Ben J. (Proteros)
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proteros.bsky.social
Ben J. (Proteros)
@proteros.bsky.social
I'm a hobbyist nature photographer in Sydney specialising in Australian native birds and flora with interests in conservation, paleontology and ecology. 🌿💚

All my content is licensed under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise stated. No (de)generative AI ❌
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
Yellow Tail returned to our garden this week, marking a major milestone: I've been photographing this beautiful wild King Parrot for over 10 years now!!!

First photo: 21/12/2015
Latest photo: 09/02/2026
#birds
February 11, 2026 at 4:36 AM
I take no 'sides' in war. The only 'side' I stand with is humanity.

I stand with *people* of all countries, races, religions and ages.

I stand against violence, terrorism, warfare and genocide, no matter who the victims and perpetrators are.

Because we are all human. 🌏☮️

#worldpeace #nomorewar
February 12, 2026 at 2:09 AM
My take on the war in #Israel and #Palestine is that I simply wish for it to end.

People shouldn't be killing each other over trivial differences such as race and religion because we are all human. We all bleed red. Tears mean the same in every language.

#Nomorewar #Nomoregenocide. #worldpeace
February 12, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
daily dose of green in rain ... west coast Canada
#photography #nature #trees #canada #landscape #fujifilm #forest #rainforest #vancouver #fog #rain
February 1, 2026 at 6:19 PM
My apologies for my lack of content lately. I have been very busy over the past couple of weeks.

I will be sharing some more of my photography here soon, and hopefully get around to posting all my recent nature photos as observations on iNaturalist and eBird.
February 1, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
Solidarity with Australia's First Nations Peoples, on a day of grieving & survival. A reminder to all, that that the oldest, continuous, living culture on Earth deserves an Australia Day that they can celebrate as well, that isn't #InvasionDay
🖤💛❤️
#ChangeTheDate
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMX2...
Yothu Yindi - Djapana (Official Video)
YouTube video by YothuYindiVEVO
www.youtube.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Look at (and listen to) this ABSOLUTE UNIT!
Three more #kakapo matings last night: Tumeke + Te Atapo on Whenua Hou, and Kotahitanga mated with both Marama and Kohengi on Anchor. Mating with different males substantially increases the likelihood of clutch fertility: peerj.com/articles/146.... Here's Te Atapo booming. #conservation #parrots
January 16, 2026 at 9:10 AM
In a world full of hatred and cruelty, be brave enough to be loving and kind.

Having a warm heart in a cold world is strength, not weakness. 💚🌏
January 16, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Terrorizing innocent people who just want to live in peace and provide for themselves and their families is NOT "protecting the country from crime."

I stand in solidarity with all good people and communties who are affected by ICE and their brutal campaigns. ☮️ #FuckICE #AbolishICE #RacismNotWelcome
January 16, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Joining in on the #PortfolioDay trend, my name is Ben, but you can also call me Proteros.

I'm a photographer from Sydney who focuses mainly on flowers and birds, though I sometimes do other animals and landscapes. Here's just a few of my favourite bird pics from last year that I haven't yet shared:
January 14, 2026 at 8:38 AM
"Generative" AI does not generate anything. In fact, it does the complete opposite; it steals a bunch of REAL images without people's consent and DEGENERATES them into an awful amalgamation of pixels.

Let us call it out for what it is, degenerative garbage

#aislop #fuckai #aiartisnotart #fuckaiart
January 14, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Gotta love how AI-generated slop is exactly like an invasive species now; everywhere and nearly impossible to get rid of.

Literally, it is EVERYWHERE. Even in places you would least expect like antique shops, art competitions and artist conventions. Ugh.

#aislop #aiartisnotart #fuckaiart #fuckai
January 14, 2026 at 7:01 AM
I thought I'd share some of my favourite photos of our beautiful Australian native #ducks to bring attention to them, and to inspire more love and compassion towards all ducks, both wild and domesticated. 🦆❤

#birdphotography #Australianbirds #photography #nature #naturephotography #banduckshooting
January 9, 2026 at 10:41 AM
All birds are sentient and can dream. They have an inner world, just like we do.

When this hardhead duck (Aythya australis) rests on a sunny rock and closes his eyes to nap, one may begin to wonder, what does he see?

#birdphotography #Australianbirds #ducks #photography #nature #naturephotography
January 9, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
“But compassion isn't about solutions. It's about giving all the love that you've got.”
~ Cheryl Strayed

Good morning my friends! This world already has plenty of anger, hatred, fear, bitterness, criticism, and judgement. Be the light. Be the love ❤️
January 8, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
This #FossilFriday, here's Franz Anthony's delightful #Ediacaran life artwork, featuring critters from all three Ediacaran assemblages - including our very own Haootia!
August 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Not even 2 weeks into 2026 and the world is already full of more terrible shite.

Maybe it's not that the elite forgot the horrors of the past, rather, they wish to repeat them.

These sociopaths revel in the suffering of others and are so utterly consumed by greed that they've lost their humanity.
January 9, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
Friday sunrise over Warrain Beach at Culburra on the Shoalhaven Coast south of Sydney NewSouthWales Australia

#nature #wildoz #traveloz #travel #stormhour
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Fun fact: You can tell whether an adult galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is male or female by looking at their eyes. Males have dark brown eyes, while females (like this one pictured here) have red eyes.

#birdphotography #Australianbirds #parrots #galah #photography #nature #naturephotography
January 6, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Men (or should I say, MONSTERS) who use (de)generative #AI to remove the clothes on images of women (and children!) need to have their ballsacks removed before being thrown into jail indefinitely. Or, preferably, thrown into the nearest wood chipper, feet-first.

Please rid the world of these scum.
January 6, 2026 at 6:16 AM
I've been thinking on getting back into illustration and making some infographics on my favourite subjects; Australian native plants and animals, ecology, paleontology and geochronology.

Should I?
January 4, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Here is a lovely Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccans) to brighten up your day.

#birdphotography #Australianbirds #parrots #lorikeet #photography #nature #naturephotography
January 4, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)
Demure little superb parrot 💚
January 3, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Dickinsonia costata my beloved
#ediacaran #ediacaranbiota #proterozoic
#FossilFriday Fine specimen of the problematical fossil Dickinsonia costata from the Ediacaran. On display at the South Australia Museum, Adelaide.
December 28, 2025 at 4:12 AM