Dang, Mobile. Didn't know you could party.

Time to take the undergrads to the conference!!

Now *this* is the science I'm here for. 🐛🍑

When you ask them to come to class and turn in their work.

Deibert Park has a surprising amount of biodiversity. The Ecology students have to construct food webs, but the secret purpose of the lab is to get them outside in the fresh air and sunshine... and get them addicted to birding. 🐦

He won't let it go. He loves it. It's his now. ... I don't know, either. 😑

First rule of darter fight club is... nah, we're totally going to talk about darter fight club right here in our new paper!! I'm pleased to share the latest from myself, @izziehb.bsky.social , @tamramendelson.bsky.social, and two brilliant undergraduate co-authors! #FishSci #FishSky 🐟❤️ 1/

I DID IT I SAW A FISHIE AND I RANG THE DOORBELL I DID A NICE THING FOR THE FUSSSSHHHHHH

It's Fish Doorbell season again!! I am completely obsessed with this thing. It's an aquatic gate in the Netherlands that lets fish pass through so they can go about their lives despite the dam. Watch the livestream. If you see a fish, ring the doorbell, and the gates open!! 🐟❤️ visdeurbel.nl/en/

He's especially partial to allen wrenches. I won't see any for weeks, then suddenly they're all over his room. I don't know why I bother to buy him "bird toys".

He's obsessed with wrenches. 🔧 ♥️

Less than 1 week remains to submit to this upcoming special collection in JFE: "Parasites in Freshwater Ecosystems". Ask us about our APC discount options!

Today I learned that I can film darter gill parasites live!! Here's a fantail darter parasite throwing the teeniest tiniest tantrum I have ever witnessed (40x magnification).This might be the first time this species has ever been filmed. Look how cute it is!!

CW: large spood Have a nice fishing spider. This rascal was hanging around our net, as if waiting for a chance to snatch one of our fish. I was watching you, bub!

We had a lovely day in the field.

Chris remembers to get these for me every year. Yes I know I'm disgusting oh well. I don't ever have to share!!

So anyway, time for me to start playing Cats and Soup. 😸🍲

Overheard at the Culver's (about a game): Guy: "Why are all my cats unhappy? I have 0 hearts!" Sister: "They're probably hungry. When's the last time you fed them?" "Wait, you have to feed them?" "YOU HAVEN'T BEEN FEEDING THEM?" "WHY WOULD I NEED TO FEED THEM ALL THEY DO ALL DAY IS MAKE SOUP!!!!" 😸

How the email finds me, part 2:

Same though tbh. Happy (belated )Darwin Day.

Two years since this strange little dinosaur waddled into my life. Here's to you, Gabe.

The other day for the first time I heard Gabe ranting about how something was "not fair!" ... Are we SURE I didn't get tricked into adopting a human toddler?

Great day for a stream macroinvertebrate biodiversity survey in the Ecology class. Case-building caddisflies, zombie ants, and my first Northern Flicker (Yellowhammer, the Alabama state bird).

I found a zombie ant! This poor little cuss is hanging from the twig it was compelled to climb after being infected. You can see the fungus (Ophiocordyceps) sprouting from its head in the characteristic long spike. Yep, you heard "cordyceps", as in The Last of Us. 🧟‍♀️

I FINALLY GOT THE FART DANCE ON TAPE! CAUGHT IN THE ACT!! Turns out telling Gabe the parrot his Fart Dance is "not funny" just makes him laugh harder and do it more. 🙄💨🎵

Our new favorite game. 😙🪈

A small win in the midst of all the horrors.

It's finally here!! I was honored to playtest this game (look for my name in the credits 😁), and it's every bit as stunning as the first one. From the creator of Octopus Pie, get Perfect Tides: Station to Station today!

It is Bedtime for Birds and I am strictly enforcing this, so now Gabe is sulking in the dark and grumbling about "That Woman." 🙄 It's like caring for a toddler and a little old man at the same time.

I have to say, though, it was worth the wait.

I don't have a Christmas cactus. I have a "Whenever the **** I Feel Like It" cactus. Same energy tho.

How the email finds me:

Stardew Valley cookbook pg 153-154: fried mushrooms with malt vinegar ranch dressing.

My spring Biology 101 students always have trouble finding the classroom the first week, so I did this. 1/1

When they ask you what's the big deal about juncos. 🐦 youtu.be/KTNFNfkNndw?...

Stardew Valley cookbook page 173-74: chocolate chip cookies.

Stardew Valley cookbook page 146-147: the Roots Platter. Comes with kale pesto.

I have been sentenced to the Butt of Shunning for the heinous crime of trimming claws (to prevent foot injuries and getting stuck in cage bars), and for assault with a deadly towel burrito. Pistachio bail has been revoked.

'Tis the season for Stardew Valley's Cranberry Candy drink (okay, that's in the fall section of the book, but it's perfect for winter too). Pro move: put prosecco in as your base. ✨

The suet brick is finally paying off. First downy woodpecker of the season. ♥️

I'm in this photo and I don't like it.

Slid under my office door. I taught them well. 😂

🎶It’s beginning to look a lot like #Fishmas🎶 There’s no better fish to kick off this year’s #25DaysofFishmas than the aptly-named Christmas darter (Etheostoma hopkinsi)! We get our road trip started down in the southeastern US with this small species of fish who has big holiday spirit all year long

Every time I think I'm done with this nonsense, some fish nerd pulls me back in ... 😅

The Cane Creek Canyon final field trip is always a hit with the Ecology class. Have some nature.

ARTISTS! I need your help! In collab. w/the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology, I'm organizing a group of artists to come to our Jan. meeting! We're looking for artists to create based on what they learn at the conference. $1000 stipend. Application is V short! forms.gle/ah1i8KwNJinZ...

Uh oh. My parrot is asking, "Is everything okay?" I should probably check on him 😅

IT'S SO FLUFFY!!

I just refilled the feeders and was rewarded with the first junco of the season. Welcome back. ♥️ #snowbird

The aurora borealis is visible in Alabama again!!