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colinjchick.bsky.social
Colin Chick
@colinjchick.bsky.social
70 followers 70 following 680 posts
Tasmanian ASD dad with GAD, depression, and PTSD & six neuro-and-gender-diverse kids. Amateur photographer and film maker. Lower-case el liberal. Woke! He/Him
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colinjchick.bsky.social
“For Brianna”
The Tasmanian nativehen (or native-hen or native hen or Turbochook!) (Tribonyx mortierii), also known by its palawa kani name piyura, is a flightless rail and one of twelve species of birds endemic to Australia's island state of Tasmania.
Hobart Rivulet, South Hobart, Tasmania
A Tasmanian native hen and four dark, fluffy chicks forage on a sunlit grassy bank next to a calm stream. The adult bird, on the left, has brownish-grey plumage and a distinctive thick yellow beak, leaning down to peck at the ground. The chicks follow closely behind in a line, mirroring the adult’s foraging behavior. The background features lush green foliage and the reflective surface of the water.
January 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM
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“They had brought loaves of bread, butter, biscuits, jam, tins of fruit, ripe plums, bottles of ginger-beer, a kettle to make tea, and anything else they could think of! George and Julian staggered up the cliff with the heavy box.”
Isle of Caves, Tasmania
A wide landscape photograph of a small, rocky island in the middle of a deep blue sea under a clear, pale blue sky. The island is flat with sparse, low-lying vegetation and light-colored rocky terrain. In the distance, rolling hills and coastal cliffs of a larger landmass are visible beneath the horizon. A tiny white boat is seen on the water to the left of the island.
January 27, 2026 at 7:22 AM
colinjchick.bsky.social
“And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school, and take Turns - No, not you guys up the front! I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking. And Jack... Don't poop on the conch!”
Isle of Caves, Tasmania
An outdoor, eye-level, wide shot shows dozens of black and white seabirds perched on a jagged, brown rock formation on the edge of a deep blue sea under a bright blue, clear sky. In the foreground, dozens of white seabirds with black-tipped wings and yellow beaks are perched on the brown and tan rocky shore. In the midground, a dozen black and white seabirds with black heads and wings and white necks and bellies are perched on the larger, jagged, brown rocks. One black and white seabird is perched on a large, smooth, grey boulder on the left. In the background, two white seabirds with black-tipped wings are flying through the sky. One is in the top center, and the other is on the right. In the far background, the deep blue sea meets a dark green, tree-covered shoreline, and a light blue mountain range is visible under the bright blue sky. The lighting is bright and clear, and the shadows are soft.
January 26, 2026 at 7:05 AM
colinjchick.bsky.social
“Armus”
Distorted reflections on the Gordon River, Tasmania
A black-and-white, vertical photograph capturing high-contrast reflections on a rippling water surface. The water is covered in distorted, organic shapes and fluid lines, ranging from bright, shimmering whites to deep, velvety blacks. The overall effect is an abstract, metallic-looking texture that emphasizes the rhythmic movement of waves.
January 25, 2026 at 7:05 AM
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“Galerina Ballerina[s] IV”
Galerina(?) species of fungus, Kaoota Tramway Track, Tasmania
A macro photograph shows a tiny, delicate, bell-shaped mushroom with a light orange cap and stem, growing on a mossy, decaying log. The background is a bright blurry mix of gray and light colors, which makes the mushroom stand out.
January 24, 2026 at 12:12 PM
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“Michael Usnea Finnegan”
"Old Man's Beard" Lichen, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A close-up photograph of pale, greenish-white Usnea lichen (commonly known as "Old Man's Beard") hanging from a dark, textured tree branch. The lichen consists of intricate, hair-like branching structures with tiny horizontal fibrils. The background is softly blurred, showing muted brown and grey tones of a forest, highlighting the delicate, tangled texture of the lichen.
January 23, 2026 at 11:53 AM
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New Podcast episode out now!
open.spotify.com/episode/5LXw...

This week, Thomas and Colin watch the 2021 American action film, F9.

Thomas misses out on Ice Cream at MIT. Colin witnesses a mass beaching event, and is contaged with a strange icthyoviral enplaguenation.
F9
open.spotify.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:25 AM
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“Raincatcher”
Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea truncata), Mount Field National Park, Tasmania
A vibrant, top-down macro photograph of a Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea truncata). The flower features a dense, circular cluster of bright pinkish-red, tubular florets that curl outward like delicate ribbons. Small, glistening water droplets are scattered across the petals. The bloom is framed by a ring of dark green, leathery, serrated leaves, set against a softly blurred background of forest foliage.
January 22, 2026 at 5:08 AM
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“It'll Cost You Just Nicholls For a Lake View, Rayner Shine!”
Lake Nicholls, and a heavily-obscured Lake Rayner, viewed from the Mount Field East assent, Tasmania.
A high-angle view looking down from a rocky, lichen-covered ridge toward two blue lakes nestled within a dense forest. The primary lake is clearly visible in the center, while a second, smaller body of water is partially obscured by trees in the foreground to the right. In the distance, rolling blue mountain ranges stretch toward a bright sky filled with scattered white clouds.
January 21, 2026 at 6:24 AM
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“Short Back and Sides”
Richea pandanifolia (commonly known as Richea or Pandani), Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A tall, prehistoric-looking Richea pandanifolia (commonly known as Richea or Pandani) stands in a rugged, sub-alpine Tasmanian landscape. The plant features a thick, grey, textured trunk topped with a dense crown of long, tapering green leaves that curl at the tips. A "skirt" of dried, brown, downward-pointing dead leaves hangs just below the vibrant green crown. The background shows a rocky terrain with low-lying green shrubs and sparse eucalyptus trees under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
January 20, 2026 at 9:38 AM
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“Esau”
Lichen and moss microcosm, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A detailed overhead shot of a weathered rock covered in a diverse micro-ecosystem of moss and lichen. The top of the rock features a large, plush mound of olive-green moss with a feathery texture. Surrounding and overlapping the moss are intricate, pale silver-grey fruticose lichens that branch out like tiny, leafless shrubs or coral. Parts of the rock's dark, textured surface are exposed, while other areas are covered in a thin layer of dark brown, velvety moss. The background shows a forest floor with dry twigs and organic debris.
January 19, 2026 at 11:37 AM
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“Boulderdash AKA Word to the Wise: DON'T Drop Your Lens Cap Here!”
(Yes, after unstacking WAAAY too many boulders, almost hyperextending an arm, then returning the boulders to original(ish) positions, the lens cap was retrieved - thanks for the help, Helen!)
Mount Field East Ascent, Tasmania.
A wide-angle, eye-level landscape shot shows a vast, rocky mountain plateau under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. In the foreground, a large expanse of dark, lichen-covered grey rocks and boulders fills the lower right. Small patches of low-lying green and yellow shrubs grow among the rocks. In the middle ground, the rocky terrain gives way to a flatter, brownish-grey plain with sparse vegetation. In the background, a range of low, rolling mountains and hills, some with patches of snow on them, stretches across the horizon under the expansive sky.
January 18, 2026 at 9:10 AM
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“Beatties Tarn”
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A vertical landscape photograph captures a dense forest of thin, pale-trunked trees growing on a rocky hillside, perfectly mirrored in the still water of a lake below. The upper half of the image shows a steep slope covered in slender trees with white or light gray bark and clusters of yellowish-green leaves at their tops. The terrain is rugged, with gray rocks and low-lying shrubs visible between the trunks. In the lower half, the clear, dark water creates a painterly reflection of the forest, with the white vertical lines of the trunks and the golden-green foliage rippling slightly on the water's surface. The lighting is soft and even, highlighting the intricate textures of the bark and the glassy transparency of the lake.
January 17, 2026 at 10:03 AM
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“Lichen Subscribe XVI”
Lake Nicholls Track, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A medium-close shot of a dark tree branch covered in sprawling, pale-gray lichen. The lichen has a highly branched, intricate, and lacy structure that contrasts sharply against the rough, dark brown bark of the branch. The branch extends vertically through the frame, with soft-focus green foliage and other thin tree trunks visible in the background.
January 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
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WEEEEE'RE BAAAAAAACK!!!
open.spotify.com/episode/7sRe...

This week, Thomas and Colin watch the 1990 American psychological horror thriller film, Misery.
Thomas has a catastrophic Christmas Eve. Colin loses his non-existent notes. That's nice.

🧵
Misery
open.spotify.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:12 PM
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“Feed Me, Seymour!”
Mountain Caladenia orchid (Caladenia alpina), Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A close-up, top-down shot shows a single, delicate Mountain Caladenia orchid (Caladenia alpina) in sharp focus against a blurred, earthy background of brown leaves and twigs. It features four slender, pale pinkish-white petals radiating outward like a star. At the center is a small, hooded "column" with a vibrant, fuzzy magenta cap and dark purple stripes on the interior. The stem is thin and out of focus, rising from the forest floor.
January 15, 2026 at 11:23 AM
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“Falkor”
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A detailed, close-up photograph of a dead tree branch with weathered, silvery-grey bark. The wood features deeply grooved, undulating grain patterns that swirl around a natural hollow or knot in the lower-left. The texture is rough and desiccated, showing a mix of bone-white highlights and dark grey shadows, with small fragments of brown inner bark visible within the central cavity.
January 14, 2026 at 7:09 AM
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“Tassie's Briar Patch”
Richea scoparia, a species of plant endemic to Tasmania, commonly referred to as the honey bush or simply scoparia to many bushwalkers. Richea scoparia and Niveoscincus microlepidotus (snow skink) form a unique interaction, where N. microlepidotus aids in 🧵
A cluster of vibrant pink Scoparia (Richea scoparia) flower spikes rises from a dense, prickly shrub in the Tasmanian highlands. The flowers are packed into tight, candle-like cylinders, with many still covered by their protective caps. The plant's stiff, sharp-pointed green leaves are visible at the base of the blooms, set against a backdrop of sun-drenched alpine heath.
January 13, 2026 at 5:53 AM
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“Affirmative, mistress!”
A small segment of the view South-ish from Mount Field East; the most obvious pointy bit is Mount Sarah Jane, 39km away.
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A wide landscape shot of several layers of blue-toned mountain ranges under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, a dark, rocky ridge is covered in sparse, scrubby vegetation. Behind it, the mountains transition into various shades of misty blue, with one prominent peak rising to a sharp, triangular point on the right side. The sky above is filled with soft, white cumulus clouds against a pale blue background.
January 12, 2026 at 7:04 AM
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“My Love for Heathcliff Resembles the Eternal Rocks Beneath: a Source of Little Visible Delight, But Necessary.”

A floral menagerie of native alpine heathland plants below the rocky climb to the summit of Mount Field East, Tasmania.
A high-angle, close-up shot of dense, wild alpine vegetation featuring a mix of textures and colors. The scene is dominated by low-growing shrubs with sharp, needle-like green leaves. Interspersed throughout are clusters of small, bell-shaped pink flowers growing on upright stalks, alongside patches of tiny, delicate white blossoms. The plants are tightly packed together, creating a rich, natural tapestry of mountain flora.
January 11, 2026 at 7:05 AM
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“The Other Sheltinack's [Mountain Pink]berry Shrub is Always a More Mauvey Shade of Pinky Russet”

Leptecophylla parvifolia, commonly known as the mountain pinkberry, is a small to medium sized shrub in the family Ericaceae that is endemic to the highlands of Tasmania.
Mount Field National Park.
A close-up photograph shows a branch of a Mountain Pinkerry (Leptecophylla parvifolia) shrub. The branch is densely covered in small, needle-like green leaves that grow in prickly clusters. Scattered along the stem are numerous fleshy, vibrant bubblegum-pink berries with slightly dimpled surfaces. A few tiny, delicate white bell-shaped flowers are also visible among the sharp foliage. The background is a soft, out-of-focus earth tone.
January 10, 2026 at 8:18 AM
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“Come back here and take what's coming to you. I'll bite [or scratch] your legs off!”
Beautiful, but viciously spiky and scratchy on shins, Richea scoparia (also known as Dracophyllum persistentifolium, apparently) is endemic to Tasmania.
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A close-up, eye-level shot of a Richea scoparia plant, commonly known as the Honeybush. The central focus is a vertical, spire-like flower spike featuring bright pink, capsule-shaped buds nestled within sharp, yellowish-green bracts. The spike rises from a dense backdrop of stiff, needle-like green leaves that radiate outward in star-shaped clusters. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the waxy texture of the pink buds and the prickly, architectural form of the alpine shrub.
January 9, 2026 at 2:01 PM
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“Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering Heights”
The Mount Field East Track zigzags its way across Windy Moor, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
An aerial, high-angle shot shows a narrow, wooden boardwalk snaking through a vast, rugged moorland. The boardwalk is built in a sharp, jagged zigzag pattern, resembling a lightning bolt as it stretches from the bottom foreground toward the distant, hazy hills at the top of the frame. The surrounding terrain is a mix of brown, olive, and tan low-lying shrubs, moss, and rocky patches, with a few small, blue pools of water scattered nearby. The overall landscape feels remote, wild, and expansive.
January 8, 2026 at 6:19 AM
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“Weathering With You”
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.
A close-up, black and white photograph showcasing the intricate, swirling grain of weathered wood. The texture is deeply grooved with organic, flowing lines that ripple across the frame, punctuated by two prominent dark knots and deep vertical cracks. The high-contrast monochrome highlights the rough, aged surface of the timber.
January 7, 2026 at 7:04 AM
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“Tanglefoot”
Australia has just one true temperate deciduous native tree — the deciduous beech or Fagus (Nothofagus gunnii), endemic to Tasmania. Also known as Tanglefoot, due to its twisted, ground-hugging, trip-hazard branches. This image of a Fagus' small leaves was taken near Lake Fenton.
A close-up, top-down view of the vibrant green, fan-shaped leaves of a Fagus gunnii (Deciduous Beech), also known as "tanglefoot." The small, rounded leaves feature deep, parallel ridges and scalloped edges, growing along thin, brownish woody stems against a blurred, earthy background.
January 6, 2026 at 7:25 AM