cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
@turtlesoup.bsky.social
Cartoonist, illustrator, fanperson. Budding professional science writer & hobby naturalist/nature photographer. They/them. http://linktr.ee/alliekleber
Expect lots of bird photos (and sometimes plants, bugs, etc).
GenAI is not welcome here.
Expect lots of bird photos (and sometimes plants, bugs, etc).
GenAI is not welcome here.
Pinned
To my steady & confusing stream of new followers: welcome! I'm a sporadic poster who treats this as more of a personal account than anything publicity-oriented. I'm an enthusiastic amateur nature photographer, a somewhat lapsed cartoonist, and sometimes share political posts but try not to deluge.
More #birdart ... I'm not able to go birding much right now, and I guess I'm pining a bit. 😅 Here's a very vocal gray catbird I met in the fall. I miss these ridiculous little critters.
February 12, 2026 at 5:41 PM
More #birdart ... I'm not able to go birding much right now, and I guess I'm pining a bit. 😅 Here's a very vocal gray catbird I met in the fall. I miss these ridiculous little critters.
In the spirit of Weird Duck Time, finding a little joy and silliness even in the face of the horrors, and even that silly Hallmark romance holiday, I drew a hooded merganser doing his best to impress. #birdart
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 PM
In the spirit of Weird Duck Time, finding a little joy and silliness even in the face of the horrors, and even that silly Hallmark romance holiday, I drew a hooded merganser doing his best to impress. #birdart
Okay, now I feel the need for a black-capped chickadee appreciation post, so here are four photos I've taken of them. Not always my highest-quality work, because these gutsy, adorable little #birds are FAST and sneaky! 🪶🖤
February 10, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Okay, now I feel the need for a black-capped chickadee appreciation post, so here are four photos I've taken of them. Not always my highest-quality work, because these gutsy, adorable little #birds are FAST and sneaky! 🪶🖤
Oh yes. Black-capped chickadees (1) are abundant in my current Eastern Massachusetts neighborhood (2), and even moreso in Western Mass where I grew up (2b).
Poll! If you are a U.S. resident:
1) Do you know what your state bird is? (Don't look it up if you don't!)
2) If so, is it a species you can see in your neighborhood?
This is related to a story I'm working on this week. ☺️
1) Do you know what your state bird is? (Don't look it up if you don't!)
2) If so, is it a species you can see in your neighborhood?
This is related to a story I'm working on this week. ☺️
February 10, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Oh yes. Black-capped chickadees (1) are abundant in my current Eastern Massachusetts neighborhood (2), and even moreso in Western Mass where I grew up (2b).
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
Humans: we like dumplings, bbq, and telling people about neat animals we saw in the woods one time.
February 7, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Humans: we like dumplings, bbq, and telling people about neat animals we saw in the woods one time.
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
I once did a LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN piece for charity. Moore and O’Neill both gave it their blessing (as far as I know it’s the only 3D version of these characters OKed by both). Tons of jokes in the base: behind Bond are Streptococcus & anthrax used to kill Martians.
July 7, 2023 at 3:33 PM
I once did a LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN piece for charity. Moore and O’Neill both gave it their blessing (as far as I know it’s the only 3D version of these characters OKed by both). Tons of jokes in the base: behind Bond are Streptococcus & anthrax used to kill Martians.
Ugh, I used the wrong version of the link. I'm so fried right now, sorry. 😓 www.gofundme.com/f/gen-sad-ki...
Hey friends, I miss you. :/ As it turns out, my sweet boy is "medically complex" (the vet's words) and we are playing whack-a-mole with all kinds of unexpected symptoms and tests. I owe a proper update, but if you have some change and want to help, I do need it: www.gofundme.com/manage/gen-s...
February 3, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Ugh, I used the wrong version of the link. I'm so fried right now, sorry. 😓 www.gofundme.com/f/gen-sad-ki...
Hey friends, I miss you. :/ As it turns out, my sweet boy is "medically complex" (the vet's words) and we are playing whack-a-mole with all kinds of unexpected symptoms and tests. I owe a proper update, but if you have some change and want to help, I do need it: www.gofundme.com/manage/gen-s...
February 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Hey friends, I miss you. :/ As it turns out, my sweet boy is "medically complex" (the vet's words) and we are playing whack-a-mole with all kinds of unexpected symptoms and tests. I owe a proper update, but if you have some change and want to help, I do need it: www.gofundme.com/manage/gen-s...
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Subjects of Desire in Medieval Religious Writing
A comp lit course on fairy tales & retellings
Contemporary Japanese Womens' Writing
The Old Testament
Descents into Hell in Modern Poetry
Subjects of Desire in Medieval Religious Writing
A comp lit course on fairy tales & retellings
Contemporary Japanese Womens' Writing
The Old Testament
Descents into Hell in Modern Poetry
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Figurative Sculpture
Anatomy (sculpture X 2, drawing X 1)
Casting & molding X 2
Myth and Ritual
Nature, Science, and Art
Figurative Sculpture
Anatomy (sculpture X 2, drawing X 1)
Casting & molding X 2
Myth and Ritual
Nature, Science, and Art
Hypermedia and Phanopoeia with Michael Joyce
Shakespeare in Film with Don Foster
Folklore and Fairy Tales with Nancy Willard
Intro to Cellular Biology (I sucked at it but I learned so much)
Medieval Irish Lit at Trinity College Dublin
Shakespeare in Film with Don Foster
Folklore and Fairy Tales with Nancy Willard
Intro to Cellular Biology (I sucked at it but I learned so much)
Medieval Irish Lit at Trinity College Dublin
January 31, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college
Subjects of Desire in Medieval Religious Writing
A comp lit course on fairy tales & retellings
Contemporary Japanese Womens' Writing
The Old Testament
Descents into Hell in Modern Poetry
Subjects of Desire in Medieval Religious Writing
A comp lit course on fairy tales & retellings
Contemporary Japanese Womens' Writing
The Old Testament
Descents into Hell in Modern Poetry
I met Brianna through the feline diabetes community, and she has been one of the kindest sources of support as I continue to struggle with Gen's care. Xander is her best friend and constant companion, and she really needs help. PLEASE give if you can, and share. www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-be...
Donate to Help My Best Friend Xander Get the Medical Care He Needs, organized by Brianna Dubois
When I adopted Xander as a kitten, he had been feral and was a… Brianna Dubois needs your support for Help My Best Friend Xander Get the Medical Care He Needs
www.gofundme.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I met Brianna through the feline diabetes community, and she has been one of the kindest sources of support as I continue to struggle with Gen's care. Xander is her best friend and constant companion, and she really needs help. PLEASE give if you can, and share. www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-be...
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
I'm Coreo. I can't work full-time anymore, and I need help paying down my revolving debt. Can you share this to people who might want to see some kittens? (1 more pic in my latest update on the GFM page!) gofund.me/4903591f2
January 27, 2026 at 4:03 PM
I'm Coreo. I can't work full-time anymore, and I need help paying down my revolving debt. Can you share this to people who might want to see some kittens? (1 more pic in my latest update on the GFM page!) gofund.me/4903591f2
Not the most amazing quality (it was very overcast, and my camera kept trying to focus on snowflakes), but - some of my neighbors, undaunted by the storm and freezing weather yesterday afternoon. #birds 🪶
January 27, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Not the most amazing quality (it was very overcast, and my camera kept trying to focus on snowflakes), but - some of my neighbors, undaunted by the storm and freezing weather yesterday afternoon. #birds 🪶
... I thought the Onion was supposed to be satire.
(Sob)
(Sob)
Democrats Condemn ICE For Murdering Without Proper Warrants
Democrats Condemn ICE For Murdering Without Proper Warrants
WASHINGTON—In a statement calling for more guardrails around ongoing immigration operations, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives publicly condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thurs...
theonion.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:16 PM
... I thought the Onion was supposed to be satire.
(Sob)
(Sob)
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
In lieu of saying a lot of things I will regret to folks talking out of their asses right now, here’s @naomikritzer.bsky.social’s excellent post on how to help Minnesota right now : naomikritzer.com
Will Tell Stories For Food
Naomi Kritzer's blog
naomikritzer.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:53 PM
In lieu of saying a lot of things I will regret to folks talking out of their asses right now, here’s @naomikritzer.bsky.social’s excellent post on how to help Minnesota right now : naomikritzer.com
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
I know it’s not healthy to be so angry all the time but also “stay angry, little Meg” runs through my brain like a lifeline these days
January 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I know it’s not healthy to be so angry all the time but also “stay angry, little Meg” runs through my brain like a lifeline these days
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
Part of this is that thanks to the specific Christianity that evolved in the US over the 20th Century -- which then permeated culture -- is that many Americans are unable to effectively differentiate between shame, guilt, and responsibility.
I'm not saying to dunk on this person AT ALL but because I want this point elevated.
I don't want you to be ashamed to be a white American. The history of white Americans who sided against whiteness and acted in solidarity with others has been suppressed as ruthlessly as the history of violence.
I don't want you to be ashamed to be a white American. The history of white Americans who sided against whiteness and acted in solidarity with others has been suppressed as ruthlessly as the history of violence.
At this point in the history of our country, I am very ashamed to be a white American! I don’t want to be mistaken for a thug who is so brain dead they convince themselves that they are better than anyone else because they are white!
I have never & would never BELIEVE THEIR CONVICTED FELON!
I have never & would never BELIEVE THEIR CONVICTED FELON!
January 22, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Part of this is that thanks to the specific Christianity that evolved in the US over the 20th Century -- which then permeated culture -- is that many Americans are unable to effectively differentiate between shame, guilt, and responsibility.
Post a picture YOU took, just a picture, NO description.
January 15, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Post a picture YOU took, just a picture, NO description.
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
the question to ask about this is, okay, he wants to cancel the midterms. how does he get the VA state board of elections to cancel the midterms? how does he get the georgia board of elections to do it? how does he convince republican house members to quit their jobs and give up their paychecks?
Trump says a lot of deranged shit, but, per this Reuters article — and the threats of invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota this morning — he is very clearly exploring how to cancel the midterms.
www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
January 15, 2026 at 4:29 PM
the question to ask about this is, okay, he wants to cancel the midterms. how does he get the VA state board of elections to cancel the midterms? how does he get the georgia board of elections to do it? how does he convince republican house members to quit their jobs and give up their paychecks?
Reposted by cranky ol’ Auncle Allie
She was married. Her wife raised the child with her. Her father put it out that the boy "didn't have anyone," seemingly as a means of pre-emptively assuming custody over the child. To continue this narrative both insults the dead woman and adds to the surviving parent's grief.
Renee Nicole Good was a mother of three, including a 6-year-old boy who is now an orphan.
Renee was deeply loved by many. Her mom described her as “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
This is who we lost yesterday.
Renee was deeply loved by many. Her mom described her as “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
This is who we lost yesterday.
January 8, 2026 at 3:10 PM
She was married. Her wife raised the child with her. Her father put it out that the boy "didn't have anyone," seemingly as a means of pre-emptively assuming custody over the child. To continue this narrative both insults the dead woman and adds to the surviving parent's grief.
A friend sent me a link to this video and said it made them think of me.
It's just ... such a special thing, when one of your people makes you feel this seen. 🥹
youtube.com/shorts/GrLcr...
It's just ... such a special thing, when one of your people makes you feel this seen. 🥹
youtube.com/shorts/GrLcr...
Biker Found The Most Effective Way To WARN Pedestrians 😂 (@jaxtomasko IG)
YouTube video by Wave Viral
youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:11 PM
A friend sent me a link to this video and said it made them think of me.
It's just ... such a special thing, when one of your people makes you feel this seen. 🥹
youtube.com/shorts/GrLcr...
It's just ... such a special thing, when one of your people makes you feel this seen. 🥹
youtube.com/shorts/GrLcr...
My first bird sighting for 2026 was a red-tailed hawk, perched high in a tree a little ways down my street. (Really, it was two hawks - as the first bird and I regarded one another, a second hawk flew in and perched in the next tree over.) Felt like a good way to start the year. #birds 🪶
January 6, 2026 at 6:06 PM
My first bird sighting for 2026 was a red-tailed hawk, perched high in a tree a little ways down my street. (Really, it was two hawks - as the first bird and I regarded one another, a second hawk flew in and perched in the next tree over.) Felt like a good way to start the year. #birds 🪶
Seriously, we NEED a way to access community resources of all kinds without Facebook.
I deleted my original one in 2018 only to be forced to create a new one a few years back when I needed housing; all the room/shares listings had migrated.
I deleted my original one in 2018 only to be forced to create a new one a few years back when I needed housing; all the room/shares listings had migrated.
We need to be sharing lists of who has what skills they are willing to do/share for free or low cost to help others.
Also finding exchanges of goods and services locally (or setting up if that isn't already set up) that are in person or at least not centered around facebook 😭😭😭
Also finding exchanges of goods and services locally (or setting up if that isn't already set up) that are in person or at least not centered around facebook 😭😭😭
January 6, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Seriously, we NEED a way to access community resources of all kinds without Facebook.
I deleted my original one in 2018 only to be forced to create a new one a few years back when I needed housing; all the room/shares listings had migrated.
I deleted my original one in 2018 only to be forced to create a new one a few years back when I needed housing; all the room/shares listings had migrated.