Sharon Beals is a San Francisco based photographer who has photographed nest and eggs specimens collected over the last two centuries at The California Academy of Sciences, The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, and The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology. While few nests are collected today, these nests and eggs are used for research, providing important information about their builder’s habitats, DNA, diseases and other survival issues.

Dressed in folk costumes, young women decorate a tree with painted Easter eggs in Dombrad, Hungary, Monday, April 5, 2021. (Photo by Attila Balazs/MTI via AP Photo)

Shooting star by Tony Wu, US/Japan. Winner, underwater. The electrifying reproductive dance of a giant sea star. As the surrounding water filled with sperm and eggs from spawning sea stars, Wu faced several challenges. Stuck in a small, enclosed bay with only a macro lens for photographing small subjects, he backed up to squeeze the undulating sea star into his field of view. The dancing posture of spawning sea stars rising and swaying may help release eggs and sperm, or may help sweep the eggs and sperm into the currents where they fertilise together in the water. Kinko Bay, Japan. (Photo by Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

A decorated dish of rice with spinach sauce and egg white is seen at a Hello Kitty-themed Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong, China May 21, 2015. The world's first Chinese-style restaurant dedicated to the Japanese cartoon has been packed out daily despite not officially opening until June 1, 2015. The eatery features some 37 dishes such as dim sum and fried rice, often served in the shape of the girl-cat. (Photo by Bobby Yip/Reuters)

Animal rights activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stage a “die-in” to mark World Vegan Day in Piccadilly Circus in London, Monday, November 1, 2021. The demonstration sought to draw attention to the suffering and death of animals in the meat, egg and dairy industries. (Photo by David Cliff/AP Photo)

A participant holds his dog as colored powder is thrown into the air during the Color Run in Lausanne, Switzerland, 12 September 2015. The international 5km running event is inspired by the Hindu Holi spring festival of colors. (Photo by Valentin Flauraud/EPA)

Revellers take part in the Els Enfarinats festival, in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, Tuesday December 28, 2021. For about 200-years the inhabitants of Ibi annually celebrate with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers, outside the city town hall. (Photo by Alberto Saiz/AP Photo)

Revellers take part in the Els Enfarinats festival, in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, Saturday December 28, 2019. For about 200-years the inhabitants of Ibi annually celebrate with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers, outside the city town hall. (Photo by Alberto Saiz/AP Photo)