Kris Gates
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krismgates.bsky.social
Kris Gates
@krismgates.bsky.social
Scientist, atheist, educator. Proud PNW liberal; Oregon.
Striving to be a part of our more perfect union. Lover of birds, cats, baking & preserving. Facts Matter.
#Bird photos are mine unless noted otherwise.
Joined 4/24 Missing Post News!
She/her/pissed
So, so, fabulous! I am thrilled for you!
November 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
illegal orders. I tell you, this made my day. Now I have another reason to love my local Trader Joe's. People are paying attention!
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
He said, "Oh, I've seen you people-- good for you!". Then he proceeded to tell me how upset he is at the Trump Administration's illegal killings of people in boats in the Caribbean, & Trump's threats against members of Congress who are reminding the military that they don't have to follow
November 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
It's so dramatic for a sparrow!
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I'm so glad! It's fun for me too. All the beautiful bird pics on BlueSky are so welcome in these turbulent times.
November 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
They are definitely birds of the underbrush! If you're hearing them, it's only a matter of time before your first sighting.
November 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
quite dissimilar. Their hooked bill is useful for picking through leaf-litter looking for prey and food; these #birds are ground nesters and often ground feeders as well, and the blood-red eye is a feature of both sexes.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
that is traced to a past ice age when massive glacial sheets divided the continent in two, separating #bird (and other animal) populations into eastern and western groups who then evolved into separate species. Between the two, the SPTO inhabits drier landscapes, and their calls and songs are
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I see them so often. The dense pattern of white streaky spots on the SPTO wings differentiates it from the similar Eastern Towhee who instead has large white patches. These two similar species inhabit roughly opposite sides of the continental US. This is a common phenomenon in North American #birds
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Agreed. Although I do have a few friends who “look Hispanic” who insist they are not in danger because they are citizens. I don’t push it, but that doesn’t seem to matter in this process. People are profiled & detained, questions asked later. No one is “safe” I fear.
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I cannot. It’s truly surreal. But still paying attention, still resisting, still hoping we can oust the traitors and rebuild.
November 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Good idea. I bought a bunch of whistles a few weeks ago to hand out. Although I cannot attend, there is a local whistle training Monday evening and they are handing out whistle kits.
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I don’t know how these people live with the stress. Truly debilitating!
November 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Boy, you said it.
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
creatures alive and in the wild, but I do find these facts amazing. You can read more about this fascinating practice here: americanornithology.org/the-sacred-s...
The Sacred Sacred Ibis - American Ornithological Society
The ancient Greeks usually depicted Thoth—their god of writing, wisdom and magic—as having the head of a bird with a long, down-curving bill.  Until the 1800s, Europeans thought that this bird was pro...
americanornithology.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM