fangs

I'd be the first to tell you I like my nature untidy. But that comes with issues.

the only reason this snake was visible was a lack of ground cover, and it was still using all that was available. I only saw him because I was low to the ground doing push ups.He left quietly on his own shortly afterwards. Snakes have learnt not to be too sociable.

He is probably always around in the leaves, and invisible. He broke cover to take advantage of a cold wall and some shade from the high heat.

Of course, most people try to control nature too much, with bad consequences. This bee was dead and "trembling" likely a sign of neonicotinoids, a non discriminating form of pesticide. This guy was not the target, but suffered along with the aphids that were targeted. Many other pollinators seem to be fine, though

 these are a mixture of flies, wasps, and bees. On a clump of sunflowers. There were many other wasps that looked spectacular, but wouldn't hold still enough for a portrait.

Of course, in Corrales we are lucky to have this nature all around us, free for the looking. The city of Albuquerque has wilderness, but this is a local area of wetlands.

there is also a lot of wildlife, but it just isn't as pretty. There are a few bats in these overpasses as well.

 Some places are likely prettier, too. Like Shady Lakes, which blows me away whenever I visit there.

a juvenile whiptail. Easy to catch; their brains haven't come in yet.

the main pond had juvenile frogs in it. All trying to avoid the bass lurking in the depths. The smaller pools without bass had the big frogs.

these ramshorn snails thrive in the still, clear, weed choked water.

 as do these amphipods.