers are dull and thus unattractive to a female, but I find the dull coloration nicer to look at than the bright red of other males. He's probably young and hasn't had the time to get super red. Hopefully he does soon—he needs to pick up chicks in the spring!!

Spine-headed Bugs (Acanthocephala terminalis), taken August 18, 2024, in Georgia, US

Two nymphs at different stages of life sharing a leaf! I believe there were actually three individuals on this same plant, but the third didn't fit into the frame so it got its own picture. This area is frequented by the adult forms of this species, especially when flowers are blooming, so it makes sense that there would be plenty of babies too!