If you've ever doubted that nature knows best, then you might want to check out these giant nests in Southern Africa's Kalahari Desert. Built by sociable weavers out of dry grass, twigs, and straw and then lined with fur, cotton, fluff and other soft materials, each nest provides lodging for a colony of weavers as well as owls, eagles, and falcons.

Captured by South African photographer Dillon Marsh, these fantastic photographs depict the many designs employed by sociable weavers to build sturdy nests that are safe from intruders such as cobras and tree snakes. They are also nice cool during the day, and stay warm during cold desert nights.

A University of Stellenbosch graduate, Marsh is currently interested in landscape photographer who seeks out anomalies that can be arranged in a photographic series. Assimilation depicts scores of intricate weaver’s nests atop utility poles in Southern Africa. Colonies of sociable weavers have been known to stay attached to one particular nest for up to 100 years, according to The San Diego Zoo.

+ Dillon Marsh Photography

Via This is Colossal