Michael
@thecorvallisbirder.bsky.social
Fisheries biologist working with the Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, monitoring coastal fall Chinook. Birder, forager, all-around amateur naturalist and photographer.
For the #BirdoftheDay theme of #OddCouples (two birds in one shot), here's a couple shots. See alt text for descriptions. #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #Oregon
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 PM
For the #BirdoftheDay theme of #OddCouples (two birds in one shot), here's a couple shots. See alt text for descriptions. #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #Oregon
Reposted by Michael
States can step in to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and automakers will likely keep trying to reduce emissions to remain competitive in the global market. In the meantime, more Americans will die from air pollution and climate change because of the Trump regime.
Exclusive | Trump to Repeal Landmark Climate Finding in Huge Regulatory Rollback
The move would reverse a legal determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health.
www.wsj.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:37 AM
States can step in to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and automakers will likely keep trying to reduce emissions to remain competitive in the global market. In the meantime, more Americans will die from air pollution and climate change because of the Trump regime.
For a good #StareDown, there's nothing quite like an Owl. Like this Burrowing Owl, which seems to be giving me the most disdainful look it can manage. #BirdoftheDay #Nature #Photography #Birds #Owls #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
February 9, 2026 at 8:14 PM
For a good #StareDown, there's nothing quite like an Owl. Like this Burrowing Owl, which seems to be giving me the most disdainful look it can manage. #BirdoftheDay #Nature #Photography #Birds #Owls #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
Reposted by Michael
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow, that could overturn long-standing protections and open the door to copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most intact boreal ecosystems in the Lower 48.
February 9, 2026 at 7:27 PM
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow, that could overturn long-standing protections and open the door to copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most intact boreal ecosystems in the Lower 48.
If Kid Rock is your headliner you've already lost.
February 9, 2026 at 6:50 AM
If Kid Rock is your headliner you've already lost.
A little late to the #BirdoftheDay party today, but the theme of #posted is timely, as I just captured this Prairie Falcon on a post in a farm field on Friday. When it took off, I discovered it was carrying rodent prey as well! #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
February 8, 2026 at 9:24 PM
A little late to the #BirdoftheDay party today, but the theme of #posted is timely, as I just captured this Prairie Falcon on a post in a farm field on Friday. When it took off, I discovered it was carrying rodent prey as well! #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
Reposted by Michael
The agency’s plan would narrow water quality reviews and eliminate one of the few ways that tribes can their enforce treaty rights, shares Grist.
buff.ly/7CAdxrz
buff.ly/7CAdxrz
An EPA proposal would make it harder for tribes to protect their water - High Country News
The agency’s plan would narrow water quality reviews and eliminate one of the few ways that tribes can their enforce treaty rights.
www.hcn.org
February 8, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The agency’s plan would narrow water quality reviews and eliminate one of the few ways that tribes can their enforce treaty rights, shares Grist.
buff.ly/7CAdxrz
buff.ly/7CAdxrz
This feels like such an almost photo; I like the composition and the pose I was able to capture, of two Horned Larks sparring in the air. But it was at the absolute edge of my lens' range, so it's much softer than I'd like. @aba.org #Nature #Photography #Birds #WillametteValley
February 8, 2026 at 1:17 AM
This feels like such an almost photo; I like the composition and the pose I was able to capture, of two Horned Larks sparring in the air. But it was at the absolute edge of my lens' range, so it's much softer than I'd like. @aba.org #Nature #Photography #Birds #WillametteValley
Was over in the farmlands across the river again yesterday, one of my winter birding haunts. The fog had come down thick again, but I managed some decent raptor shots anyway! #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
February 8, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Was over in the farmlands across the river again yesterday, one of my winter birding haunts. The fog had come down thick again, but I managed some decent raptor shots anyway! #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
Thanks Alan! This old apple tree attracts lots of Sparrows and Finches, and has become one of my favorite photo stops thanks to the bounty of good opportunities!
February 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Thanks Alan! This old apple tree attracts lots of Sparrows and Finches, and has become one of my favorite photo stops thanks to the bounty of good opportunities!
For the #BirdoftheDay, I managed to capture this Spotted Towhee in a moment of #Serenity (a rare thing with Sparrows); possibly it is contemplating which apple to eat next. #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
February 7, 2026 at 5:19 PM
For the #BirdoftheDay, I managed to capture this Spotted Towhee in a moment of #Serenity (a rare thing with Sparrows); possibly it is contemplating which apple to eat next. #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
A masterful combination of old words and current events.
"The Stranger's Case," William Shakespeare Sir Thomas Moore: Act II Scene 4
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
February 7, 2026 at 5:14 PM
A masterful combination of old words and current events.
Reposted by Michael
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
Looks good for a Turkey Vulture, tough to say for sure. Plumage and silhouette are right. Another field mark for TUVU in flight is that they will tip and rock while flying. As you were driving you may not have had a chance to see that, and I don't notice it in the video, but it can be helpful.
February 6, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Looks good for a Turkey Vulture, tough to say for sure. Plumage and silhouette are right. Another field mark for TUVU in flight is that they will tip and rock while flying. As you were driving you may not have had a chance to see that, and I don't notice it in the video, but it can be helpful.
Sure looks like it! Lovely birds.
February 6, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Sure looks like it! Lovely birds.
I'm sure fee will know this one, but "Time Stands Still (at the Iron Hill)" by Blind Guardian. I know heavy metal isn't to everyone's taste, but seriously, give this one a listen.
February 5, 2026 at 4:43 AM
I'm sure fee will know this one, but "Time Stands Still (at the Iron Hill)" by Blind Guardian. I know heavy metal isn't to everyone's taste, but seriously, give this one a listen.
Since it's on old farmland, my local wildlife refuge has some old fruit trees around. In one spot, an apple proves to be a draw for many of the local sparrows and finches in the late winter. Here, a Golden-Crowned Sparrow pauses before flitting up to the tree. #Nature #Photography #Birds #Oregon
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Since it's on old farmland, my local wildlife refuge has some old fruit trees around. In one spot, an apple proves to be a draw for many of the local sparrows and finches in the late winter. Here, a Golden-Crowned Sparrow pauses before flitting up to the tree. #Nature #Photography #Birds #Oregon
Ok, technically this Western Bluebird was seen in my front yard, but I'm still counting it for #BackyardBirds! I'm hoping to entice a few of these beauties into nest boxes this year. #BirdoftheDay #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Ok, technically this Western Bluebird was seen in my front yard, but I'm still counting it for #BackyardBirds! I'm hoping to entice a few of these beauties into nest boxes this year. #BirdoftheDay #Nature #Photography #Birds #PNWBirding #WillametteValley #Oregon
Reposted by Michael
this stuff has really broken me. it's simply astounding that so many people who have been allowed to amass unimaginable wealth are so droolingly stupid, so unmoored from and in fact hostile to any sense of community or social responsibility, and oh by the way they love to constantly rape children
February 4, 2026 at 1:29 AM
this stuff has really broken me. it's simply astounding that so many people who have been allowed to amass unimaginable wealth are so droolingly stupid, so unmoored from and in fact hostile to any sense of community or social responsibility, and oh by the way they love to constantly rape children
Reposted by Michael
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 AM
I've told this story on ContrabandCamp but it's worth sharing for BHM because it's one of the greatest stories ever.
A thread.
A thread.
I could understand Roberts viewing Trump as a useful idiot, given Trump's popular appeal. But that's what I can't wrap my head around, where the hell that appeal came from! A massively wealthy asshole somehow convinced working class people he cares about them. Utterly baffling.
February 4, 2026 at 4:18 AM
I could understand Roberts viewing Trump as a useful idiot, given Trump's popular appeal. But that's what I can't wrap my head around, where the hell that appeal came from! A massively wealthy asshole somehow convinced working class people he cares about them. Utterly baffling.