The problem is that past Colton is an asshole, as far as I can tell.

I would like to possess a child, as long as that means demonically control, the child's name is Donald Jr., and it gets me within striking distance of a murder suicide.

LEARN TO TAKE A JOKE, FBI

Look, don't touch: Despite good intentions, 'rescuing' baby wildlife can lead to bad outcomes In the spring when wildlife baby boom is at its peak, you may have the good fortune to observe a nest of birds or a litter of young mammals with no adult in sight. Enjoy the sight, but remember it is ...

As a biologist I am in a constant state of mental struggle between letting nature run its course and kidnapping objectively cute or even spoopy critters to let them sleep in my bed.

IF NO LOVE WHY FUZZY

(obligatory "this is why")

That would be way cheaper but at the cost of neighborly tolerance.

I am also laughing so that's 2:1

A stacked bar graph by year from 2008 to 2025. Gray bars on top of the black bars represent wolves from the Colville Reservation, which grow by year: 0-0-1-2-9-8-10-12-16-30-29-37-46-42-39-59-39-46. The black bars underneath: 5-12-19-27-42-44-58-78-99-92-97-108-132-164-177-195-191-224. Totals wolves statewide are therefore 5-12-20-29-51-52-68-90-115-122-128-145-178-206-216-254-230-270.

Here's the population trend through time, from 5 wolves in 2008 to 270 today (summing wolves from Washington proper with the Colville Reservation).

Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2025 Annual Report

Despite a small dip in 2024, WDFW confirmed last week that Washington's gray wolf population estimate hit a record high 270 individuals in 49 packs (23 confirmed breeding). Feels optimistic for the return of wolves to historical habitat in the rest of the Cascades and eventually the Olympics. 🦊🌎🧪

Baby chick induced state of bliss

Well, I'm DEFINITELY not allowed a rooster in town so this is my only choice.

3?! That's frankly ridiculous, they're social animals.

Watching a mother hen care for a bunch of fluffy little chicks is like...my favorite thing ever.

You're right - the only neighbors with a vantage point over the 6-ft cedar fence who could possibly count my chickens get bribed with eggs for their discretion.

My Ameraucana went broody so I decided to make the most of it and got her some foster chicks from the feed store. Once they're grown I will have drastically exceeded the flock limits for my city, but that's a problem for future Colton. Today they're so cute and I love them! 🌱🪶

That was interesting. I don't quite get the Pokémon approach to birding. I'll also probably never compile a life list because while I love birds, I also love mushrooms and fish and mammals and spiders and the idea that I need to log all sightings & gamify enjoying nature seems...counter-productive.

Okay, I just ran across some native shooting stars yesterday, and I can confirm that they are delightfully fragrant. They don't bludgeon you with aroma like mock orange, but it's a delicate treasure for those willing to pause and get on their level. I never knew! #nativeplants 🌿🌱

This is hilarious, did you ever take a picture?

Northern Pygmy Owl with a junco for breakfast
#BirdoftheDay #ComeEatWithMe

Speckled fatleg

I would suggest that the most ferocious bee food fight will start when the biscuitroot blooms next week.

A few dozen spikes of lavender flowers tower over fading yellow glacier lilies in a tangled growth, with some shrubs behind.

A wall of bright white serviceberry flowers.

The local wildflowers are transitioning out of the glacier lilies and into the camas and serviceberries. 🌿🌱 #nativeplants

I'm jealous because I know you vetted the species thoroughly, while the "wildflower blend" seeds in my area are a real horror show of Eastern North American & European species. I objectively appreciate Echinacea & bachelor buttons as much as the next guy, but GTFO of a wildflower mix sold in the PNW

One of my toxic traits is that I think I'm the one who can figure out how to cultivate these in a garden if I just get enough host plants to learn which one they want to eat. I have shopping carts full of native bunchgrasses all over the Internet.

Okay, I started off mystified, but 25% of these unemployed neckbeards in their 30s & 40s have NEVER held a job? This is a parenting failure, so I don't feel bad for either generation. The headline photo is apt - let's all just sit around and ignore each other instead of confronting the problem.

Are they naturalized, or do you collect and hand plant/maintain breeding lines?

This fragrant #orchid is Galeopetalum Arlene Armour 'Conching'. I have a very similar unidentified Zygopetalum that I've been growing for a few years that was given to me (below), but I don't love growing orchids that don't have a name. I think I might keep this one and rehome the other. 🌱🪴

Elephant Heart Japanese Plum Tree - One Green World Elephant Heart Plum is a heart-shaped, juicy, free-stone plum with deep red flesh and purple skin. This is a versatile plum great for any application!

It's the variety name, it's huge and delicious and shaped like a heart with a red interior. Apparently I've never taken a picture of the fruit.

onegreenworld.com/product/elep...

Oh my gosh, it's so adorable and colorful, I would like a bicycle that looks like this.

Apt username

I'm in the Inland NW, USA - the fence is south-facing, although this particular tree gets some shade from a nearby apple tree.