My eldest was following a cat through the back woods and found a collection of possum bones. This is the most complete skeleton that has been found on our property, there was even a vertebrae! The pelvis is a new find as well.

My eldest washed the bones, then soaked them in a 50:50 solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water for about 10 hours. When they are dry, the plan is to use them for a color wheel for a school project. Definitely my kid.

The term “desire path” is new to me. Merriam-Webster defines it as:

an unplanned route or path (such as one worn into a grassy surface by repeated foot traffic) that is used by pedestrians in preference to or in the absence of a designated alternative (such as a paved pathway)

I went down a whole rabbit hole of architecture choices both embracing desire paths (paving the chosen routes in an attractive manner), and rejecting desire paths (deliberate right angles and tempting grassy stretches with nasty little signs).

I have ventured back into my woods after my achilles tendon tear a year ago. My paths are mostly traversable especially where the critters have kept up use. They need a good trim, but I was surprised how well I could negotiate the way. The path pictured below didn’t start as a critter desire path, but was forged with the sweep of a motorized trimmer five years ago. The critters like it though.

No Ms Toad, you really wouldn’t like it inside, trust me. Nice try, though, sneaking around behind me as I came out the door, and making for the opening as I try to go back in. There are things in there that would curl your hair. Oh wait, my apologies, things that would give you bumps. Uh, more bumps.

I think it is the bright button eyes, the large head to body ratio, and the fuzzy appearance that make High Eyelashed Jumping Spiders so cute. I don’t mind bugs, but they don’t usually hit the “cute” note for me. This one does. It was also calm and inquisitive for the photoshoot, which I always appreciate.

Within a day of each other, I was able to capture photos of a giant moth and a giant butterfly. I’ve digitally captured this kind of moth before, but never this butterfly. These are both as wide as my outstretched hand (about 7-8”). Neat.