To all the moms of autistic children who may be blaming themselves for their child's diagnosis: Don't listen to them. It is not your fault. Sincerely, A Scientist

The asters are vibrant in the yard. A sure sign of summer's demise.

Happy to officially join the team at @conphysjournal.bsky.social as AE!

Happy to announce that I'll be joining the Editorial Board at @conphysjournal.bsky.social as an Associate Editor, beginning September 1st! academic.oup.com/conphys

These Milkweed tussock moths (Euchaetes egle) were showing off their acrobatics and their flashy attire while I was trying to capture them with the camera.

The lygus bugs (Lygus sp.) don't seem to bother with aphids. Much unlike the silky field ants (Formica subsericea), who vigorously protect poplar aphids (Chaitophorus populicola) for the return of sweet honeydew—a waste product secreted by the aphids. Great example of ecological mutualism.

Despite being bone dry, the steam on the property is still supporting new blooms. These hardy-but-gorgeous willow herbs (Epilobium sp.) seem to be making out alright.

Lots of flies poking around the raspberry bush yesterday. This lesser house fly (Fannia canicularis; I think...) found some privacy on some wheatgrass.

The hover flies have been active in the yard lately thanks to a nice bloom of autumn hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis) on the lawn. Some of the chunkier ones like this transverse-banded flower fly (Eristalis transversa) are great pollinators.

This treehopper was a bit camera shy this morning. Hadrophallus bubalus

Sun pups ☀️ 🐕

It is HOT and DRY here in New Brunswick!🌞🥵 Our recent work shows that these extreme temps can negatively affect coastal animals like clams when we remove them from their habitat. I encourage everyone to consider this when enjoying our coasts in reprieve of the heat. www.nature.com/articles/s42...

When a scientist's citation count matches the year, is it like a champagne birthday kinda deal? What I'm really asking is, can I use this as an excuse to drink beers?? 😂🍻 🤓

What species are where, and how many are there? This week, we're out on the water sampling clams in the Aldouane arm of the Richibucto system. Not a bad way to spend a beautiful week.

Cell people, please advise! 🧪 We’re trying to find a microplate assay to check for acute upper thermal tolerance in fish cells. We need a marker for cell death that is fast acting and isn’t too temperature sensitive. 🙏

It is endlessly hilarious to me that the 5 denier scientists they are able to dig up for this ... are the same 5 denier scientists they were able to dig up 10 years ago, and 20 years ago. One might ask why no new scientists are joining this faction. Must be the global conspiracy.

Luna is enjoying the bed at our Airbnb 💤

Tons of these invasive bastards in the backyard of our Airbnb in Fredericton. Saw over a dozen individuals and at least 4 mating pairs. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)

This week's episode of "A Shore Thing" really flexes its mussels! A tasty interview talking about local mussel diversity, how their biology enhances water quality & influences industrial development, & how these animals are affected by climate change Have a listen here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Despite the wind, I added a couple of new species to the "Clements Homestead" list today. With that, I've now recorded 200 species of insects and arachnids on the property, and 55 species of plants—certainly many more to come by the end of the summer.

More action around the water hemlocks again this evening. I was struck by the way the setting sun's light illuminated this northern amber bumble bee (Bombus borealis).

This ichneumon (Spilopteron formosum) was super active this evening among the water hemlocks growing in our ditch.

Nothing quite like listening to yourself talk about barnacles penises at 7:30am on a Monday! 😅 If you're keen to learn more about some whacky marine life, check out "A Shore Thing" Mondays around 7:30 on CBC Information Morning (at least in Cape Breton and Moncton...)

A quick stop at Pabineau Falls on the way home

Vacay getaway day 2 was just straight up day drinkin' on the river 🍻🍻

The first episode of my CBC Radio series "A Shore Thing" aired this week. In this episode I talk all about sea urchins! It also appears I have my own theme song now! A nice little jingle 😂 www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Not a bad place to spend the next couple nights wha 🍻🩴☀️

Couple days with me love in the woods on the Tetagouche. No shirt, no shoes, no service, no problems🍻

Caught a rare shot of a plant bug this afternoon that turns out to be the only record of the species on iNaturalist, & only the 2nd on BugGuide! Scientific name is Macrotylus sexguttatus. A rare species & I believe this is the 1st record for the Maritime Provinces! (Latter to be confirmed.)

The real reason I take 2 weeks off in July. 🚴 #letour

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Vacation. See ya in two weeks, work!👋

Come join us as a #Postdoc on BLUESHORES 🇪🇺 project in Cork 🇮🇪 to test novel nature based solutions to coastal defence 🌊 on saltmarshes 🌱. Start date: 1st Sept. Duration: 28mo. Salary: €45-52k. Deadline 10th July. Partnership with @ucc.ie, Uni Padua 🇮🇹 & NIOZ. 🇳🇱 universityvacancies.com/university-c...

Drizzly Sunday things.

Backyard neature, part 3 🪰🐞🦋🐝🦗🪳 1. Striped chocolate-tip moth, Clostera strigosa 2. American emerald, Cordulia shurtleffii 3. Pale soldier beetle, Cantharis livida 4. Leaf beetle (unknown species) with pronotal parasite

After work jaunt to Cap Lumiere with the gals 🐾 🌊 And, of course, a pit stop for ice cream!🍦

Wrapped up another series of super-fun radio interviews about the cool critters you might find on our Atlantic Canadian shorelines! 🌊🐚🦪🪼🐙🦑🦀🦞🦐 Keep your ears tuned for "A Shore Thing" on CBC Radio this summer!

Nominate an outstanding early-career researcher! The Stevenson Lectureship Award honours creativity and impact in fisheries and aquatic sciences. The recipient will present a plenary lecture and receive travel support. Deadline: Sept 19, 2025. Details ➡️ buff.ly/uVBjCEr @scas-scsa.bsky.social

Some more backyard neature🪲 1. Pentatome noir à croix rouge, Cosmopepla lintneriana 2. Peck's skipper, Polites peckius 3. Eastern Aspen stag beetle, Platycerus depressus 4. Violet tanbark beetle, Callidium violaceum

@canjzoology.bsky.social is seeking #ECRs to join its editorial board as Associate Editors! Gain hands-on experience with #peerreview, contribute to journal development, and connect with leaders in the field. Apply by Aug 15 ▶️ buff.ly/hpVApYd #AcademicSky #SciComm 🧪 #AcWri #PHDSky #ScholComms

Perfect end to the day. Perfect start to the summer. 🔥

Today was a great day 🥰❤️🐾

Post-walk solstice project—a proper gate for the shitheads.

Glad midsommar till alla mina svenska vänner!! 🇸🇪🌸🏵️🌼

Big David Attenborough fans in this house. 🌍🌱

JOB ALERT: @cdnsciencepub.com is hiring a Research Integrity Specialist, responsible for overseeing ethics cases and bringing awareness to publication ethics & scientific integrity. A critical job in science right now. Apply here: cdnsciencepub.com/pb-assets/re...

Happy to share my first thesis chapter from my PhD at NTNU, published in Journal of Thermal Bio! “No Oxygen limitation of Upper Thermal Tolerance in Zebrafish Regardless of Acclimation Temperature” 🔓🐟🌡️ @jutfelt.bsky.social @annahandreassen.bsky.social @rasmusern.bsky.social

The most Father's Day chore of them all—getting a sun shade up on the deck! We scored this metal pergola for a great price. Now we just need to wrap it in skeeter mesh & toss up some string lights so we can actually enjoy outside without the flies carrying us away! Happy Dad's Day, dads! 🍻

One of the best things about living in the country again has been the ability to re-satisfy my inner naturalist. Walking along the forest edge while the dogs run and play, listening to nothing more than their joy amongst the music of the songbirds...

Three papers submitted this week! One as lead, one from a postdoc, and one from a grad student. Weeks like this are rare, but boy do they feel good. Now time for a beer! 🍻