Mir WB
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mirwb.bsky.social
Mir WB
@mirwb.bsky.social
270 followers 200 following 84 posts
Bit of a nerd with a love of all things ocean and photography 🐟 📸
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Reposted by Mir WB
sophiecarr.bsky.social
Back in the woods again! Still some mushrooms around (not many!) and lots of red ferns.

#Autumn #AutumnColours #Hockeridge
A woodland scene with some bare trees, green grass, orange ferns, and some reflections of the tree trunks in a puddle. Candlesnuff fungi A little cluster of tiny mushrooms, one with a bug on it. The sun seen through some dried red ferns
November 23, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
drrachelclarke.com
"My NHS colleagues & I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Boris no longer mentions them at all."

My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.

Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I’ll never forget the horror of the Covid wards | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
biodiversitypix.bsky.social
🦄 Arcana, or, The museum of natural history: .
London: Printed by George Smeeton for James Stratford, 1811..

[Source]
Historical illustration of a leafy sea dragon, a marine fish resembling a seahorse, with an elongated, curved body covered in a segmented, ridged armor. It has a long snout, a wide eye, and leaf-like appendages extending from its body and tail, aiding camouflage among seaweed. The background is a plain, aged parchment with text noting the title "SEA HORSE" and publication details from 1811. The artwork captures intricate details of the creature’s texture and unique form, emphasizing its resemblance to foliage and its naturalistic scientific representation from the early 19th century.
October 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
stianklo.bsky.social
Treasured memories from a flight with my late friend, Haraldur aka Volcanopilot, back in August 2019.

#Iceland #aerial #nature #landscape #landscapephotography #river
December 10, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
cephalopodsdaily.bsky.social
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is known to mimic several different animals, including lionfish, flatfish, sea snakes and stinging anemones. They use their mimicry to confuse predators as well as to sneak up to prey.

#OCTOtober
A Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) sitting in the sand. One arm is raised and curled, making it look like it is shaking it's fist. The octopus is off white and brown. Its arms especially have alternating strips, as well as a white stripe. It has fleshy horns above each eye. A Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) mimicking a flatfish. It is going along the sand with is arms trailing behind together. It has a white and grey striped pattern. A Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) sitting in the sand. Its head and mantle are sticking out of the sand and are visible. Two long "horns" extend from above each eye. Its arms are wavy and extend behind it. One arms is visible, sticking out in front of it. It has a white and brown striped pattern, with stripes on its arms. A Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) crawling on the sea floor. It has its webbing out, so it looks like a blanket of with a bunch of wavy bumps. This makes it hard to tell which bumps are its head and mantle and not its arms. It has a pattern of dark and light brown stripes, making it even harder to tell which part is what. The bottom of its arms have white line at the bottom. The background is the sea floor stretching out into the distance as far as visibility will allow, with a lot of conches on the sea floor.
October 22, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
timothysnyder.bsky.social
Lots of US companies have done lots of dreadful things to Americans. But the symbolism of paying to destroy the White House is hard to top.
aozorasf.bsky.social Aozora @aozorasf.bsky.social · Oct 21
This is who is paying for the destruction of the White House East Wing, per @wsj.com

Altria Group Inc.
Amazon
Apple Inc.
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
Caterpillar Inc.
Coinbase Global
Comcast Corp.
Hard Rock International
Google
HP Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Meta Platforms Inc.
1/3
October 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
ubcoceans.bsky.social
The 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature (@sscmarine.bsky.social) World Conservation Congress (WCC) has adopted a resolution intended to end #bottomtrawling in international #seamounts by the end of 2026. www.seafoodsource.com/news/environ...
Resolution to end bottom trawling in seamounts headed to UN General Assembly
www.seafoodsource.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
mirwb.bsky.social
Super weird!
jeffday.bsky.social Jeff Day @jeffday.bsky.social · Oct 20
was randomly browsing r/megalophobia earlier only to see an image of stygiomedusa with a snorkeler at the surface, which is bonkers since it's a deep sea jelly. 🦑🧪

after a little digging, it came from this paper: doi.org/10.1590/S198...

about this observation:
www.instagram.com/p/BzlnDMxht0y
October 21, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
biodiversitypix.bsky.social
😸 The zoological miscellany: .
London: Printed by B. McMillan for E. Nodder & Son and sold by all booksellers, 1814-1817..

[Source]
Illustration of a platypus from an early 19th-century zoological book. The platypus is shown in profile with a furry brown body, a broad flat tail, a distinctive duck-like bill, and webbed front feet adapted for swimming. The back feet have sharp claws. The image includes a circular stamp reading "ALBANY INSTITUTE." The artwork reflects historical scientific interest and showcases the platypus's unique mammalian and aquatic features.
October 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
cephalopodsdaily.bsky.social
Japetella diaphana is one of the few species of bioluminescent octopuses, and it is one of the few octopus species that live in the open water.

They don't even go to the seafloor to lay eggs. Instead, Japetella mothers carry their eggs as they float in the sea.

#OCTOtober
A Japetella diaphana floating in the ocean. It is gelatinous and transparent, with an orange organ inside its mantle being visible.It is covered in orange chromatophores that are mostly opaque, and you can see through it in the gaps between them. The octopus is oriented vertically with its arms pointed down. Its arms are mostly an opaque orange but they are surrounded by transparent flesh. A female Japetella diaphana floating in the ocean, carrying eggs and brooding. The octopus is facing away and to the left, and is oriented vertically, with its arms being curved backward (towards camera and to the right). Two arms curved further upwards. In the centre of its arms are a clutch of white eggs. The octopus has a single row of eggs on its arms. The octopus is a peach colour. A Japetella diaphana floating in the ocean. It is oriented horizontally and slightly down. It is covered in orange chromatophores but they are quite small. Its entire body is clear, translucent and gelatinous. Its arms are held together. A close up of a male Japetella diaphana floating in the ocean. It is facing away from the camera. It is oriented vertically, but its arms are going back and are in different directions. You can see the single row of suckers on each arm. It is peach coloured.
October 20, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
science.org
In 2022, researchers noticed little human footprints—remnants of an ancient playground—inside the fossilized tracks of a giant ground sloth.

Learn more on #InternationalSlothDay. https://scim.ag/42PLNfl
Ancient human playground found inside sloth footprints
Fossilized tracks of a giant ground sloth are stamped with tiny human feet
scim.ag
October 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
alisonfisk.bsky.social
Spectacular googly-eyed octopus does battle with a lobster in this 2,000 year-old Roman mosaic from Pompeii! 🐙 🦞

Fantastic fishy onlookers too! 👀

From the House of the Geometric Mosaics. Now at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.
📷 by me

#MosaicMonday
#Archaeology
My photo shows a polychrome mosaic depicting Mediterranean marine life using earthy-coloured tesserae (mosaic tiles) against a black tessarae background. At the centre of the mosaic is a pale-coloured octopus composed of off-white and light brown tesserae with some of its writhing tentacles wrapped around the body of a lobster composed of light red, and pinky-brown tesserae. The octopus has an egg shaped body/head and it stares at the viewer with large eyes made of brown and pink circles with black centres. The octopus and lobster are surrounded by various species of large and small Mediterranean fish and a mollusc, including an eel and a flat fish. On the left hand side of the scene there is a small kingfisher bird on top of a rock. Some of the fish appear to be watching the fight between the octopus and the lobster This mosaic comes from the House of the Geometric Mosaics in Pompeii. Now on display at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.
October 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
drcatmac.bsky.social
I wish they had used this beautiful quote he offered in the story as the headline instead:

“She was scared also. It was not her fault.”
‘She Could Have Killed Me’: Scientist Survives Shark Bite to His Head
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:39 PM
mirwb.bsky.social
Love a nudibranch
publicdomainrev.bsky.social The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · Sep 30
Nudibranchs as pictured by a Japanese illustrator named Kumataro Ito, artist for the USS Albatross’ Philippine Expedition, 1907–10. More of his stunning images here: publicdomainreview.org/collection/k...
September 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
mirwb.bsky.social
Trawling being permitted in Marine Protected Areas directly contradicts their purpose. It's pointless and moronic and sad. Tell your MP! only.one/act/uk-mpa-c...
Tell UK Leaders: Ban Bottom Trawling in Marine Protected Areas
The UK government has finally announced a plan to ban destructive bottom trawling in 41 offshore MPAs. The catch? It’s not a done deal. A public consultation is open NOW before anything is finalised —...
only.one
September 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
merriam-webster.com
‘Nickname’ is not ‘nick’ + ‘name.’

It was originally ‘ekename.’

‘Eke’ was the Middle English word for “also” or “in addition.”

Since ‘ekename’ began with a vowel, people used ‘an’ before it.

Over time, 'an ekename' became 'a nickname.'
September 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
brianbilston.bsky.social
Here’s a poem called ‘English Roundabouts’.
English Roundabouts   They’re making the roundabouts great again by painting the flag of St George to keep our circular road systems safe from the dark, satanic hordes. What do they want? Patriotic junctions! When do they want them? Before it’s too late. Good old-fashioned English roundabouts, as decreed by Alfred the Great. Behold the sacred intersection, this blessed plot, this septic isle. English roundabouts for English people, draped in red and white and bile. St George is cross, as well he may be – whipped-up hate, he’s seen before. Give way to the right, the road signs rage, and the far right most of all. Brian Bilston
September 15, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
britannica.com
We're struggling to do anything but watch this video of the newly discovered bumpy snailfish today.
September 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Mir WB
guyshrubsole.bsky.social
Labour MPs today call for new legislation to extend a right of responsible access to more English landscapes, and for the right to swim and wild camp to be enshrined in law

@righttoroam.bsky.social inputted to this new report from the APPG for access to nature:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Right to swim and wild camp in England should be enshrined in law, Labour MPs say
Report from group of MPs calls for broader access to rivers, woodlands and fields to improve connection with nature
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:43 AM
mirwb.bsky.social
Ohhh this one is a beauty 😍
biodiversitypix.bsky.social Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · Sep 12
🐠 Poissons, ecrevisses et crabes, de diverses couleurs et figures extraordinaires, .
A Amsterdam, Chez Reinier & Josué Ottens, 1754..

[Source]
Historical illustration depicting seven vibrantly colored fish, including two angelfish distinguished by their laterally compressed, rounded bodies and bold vertical stripes in shades of yellow, blue, and brown. The fish are arranged in a loose grid on a beige background with handwritten French labels and descriptions. Notable are the detailed patterns, varied fin shapes, and expressive facial features of each fish, highlighting their extraordinary colors and anatomical diversity typical of 18th-century naturalist artwork. The angelfish are among the central subjects, showcasing their distinctive tall dorsal fins and striped bodies.
September 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
guyshrubsole.bsky.social
Great to see that government WILL ban moorland burning on peat deeper than 30cm, and over a much greater area than previously

Big win for communities who've suffered the smoke + floods stemming from this Victorian practice

Only losers are ~150 wealthy grouse moor owners

www.gov.uk/government/n...
Burning banned on England’s deep peat to protect wildlife
Ban on burning heather and grass on deep peat extended to improve air quality for local communities, reduce flood risk and protect wildlife.
www.gov.uk
September 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
cvcev.bsky.social
Clinically Vulnerable people must not be forgotten. Covid vaccines protect both individuals and NHS services for everyone.

We urgently need to reach 10k.

Please help!

#KeepCovidBoosters
2/
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Petition: Fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people – keep covid boosters
'Protect the NHS' and 'Save Lives' by continuing to fund NHS COVID boosters for Clinically Vulnerable people, including most previously shielded as CEV, rather than limiting them to over-75s, care hom...
petition.parliament.uk
September 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
tetzoo.bsky.social
I am opposed to AI products and services because of the extra power they require... IN A CLIMATE CRISIS. I am opposed to AI results - texts and illustrations - because they've been created unethically, via theft and non-consensual use of the work of others. Share if you agree.
September 7, 2025 at 10:16 AM
mirwb.bsky.social
The most demonic looking koala I've seen...
biodiversitypix.bsky.social Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · Sep 5
🐨 Arcana, or, The museum of natural history: .
London: Printed by George Smeeton for James Stratford, 1811.. The Koala's genus name means "pouch bear" & species name means "ash-colored." C it n #bhlib & @eol eol.org/pages/128425/overview

[Source]
Illustration of a koala clinging to a textured, leafless tree branch. The koala is depicted with a rounded body, small rounded ears with tufts of fur, and large eyes. The tree has intricate bark patterns and some small foliage at the base. The background is plain with minimal elements, focusing attention on the koala and tree. The image is an early 19th-century natural history drawing, detailed with fine lines and a muted color palette, showing the koala's ash-colored fur and sturdy build. The artwork is titled "Koalo" and was published in 1810.
September 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Reposted by Mir WB
photomagazines.bsky.social
LPM PHOTO OF THE DAY

Take Part: https://landscapephotographymagazine.com/ulp

Sintra Cascais NP, Portugal by Nuno Luis
September 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM