July 1, 2023 was a hot, hot day in Louisiana. I and a number of like-minded folks had been out in the sun counting butterflies at Black Bayou Lake NWR for much of the day. Now we were headed back toward air-conditioned vehicles to take us back to the air-conditioned headquarters to tally our count and refresh ourselves.

Perhaps that is why I almost walked past this amazing work of art, architecture, and life without seeing it, even though it hung at eye-level in a small shrub. Of course, it was also well-shrouded by the leaves of the shrub, but a breeze parted them at just the right moment for me to get a glimpse of Spirit.

Note: It is most likely the nest of a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) or an Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius).