SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
@skwinnicki.bsky.social
Evolutionary ecologist & ornithologist, postdoc Ohio State | PhD UIUC, MSc Kansas State | SciComm, birding, and nature photography | certified Lawn Hater, Cowbird Apologist, Stress Physiology Enthusiast, Typo Lover | they/them 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 | skwinnicki.com
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Hi new followers, I’m SK!
Do you know that trope where a character is eaten alive by a dark secret and is forced to publicly confess it? That’s how I feel about every cool fact I learn, and until I can get back to teaching again they’re all coming out here, so buckle up!
Thread of fave posts:
Do you know that trope where a character is eaten alive by a dark secret and is forced to publicly confess it? That’s how I feel about every cool fact I learn, and until I can get back to teaching again they’re all coming out here, so buckle up!
Thread of fave posts:
Hats off to the Wikipedia editor(s)/author(s) who went all out on this article about the extinct Stellar’s Sea Cow, did not expect nearly this much detail.
Never thought to ask which extant animal had the most similar poop (horses) or how long the sea cows’ penis was (very long).
Never thought to ask which extant animal had the most similar poop (horses) or how long the sea cows’ penis was (very long).
November 11, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Hats off to the Wikipedia editor(s)/author(s) who went all out on this article about the extinct Stellar’s Sea Cow, did not expect nearly this much detail.
Never thought to ask which extant animal had the most similar poop (horses) or how long the sea cows’ penis was (very long).
Never thought to ask which extant animal had the most similar poop (horses) or how long the sea cows’ penis was (very long).
“are you worried AI is going to replace you?”
the AI trying to do my job: *thinks there are Eurasian bird species and a notoriously sensitive northern owl on the Ohio State campus*
the AI trying to do my job: *thinks there are Eurasian bird species and a notoriously sensitive northern owl on the Ohio State campus*
November 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
“are you worried AI is going to replace you?”
the AI trying to do my job: *thinks there are Eurasian bird species and a notoriously sensitive northern owl on the Ohio State campus*
the AI trying to do my job: *thinks there are Eurasian bird species and a notoriously sensitive northern owl on the Ohio State campus*
Good news everyone, the property managers who still haven't even bothered to come out to my rental in the three weeks since I've reported multiple ceiling collapses are now declaring (based on photos) that the brown fluffy growing colonies on my ceiling are in fact *not* mold.
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Good news everyone, the property managers who still haven't even bothered to come out to my rental in the three weeks since I've reported multiple ceiling collapses are now declaring (based on photos) that the brown fluffy growing colonies on my ceiling are in fact *not* mold.
Blessed Edmund Fitzgerald Day for all those who commemorate its sinking 50 years ago today
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST...
"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Gordon Lightfoot (HD w/ Lyrics)
YouTube video by Zeezy
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Blessed Edmund Fitzgerald Day for all those who commemorate its sinking 50 years ago today
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST...
Pretty autumn yesterday, snowy autumn today.
Really hoping that translates into winter finches around here, but already my yard bird community looks a bit different— suddenly Song Sparrows under the feeder and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers beefing nearby.
Really hoping that translates into winter finches around here, but already my yard bird community looks a bit different— suddenly Song Sparrows under the feeder and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers beefing nearby.
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Pretty autumn yesterday, snowy autumn today.
Really hoping that translates into winter finches around here, but already my yard bird community looks a bit different— suddenly Song Sparrows under the feeder and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers beefing nearby.
Really hoping that translates into winter finches around here, but already my yard bird community looks a bit different— suddenly Song Sparrows under the feeder and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers beefing nearby.
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
Genuinely did not see that coming. Guess I'll take it
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Genuinely did not see that coming. Guess I'll take it
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
A legal marriage between two consenting adults is no one's business but their own. Love live Obergefell! 🏳️🌈
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
A legal marriage between two consenting adults is no one's business but their own. Love live Obergefell! 🏳️🌈
Oh this is a weight off my shoulders this morning
Breaking news: The Supreme Court has declined to consider a challenge to its landmark 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
The challenge came from a county clerk who stopped issuing marriage licenses shortly after the ruling.
The challenge came from a county clerk who stopped issuing marriage licenses shortly after the ruling.
Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to landmark gay marriage ruling
The announcement indicates there is not an appetite among the high court’s conservative majority to revisit one of the court’s most significant decisions in recent years.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Oh this is a weight off my shoulders this morning
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
More chaos and cruelty in SNAP. A short 🧵. On Thursday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered USDA to issue full SNAP benefits for November by Friday, using unneeded extra funds in the child nutrition account. Several states responded by starting work on issuing full benefits. 1/
November 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
More chaos and cruelty in SNAP. A short 🧵. On Thursday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered USDA to issue full SNAP benefits for November by Friday, using unneeded extra funds in the child nutrition account. Several states responded by starting work on issuing full benefits. 1/
Are we the baddies dot gif
November 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Are we the baddies dot gif
Hey pals in the route of this cold snap, especially the northern regions: charge your external power packs!
The trees here in central Ohio are still covered in wet, heavy leaves. Snow is going to snap branches more than it would in winter, taking out powerlines
www.foxweather.com/weather-news...
The trees here in central Ohio are still covered in wet, heavy leaves. Snow is going to snap branches more than it would in winter, taking out powerlines
www.foxweather.com/weather-news...
Over 170 million Americans brace for big freeze sending temperatures near record lows as far south as Florida
Over 170 million Americans across 35 states will see temperatures drop below freezing into next week as a massive cold front brings a hint of winter weather early.
www.foxweather.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Hey pals in the route of this cold snap, especially the northern regions: charge your external power packs!
The trees here in central Ohio are still covered in wet, heavy leaves. Snow is going to snap branches more than it would in winter, taking out powerlines
www.foxweather.com/weather-news...
The trees here in central Ohio are still covered in wet, heavy leaves. Snow is going to snap branches more than it would in winter, taking out powerlines
www.foxweather.com/weather-news...
Learning I can anticipate how cold it’s going to be based on the number of House Sparrows at my urban feeders.
Typically ~20 at any given time, I’ve currently got a flock of at least 140 as this polar snap rolls in and temperatures start to dip into freezing.
Typically ~20 at any given time, I’ve currently got a flock of at least 140 as this polar snap rolls in and temperatures start to dip into freezing.
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Learning I can anticipate how cold it’s going to be based on the number of House Sparrows at my urban feeders.
Typically ~20 at any given time, I’ve currently got a flock of at least 140 as this polar snap rolls in and temperatures start to dip into freezing.
Typically ~20 at any given time, I’ve currently got a flock of at least 140 as this polar snap rolls in and temperatures start to dip into freezing.
And even *if* standing with trans people is a liability, do it anyway. Invest in changing hearts and minds if you must.
We’re worth fighting for. Our rights and lives and wellness and joy are worth it
We’re worth fighting for. Our rights and lives and wellness and joy are worth it
the harris campaign said the “they/them” ad didn’t sway the election.
one of the trump campaign’s top strategists this week said trans rights isn’t in the top five issues for swing voters.
when will the press stop talking about us like we’re a liability and start looking itself in the mirror
one of the trump campaign’s top strategists this week said trans rights isn’t in the top five issues for swing voters.
when will the press stop talking about us like we’re a liability and start looking itself in the mirror
November 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
And even *if* standing with trans people is a liability, do it anyway. Invest in changing hearts and minds if you must.
We’re worth fighting for. Our rights and lives and wellness and joy are worth it
We’re worth fighting for. Our rights and lives and wellness and joy are worth it
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
I realized why this article bothers me. It's because it narrows being a devote Christian narrowly to ideas around sex which is an inherently conservative definition of Christianity. Talarico says his Christianity is what compels him to care about the poor.
James Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for U.S. Senate who has put his faith at the forefront of his campaign, follows several adult film performers, escorts and OnlyFans models on Instagram, according to an Axios review.
Faith-forward Texas Senate candidate follows porn actors, escorts online
James Talarico has become a sensation in Texas politics by talking about how his Christianity is the basis for his progressive politics.
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I realized why this article bothers me. It's because it narrows being a devote Christian narrowly to ideas around sex which is an inherently conservative definition of Christianity. Talarico says his Christianity is what compels him to care about the poor.
We were good kids but too stupid and curious (we’re all scientists now). So my parents had to deal with our:
-jumping off the house to see if we could do it without getting hurt
-getting bit by wild animals we grabbed to study
-blowing up a microwave in a poorly planned culinary/science experience
-jumping off the house to see if we could do it without getting hurt
-getting bit by wild animals we grabbed to study
-blowing up a microwave in a poorly planned culinary/science experience
me then: *watching my parents get pissed when we’d do something dangerous and stupid* wow they must real hate us if they’re yelling
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
November 9, 2025 at 2:32 AM
We were good kids but too stupid and curious (we’re all scientists now). So my parents had to deal with our:
-jumping off the house to see if we could do it without getting hurt
-getting bit by wild animals we grabbed to study
-blowing up a microwave in a poorly planned culinary/science experience
-jumping off the house to see if we could do it without getting hurt
-getting bit by wild animals we grabbed to study
-blowing up a microwave in a poorly planned culinary/science experience
me then: *watching my parents get pissed when we’d do something dangerous and stupid* wow they must real hate us if they’re yelling
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
November 9, 2025 at 2:21 AM
me then: *watching my parents get pissed when we’d do something dangerous and stupid* wow they must real hate us if they’re yelling
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
me now: *getting so frustrated I’m gonna scream because my cat is hiding from me and I’m so anxious she’s caught or hurt somewhere in the house and I need to save her*
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
Omfg yo holy shit look at this shot. Taken 34 minutes ago. I got some decent video I'll edit once I get to a hotel after catching the milky way...so..3 hours? 🪶
November 9, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Omfg yo holy shit look at this shot. Taken 34 minutes ago. I got some decent video I'll edit once I get to a hotel after catching the milky way...so..3 hours? 🪶
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
For @teenvogue.com I wrote about the death of trans athlete Lia Smith and how trans youth kind themselves with central pillars of their lives being constantly ripped away from them because of politics. www.teenvogue.com/story/politi...
Politicizing Transgender Athletes Is Dangerous. Lia Smith Deserved Better.
"Let her passing be an inflection point for how you think about trans rights and trans people more generally."
www.teenvogue.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:23 AM
For @teenvogue.com I wrote about the death of trans athlete Lia Smith and how trans youth kind themselves with central pillars of their lives being constantly ripped away from them because of politics. www.teenvogue.com/story/politi...
Proud of these folks in Chicago, and those around the country, who are actively obstructing ICE, even radicalizing on the spot. LFG
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Inside Chicago’s growing resistance movement against Operation Midway Blitz: ‘Small acts have huge consequences’
In Chicago, the resistance to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation mission has taken many forms. A movement has grown through acts large and small.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Proud of these folks in Chicago, and those around the country, who are actively obstructing ICE, even radicalizing on the spot. LFG
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
Hello, friend. Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon variant)
November 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Hello, friend. Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon variant)
First I drag my dog all the way to the creek for a swim only to have the creek be dry
Then I have to trim the canaries’ toenails, a process they do not like at all.
I bet my pets prefer when I’m at work haha
Then I have to trim the canaries’ toenails, a process they do not like at all.
I bet my pets prefer when I’m at work haha
November 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
First I drag my dog all the way to the creek for a swim only to have the creek be dry
Then I have to trim the canaries’ toenails, a process they do not like at all.
I bet my pets prefer when I’m at work haha
Then I have to trim the canaries’ toenails, a process they do not like at all.
I bet my pets prefer when I’m at work haha
Reposted by SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️⚧️
Turns out James Watson was even WORSE than I realized and that is impressive because I already thought he was a racist, misogynistic asshole!
November 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Turns out James Watson was even WORSE than I realized and that is impressive because I already thought he was a racist, misogynistic asshole!
There’s a spot in my local park where my phone GPS must get confused, so the Merlin algorithm suddenly thinks it is somewhere else (not central Ohio).
In the spring it was recommending South and Central American birds. Now it thinks I’m in… Maine perhaps?
In the spring it was recommending South and Central American birds. Now it thinks I’m in… Maine perhaps?
November 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
There’s a spot in my local park where my phone GPS must get confused, so the Merlin algorithm suddenly thinks it is somewhere else (not central Ohio).
In the spring it was recommending South and Central American birds. Now it thinks I’m in… Maine perhaps?
In the spring it was recommending South and Central American birds. Now it thinks I’m in… Maine perhaps?
New favorite addition to the local bird mural
November 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
New favorite addition to the local bird mural
Local neighborhood vibe check
November 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Local neighborhood vibe check