I am quite confident that I've just started the most ambitious project I've ever done.

The Artemis II crew have now traveled farther into space than any other human

“Indeed it has been said that from the proceedings of her early Legislatures, it might well be imagined that Michigan sought the privileges of a state solely for the purpose of building canals, railroads and turnpikes and improving rivers and harbors.” We've always been into roads, apparently.

Today has evolved into a "make fresh coffee at 4pm" kind of day, but a new video should be out on Nebula and for Patreon supporters within the hour! 🎉🛷

Landscape Features xkcd.com/3221/

I'm looking at my work schedule for the next few months and... man, some cool stuff is happening this year. Really excited to film these projects, and share them with y'all.

Trying to find videos on YouTube isn't always the easiest, so there's a search page on my website now! Filter videos by region or topic, or just scroll through, read video summaries, and see what jumps out at you: www.alexisdahl.com/video-database

I feel like people think "birds are dinosaurs" is a weird fun fact that is "technically true" but I don't know how to emphasize that there are tens of thousands of species of theropod dinosaur on the planet with us right now. People keep them AS PETS. WE EAT THEM.

Announcing the 2026 #LakeSuperior Shipboard Science Immersion! 🌊 5-12th grade #GreatLakes educators are invited to spend a week aboard an EPA research vessel with scientists. Organized by the Center for Great Lakes Literacy, July 7-13, 2026. 🔗Learn more and apply: z.umn.edu/mnsg_shipboa... #EduSky

The best summary of a research paper I've read recently: "'Yup, looks like it works that way' (Tabler and Schmidt, 1972)." (Source: arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science...)

i heard we needed more whimsy so i’m here to get the job done

Cool mid-Michigan opportunity to spend time outside, meet cool people, and learn how to be an even better steward of our natural ecosystems.

I'm at the point where I probably should be hiring a research assistant, but man, do I love digging through archives for stuff. Today's treasure hunt: Maps of a doomed Michigan town from 200 years ago.

The modern version of the Wild West pistol duel is being the first to turn off your high beams when you encounter another car at night.

@alexisdahl.com posted a new Calumet-related video earlier this week and you should check it out. Preserving the early buildings and history of our state is incredibly important and the UP has some of the most fascinating stuff in the state. Check the video out, link to donate is below

I think I'm starting to become a decent UP local because I officially have A Thimbleberry Spot.

Thanks, Jeff! Also, it's true! If you want to watch these videos without any ads (including ones baked into videos) and without any of the noise of YouTube, you can now find the series on Nebula. ✨ go.nebula.tv/alexisdahl

#MNSG-funded researcher Elizabeth Minor is bringing research on the photochemistry of plume constituents in #LakeSuperior to educators!🧪 Educators are invited to join us at the #GreatLakes Aquarium on July 1 for a FREE workshop exploring photochemistry. Learn more: z.umn.edu/mnsg_hiddenc...

Man, I love gardening. 🌱

Deep in this Michigan copper mine, is a place only about 30 people have stepped in the last 100 years. A place still marked by the footprints of the miners who walked out more than a century ago. Recently, I got to go down there. It was, honestly, incredible. 🎥 youtu.be/cTZF4lw0Ads

Want to learn more about a nearby stream or river? Do you care about how clean the waters around you are? Do you like bugs? If you're in Michigan, check out these opportunities to join a volunteer stream monitoring event near you! www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroo...

One of my favorite things about this video was that at least a couple of the researchers have known each other since they were 18. But, y'know, the part about finding a perfectly buried forest from 11k+ years ago was also excellent. youtu.be/M8WyCpHZXsg

‘When will it fall’ - tree sculpture by Beavers I feel this piece really has captured the essence of what the beaver was trying to achieve… @kneppwilding.bsky.social

@visitkeweenaw.bsky.social recently asked if I'd be willing to chat about why I keep filming things in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula — and man, this is just the sweetest video. 💛 (It's also true, though. That part of Michigan is magical.) 🎥: youtu.be/pYAEBKbrdS0?...

I really appreciate how clear and concise this is, and that it's backed up by actual numbers for scale.

👋🏻 Hi! Do you do interesting research in the Lower Peninsula? Do you run a cool place related to science or history in the state? If so, I'm planning a Lower Peninsula road trip for early this summer, and I'd love to hear from you: www.alexisdahl.com/collabs

In West Michigan? You can help monitor native sucker fish through this opportunity shared by @miseagrant.bsky.social! All it takes is a pair of polarized sunglasses for spotting fish and ten minutes to walk the riverbank counting and recording fish. www.canr.msu.edu/news/spring-...

Good dinosaur sounds this morning. Magpie chirps, woodpecker taps, the fussy whistles of songbirds. It’s so everyday it can be easy to forget the terrible lizards are still here. They live.

Orogeny xkcd.com/3070

Hoooooooly cow. (Coherent thoughts pending.)

Good morning!! Big things are happening today!!

💛

For more than 100 years, the Detroit salt mine has been pulling millions of tons of rock salt out of the ground. But considering Michigan is surrounded by fresh water... where did all that salt come from? youtu.be/ViFl7qWQF5U

Bats are just the coolest. 🦇

I met Nicole at an event in Ohio. She's an amazing and devoted environmental educator and she's asking for so little money. Donating to her helps me ease just a little of the stress the billionaires are causing me. Throw some her way if you can. gofund.me/45f2725e

Michigan DNR: "First cougar cubs verified in Michigan in more than a century." !!!! content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MID...

Somewhat ridiculously, Saturn now has 128 new moons, bring its total to 274. These are mostly tiny rocks, a few miles across, that orbit the planet backwards – but they might be evidence of a recent smashup in the planet's orbit. Story by me in The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/s...

I got to speak to third-graders today about making videos, and oh man, if it wasn't the most delightful time. I was asked so many questions. Nobody seemed afraid to not know things. Everyone wanted to talk about favorite animals. On the spot, I learned that, apparently, I really like anteaters.

Wildlife tracking tips. Thank you Patrons! www.patreon.com/c/birdandmoon

Great News, Michigan! Lansing #StandUpForScience2025 is happening. Friday, March 7, 12-4pm, East steps of the Capitol Bldg. Tell 3 friends! Make a carpool plan! Have a sign-making party! Share with your networks! #ScienceIsForEveryone @standupforscience.bsky.social

If you want to see a little more hope and action go into the world, this weekend is a great time to do that! 🎉 (I wasn't able to make a P4A video this year, but there are so many good organizations you can learn about and support! Even without donating!)

Nature valentines. Thanks to my Patrons for keeping me drawing www.patreon.com/birdandmoon

I didn't expect to start my day crying at beautiful things over my cup of coffee, but here we are! I can't recommend this enough. 😭💛

"Jeez, I didn't realize you'd created your own animation studio in here." -my husband, walking into my office mid-video 😅

I like projects that create knowledge and put it where anyone can have it, these days. iNaturalist. Merlin and the Cornell lab behind it. The whole Wikipedia outfit. Idk it just seems nice to directly and unapologetically document and detail what happens in the world. 🌿💚

One of my favorite things about working on these videos is that I feel like I understand the place I live a little better. A drive across the UP isn't a random collection of hills, buildings, and towns, but small pieces of a larger story, all strung together. (And there's still so much to learn!!)

What happens when you're in the middle of the wilderness, and your compass just starts... spinning? Option one is, y'know, panic. Apparently option two is to invent a new kind of compass that would then be used for 100+ years. youtu.be/Xo6YyoefQyU

Michigan has a couple of programs where you can be a lighthouse keeper for a week or two, which at first, sounds amazing! The views! The tranquility! Giving tours! Beach! And then I remember that every lighthouse tower I've ever entered, has contained an excessive number of big, fat spiders.

If I'm researching a video these days, there is a 90% chance I'm listening to a random compilation of Animal Crossing music. I am just a little villager tippy-tapping at a keyboard.

If you get out a backyard telescope in March, Saturn's rings will effectively be invisible! 🪐