Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus Undulatus), Taken October 6, 2024, In Georgia, US

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), taken March 9, 2025, in Georgia, US

I haven't been out in a few days, so have this month-old mockingbird lol. There's something about the composition of this photo that is just really nice. I love the lighting, and the way the mockingbird kind of blends into the background is visually appealing! This specific pair has made a nest in a tree next to my house, so we may get to see babies at the feeders this spring!

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), male, taken March 21, 2025, in Georgia, US

A fun new birding lifer for me! This guy was a pain to photograph, though that's only partially because he was flitting around constantly and mostly because the sun was making it hard to see if my camera was in focus or not :'). I got some nice pictures, though, and a video of him singing I have to review. This bird's song is so quiet that I'm not even sure my camera picked it up over the ambiance. It's like a whisper!

American Robin (Turdus migratorius), male, taken March 7, 2025, in Georgia, US

Possibly the most polite looking robin, ever? This guy looks like he's getting his yearbook photo taken! Robins are insanely photogenic. I don't think I'll ever get tired of photographing them simply because they always look great!

Red-shouldered Bug (Jadera haematoloma), taken April 4, 2025, in Georgia, US

Just a little guy posing for a picture! He seemed to be following the camera as I tried to get different angles. This insect has two adult morphs: long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous). The short-winged morph has, as you could infer, shorter wings that leave part of the abdomen exposed. I've seen both forms in a solitary setting, though this species apparently tends to have higher rates of short-winged adults when they live in groups. Less need for wings when you don't have to go anywhere to find a mate!

Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), taken April 23, 2025, in Georgia, US

A vibrant skink running up a tree to escape me! I found so many skinks while out yesterday, this being one of them! Normally, I rarely find lizards, but they were popping out of the woodworks for whatever reason—possibly trying to feed before the evening's storm arrived? Whatever the reason, I love to see them!

Fine-backed Red Paper Wasp (Polistes carolina), taken November 4, 2024, in Georgia, US

Sleeby!! A beautiful paper wasp drowsing on a yellowing leaf on a cool November evening. She barely reacted to my presence, likely due to the incoming cold. She was gone the next day, so she likely set out once the sun warmed her up the next morning!

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

The wrens and sparrows prefer this one specific area underneath two bushes for foraging. Luckily, if I sit in a specific spot, it's the perfect distance for them to feel comfortable while also being close enough that I can get decent pictures! The greenery brought on by the grass coming back in suits the sparrows well, I think!

Scarlet-bordered Assassin Bug (Rhiginia cruciata), taken April 25, 2025, in Georgia, US

A bit of an interesting lifer! I've been seeing these guys flying around me, but they either would never land or would spook too fast to get a good look. Fortunately, this guy landed right in front of me and politely stood still while I did my best to get pictures as the sun glared onto my camera display and made it impossible to tell if my image was in focus or not (horrific). This species is part of a subfamily referred to as millipede assassin bugs which, as the name would imply, exclusively prey on millipedes. They have evolved to specialize in hunting millipedes, possessing unique venom, mouthparts, and other physical features that allow them an advantage over other predators when hunting them. They're quite interesting, and may be the culprits of some millipede husks you find while digging through leaflitter!

WAUCE BLAST

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White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), taken February 10, 2025, in Georgia, US

A couple cuties posing at the bird bath! Sparrows just keep growing on me—I love it when they look over their shoulders at me 🥺