David A. Ek
@ekdavid.bsky.social
Organic novelist, author & blogger (& former geoscientist). Books include: Lizard People: Death Valley Underground (mystery), Pedro's Pickles & the American Dream (darn good story) & Nowhere Bound (the climbing experience for everyday spuds). #BookSky
Historically, Mark Twain once said that sagebrush country is a "forest in exquisite miniature." However, in modern times, the American West loses 1.3 million acres of sagebrush steppe a year. #NatureLovers
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Historically, Mark Twain once said that sagebrush country is a "forest in exquisite miniature." However, in modern times, the American West loses 1.3 million acres of sagebrush steppe a year. #NatureLovers
An undisclosed spirit spiral
November 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
An undisclosed spirit spiral
“He who does not know his way to the sea should take a river for his guide.” —Blaise Pascal
November 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
“He who does not know his way to the sea should take a river for his guide.” —Blaise Pascal
The one and only boot that lifted itself up by its own boot-straps (but couldn't figure out how to get down)
November 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The one and only boot that lifted itself up by its own boot-straps (but couldn't figure out how to get down)
“Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” ― George Washington
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” ― George Washington
Spirit Mound, reported home of little people
November 11, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Spirit Mound, reported home of little people
The people at this Las Vegas swimming pool on July 17, 1955, look so casual. I guess if you've seen one nuclear mushroom cloud, you've seen them all... Note: I did not take this photo.
November 10, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The people at this Las Vegas swimming pool on July 17, 1955, look so casual. I guess if you've seen one nuclear mushroom cloud, you've seen them all... Note: I did not take this photo.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition experienced their highest number of grizzly bear encounters along Montana's Musselshell River.
November 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The Lewis and Clark Expedition experienced their highest number of grizzly bear encounters along Montana's Musselshell River.
A recent "Lizard People: Death Valley Underground" 5-star review: “For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns.”
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A recent "Lizard People: Death Valley Underground" 5-star review: “For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns.”
In Nebraska, someone constructed "MedusHay" out of hay.
November 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
In Nebraska, someone constructed "MedusHay" out of hay.
“Freedom begins between the ears.” ― Edward Abbey #AmericanAuthors
November 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
“Freedom begins between the ears.” ― Edward Abbey #AmericanAuthors
I enjoy watching the antics of the yellow-billed cuckoo. I look forward to its spring return to the E. woodlands. I haven't watched it as much out West, partly due to its rarity. Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Threatened listing of the Western race. Someday, the W race may too return.
November 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I enjoy watching the antics of the yellow-billed cuckoo. I look forward to its spring return to the E. woodlands. I haven't watched it as much out West, partly due to its rarity. Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Threatened listing of the Western race. Someday, the W race may too return.
“No American should go through life without knowing a river, some river, and the wilder the better.” —Wallace Stegner
October 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“No American should go through life without knowing a river, some river, and the wilder the better.” —Wallace Stegner
Instead of "TreeTuesday", "TravelTuesday", "TakeMeBackTuesday", or even a "TurkeyTuesday" thread, we have #TitmouseTuesday ? That's a totally tiny trove to tap.... Instead, I throw out Turkey Scratch, the hometown of [no "T"] Levon Helm. Odd, yes, and no titmice to be found, but totally true.
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Instead of "TreeTuesday", "TravelTuesday", "TakeMeBackTuesday", or even a "TurkeyTuesday" thread, we have #TitmouseTuesday ? That's a totally tiny trove to tap.... Instead, I throw out Turkey Scratch, the hometown of [no "T"] Levon Helm. Odd, yes, and no titmice to be found, but totally true.
There's no easy escape for us either...
October 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
There's no easy escape for us either...
“The best thing about graduating from the university was that I finally had time to sit on a log and read a good book.” ― Edward Abbey
October 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“The best thing about graduating from the university was that I finally had time to sit on a log and read a good book.” ― Edward Abbey
“It is great art to saunter.” —Henry David Thoreau
October 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
“It is great art to saunter.” —Henry David Thoreau
The "road" less traveled...
October 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The "road" less traveled...
Recently, a new bat species was discovered in Africa. However, today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Endangered listing for Stenogyne bifida. With only one plant left, we may have lost the species before we even realized it was there. We are losing species faster than we can learn about them.
October 8, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Recently, a new bat species was discovered in Africa. However, today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Endangered listing for Stenogyne bifida. With only one plant left, we may have lost the species before we even realized it was there. We are losing species faster than we can learn about them.
The latest Amazon 5-star comment for my book, "Lizard People: Death Valley Underground":
"For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns."
"For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns."
October 1, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The latest Amazon 5-star comment for my book, "Lizard People: Death Valley Underground":
"For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns."
"For readers drawn to desert noir, strange Americana, or stories that challenge the boundary between truth and myth, this book offers a gripping ride with plenty of unexpected turns."
"Ek skillfully weaves a narrative that goes beyond the surface, delving into themes of hope, trust, deceit, & the intricate facets of character. It is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit, offering a narrative that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned."
September 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
"Ek skillfully weaves a narrative that goes beyond the surface, delving into themes of hope, trust, deceit, & the intricate facets of character. It is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit, offering a narrative that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned."
Random photo attached to a woefully naive social media question. I routinely see social media accounts that have zero postings & zero social media activity, yet they have thousands of followers. How can this be? I usually don't follow an unknown account that has such a blank slate. I'm baffled.
September 22, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Random photo attached to a woefully naive social media question. I routinely see social media accounts that have zero postings & zero social media activity, yet they have thousands of followers. How can this be? I usually don't follow an unknown account that has such a blank slate. I'm baffled.
T. Paine [in Common Sense]:
“If we omit [a constitution] now, some [huckster] may hereafter arise who, laying hold of popular grievances, may collect together the discontented, & by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.”
“If we omit [a constitution] now, some [huckster] may hereafter arise who, laying hold of popular grievances, may collect together the discontented, & by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.”
September 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
T. Paine [in Common Sense]:
“If we omit [a constitution] now, some [huckster] may hereafter arise who, laying hold of popular grievances, may collect together the discontented, & by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.”
“If we omit [a constitution] now, some [huckster] may hereafter arise who, laying hold of popular grievances, may collect together the discontented, & by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.”