Ken Britten
@kenbritten.bsky.social
Relentlessly curious nature freak, sailor, Deadhead
Cloud forecast from the ECMWF model for 8 PM tonight. It doesn't look good for further aurora borealis viewing. When a geomagnetic storm meets a Pacific storm, the lower-atmosphere event gets the final say, at least from a ground-dweller's perspective. But we'll see, since it's all probabilistic.
November 12, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Cloud forecast from the ECMWF model for 8 PM tonight. It doesn't look good for further aurora borealis viewing. When a geomagnetic storm meets a Pacific storm, the lower-atmosphere event gets the final say, at least from a ground-dweller's perspective. But we'll see, since it's all probabilistic.
I love it when I catch these guys on the trail camera. They're just so... foxy! The eyeshine is a bonus.
November 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I love it when I catch these guys on the trail camera. They're just so... foxy! The eyeshine is a bonus.
Reposted by Ken Britten
I just recorded a short video--essentially an updated version of my social media threads--on the Bill Gates climate memo. Despite agreeing with some points therein, I still think its framing is fundamentally flawed and thus also its key conclusions.
Thoughts from a climate scientist on the Bill Gates climate memo
I wanted to offer my thoughts, as a climate scientist, on the widely discussed memo published by Bill Gates in late October 2025. While I actually do agree with some of the specific points made therein regarding the urgent global need to accelerate efforts to reduce global poverty and improve human
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I just recorded a short video--essentially an updated version of my social media threads--on the Bill Gates climate memo. Despite agreeing with some points therein, I still think its framing is fundamentally flawed and thus also its key conclusions.
I just learned a boutique weather term that Windy.com uses. Wind accumulation is the strongest gust expected over a specified time period. Useful, but I find myself annoyed by the term, which implies integration. May I suggest "maximum gust" instead?
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I just learned a boutique weather term that Windy.com uses. Wind accumulation is the strongest gust expected over a specified time period. Useful, but I find myself annoyed by the term, which implies integration. May I suggest "maximum gust" instead?
Lovely look at the leading edge of the first major Pacific system coming into NorCal.
October 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Lovely look at the leading edge of the first major Pacific system coming into NorCal.
This lava bridge on the west side of the Sierra was big enough for a 40-lb dog, but not for me.
October 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
This lava bridge on the west side of the Sierra was big enough for a 40-lb dog, but not for me.
Nice sunset on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.
September 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Nice sunset on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.
Reposted by Ken Britten
SEGLA PŘI PŮLNOČNÍM SLUNCI…
z letní noci na ostrově Senja na severu Norska u známého vrcholu Segla. Nakonec pěkně zasvítilo a v pravou chvíli i nějaký ten mrak připlul...
#bluesky #photography #landscape #landscapephotography #naturephotography #travel #nature #lofoten
z letní noci na ostrově Senja na severu Norska u známého vrcholu Segla. Nakonec pěkně zasvítilo a v pravou chvíli i nějaký ten mrak připlul...
#bluesky #photography #landscape #landscapephotography #naturephotography #travel #nature #lofoten
September 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
SEGLA PŘI PŮLNOČNÍM SLUNCI…
z letní noci na ostrově Senja na severu Norska u známého vrcholu Segla. Nakonec pěkně zasvítilo a v pravou chvíli i nějaký ten mrak připlul...
#bluesky #photography #landscape #landscapephotography #naturephotography #travel #nature #lofoten
z letní noci na ostrově Senja na severu Norska u známého vrcholu Segla. Nakonec pěkně zasvítilo a v pravou chvíli i nějaký ten mrak připlul...
#bluesky #photography #landscape #landscapephotography #naturephotography #travel #nature #lofoten
I've been geeking out about intersections recently, in my role as a local climate commissioner. I've been impressed by two things about this document from Caltrans. First, it's progressive, and doesn't just talk about moving cars faster. Second, it's actually well written. Who'd have guessed?
September 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I've been geeking out about intersections recently, in my role as a local climate commissioner. I've been impressed by two things about this document from Caltrans. First, it's progressive, and doesn't just talk about moving cars faster. Second, it's actually well written. Who'd have guessed?
And another one of my favorite campsites in the Sierra Nevada just got burned in a wildfire. I think that makes four in the last decade. Dammit!
September 11, 2025 at 11:07 PM
And another one of my favorite campsites in the Sierra Nevada just got burned in a wildfire. I think that makes four in the last decade. Dammit!
Reposted by Ken Britten
Found this cute little guy this morning, by almost running over it with my bike. It's fine, and apparently was content with a little of my warmth and a moment of social media stardom. A bit later, my dog was very interested in the smell left on my hand.
September 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Found this cute little guy this morning, by almost running over it with my bike. It's fine, and apparently was content with a little of my warmth and a moment of social media stardom. A bit later, my dog was very interested in the smell left on my hand.
This is cool: it's a DNA-based source profile of some local honey being sold beside the road. And I wondered about the oak component, since oaks haven't flowered around here for months, and I'd never seen bees on those flowers. It turns out that the honeybees, like ants, harvest syrup from aphids.
September 6, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This is cool: it's a DNA-based source profile of some local honey being sold beside the road. And I wondered about the oak component, since oaks haven't flowered around here for months, and I'd never seen bees on those flowers. It turns out that the honeybees, like ants, harvest syrup from aphids.
These were coming in to the feeder like sparrows. Never tired of them, though.
September 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
These were coming in to the feeder like sparrows. Never tired of them, though.
I've never thought much about logistics, but I think a lot about Alaska. The intersection of the two is fascinating, it turns out. www.hcn.org/issues/57-9/...
The messy reality of feeding Alaska - High Country News
After Trump threatened Canada, a writer discovers the uncertainty of the state's food supply chain.
www.hcn.org
September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I've never thought much about logistics, but I think a lot about Alaska. The intersection of the two is fascinating, it turns out. www.hcn.org/issues/57-9/...
These summer forbs don't get half the respect they deserve. Here's a vinegarweed (Trichostema) in the heat of the Central Valley summer. It is growing and flowering despite the last rain having fallen months ago. Ask any pollinator: these plants are the BEST!
September 2, 2025 at 10:03 PM
These summer forbs don't get half the respect they deserve. Here's a vinegarweed (Trichostema) in the heat of the Central Valley summer. It is growing and flowering despite the last rain having fallen months ago. Ask any pollinator: these plants are the BEST!
Reposted by Ken Britten
Huge congratulations to Enzo for this truly magnificent image and for being selected as finalist in NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year! Enzo is an outstanding wildlife photographer, I highly recommend you follow him!
I’m proud and over the moon to share the news that I’m a finalist in the Wildlife category of NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year 2025.
This is the big kahuna for Aotearoa wildlife photographers and a major goal I’ve been chasing for a long time. To achieve it is exceptionally special to me.
🪶🇳🇿
This is the big kahuna for Aotearoa wildlife photographers and a major goal I’ve been chasing for a long time. To achieve it is exceptionally special to me.
🪶🇳🇿
August 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Huge congratulations to Enzo for this truly magnificent image and for being selected as finalist in NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year! Enzo is an outstanding wildlife photographer, I highly recommend you follow him!
Reposted by Ken Britten
Curious about which fields poast the most?
Medicine / Social science / Environmental science / Biochemistry
Note that these aren't corrected for field size, so love the strong showing from earth science too ⚒️🧪
Medicine / Social science / Environmental science / Biochemistry
Note that these aren't corrected for field size, so love the strong showing from earth science too ⚒️🧪
August 31, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Curious about which fields poast the most?
Medicine / Social science / Environmental science / Biochemistry
Note that these aren't corrected for field size, so love the strong showing from earth science too ⚒️🧪
Medicine / Social science / Environmental science / Biochemistry
Note that these aren't corrected for field size, so love the strong showing from earth science too ⚒️🧪
Reposted by Ken Britten
August 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Livin' on the edge... of a big cloud of smoke from the Pickett fire burning over by Calistoga. The orange 81 is a neighbor of ours. The patchiness goes to show how hard it is to predict the movement of the swirls of smoke.
August 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Livin' on the edge... of a big cloud of smoke from the Pickett fire burning over by Calistoga. The orange 81 is a neighbor of ours. The patchiness goes to show how hard it is to predict the movement of the swirls of smoke.
I'm all about the primacy of vision, sure. And I spent a big chunk of my career thinking about MT, so I kinda appreciate the shout-out. But still, even I have to say this is too much.
generating examples for my fall undergrad Perception students on why they should not use LLMs as study aides...
August 16, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I'm all about the primacy of vision, sure. And I spent a big chunk of my career thinking about MT, so I kinda appreciate the shout-out. But still, even I have to say this is too much.
Flower season is near its peak at 9800’ near Sonora Pass.
August 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Flower season is near its peak at 9800’ near Sonora Pass.
Long and interesting piece digging deep on an example of where inefficiencies in government programs come from. Surprise, surprise, it turns out to be capitalism owning the government, not everything-bagel liberalism. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/07/09/t...
washingtonmonthly.com
August 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Long and interesting piece digging deep on an example of where inefficiencies in government programs come from. Surprise, surprise, it turns out to be capitalism owning the government, not everything-bagel liberalism. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/07/09/t...
Beautiful, minimally disturbed lakeshore by Trehörnigen, Sweden.
July 29, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Beautiful, minimally disturbed lakeshore by Trehörnigen, Sweden.
Fun exchange between me and the cashier at a state liquor store outside of Lillehammer, Norway:
Me: “This is a great store, I want it in my town!”
Cashier: Where is that?”
Me: “Winters, California.”
Cashier, after a brief pause: “Give me 14 days.”
Me: “OK, see you then!”
Me: “This is a great store, I want it in my town!”
Cashier: Where is that?”
Me: “Winters, California.”
Cashier, after a brief pause: “Give me 14 days.”
Me: “OK, see you then!”
July 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Fun exchange between me and the cashier at a state liquor store outside of Lillehammer, Norway:
Me: “This is a great store, I want it in my town!”
Cashier: Where is that?”
Me: “Winters, California.”
Cashier, after a brief pause: “Give me 14 days.”
Me: “OK, see you then!”
Me: “This is a great store, I want it in my town!”
Cashier: Where is that?”
Me: “Winters, California.”
Cashier, after a brief pause: “Give me 14 days.”
Me: “OK, see you then!”