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Kris Gates

@krismgates.bsky.social

2.1K followers 770 following 5.8K posts

Scientist, atheist, educator. Proud PNW liberal; Oregon. Striving to be a part of our more perfect union. Lover of birds, cats, baking & preserving. Facts Matter. #Bird photos are mine unless noted otherwise. Joined 4/24 Missing Post News! She/her/pissed

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1h

A strange juxtaposition of events yesterday. The morning: a funeral for a friend’s father who died at 81. The evening, a milestone celebration at a famous Portland restaurant for another friend’s mother, turning 85. None of us know how long we’ll be here— let’s make the most of each day.

Ugh— full mass funeral in an Episcopalian church. The ritual gives comfort to many, but not to me.

Delicious triple mousse cake for a spectacular gathering of friends at a famous local restaurant.

View from the restaurant in the West Hills of Portland.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1h

The stupid... it burns.

Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 3h

also allowed the train to move 10% faster while reducing electricity use by 15%. It's remarkable
how these diving birds can enter the water with barely a splash & emerge with a thrashing fish, frog, or lamprey. These #birds don’t form flocks, but a small group of kingfishers is called a kerfuffle.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 3h

that lives in Oregon, but kingfishers are found throughout the world in tropical & temperate climates. In Japan, engineers adopted the shape of the #bird’s bill for the front of their speedy bullet train; the aerodynamic design reduced train noise & eliminated tunnel booms from compressed air but

High Speed Train Inspired by the Kingfisher — Innovation — AskNature

The Shinkansen bullet train from JR-West

asknature.org

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 3h

swim) but it feeds almost exclusively by diving into water after prey. It’s the land #bird with the most extensive range in North America, covering every region (except the very high latitudes), & extending down through Central America as well. It’s the only member of the large kingfisher family

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 3h

#Bird of the Day: Belted Kingfisher (BEKI)
At home, Kingfishers are one of my favorite birds to watch, a constant challenge for my photography skills. I absolutely love hearing their laughing, chattering call as they fly. Usually found near water, the BEKI is considered a land bird (since it doesn't

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 20h

In 2020 we had amazing, positive protests for police justice during daylight hours, but after dark the "black bloc" anarchists came out & stirred up trouble, property damage, etc. Thankfully, we haven't seen much of them this time, so the focus is on those facing down oppression with surreal whimsy.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 22h

I get that. I mean stubborn in a good way, refusing to let life’s hardships break her spirit. Thanks for sharing her story.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 22h

What an amazing story, John. Such resilience! Your grandmother sounds both resourceful and stubborn!

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Competition is better for consumers. As it has always been!

Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Wow. How did she manage?

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

She's here at @lynnmaccanada.bsky.social !

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

She's here at @lynnmaccanada.bsky.social !

Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you! I was waiting for that!

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

My town makes me proud.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Natural pest control!

Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

This is my Rep, @bynum.house.gov. It's been gratifying to watch her find her voice as a first-term Congressmember. I am glad she is speaking out against the racist, unlawful actions of the regime's masked agents. ICE is out of control & must be stopped; secret police are incompatible with democracy.

David Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 2d

www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...

Bynum Demands End to ICE Raids After U.S. Citizen Allegedly Abducted by Masked Agents

Bynum compares ICE’s conduct to U.S. Marshals hunting down Black Americans under the Fugitive Slave Act.

www.wweek.com

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Oh my! What a rascal!

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Reposted by Kris Gates

Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · 1d

A video of Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown is now playing at airports across the U.S.

How is this even legal?

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

We all could do with a warm armpit now and then!

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Reposted by Kris Gates

StrictlyChristo 🇺🇦🌻❌👑 @strictlychristo.bsky.social · 1d

No, Speaker Johnson: The No Kings Rally on October 18 is not a “hate America” rally. Quite the contrary. It’s a rally of millions of people who believe in American freedom and are not going to allow you and President Trump to turn us into an authoritarian country.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Happy #Caturday!
Yesterday, Frisby was NOT happy, as we had a thunderstorm. He hates loud booming noises, so he found safety snuggled under the blankets, cradled in a warm armpit.

A scared looking cat peeks out from a blanket while cuddling with his guy.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Doing something is always better than doing nothing! In my area, there is a gathering designed for lower-mobility folks where they bring folding chairs and mass near a busy off-ramp. My mom will bring a chair for our street side rally. But there are so many ways to make an impact! Be safe!

Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

Female Bushtits have an iris of pale yellow, while the male eye is dark brown. As they feed, BUSH are often accompanied by other small #birds such as kinglets and chickadees, but the other parts of the mixed flock are not permanently assimilated.

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Kris Gates @krismgates.bsky.social · 1d

group will sleep together in a such a nest, including mated pairs. Unusually, adult male Bushtits are often the ones who assist in feeding & raising the young, who are born naked and helpless. Although the plumage of male & female #birds is the same, you can tell the difference by their eye color.

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