Northerlyy - Terminally Insane About Animals. It's Contagious.

Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus), adult (top) and juvenile (bottom), taken March 7, 2025, in Georgia, US

More hawk news... It seems as though one of the juveniles was able to chase the other out of this area and has staked a claim on the woods here. I've been seeing the red-tailed hawks less, and today the victorious juvenile showed up with a partner who already has adult plumage! I haven't seen adults here in at least a couple years, so this is a good sign that these two will be nesting this spring. It's fairly unusual for a hawk without adult plumage to be breeding, but definitely not unheard of and can still result in a successful brood!

The adult hawk was not happy with me taking pictures and flew to a further branch when I went outside. As usual, the juvenile was much more tolerant of my presence (likely used to my dumb ass at this point) and let me get closer before the adult called for it. It then joined the adult in a tree where they began calling together. Hopefully they nest somewhere close enough that I can monitor their progress. I'd love to see their babies once they fledge!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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 🥺

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!

Pine Flower Weevil (Cimberis pilosa), taken April 1, 2025, in Georgia, US

Liftoff!! While I was photographing birds, this guy landed on my hand and spent a few minutes with me. I actually took him into my house to grab my macro lens and got it on just in time to catch him leaving! You can see that he's covered in pine pollen, as his name would imply. He's likely off to the next pine tree!

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), taken March 7, 2025, in Georgia, US

Just a nervous guy looking for seeds under the feeders. Surprisingly, he was one of few who didn't take off when I initially went outside to find my spot, so I was actually able to get decent dove pictures for once. Most of them involved him peeking his head above the rocks to look at me like in the second photo, though!