We had three bridges to check. Today will be the second bridge we investigated.
A big ole beautiful American Elm draped with big ole grapevines! To get to the second bridge we were walking down the bank in the right-of-way (ROW).
Since it was passable we walked close to the private property fence. Thus I figured we might find more that way. The feral hog skull was the most interesting find. 🤷🏻♀️
So this bridge did not pass over an active creek. A little disappointing but perhaps something likes this habitat. This area supported a lot of Balloonvines.
The Cliff Swallows found it acceptable for their summer homes.
Did you notice the nests at the base of the column in the above photo. So they reminded me of a Ionic or a Corinthian Greek column. These mamas had a flare for architecture! Only the females build the nest.
Not to be out done, the Organ Pipe Mud Dauber had a spiffy cluster! Do you see the half dome nest on top of the mud dauber’s nest? I am hopeful it may be a Cave Swallow’s nest! Certainly I will have come back next spring to confirm. 🙂
Jeanne thought this one might be a Cliff Swallow’s nest and it could be. However I am sticking to the possibility and hope that it was a Cave Swallow’s. It fits the description sorta. Well, a good nature mystery is always fun! Both parents of the Cave Swallows build the nest. Plus they may come back and re-use it. Certainly we need to go back.
A nest within a nest! So it is not for certain if it was a Organ Pipe Mud Dauber’s or perhaps even Megachile bee. Another mystery!
Another skull! Looked happy. 😉
Last nest, an Eastern Phoebe’s. She was quite the architect or interior designer. Well maybe it would be an out-terior designer. LOL. It contained lichens (several species), fine fibers, and other unidentifiable parts.
Nested nests are neat!!
Thats a great colony of nests. Mud nests are so cool. I especially like the dauber nests in the nest. Or maybe it’s a bee nest.