Petra Spiess
@petraspiess.bsky.social
Former ecologist, current writer. Small space gardener obsessed with flowers. I love arid and semi-arid ecosystems and every creepy crawly, the uglier the better. And birds. And marine creatures. Same axiom applies.
I think this is Pilosocereus armatus on Anguilla but not sure. Love the cacti in the Caribbean. And yes the water really looks like that, glows like a jewel, especially from 12-2 PM.
July 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I think this is Pilosocereus armatus on Anguilla but not sure. Love the cacti in the Caribbean. And yes the water really looks like that, glows like a jewel, especially from 12-2 PM.
Black necked stilt, Anguilla. They have these crazy salt ponds all over Anguilla that are very specialized ecosystems attracting a wide variety of interesting birds. A+ country.
July 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Black necked stilt, Anguilla. They have these crazy salt ponds all over Anguilla that are very specialized ecosystems attracting a wide variety of interesting birds. A+ country.
Enjoy this very determined American coot.
March 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Enjoy this very determined American coot.
I wish to share this Turk’s head cactus (Melocactus species unknown) so named because the red top looks like a fez. No reason, I just think they are neat. Photo taken in the British Virgin Islands.
February 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I wish to share this Turk’s head cactus (Melocactus species unknown) so named because the red top looks like a fez. No reason, I just think they are neat. Photo taken in the British Virgin Islands.
Peach faced lovebirds have established a self sustaining population around Phoenix. Thought to be escaped pets, the species originates from desert areas in Africa so can take the heat. Non native, so the negatives of that, but adorable.
December 1, 2024 at 4:56 PM
Peach faced lovebirds have established a self sustaining population around Phoenix. Thought to be escaped pets, the species originates from desert areas in Africa so can take the heat. Non native, so the negatives of that, but adorable.
For #Caturday my applehead siamese Duff whose brain is similar to an electron valence cloud in you cannot predict its location, home or not home.
November 23, 2024 at 9:18 PM
For #Caturday my applehead siamese Duff whose brain is similar to an electron valence cloud in you cannot predict its location, home or not home.
I love these broad-winged katydids (Microcentrum rhombifolium.) In September you hear them clicking in trees but damn if I can ever find one when I look. Only see them when they just happen to be hanging out on like, a chair or something. The mimicry of leaf veins on their bodies is amazing.
November 18, 2024 at 3:34 PM
I love these broad-winged katydids (Microcentrum rhombifolium.) In September you hear them clicking in trees but damn if I can ever find one when I look. Only see them when they just happen to be hanging out on like, a chair or something. The mimicry of leaf veins on their bodies is amazing.
I’ve read it’s customary for a first post to be your cat. Sadly mine, Galaxy, passed two years ago but here she is in her zaftig leopard print glory.
November 10, 2024 at 10:54 PM
I’ve read it’s customary for a first post to be your cat. Sadly mine, Galaxy, passed two years ago but here she is in her zaftig leopard print glory.