Nature Giveth

Mother Nature's delicate balance is evident this spring.
We can't often "read the signs", but signs do exist.

She giveth and she taketh away.

First the sad evidence.
This magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk was found lying dead near my vegetable garden.
There were no signs it had been in a vicious fight--with the numerous Bald Eagles that roam the valley's skies--and no other signs of trauma were evident to this inexperienced birder.

It was wet from a brief rainstorm, but no other signs of trauma were seen.

And the next day, this magnificent Bumblebee appeared to be having difficulties.

Not "pollen laden", it wasn't clear why he had difficulty standing up. 

The bumblebee, after an hour, couldn't be found so I'm unsure if it regained flight.
I hope so.

And to end on a happier note, here's a photo of two snails, presumably during part of their copulation process.

Two Gastropods (snails) found in the yard

So...do snails have live births or lay eggs?

They lay eggs, to put it simply, but the reproduction process is entirely complex.  And some are even Hermaphrodites, which is explained thus:
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has complete or partial reproductive organs and produces gametes normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which either partner can act as the "female" or "male." For example, the great majority of tunicates, pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails, earthworms and slugs are hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish species and to a lesser degree in other vertebrates. Most plants are also hermaphrodites.


How intricate and lovely are the shells of our land-based snails!

It's sad indeed when Mother Nature takes a magnificent specimen such as a Red-Tailed Hawk or Bumblebee.

And then one feels joy at seeing the two Snails mating.