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Page through the hundreds of photos in this remarkable Flickr pool, and you start to get the feeling that many of the Earth's smallest beasties just want to get a good look at their human neighbors. Image after image reveals insect, mammal, reptile, and bird in an inquisitive position, griping some person's index finger and gazing intently at the enormous creature that has hoisted it upwards. Big-eyed hamsters, bigger-eyed moths, and five (count 'em, five) red eyed tree frogs all appear to say, "Just let me take you in!" In some cases, though, the wee ones are too new or too busy to peek at their many-fingered photographer. And, of course, not everyone likes being handled in such a manner. We wouldn't want to meet this guy in a dark alley. Many of the insect portraits are worth special notice for their amazing Technicolor dream coats. These moths, ladybugs, and worms come dressed to the nines.

Finally, a webcam the whole family can enjoy. This nonprofit conservation group pokes cameras inside the nests of peregrine falcons, ospreys, eagles, and owls. You can watch the birds cozy up with their eggs or coddle their newly hatched chicks. Check the what's new page to see what the birds have been up to recently, and get the stats on each nest's occupants. At the Eyrie, you can read the project director's blog or peruse reports on bird banding and family trees. There's even downloadable falcon wallpaper and fact sheets for more details. If the birdcams intrigue you enough to want your own live version, you'll find instructions on building a nest box. You don't need binoculars to watch bird life -- you can do it from your computer.

Let your imagination soar as the birds that ruled America's skies more than a century ago live again in resplendent color. Here's a chance to glimpse into the artistic mind of legendary naturalist John James Audubon, as well as spy the bountiful menagerie he adeptly painted on an 11-year quest to capture American birds with life-size accuracy. Much more detailed than the era's photographic capabilities allowed, these 435 color plates depict species such as the Common Grackle, Hooded Warbler, and Bald Eagle in all their majesty. The original collection is enhanced by a whimsical Flash exhibit, which introduces you to both graceful and hardy creatures amid their natural habitats. While some of these beauties are no longer with us, their spirit and imprint on Audubon have been forever captured for future generations to admire.