Citrine Forktail (Ischnura Hastata), Female, Taken April 24, 2025, In Georgia, US

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), male (top) and Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) (bottom), taken June 27, 2024, in Georgia, US

Whenever I look at these photos, I always like to put them next to each other to compare. In terms of woodland birds, these two could be considered opposites of one another, being arguably the most famous blue and red birds of North America, at least in the east!

Seeing as these were taken in about the same pose, at the same distance, it's also a good comparison of anatomy and size. I don't think it really hits home how much bigger jays are than cardinals until you see it yourself in person. There was a long period of my childhood that I considered the two equals, and learning that the jay was much larger was a big surprise later on!

White-jawed Jumping Spider (Hentzia mitrata), female, taken April 22, 2025, in Georgia, US

A cute female jumper who thinks she's hiding from me! I absolutely adore this species—they're my little locals. I'm seeing lots of adult males about, so they're preparing to breed soon! Juveniles of this genus are usually unable to be IDed to species until they begin to gain their adult colors. H. mitrata juveniles retain their white legs while H. palmarum (Common Hentz Jumping Spider) and most others in the genus develop brown front legs and brown or black patterning as opposed to orange.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), taken June 28, 2024, in Georgia, US

Pondering, I believe. Sometimes life is just sitting on the edge of the bird bath and overlooking the koi pond a few feet ahead.

Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), juvenile, taken September 2, 2024, in Georgia, US

I found this little guy while flipping rocks in my creek looking for salamanders! I'm obsessed with how the water makes his face look angry while he's submerged, but he's adorable and friendly looking when he pokes his head out. I don't see enough snakes! Literature says they're all around me, but clearly they don't want to be friends because they never show themselves!!

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), taken March 9, 2025, in Georgia, US

Despite how common they seem to be for many other people, this is the first time I've ever seen a junco! It approached me from behind and I only realized it was there because I happened to see it out of the corner of my eye. I barely got a look before it flew off, so I had no idea what it was, only that it wasn't a bird I'd seen before. It took me another 10 minutes before I even saw it again, then another 5 or so for it to end up behind me where it started. In the end, I was able to get a good picture!

Parasitic Wasp (Family Platygastridae), taken April 2, 2025, in Georgia, US

A tiny wasp! This girlie is...very small. I happened to see her land whilst waiting for a nomad bee to resurface from underneath the leaflitter (he never did). She sat still for a long time, so I took the opportunity to try to get some pictures! These are pretty good for her size, especially considering how shaky my hands are lol. I found a different wasp later and the leaf she was on was moving so much that I just had to shoot complete blind and pray I got something in focus. It was terrible. Compared to that, this wasp was an angel!

Bristle Millipede (Genus Polyxenus), taken March 21, 2025, in Georgia, US

A tiny, spiky millipede! Despite this guy's small size, this is actually the largest bristle millipede I've seen. Usually I find juveniles, which just look like fluffy balls due to them having less segments. On this guy, however, you can see the individual rows of bristles lining each segment!

Domestic Cat (Felis catus), taken March 11, 2025, in Georgia, US

Random cat that lives in my neighborhood, probably a neighbor's. We have a few outdoor cats and strays that we see occasionally. This is the newest one. I almost poured water on it the night before because it was hiding in the shadows when I dumped aquarium water from my water change off the back deck! I apologized and clearly there's no hard feelings because it seemed very relaxed around me when I saw it again! Despite it roaming free, it's a really pretty cat!

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!

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), taken April 1, 2025, in Georgia, US

Preening time! This dove sat and preened vigorously for several minutes, likely staying pretty for his partner! I love seeing the doves all puffed up like this. The local pairs will often sit in the morning sun all puffed up and warming up for the day—their little morning date :)