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A Birder

@a-birder.bsky.social

Into birding, nature study, photography, & conservation of nature. Photos are mine. Retired wildlife biologist πŸ’š I worked in VA & NC πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡² Protect public lands! iNat https://www.inaturalist.org/people/150629 eBird https://ebird.org/profile/MzgzNjQ4/US πŸ’™

1,859 Followers  |  476 Following  |  921 Posts  |  Joined: 22.11.2024  |  2.0719

Latest posts by a-birder.bsky.social on Bluesky

I think that Marchese was referring to AI and the potential it gives others to manipulate our feelings, but I'm not sure. I had the same question as you.

09.02.2026 02:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Michael Pollan Says Humanity Is About to Undergo a Revolutionary Change

A link to a gift article in the NYT that you may enjoy. It is an interview with author Michael Pollan.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/m...

08.02.2026 07:09 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Beautiful shot of this species! Many do not recognize it.

04.11.2025 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

It's wonderful when all the stars align!

04.11.2025 14:19 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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It's another beautiful day in #Virginia. Please #vote!

04.11.2025 13:07 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Pine Mt in SW Virginia

02.11.2025 08:13 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

You did a great job on that painting!

04.10.2025 22:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
This from Google AI:

The process for a white-tailed deer to complete the molt of its summer coat (and grow its winter coat) typically takes just a few weeks.

Key details about this seasonal change:

Timing: Deer generally begin shedding their thin, reddish-brown summer coat in August and September.

Speed: The entire process of shedding and replacing the coat is generally described as happening rapidly or in just a few weeks (often cited as two to three weeks).

Progression: The molt usually starts at the deer's head and progresses down the neck to the chest and sides, with the haunches and hind legs being the last to change.

Factors Affecting Rate: Deer that are in good physical condition tend to molt earlier and faster than those in poor condition. For example, does that are still nursing fawns may shed their coat later than bucks or non-lactating does because lactation is energetically very demanding, and molting also requires significant energy.

This from Google AI: The process for a white-tailed deer to complete the molt of its summer coat (and grow its winter coat) typically takes just a few weeks. Key details about this seasonal change: Timing: Deer generally begin shedding their thin, reddish-brown summer coat in August and September. Speed: The entire process of shedding and replacing the coat is generally described as happening rapidly or in just a few weeks (often cited as two to three weeks). Progression: The molt usually starts at the deer's head and progresses down the neck to the chest and sides, with the haunches and hind legs being the last to change. Factors Affecting Rate: Deer that are in good physical condition tend to molt earlier and faster than those in poor condition. For example, does that are still nursing fawns may shed their coat later than bucks or non-lactating does because lactation is energetically very demanding, and molting also requires significant energy.

This photo, taken on September 5th, shows the difference between summer and winter pelage color of white-tailed deer.
🦊 #Mammals #photography #wildlife

04.10.2025 19:49 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Save until you can buy one of the top-rated ones. It will add much to your birding experience.

04.10.2025 10:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I do!

30.09.2025 19:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A male Montezuma Quail showing his harlequin face pattern and bright spotted body plumage.

A male Montezuma Quail showing his harlequin face pattern and bright spotted body plumage.

A male Montezuma Quail showing his harlequin face pattern and bright spotted body plumage. The much plainer hen is in the upper right corner of the image.

A male Montezuma Quail showing his harlequin face pattern and bright spotted body plumage. The much plainer hen is in the upper right corner of the image.

This is not the greatest photo, but one I was so pleased to get. A pair of quail came down mid-morning to a waterhole on a mostly dried up creek near Portal, AZ. I had only heard Montezuma Quail and had fleeting glimpses of them flying before this encounter. πŸͺΆ #birds #photography #wildlife

26.09.2025 22:00 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
An Elegant Trogon perched on a branch showing its dark head, yellow bill, red eye-ring, and red belly. This neotropical migrant only comes into the USA in southern Arizona during the breeding season.

An Elegant Trogon perched on a branch showing its dark head, yellow bill, red eye-ring, and red belly. This neotropical migrant only comes into the USA in southern Arizona during the breeding season.

I had such better looks at Elegant Trogon this year than I had seen before. This is another species that just barely makes it into the states during the breeding season. πŸͺΆ #birding #photography #wildlife

26.09.2025 01:25 β€” πŸ‘ 45    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I donate photos and will look in my archives to see what might work for you. Any species that you are still looking for now, or do you have what you need?

25.09.2025 10:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A brilliant hummingbird perched on a shrub twig showing its red bill and iridescent green and blue plumage.

A brilliant hummingbird perched on a shrub twig showing its red bill and iridescent green and blue plumage.

I'm slowly making my way through photos from our western trip. Hummingbirds attract many birders to se. Arizona and I am no exception. This one is the Broad-billed Hummingbird, a tiny one found in the USA only in se. Arizona and sw. New Mexico. πŸͺΆ #birds #photography #wildlife

25.09.2025 00:29 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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From my morning walk today. #Fall is in the air. The leaves are colorful up on the mountain, though you can't really see it in this photo. #landscape #photography

24.09.2025 01:42 β€” πŸ‘ 51    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

He pretty well sums up my thoughts about what's happening here, For What It's Worth.

21.09.2025 22:57 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Congressman Crow Speaks on the Concerning State of US Politics & the Path Forward
YouTube video by Rep. Jason Crow Congressman Crow Speaks on the Concerning State of US Politics & the Path Forward
21.09.2025 22:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It is disappointing!

17.09.2025 02:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you for sharing the experience with your granddaughter! I have some of those coins in my collection.

17.09.2025 01:51 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Fall #wildflowers ironweed and spotted jewelweed.

17.09.2025 01:30 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Great photo! You even got the striping on the throat, one of the field marks separating Northern from Louisiana Waterthrush.

10.09.2025 17:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A Common Loon in the water shows its black head, red eye, black and white checkered back, and dark green breast below its collar. A stout bill and strong legs make this bird a fishing catching predator.

A Common Loon in the water shows its black head, red eye, black and white checkered back, and dark green breast below its collar. A stout bill and strong legs make this bird a fishing catching predator.

I saw some beautiful loon video while watching YouTube today and then remembered that I had some loon photos from a trip last year. I am seriously behind in sharing photos. I found it in my catalog and here is the result. πŸͺΆ #birds #photography #wildlife

10.09.2025 00:30 β€” πŸ‘ 81    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
A small warbler with a bright yellow head and black nape and bib perches in a mesquite in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.

A small warbler with a bright yellow head and black nape and bib perches in a mesquite in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.

The first Hermit Warbler that I saw was way in the top of a huge conifer on Mount Lemmon many years ago. This cooperative male hung around our campground last May in Cave Creek Canyon. It foraged in a blooming mesquite there for days. πŸͺΆ #birds #photography #wildlife #Arizona

09.09.2025 00:53 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
an old house that is falling apart with an old wood fence. There are 2 trees to the left of it and mountains in the background.

an old house that is falling apart with an old wood fence. There are 2 trees to the left of it and mountains in the background.

"Some people think that the truth can be hidden with a little cover-up and decoration. But as time goes by, what is true is revealed, and what is fake fades away."
-Ismail Haniyeh

πŸ’™πŸ‘πŸ’™ till next time

04.09.2025 03:22 β€” πŸ‘ 358    πŸ” 78    πŸ’¬ 9    πŸ“Œ 0

I hope it was some birder owling!

06.09.2025 09:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Rural Retreat birder Judy Moose found American Avocets at Rural Retreat Lake yesterday evening. She let me know as Marsha and I were headed out for an afternoon walk, so we went to the lake and saw these beautiful birds, a rarity here. Thank you, Judy! πŸͺΆ #birding #photography

06.09.2025 02:02 β€” πŸ‘ 34    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A portrait of a Steller's Jay perched on a pine branch in Rustler Park near San Simon, Arizona. The blue of the wings and back is not shown in this image, only seen here on its shoulders. Two white stripes of feathers on the forehead lead to a prominent crest on the crown.

A portrait of a Steller's Jay perched on a pine branch in Rustler Park near San Simon, Arizona. The blue of the wings and back is not shown in this image, only seen here on its shoulders. Two white stripes of feathers on the forehead lead to a prominent crest on the crown.

I was 13 when I first saw a Steller's Jay while camping at Philmont Scout Ranch. I had seen it in Peterson's field guide and hoped to see it there. Steller's Jay remains one of my favorite jays. πŸͺΆ #birding #photography #wildlife

04.09.2025 10:44 β€” πŸ‘ 109    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you for helping!

03.09.2025 02:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Beautiful light this evening at home, where we are enjoying the nighthawk migration. #goldenhour #landscape #photography

02.09.2025 23:13 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Chicago this Labor Day… Thousands fighting for what #WorkersDeserve

01.09.2025 17:29 β€” πŸ‘ 3007    πŸ” 872    πŸ’¬ 48    πŸ“Œ 29

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