Natalie Downe
@natbat.bsky.social
Enthusiastic adventurer, artist, potter, conservation technologist, tidepool guide, California naturalist, community organizer & frontend web developer. WU3M 🦇🦭🦀(🐺🐓🐇) #scicomm
Mastodon @natbat@wandering.shop
Twitter @natbat
Instagram @natbat & @natbat.art
Mastodon @natbat@wandering.shop
Twitter @natbat
Instagram @natbat & @natbat.art
Pinned
Natalie Downe
@natbat.bsky.social
· Aug 2
Hello followers! My name is Natalie, I'm a naturalist, ceramicist, community organizer and occasional technologist. A Brit living in coastal Northern California with my husband @simonwillison.net
- My art instagram.com/natbat.art
- Photography instagram.com/natbat
- Mastodon @natbat@wandering.shop
- My art instagram.com/natbat.art
- Photography instagram.com/natbat
- Mastodon @natbat@wandering.shop
Reposted by Natalie Downe
WEARING A MASK IS NOT FUCKING EXTREME YOU FUCKING ABLEIST DISEASE LOVING PIECES OF SHIT
For most people, the pandemic days of masking are behind us. In certain corners of the Winter Olympics, though, things still look a lot like they did in Covid times. Some athletes are taking extreme measures to stay healthy. n.pr/4akK70l
Olympic Covid restrictions are gone, but some athletes still self-quarantining
For most people, the pandemic days of masking are behind us. In certain corners of the Winter Olympics, though, things still look a lot like they did in Covid times. Some athletes are taking extreme measures to stay healthy.
n.pr
February 10, 2026 at 3:28 AM
WEARING A MASK IS NOT FUCKING EXTREME YOU FUCKING ABLEIST DISEASE LOVING PIECES OF SHIT
Reposted by Natalie Downe
My contribution to Super Bowl Sunday is this Jewish Aramaic incantation bowl with a demon on it. From Nippur, Mesopotamia, circa 6th-7th century CE.
Truly a super bowl.
Truly a super bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 5:03 PM
My contribution to Super Bowl Sunday is this Jewish Aramaic incantation bowl with a demon on it. From Nippur, Mesopotamia, circa 6th-7th century CE.
Truly a super bowl.
Truly a super bowl.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
In celebration of the 2026 breeding season ceramic artist Karen James made me a Kākāpō mug! simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/8/k...
February 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
In celebration of the 2026 breeding season ceramic artist Karen James made me a Kākāpō mug! simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/8/k...
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Happy Superb Owl Sunday!
🦉 are vital to keeping ecosystems in balance by preventing overpopulation of prey.
During my sunset walk last night, an owl flew right over me. I think I heard it ask, “whooo do you want to win the 🏈 game?”*
Enjoy the game, & be safe: get a ride if you’re buzzed.
🦉 are vital to keeping ecosystems in balance by preventing overpopulation of prey.
During my sunset walk last night, an owl flew right over me. I think I heard it ask, “whooo do you want to win the 🏈 game?”*
Enjoy the game, & be safe: get a ride if you’re buzzed.
an owl is flying over a grassy field with a disney junior logo behind it
Alt: an owl is flying over a grassy field
media.tenor.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Happy Superb Owl Sunday!
🦉 are vital to keeping ecosystems in balance by preventing overpopulation of prey.
During my sunset walk last night, an owl flew right over me. I think I heard it ask, “whooo do you want to win the 🏈 game?”*
Enjoy the game, & be safe: get a ride if you’re buzzed.
🦉 are vital to keeping ecosystems in balance by preventing overpopulation of prey.
During my sunset walk last night, an owl flew right over me. I think I heard it ask, “whooo do you want to win the 🏈 game?”*
Enjoy the game, & be safe: get a ride if you’re buzzed.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Wow, that would be very bad.
“Hey BART, can you help us convince suburban residents to vote for the transit funding measure this year?”
BART: “I got you.”
BART: “I got you.”
February 6, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Wow, that would be very bad.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
The Department of Homeland Security is using administrative subpoenas, a secretive tool issued without a judge's signature, to go after people lawfully reporting ICE activity or criticizing DHS policies.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.
techcrunch.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The Department of Homeland Security is using administrative subpoenas, a secretive tool issued without a judge's signature, to go after people lawfully reporting ICE activity or criticizing DHS policies.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
This is a direct attack on our First Amendment rights and we're fighting back.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
My laptop got its photo in the NYT!
(There's a photo of me later on in the story too) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
(There's a photo of me later on in the story too) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
A Social Network for A.I. Bots Only. No Humans Allowed.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:52 PM
My laptop got its photo in the NYT!
(There's a photo of me later on in the story too) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
(There's a photo of me later on in the story too) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/t...
Reposted by Natalie Downe
I've shared this before but sharing again since a lot of y'all are going through it lately 🫂
January 31, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I've shared this before but sharing again since a lot of y'all are going through it lately 🫂
For when you need to cook more stuff than fits in a regular oven!
January 30, 2026 at 7:58 PM
For when you need to cook more stuff than fits in a regular oven!
Reposted by Natalie Downe
US General Strike and nationwide shutdown today. If you are at work, go home, if you need to shop wait for another day, are you sitting in school? walk out right now.
Those outside of the US, boycott. #3E #Goodvsevil #generalstrike #iceout #justiceforpretti #justiceforgood
Those outside of the US, boycott. #3E #Goodvsevil #generalstrike #iceout #justiceforpretti #justiceforgood
January 30, 2026 at 4:13 PM
US General Strike and nationwide shutdown today. If you are at work, go home, if you need to shop wait for another day, are you sitting in school? walk out right now.
Those outside of the US, boycott. #3E #Goodvsevil #generalstrike #iceout #justiceforpretti #justiceforgood
Those outside of the US, boycott. #3E #Goodvsevil #generalstrike #iceout #justiceforpretti #justiceforgood
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Voting NO on the DHS funding bill is the bare minimum.
Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum.
Holding law-breaking ICE agents legally accountable is the bare minimum.
ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it.
Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum.
Holding law-breaking ICE agents legally accountable is the bare minimum.
ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it.
January 25, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Voting NO on the DHS funding bill is the bare minimum.
Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum.
Holding law-breaking ICE agents legally accountable is the bare minimum.
ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it.
Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum.
Holding law-breaking ICE agents legally accountable is the bare minimum.
ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it.
Do I know anyone else who plays Minecraft bedrock?
January 26, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Do I know anyone else who plays Minecraft bedrock?
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Reposted by Natalie Downe
In important kākāpō breeding season news... the New Zealand Department of Conservation have a livestream running of Rakiura's nest
I grabbed a timelapse video of the past few hours, you can get a glimpse of her first egg! simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/25/...
I grabbed a timelapse video of the past few hours, you can get a glimpse of her first egg! simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/25/...
Kākāpō Cam: Rakiura live stream
Critical update for this year's Kākāpō breeding season: the New Zealand Department of Conservation have a livestream running of Rakiura's nest! You’re looking at the underground nest of 23-year-old Ra...
simonwillison.net
January 25, 2026 at 4:54 AM
In important kākāpō breeding season news... the New Zealand Department of Conservation have a livestream running of Rakiura's nest
I grabbed a timelapse video of the past few hours, you can get a glimpse of her first egg! simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/25/...
I grabbed a timelapse video of the past few hours, you can get a glimpse of her first egg! simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/25/...
Who would like to look at some fluffy chicken butts?
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Who would like to look at some fluffy chicken butts?
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Let me say something very directly.
We are objectively in a fascist authoritarian moment here in this country.
Academics and historians have established indicators for this. We are well over the line on many of them.
We are objectively in a fascist authoritarian moment here in this country.
Academics and historians have established indicators for this. We are well over the line on many of them.
January 25, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Let me say something very directly.
We are objectively in a fascist authoritarian moment here in this country.
Academics and historians have established indicators for this. We are well over the line on many of them.
We are objectively in a fascist authoritarian moment here in this country.
Academics and historians have established indicators for this. We are well over the line on many of them.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
We cannot go on like this for three more years.
January 24, 2026 at 4:27 PM
We cannot go on like this for three more years.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Our walkout action starts at 4pm at Civic Center Plaza. Bring your signs and stand in community against this fascist regime. #freeamericawalkout
January 20, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Our walkout action starts at 4pm at Civic Center Plaza. Bring your signs and stand in community against this fascist regime. #freeamericawalkout
Reposted by Natalie Downe
1. ICE has STOPPED PAYING for medical treatment for its 73,000 detainees
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment
ICE halted payments in October, and the situation will persist for at least several more months
popular.info
January 20, 2026 at 1:42 PM
1. ICE has STOPPED PAYING for medical treatment for its 73,000 detainees
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
Reposted by Natalie Downe
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
Reposted by Natalie Downe
We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s timeless call for courage, love, and justice. As immigrants & citizens' rights face relentless attacks, his vision reminds us that community & dignity matter more than ever. Join us in recommitting to human rights and building a just society for all people. ❣️
January 19, 2026 at 6:44 PM
We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s timeless call for courage, love, and justice. As immigrants & citizens' rights face relentless attacks, his vision reminds us that community & dignity matter more than ever. Join us in recommitting to human rights and building a just society for all people. ❣️
Reposted by Natalie Downe
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows
Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
Reposted by Natalie Downe
"I'm declaring war on you because you didn't give me a peace prize" is competing for the most embarrassing thing he's ever done and that's a REALLY crowded category.
January 19, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"I'm declaring war on you because you didn't give me a peace prize" is competing for the most embarrassing thing he's ever done and that's a REALLY crowded category.
Reposted by Natalie Downe
THE MAN THEY TOOK WRAPPED IN A BLANKET IS A U.S. CITIZEN.
This is the Kavanaugh Stop of all Kavanaugh Stops.
This is the Kavanaugh Stop of all Kavanaugh Stops.
Sunday, at least 7 ICE agents stormed a house and took an elderly man out into the freezing cold, wearing only his underwear and a blanket.
He was a member of the Hmong community, which came to the area from Laos in the 1970s after siding with the US in the Vietnam War.
Notice the suppressors
1/2
He was a member of the Hmong community, which came to the area from Laos in the 1970s after siding with the US in the Vietnam War.
Notice the suppressors
1/2
January 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM
THE MAN THEY TOOK WRAPPED IN A BLANKET IS A U.S. CITIZEN.
This is the Kavanaugh Stop of all Kavanaugh Stops.
This is the Kavanaugh Stop of all Kavanaugh Stops.