i just think that

Does anyone have recommendations for interesting reads on the philosophy of aesthetics?

When God sings with his creations, will Hypogymnia tubulosa not be part of the choir?

I am going to try to post a new picture of something nice in the forest every (work) day of January this year as well! First up: The queen of the forest, Usnea longissima (NO huldrestry). Here from Noresund, Norway. An old-growth forest lichen that needs moist conditions.

The ABA’s 2026 Bird of the Year… 🪶

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 12: The finest in crustose lichens, the Rhizocarpon geographicum complex. This is one of several similar yellow and black Rhizocarpon species. Rhizocarpon geographicum (Yellow Map Lichen) is the most common. From Enterprise, BC (south of 150 Mile House). 🪶🌿

Hmmm. Lichens do stay still, which is a plus. But can you identify them by sound?

I've read some tragic research headlines. This is one of them. 🌿🪶

I'm getting to the annoying stage in trying to get my birder friends into lichens

I saw some cousins. Female Black-backed Woodpecker and male American Three-toed Woodpecker, both more or less near 108 Mile Ranch, BC. 🪶🌿

Some good things are happening in the NDP leadership race. More parties should adopt "people first" policies for many labour and technology and economy issues.

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 11: Ochrolechia upsaliensis (Tundra Saucer lichen). I find these little aliens coating moss and other surfaces near the ground in arid rocky sites. Watch out for prickly pears if you're looking for these. Near Ashcroft, BC. 🌿

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 10: Lecidea lapicida (Gray-orange Disk lichen) I think. I think a few similar species can turn this kind of orange. Porpidia flavicunda is similar but seems to be out of range and differs in some ways. On the top of the Lone Butte in Lone Butte, BC 🌿

Laughs in Prog Rock

Owl warning There's a Northern Hawk Owl that has been around for a few days not far away—a great first owl for the year. Near Lac la Hache, BC. 🌿🪶

Hello, I'm getting stuck under a moving river raft in white water on the Nile. They also call me Ford Bronco II.

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 9: Calicium tigillare (Yellow Soot lichen). This little raised yellow and black crust is is one of my favourites. I've found it on exposed dead stumps, sometimes over water or in high wind-exposed areas. On a snag on top of a hill near 108 Mile Ranch, BC 🌿

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 8: Cowpie Lichen, baby! Diplostiches muscorum. That crusty white patch of whatsit in a desert or grassland near you is a lichen ecosystem. I'm not bullshitting you. Clinton, BC. 🌿

A new year, a new set of acquaintances

People should say "Happy Old Year" when it is before midnight.

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 7: This is one of a number of grayish map lichens (Rhizocarpon). I don't think I'm equipped to venture a species-level guess here. Similar gray and brown Rhizocarpon lichens are on rocks everywhere or, in this case, on an old yellow metal wreck. In Yale, BC 🌿

The arc of Netflix shows is long, but it bends toward Breaking Bad

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 6: The one and only Alpine Bloodspot (Ophioparma ventosa). This one was in alpine tundra on Big Timothy Mountain near Hendrix Lake, BC. 🌿

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 5 (a little late): going with those little orange specks I find on nearly every Aspen: Caloplaca cerina, or Gray-rimmed Firedot. Truly a classic. 🌿

On hold with a grocery store, listening to what I would describe as gothic darkwave hold music.

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 4: Lecida tessellata (Tile Lichen) I think. This one is from Clinton, BC. 🌿

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 3: This lichen on alpine rock on Big Tmothy Mountain, BC. Potentially this could be Bellemeria alpina, though I'm not confident. 🌿

The 12 days of crustose lichens Day 2: Lecanora xylophila, or Driftwood Rim lichen. As the name suggests, I found this on driftwood in Mukilteo, Washington. 🌿

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen But do you recall The most radioactive reindeer of all?

It's the 12 days of crustose lichens. Day 1: Dimelaena oreina, or Golden Moonglow. Near Ashcroft, BC. 🌿

Merry Christmas from the red and green creatures in your life 🪶🌿

Uncertain poor shepherds

His real name is Seth Applegate and he actually only retired.

In Williams Lake: Short-eared Owl, American Tree Sparrows. In 100 Mile House: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Short-eared Owl, a very late Marsh Wren. 🪶

I see we're back to blaming lots of things on Martin Luther. I'd like to add add to the list: -Precious Moments -Carman -Deforestation -The Netflix WB acquisition -AI slop -Alberta separatism

I thought this was an interesting history of evangelical worship, for those wondering how things have gone this way.

The first of two nearby Christmas Bird Counts is in the morning! I expect slushy conditions. 🪶

Sumas Lake: back for a limited time only!

Alberta says Hello to another citizen initiative! (Gonna) Shine Up My Boots and get some signatures! It's time to switch to Whiskey, we've been petitioning all night! I'm a Hurtin' Albertan and the only cure is democracy (or coal, if that's your preference, I guess) Stop me. Or join in.

I think of shining from shook foil more than the average person

Serifs forever!

The True Meaning of Christmas Understanders

The one other local Lung lichen species I found this way is Lobaria hallei/Gray Lung. This small thallus was on a precariousply leaning Aspen. No sign of others nearby. 🌿

I live in a dry Interior Douglas Fir region, but I'm learning how to find the locally uncommon Lung/Lungwort lichens--nearly all of them Lobaria pulmonaria. In shaded mature forest, I check the N/NE face of large Aspens with large, dark cracks in the trunk. It's a surprisingly reliable method. 🌿

No, THIS is the song of the year. Featuring roosting Vaux's Swifts, magicians getting dunked on. 🌿🪶

Another of the brainy Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca #lichens. Northwest Territories, Canada. #fungi #fungifriends

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annahstasia.bandcamp.com/album/tether = I cannot remember the last time I fell this much in love with an artist’s voice on first listen. If you love Nina Simone and Joan Armatrading as much as I do, you must listen to this album RIGHT NOW.