2022

Norumbega Reservoir, Weston, Massachusetts

This was one of two trips I went on with my fiance, while they were visiting me for the summer. This place was entirely their recommendation, and I'm happy they did, as it had been my most successful trip yet!

I'll start with a gray catbird.

Walking along the edge of the reservoir, we saw this guy pollinating a plant. You might think that's a bee, but it's actually a wasp!

These wasps are known as great golden digger wasps. Not only do they pollinate, but they're also known to be very docile and friendly to humans. I often show this image to people uninformed about wasps, who call them assholes and fantasize about killing them, to show that there is such a thing as a good wasp and we should treat these creatures with respect. Orange legs and a fuzzy face - what's not to love?

Another shot of the great golden digger, showing its more clearly wasp-like (and also very orange) abdomen.

It's becoming more common knowledge that birds are VERY smart. Many of these guys can understand the art of exchange, such as this cedar waxwing, who asked for our attention by posing on the fence in front of us, front and back, over and over, so that they may get some food as a reward.

Your more common and well-known bumblebee.

Here's that same cedar waxwing, to prove that they were following us around. I feel bad for them because we never expected this to happen, and didn't have any food for them - if we visit Norumbega in the future we'll be sure to bring something!

Ending with some mammals. Look at this nutria! It was bizarre seeing these for the first time. Chunky little guys.

This might be my favorite of all the bunny pictures I've taken, with the sunlight beaming onto its back and the little forest of shoots around it.