Courtney Ellis
@courtneyellis.bsky.social
author. birder. pastor married to a pastor. author of Weathering Change, Looking Up, and Uncluttered. host of The Thing with Feathers podcast, about birds and hope. stubbornly kind.
Pinned
Creation is constantly in flux—seasons, tides, migration, life cycles. Witnessing the ways nature weathers change offers wisdom in how we might do the same.
So excited to announce my new book, Weathering Change. Preorder yours today!
So excited to announce my new book, Weathering Change. Preorder yours today!
When Daryl says, “Want to do a quick birding stop on the way home?” you say yes, even if you aren’t wearing proper footwear.
November 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
When Daryl says, “Want to do a quick birding stop on the way home?” you say yes, even if you aren’t wearing proper footwear.
What’s your post-Thanksgiving read?
November 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
What’s your post-Thanksgiving read?
What bird are you most thankful for?
Besides turkey, that is.
Besides turkey, that is.
November 28, 2025 at 3:03 AM
What bird are you most thankful for?
Besides turkey, that is.
Besides turkey, that is.
I keep every recipe I love in an open tab on my phone so that I can find it again, and apparently… there are better ways to do this?
November 27, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I keep every recipe I love in an open tab on my phone so that I can find it again, and apparently… there are better ways to do this?
Ordering books for Christmas?
Consider buying them from an independent bookstore. Might I suggest Nooks? It’s owned by two writers in Lancaster, PA (Shawn and Maile) and they're WONDERFUL. Free shipping over $35 and they can order any book you want if they don’t have it.
bookshop.org/shop/Nooks
Consider buying them from an independent bookstore. Might I suggest Nooks? It’s owned by two writers in Lancaster, PA (Shawn and Maile) and they're WONDERFUL. Free shipping over $35 and they can order any book you want if they don’t have it.
bookshop.org/shop/Nooks
Nooks Bookshop
Nooks is an independent children’s bookshop & gallery located on Gallery Row in Lancaster, PA. We specialize in a curated selection of illustrated picture books and toys for children, as well as f...
bookshop.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Ordering books for Christmas?
Consider buying them from an independent bookstore. Might I suggest Nooks? It’s owned by two writers in Lancaster, PA (Shawn and Maile) and they're WONDERFUL. Free shipping over $35 and they can order any book you want if they don’t have it.
bookshop.org/shop/Nooks
Consider buying them from an independent bookstore. Might I suggest Nooks? It’s owned by two writers in Lancaster, PA (Shawn and Maile) and they're WONDERFUL. Free shipping over $35 and they can order any book you want if they don’t have it.
bookshop.org/shop/Nooks
There are loud bumps and jolts coming from the roof above the church office and I have been informed that it’s the Heating Repair service and not, in fact, Santa.
November 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
There are loud bumps and jolts coming from the roof above the church office and I have been informed that it’s the Heating Repair service and not, in fact, Santa.
Our three Thanksgiving table questions:
1) who is someone outside our family you’re thankful for?
2) what is one experience from this year you’re thankful for?
3) what is one thing you are grateful to have learned this year?
1) who is someone outside our family you’re thankful for?
2) what is one experience from this year you’re thankful for?
3) what is one thing you are grateful to have learned this year?
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Our three Thanksgiving table questions:
1) who is someone outside our family you’re thankful for?
2) what is one experience from this year you’re thankful for?
3) what is one thing you are grateful to have learned this year?
1) who is someone outside our family you’re thankful for?
2) what is one experience from this year you’re thankful for?
3) what is one thing you are grateful to have learned this year?
Drove through a friend’s neighborhood past a man in a turkey costume—tights and everything—walking alone.
My kids: *staring*
Turkey: *slowly holds up a peace sign with two feathered fingers*
My kids: *hysterical laughter*
Peace Turkey has entered the family lore.
My kids: *staring*
Turkey: *slowly holds up a peace sign with two feathered fingers*
My kids: *hysterical laughter*
Peace Turkey has entered the family lore.
November 26, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Drove through a friend’s neighborhood past a man in a turkey costume—tights and everything—walking alone.
My kids: *staring*
Turkey: *slowly holds up a peace sign with two feathered fingers*
My kids: *hysterical laughter*
Peace Turkey has entered the family lore.
My kids: *staring*
Turkey: *slowly holds up a peace sign with two feathered fingers*
My kids: *hysterical laughter*
Peace Turkey has entered the family lore.
And we make it earlyyyyyyy
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 AM
And we make it earlyyyyyyy
What’s your most unhinged Thanksgiving food tradition?
We make carrots. In jello.
We make carrots. In jello.
November 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
What’s your most unhinged Thanksgiving food tradition?
We make carrots. In jello.
We make carrots. In jello.
We’re making salmon for Thanksgiving. There are no actual food rules. You can do what you want.
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We’re making salmon for Thanksgiving. There are no actual food rules. You can do what you want.
I love the little logical inconsistencies of bird names.
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Canadian Goose? Nope. Egypt Goose? Nope.
Why?
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Canadian Goose? Nope. Egypt Goose? Nope.
Why?
a cartoon cat with glasses and a lollipop says the world may never know .
ALT: a cartoon cat with glasses and a lollipop says the world may never know .
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I love the little logical inconsistencies of bird names.
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Canadian Goose? Nope. Egypt Goose? Nope.
Why?
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Canadian Goose? Nope. Egypt Goose? Nope.
Why?
One of my favorite compliments I’ve ever gotten as a birder was at the rental car counter in Harlingen, TX during the Rio Grande Valley Bird Fest.
“We LOVE this week,” said the lady handing me the keys. “Y’all are just the NICEST.”
Birders are such gentle souls.
“We LOVE this week,” said the lady handing me the keys. “Y’all are just the NICEST.”
Birders are such gentle souls.
November 24, 2025 at 5:37 AM
One of my favorite compliments I’ve ever gotten as a birder was at the rental car counter in Harlingen, TX during the Rio Grande Valley Bird Fest.
“We LOVE this week,” said the lady handing me the keys. “Y’all are just the NICEST.”
Birders are such gentle souls.
“We LOVE this week,” said the lady handing me the keys. “Y’all are just the NICEST.”
Birders are such gentle souls.
Writers: what’s your one unhinged quality that makes others wonder if you’re okay?
When I’m near the end of a project I listen to the song Africa by Toto on repeat. Sometimes for days.
When I’m near the end of a project I listen to the song Africa by Toto on repeat. Sometimes for days.
November 24, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Writers: what’s your one unhinged quality that makes others wonder if you’re okay?
When I’m near the end of a project I listen to the song Africa by Toto on repeat. Sometimes for days.
When I’m near the end of a project I listen to the song Africa by Toto on repeat. Sometimes for days.
I need to follow more birders.
Who are your favorites?
Who are your favorites?
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I need to follow more birders.
Who are your favorites?
Who are your favorites?
I’m convinced that whoever writes the Holiday Gifts for Guys guides has never met an actual guy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 AM
I’m convinced that whoever writes the Holiday Gifts for Guys guides has never met an actual guy.
There are few feelings better than driving home from the library with a big ol’ stack of books and rain in the forecast.
November 21, 2025 at 1:44 AM
There are few feelings better than driving home from the library with a big ol’ stack of books and rain in the forecast.
My kid: I AM FREEZING
Me: How about a sweatshirt?
Kid: Hahahahaha. No.
Me: How about a sweatshirt?
Kid: Hahahahaha. No.
November 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My kid: I AM FREEZING
Me: How about a sweatshirt?
Kid: Hahahahaha. No.
Me: How about a sweatshirt?
Kid: Hahahahaha. No.
The fact that I won’t have time in my life to read all the beautiful books or see all the beautiful birds makes me sad. And happy.
Because what would life be if we could get to the end of all the beauty?
Because what would life be if we could get to the end of all the beauty?
November 20, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The fact that I won’t have time in my life to read all the beautiful books or see all the beautiful birds makes me sad. And happy.
Because what would life be if we could get to the end of all the beauty?
Because what would life be if we could get to the end of all the beauty?
Me: What’s your strings teacher’s name?
9yo: I don’t know.
Me: Don’t you have music class twice a week at school?
9yo: Yes.
Me:
9yo:
Me:
9yo: Names are not really my thing.
9yo: I don’t know.
Me: Don’t you have music class twice a week at school?
9yo: Yes.
Me:
9yo:
Me:
9yo: Names are not really my thing.
November 19, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Me: What’s your strings teacher’s name?
9yo: I don’t know.
Me: Don’t you have music class twice a week at school?
9yo: Yes.
Me:
9yo:
Me:
9yo: Names are not really my thing.
9yo: I don’t know.
Me: Don’t you have music class twice a week at school?
9yo: Yes.
Me:
9yo:
Me:
9yo: Names are not really my thing.
The book I wrote has been sitting in our Little Free Library longer than all the others.
a bald man says " i took that personally "
ALT: a bald man says " i took that personally "
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The book I wrote has been sitting in our Little Free Library longer than all the others.
Waiting to meet a new primary care doc, since my last one just moved to concierge medicine. (I could still see him if I wanted, for an annual fee of $5k(!) - sick visits extra (!!). Our health care system is so broken.)
Anyway, pray that she’s great!
Anyway, pray that she’s great!
November 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Waiting to meet a new primary care doc, since my last one just moved to concierge medicine. (I could still see him if I wanted, for an annual fee of $5k(!) - sick visits extra (!!). Our health care system is so broken.)
Anyway, pray that she’s great!
Anyway, pray that she’s great!
My 13yo just finished the young reader’s edition of Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime and LOVED it. Couldn’t put it down.
Any suggestions for similar books? Comedy, biography, appropriate for a 13yo?
Any suggestions for similar books? Comedy, biography, appropriate for a 13yo?
November 18, 2025 at 4:25 AM
My 13yo just finished the young reader’s edition of Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime and LOVED it. Couldn’t put it down.
Any suggestions for similar books? Comedy, biography, appropriate for a 13yo?
Any suggestions for similar books? Comedy, biography, appropriate for a 13yo?
First kid wants to stop a sport mid-season: No, honey, we have to stick to our commitments.
Third kid wants to stop: YES. GREAT. PRAISE GOD.
Third kid wants to stop: YES. GREAT. PRAISE GOD.
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
First kid wants to stop a sport mid-season: No, honey, we have to stick to our commitments.
Third kid wants to stop: YES. GREAT. PRAISE GOD.
Third kid wants to stop: YES. GREAT. PRAISE GOD.
13yo: So anyway, there were less of them than–
Me: Fewer.
13yo: You know, sometimes you could just let me be 13.
Me: No.
Me: Fewer.
13yo: You know, sometimes you could just let me be 13.
Me: No.
November 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM
13yo: So anyway, there were less of them than–
Me: Fewer.
13yo: You know, sometimes you could just let me be 13.
Me: No.
Me: Fewer.
13yo: You know, sometimes you could just let me be 13.
Me: No.