Perched on a dead branch, the Great Crested Flycatcher peers down upon the land seeking to satisfy one of its needs: to eat or mate. Spotting a familiar site, the majestic bird swoops down upon the unsuspecting female. "Hey Nancy, wanna hook up again?"
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Nature #Photography

Arriving north after a long migration, the Song Sparrow perused his old haunts with a clear sense of purpose. All would know to whom this territory belonged. He lifted his head and let out a mighty Madge-Madge-Madge, put-on-your-tea-kettle-ettle-ettle
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Nature #Photography

What's that I hear? Is that the telltale mating song of my mate? I just laid our last egg, and he's already out trying to attract some American Redstart hussy to raise another clutch! Well good luck to her. He'll be doing double time feeding us now.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Nature #Photography

OK kids. I know it's been a fun summer, but now that you are grown up and left the nest like big Blue Jays I'm afraid that your father and I have to cut you off. You can always come back to visit and taste some home acorns, but it's time to move on.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Nature #Photography

Hey ducky, now that your summer brood is all grown up, what do you say about us Mallards settling down together?
Oh drake, you're so predictable. Just don't pretend you won't skedaddle as soon as the eggs hatch. I don't need your drama.
Deal!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Ducks #Nature #Photography

Woah, did you feel that?! I think there’s an Amblysellus curtisii nearby vibrating my name. Wait, no that’s my stomach rumbling. This cushion is throwing me off my game. Let’s go back to the grass where we can get a drink and meet some ladies.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature #Photography

Shake, shake. Do you feel my vibrations, baby? Sniff, sniff. Do you smell my pheromones? Wait, something’s coming, you might smell more than pheromones. Squirt, squirt. Taste Brown Marmorated Stink Bug predator! Ha! Ok, where were we? Baby?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature #Photography

You know, we should probably reproduce. What do you say algae? Let’s gather together some of your cells with my fungal filaments into soredia and see if the wind will blow them to that tree. It looks like it could use some Rosette Lichen. Fun!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Fungi #Lichens #Nature #Photography

You can’t see me, but I’m here. I’m Phytoplasma fraxini. You might know me as Ash Yellows Phytoplasma or more likely that strange growth on the ash tree. That’s just what happens when I get into the phloem. Sorry. It’s where I live.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Nature #Bacteria #Plants #Insects #Photography

I can’t believe I’m a foundress of my very own Two-spotted Bumble Bee colony! OK, first let’s forget that rotting log I hibernated in and find a nice hole in the ground. Then start making some female workers! I better fuel up for this.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Bees #Insects #Nature #Photography #Flowers

They say I’m Lindley’s Aster, but I only met John Lindley once and he’s been dead since 1865. Northern Heart-leaved Aster is a bit utilitarian and Ciliolate Aster just sounds silly. Just call me Aster. Who cares which one?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Flowers #BloomScrolling #Nature #Photography #Gardening

Who dares to seek the nectar of Closed Bottle Gentian?! Only the strongest of pollinators may breach my petals and taste the bounty within. You, bumblebee, have the look of such a champion. Come forth and claim your prize.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Flowers #BloomScrolling #Nature #Photography #Gardening

Fly right up, fly right up! Hello Mr. calligrapher and welcome to Frost Aster. Help yourself to some nectar. I know it’s getting chilly at night and you need something sweet to see you through. Don’t be shy. Tell your friends
#NonHumanNeighbours #Flowers #BloomScrolling #Nature #Insects #Photography

Robber Fly, Assassin Fly…why am I always cast as the bad guy fly? I’m Shiny-sided Bladetail, doesn’t that sound like the hero in a story? Sure I’m an aerial predator that eats other flies and mates on the wing with abandon, but is that so bad?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Flies #Nature #Photography

Hi Lavern, how’s the sap flowing?
Pretty good, Stacey. How are the kids?
Well, Lucy is right there next to your Suzy. They look fine.
Yep. Expect to see some honeydew coming from them soon.
(The life of European Fruit Lecanium Scale insects)
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature #Photography

Hey…so, green algae, I know we’ve got this great partnership going as Star Rosette Lichen and everything, but I think it’s time for me to make some spores and sexually reproduce as a fungus. I swear my offspring will hook up with more algae!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Lichen #Fungi #Nature #Photography

Hi there. I’m Old World Dome Sheetweaver. If you’re like me, you might still yearn for the old country back in Europe. The culture, the pace of life, the tasty midges. If so, let’s chat. I’d love to share a web hammock and reminisce
#NonHumanNeighbours #Spiders #Inverts #Insects #Nature #Photography

I can’t believe it’s mating season already! I am so nervous about going to the lek tonight. Are my abdominal spots elliptical enough? Will a foundress pick me? I have so many questions. You can do this European Paper Wasp. Get ready to fight.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Wasps #Nature #Photography

I’ve lived a good life. Supporting my queen. Cleaning, waxing, foraging. I am but one Western Honey Bee. A single cell of the greater colony. Now my days are getting colder. I won’t make the winter colony cluster. Maybe one last forage
#NonHumanNeighbours #Bees #Insects #Inverts #Nature #Photography

I love the smell of White Vervain in the morning. When the humidity is just right and my hyphae can spread across the leaf tops. I’m Golovinomyces verbenae, powdery mildew to my friends. Not that I have many friends. Just the wind, shade and this leaf.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Fungi #Nature #Photography