Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio Calendula), Taken February 10, 2025, In Georgia, US

Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta), female, taken April 28, 2024, in Georgia, US

A lovely young lady! I believe she's still subadult because she isn't very dark yet, but she's still beautiful! Orchard Orbweavers can be identified by the orange smiley face on the ventral (under) side of their abdomen, which you can see a bit of in this image. They're one of the most common orbweavers in my area—absolutely all over grasses and shrubs during the spring!

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), taken January 23, 2025, in Georgia, US

Very small, and very very round. Some days the wrens here look more sphere than bird. That's part of their charm!

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), female, taken March 7, 2025, in Georgia, US

A woodpecker sitting like a perching bird for once in its life... These guys are so funny to watch, especially when they sit on the feeder perches and look around them, flinging their whole body in every direction to get all the best angles. It's quite impressive, honestly, even if they look ridiculous doing it!

Spiny Assassin Bug (Sinea spinipes), taken May 5, 2025, in Georgia, US

Spiny, indeed! Look at those legs! The nymphs of this species are mostly black with a yellow abdomen, quite different from the brown camouflage of adults. If you're not looking closely, adults can be overlooked at a brown spot on leaves or part of tree bark. They're quite good at what they do! I usually only find nymphs, so finding this adult hiding in the leaves was a nice treat!

Cuckoo Wasp (Family Chrysididae), taken May 5, 2025, in Georgia, US

I fear my photography career has peaked with this one. I don't think I've ever seen anything so cute in my life. This little lady was simply just sleeping on the stem of a leaf, completely unaware of the fact that I was frantically taking as many pictures of her as possible. In the end, she put out a single antenna to sense me better but never ended up moving, so I'd say my attempt to not disturb her was successful! I had no idea cuckoos slept like this—it's adorable!!! One billion more, please!!

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), taken April 27, 2024, in Georgia, US

Some of my proudest bird pictures (so far)! This was the first time I took out my current camera to test it on the birds, and this catbird and a white-throated sparrow got really close for some water! When I tell you I scrambled to get the bird in focus, I fucking scrambled. It worked out in the end!

Taurus Mason Bee (Osmia taurus), taken March 18, 2025, in Georgia, US

Hard at work...admiring a rock? I'm honestly not sure what these guys are doing, possibly removing fine sediment from the rocks? There are dozens flying along the stones on the edge of my creek banks. The best guess I have is that they're collecting fine sand or dirt to do their "mason" work with. They're quite shy, but if I sit still enough, they'll come check out the rocks near me!

Flatid Planthopper (Family Flatidae), nymph, taken May 18, 2025, in Georgia, US

A little planthopper nymph on a blackberry stem! I'm not very good with IDing flatid planthopper nymphs, as most of them look generally the same. That's alright, though, because this nymph is cute regardless! I'm not sure how people get nice group photos of them—I only ever find nymphs alone. Maybe one day I'll be blessed with a giant cluster in an easy to photograph location. That's the dream...

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!

Eastery Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), taken January 23, 2025, in Georgia, US

Just a little guy trying to stay warm. This picture shows off its soft underbelly quite nicely—it looks so comfortable! With how cold it is right now and the regular presence of several hawks in the backyard, there are few squirrels visiting the feeders. I never thought I'd say it, but I actually kind of miss them!