Her name is now Leucy and her mates name is Ricky. They are Leucy and Ricky Ricardinal. Shes the bird that got me into bird-watching so she deserves a name!

Did she just hit me with a freaking magical girl transformation pose?! I love this leucistic cardinal that nests nearby. It's SO cool to have a bird this unique frequently visiting!

Took some time cleaning this Pileated woodpecker photo up! I've been trying to get a good shot of one since I started bird-watching 2 months ago, a ton of close calls and eyes on, but couldn't get the shot. It felt worth it to spend some time on this one, and finally practice some editing.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets have absolutely 0 chill, this dude was so fun to watch bounce around for a few minutes.

Got to take the camera out to look for some birds again! We've got a Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered hawk, Tufted-titmouse, and swamp sparrow!

Who needs soap operas when you have grackles around?

Finally got some OK shots of a turkey vulture, I've seen a ton, but they are typically out of my range. They were cool to watch glide around this morning.

Another trip out into the woods to check out some birds last night. Snuck out to some water this time to try and get eyes on some possible egrets, no luck yet, but I did run into a ton of other wonderful birds! 17 species added to the life list, it was an incredible evening.

I went birding yesterday, at the Oxley Nature center! Hiked about 6 hours, took lots of pictures, and added 12 species to my life list. It's pretty cool being newer to it, I know it'll slow down, but lots of additions every trip still! The first bird of the day was this Red-headed woodpecker!

I can't emphasize how much fun I had birding for the first time today. I am going to try to contain myself to my 4 favorite pictures from today. Including one that happened a few minutes before this post. I couldn't have asked for a better first experience, and it cemented my love for birding.

Got to take pictures of my teammates racing some bikes today at a local Crit practice. Bikes are cool, so are my friends.

The cardinal with leucism came back and blessed me with a second chance! I knew she was the star of the show, and didn't blow it this time! Gosh she is pretty.

Spotted a cardinal with leucism yesterday! Didnt even know what I had seen until a friend pointed it out. Unfortunately I was focused more on her friend, but I at least got a few pics of her!

Checkout this gorgeous ass cardinal, new lens(Tamron 50-300) came in today and luckily she landed for a quick bath. Unfortunately we have 60 mph gusts though, hiking seems like a bad idea, a tree branch to the face seems like a rough day so this is the best test I have! I do love it though!

Weekend time! Work is dumb, I feel pretty going into the weekend though, and thats the important part!

I swear I don't seek moments like this out, shit just happens.

Got out and touched some grass today. Season is almost back and I’m feeling strong!

I got to try my hand at portrait photography for the first time today. Going into this journey I was pretty adamant I wouldn't enjoy portrait photography...I think that was genuinely some of the most fun I've had since getting a camera.

Best way to start a Wednesday? Pull 350 because your trainer got new equipment and he will get sad if you don’t lift heavy. its cool getting strong.

Wrote a letter to myself 9 years ago(34 now) to the day declaring I was trans. I don't get tripped up on the trans side of things at this point, but my phone loves showing memories like that letter, and I get emotional. Anyways now look at me, sometimes I can be hot and I love who I am, It's cool.

4ish miles of hiking, 270 pictures, and a single OK photo. Was a great hike even though it was still a little chilly. I had a funny realization today that I probably have an easier time staying upright on a bike out here, than I do on my feet.

Out here touching grass and taking mediocre pictures

I didn't like this one at first, in fact it frustrated me because I just wanted the bird to land(I can barely get a still subject in focus, 100% a skill issue), and this was all I could get.

Using/learning photography to help be present and more aware again. It's nice to hike, think and soak it all in. Wanted to find some birds this morning. There were 3 eagles too, but tree cover really made it difficult. One day I'll get a good shot. Here are the favs from this morning!

First attempt at any kind of action shots while learning photography, this was seriously so much fun. Here are the favs from the day.

My camera broke today, rough timing, but my partner is letting me use hers now(5D mk2)! Uhh focus on this thing was a bit more challenging than my a6000, but I spent quite a bit of time getting used to it. Klaus continues to be my favorite model. He's such a handsome boy.

Klaus better get used to being a model, gonna need someone to work with as I learn this stuff, good thing he's cute!

1st day of school! taking a photography class one evening a week for a bit!

losing my mind at the "she should have followed directions" people really? really? you're cool with "if you don't follow directions, they get to kill you"? that seems like a good state of affairs to you? that seems like how law enforcement ought to work: instant obeisance or death?

Twinning

Merry Christmas from Klaus andd I!!!

Got a new rug and with that I think the office is done, I love how cozy this space has become.

Selfies are rare these days, Its christmas sweater season though!

Pre @cliffdiver.bsky.social this last weekend! Great night, ate sushi before, and got crazy. Gay/10 night would do again.

Bikes are pretty cool. pictured shortly before doing something slightly crazy.

Enduro is sick, hucked myself off a 8-10 foot drop on an XC MTB and didn't die. Excited to get more into this, hopefully on a bike geared a bit more for that!

Just out here touching grass.

Backpacked in the Ouachita Mountains this weekend, it was pretty cool, other than the whole every creek being dry for 15 miles thing. Incredibly grateful for the family that filled up our water packs at a nearby highway rest stop, we weren't gonna die but it was about to be a whole lot less fun.

Sick bike, take it off any sweet jumps? (Did my first jump clinic today, it was cool)

Cleared 300lbs for a new deadlift PR this morning, no belt, straps, nothing. Just a "Hey we should lift heavy today" and suddenly we are chasing a DL PR. Started this fitness journey a little over 3 years ago, it's cool getting strong.

And a small break from bikes to defend the point on BF6, gotta give the kids a lesson in recon.

new build part 1 complete, OS, and then cable management left!

Nothing makes you pucker like a bios update.

Sometimes you just gotta go ride bikes with friends. 10/10 gravel day.

Climbed my first 14er today. Grays peak, planned on torreys as well, but conditions had us playing it safe, goal still achieved though. Wow what an experience.

Gravel vibes

I havent been on twitch in a bit, admittedly I login once every month or so to twitch prime. ANYWAYS what in the company store shit is this?!

Its a humbling experience being on a bike after dark on a gravel road deep in Osage county. Eyes from animals reflecting back everywhere, coyotes were getting loud, and some fog set in as we descended into town around midnight. Wont forget this one, im exhausted, and need some serious recovery.

Got to check out some new trails last night! Dang it was gorgeous!

Got to get a long ride in on vacation in Minneapolis. Rode around a lot of lakes, Ate lots of food, and loved every second. Just a great day on the bike, no training goals, not pushing it, just chill!