A great blue heron finds some lunch at Ivy Creek Natural Area near Charlottesville. Amazing fisherman—not so much fun for the fish. #birds #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #photography #heron #greatblueheron

There's something about a picture with two animal species that does the soul good--I don't know why. Here the largely herbivorous white-tailed deer and the ferociously carnivorous great blue heron are feeding together at Ivy Creek Natural Area near Charlottesville. #birds #deer #heron #wildlife

Today I am celebrating the publication of "The Annotated Old English Alice," a revised and augmented edition of "Æðelgyðe Ellendæda on Wundorlande," my translation of "Alice in Wonderland," a fun way to learn Old English. Available from Amazon, and soon from other online booksellers. #OldEnglish

For typography enthusiasts: I have just released a new text-font based on designs by the great Renaissance punch-cutter Francesco Griffo. With Latin, Cyrillic, and Greek scripts, it supports more than 300 languages. It's free—get it at github.com/psb1558/Irra.... #typography #fonts

Great egret near Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We had a great mini-vacation there, but we also worried about the National Wildlife Refuge system in this country and what the current crew of crazies may do to it. #Chincoteague #birds #photography

Tricolored heron at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. I haven't been able to find out if the outfit has suffered job cuts, but the admission fee is now, in essence, voluntary, as the entrance booth is unstaffed (I have a senior pass). #Chincoteague #Birds #photography

#HandsOff demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia. Can't estimate the crowd: certainly at least a thousand thickly lining about 1/4 mile of Seminole Trail and Hydraulic Road. Lots of honking and thumbs up gestures from passing motorists: it was festive, but many of the signs were plaintive.

Part of my current fascination with animals is envy, because they don’t have to worry about a madman wrecking the nation or crashing the world economy. As long as the oaks are producing acorns this guy will be fine. #photography #squirrels

Mallards bob for treats in the shallows of Ivy Creek while tree frogs sing nearby. Peace. #birds #frogs #videos

The view from central Virginia last night. The relative lack of detail in the image from the totality is due to the dramatic drop in light level. #LunarEclipse #Photography

This downy woodpecker is my new best friend. She's been pecking away on my desktop for two days now, and I'm not tired of her yet. #birds #wildlife #video

When I feel stressed out (as I often do these days), I find it often helps to look at a picture of a squirrel. #photography #squirrels

Signs that spring is on the way: bluebirds checking out the local real estate; mallards turning up in numbers; painted turtles sunbathing on fallen logs; herons building their nests in the tops of the highest trees. #birds #photography

Not the world's greatest shot (it was very far away), but it was a joy to see this Eastern Bluebird transitioning from its winter colors to the brilliant blue of spring. #photography #birds

Far as I'm concerned, this nameless Virginia groundhog settles the dispute between Punxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck: it's up and about, not slumbering February away; spring is definitely coming early. #photography

Not one of your more exotic birds, but mockingbirds are among the nicest around. I caught this one in the front yard, looking imperious. It was eating a holly berry, and I had the impression that it liked being photographed. #photography #birds

Frozen beaver pond near Charlottesville, Virginia. What I like best here is the muted winter color. #photography #landscapephotography

Just escaped from you-know-where and signed up here, and to celebrate I'm posting one of my favorite photos from a recent trip. Taken in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. #photography #Ireland