Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
Marine mammal paleontologist, artist, snorkeler, beachcomber, tidepool enthusiast. Blog: www.coastalpaleo.blogspot.com
Pinned
New #watercolor - the skull that launched a thousand papers - Aetiocetus weltoni, the ~25 myo toothed baleen whale that likely had teeth and baleen - from the Oligocene of Oregon. I started this last winter and only finally finished it yesterday. 🐡 🦖🐬 #sciart #whaleontology #whalewednesday #art
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Interesting.
ChatGPT was used i the creation of cover art for a journal article. It was basically used as a filter to modify the researchers painting and to add little animals to give context to the brains.
I’ll agree this isn’t ai slop. Not sure what I think.
ChatGPT was used i the creation of cover art for a journal article. It was basically used as a filter to modify the researchers painting and to add little animals to give context to the brains.
I’ll agree this isn’t ai slop. Not sure what I think.
November 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Interesting.
ChatGPT was used i the creation of cover art for a journal article. It was basically used as a filter to modify the researchers painting and to add little animals to give context to the brains.
I’ll agree this isn’t ai slop. Not sure what I think.
ChatGPT was used i the creation of cover art for a journal article. It was basically used as a filter to modify the researchers painting and to add little animals to give context to the brains.
I’ll agree this isn’t ai slop. Not sure what I think.
#whalewednesday On our visit to the @nhm-london.bsky.social last week, @tetrameryx.bsky.social and I finally got to see "Hope" the blue whale! Quite a stunning display, though the hall is still absurdly large. I think they need to stick a second whale in there 👀
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
#whalewednesday On our visit to the @nhm-london.bsky.social last week, @tetrameryx.bsky.social and I finally got to see "Hope" the blue whale! Quite a stunning display, though the hall is still absurdly large. I think they need to stick a second whale in there 👀
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
what did I come across
November 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
what did I come across
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
So... let's see if we can get this digital reconstruction of Winnie done by Thanksgiving.....
November 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
So... let's see if we can get this digital reconstruction of Winnie done by Thanksgiving.....
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
I missed #MosasaurMonday but holy moly, Winnie is prepped!
Here's the main part of the skull, without the palate laid out. She came out great and im so happy she's covered in pathologies. Just like me, we both have interesting skeletal injuries. Lower Niobrara, 86.5 million years old 🧪
Here's the main part of the skull, without the palate laid out. She came out great and im so happy she's covered in pathologies. Just like me, we both have interesting skeletal injuries. Lower Niobrara, 86.5 million years old 🧪
August 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I missed #MosasaurMonday but holy moly, Winnie is prepped!
Here's the main part of the skull, without the palate laid out. She came out great and im so happy she's covered in pathologies. Just like me, we both have interesting skeletal injuries. Lower Niobrara, 86.5 million years old 🧪
Here's the main part of the skull, without the palate laid out. She came out great and im so happy she's covered in pathologies. Just like me, we both have interesting skeletal injuries. Lower Niobrara, 86.5 million years old 🧪
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
If a politician:
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
November 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
If a politician:
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
-Has never cared at all about whales before;
-Is in the pocket of big oil, an industry which has a financial incentive to oppose alternative energy;
and
-is a well-documented liar,
You don't have to take their "we have to stop offshore wind to save whales" claims seriously.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
I made an infographic for this very reason!
Every year I encourage my viewers to print it out for their Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Christmas goose feast, Boxing Day budgie buffet, or any other ritual when people gather to dismember bird carcasses. I'm not a meat eater, but I try not to judge
Every year I encourage my viewers to print it out for their Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Christmas goose feast, Boxing Day budgie buffet, or any other ritual when people gather to dismember bird carcasses. I'm not a meat eater, but I try not to judge
November 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I made an infographic for this very reason!
Every year I encourage my viewers to print it out for their Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Christmas goose feast, Boxing Day budgie buffet, or any other ritual when people gather to dismember bird carcasses. I'm not a meat eater, but I try not to judge
Every year I encourage my viewers to print it out for their Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Christmas goose feast, Boxing Day budgie buffet, or any other ritual when people gather to dismember bird carcasses. I'm not a meat eater, but I try not to judge
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Just in case my U.S. followers need to track down a turkey for Thanksgiving, here's a helpful guide in a November 2012 blog post by Yours Truly, with insights on the behavioral ecology of wild turkeys on a Georgia-coast barrier island (Cumberland). 🧪🦃🐾
www.georgialifetraces.com/2012/11/20/t...
www.georgialifetraces.com/2012/11/20/t...
Tracking Wild Turkeys on the Georgia Coast
Of the many traditions associated with the celebration of Thanksgiving in the U.S., the most commonly mentioned one is the ritual consumption of an avian theropod, Meleagris gallopavo, simply known…
www.georgialifetraces.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Just in case my U.S. followers need to track down a turkey for Thanksgiving, here's a helpful guide in a November 2012 blog post by Yours Truly, with insights on the behavioral ecology of wild turkeys on a Georgia-coast barrier island (Cumberland). 🧪🦃🐾
www.georgialifetraces.com/2012/11/20/t...
www.georgialifetraces.com/2012/11/20/t...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Hey Storytellers! Did you know We have #WhaleTales about over 60 species of cetacean?! Which species is your favourite to read about?!
🎨 Uko Gorter
#cetaceans
🎨 Uko Gorter
#cetaceans
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Hey Storytellers! Did you know We have #WhaleTales about over 60 species of cetacean?! Which species is your favourite to read about?!
🎨 Uko Gorter
#cetaceans
🎨 Uko Gorter
#cetaceans
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
In an era marked by rapid climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we continue to invest in the unique value of natural history collections data
"Global sampling decline erodes science potential of natural history collections" 🧪
"Global sampling decline erodes science potential of natural history collections" 🧪
Global sampling decline erodes science potential of natural history collections - Nature Communications
Natural history collections hold over two billion specimens representing Earth’s biodiversity, but their scientific value depends on continued specimen collection and digitisation. This study demonstr...
www.nature.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
In an era marked by rapid climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we continue to invest in the unique value of natural history collections data
"Global sampling decline erodes science potential of natural history collections" 🧪
"Global sampling decline erodes science potential of natural history collections" 🧪
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Regretfully (for the sake of the authors and journal staff), I have this morning declined an invitation to review for a @royalsociety.org journal because of the Society’s continued refusal to stand up for its values in dealing with Elon Musk FRS.
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Regretfully (for the sake of the authors and journal staff), I have this morning declined an invitation to review for a @royalsociety.org journal because of the Society’s continued refusal to stand up for its values in dealing with Elon Musk FRS.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
The silence has been deafening for awhile, but here are recent sprouts of acts that could turn into collective action...(9/n)
bsky.app/profile/scur...
bsky.app/profile/scur...
Regretfully (for the sake of the authors and journal staff), I have this morning declined an invitation to review for a @royalsociety.org journal because of the Society’s continued refusal to stand up for its values in dealing with Elon Musk FRS.
November 26, 2025 at 1:26 AM
The silence has been deafening for awhile, but here are recent sprouts of acts that could turn into collective action...(9/n)
bsky.app/profile/scur...
bsky.app/profile/scur...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Found another (sorry for delay) (8/n)
bsky.app/profile/timo...
bsky.app/profile/timo...
A few weeks ago when the @royalsociety.org sent me their usual request for evaluating proposals I denied, saying I reject every work for the Royal Society as long as Musk is a fellow. I hope that eventually enough scientists refuse to support them so that they have to listen.
July 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Found another (sorry for delay) (8/n)
bsky.app/profile/timo...
bsky.app/profile/timo...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
(7/n)
Opinion | Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say it. That’s why I resigned - The Guardian apple.news/Afz4mgBgcQsS...
Opinion | Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say it. That’s why I resigned — The Guardian
It is vital to act, and I urge colleagues to do so. How can we stand by and laud this man while he undermines scientific integrity? asks academic and author Kit Yates
apple.news
June 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
(7/n)
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
(6/n). I will add more as I see them. Please pass along any I missed.
A little more about why I returned the #royalsociety Faraday Prize, with a question for everyone to ponder. #musk
https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/why-i-returned-the-faraday-prize-to-the-royal-society/4021668.article
https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/why-i-returned-the-faraday-prize-to-the-royal-society/4021668.article
Why I returned the Faraday prize to the Royal Society
Andrea Sella explains how inaction over Elon Musk's membership motivated him to act
www.chemistryworld.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
(6/n). I will add more as I see them. Please pass along any I missed.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
(5/n)
I'm disappointed to resign from the editorial board of @royalsocietypublishing.org @royalsociety.org journal Biology Letters. I won't give my time and labour away to an organisation that - through inaction - condones the destruction of US science by one of its own, Elon Musk FRS.
🧪⚒️
🧪⚒️
June 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
(5/n)
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
(4/n)
Dear Royal Society: please stop lending legitimacy to Elon Musk
I'll be sending this letter to the Royal Society, but I also want it out there in public, because I hope that more people will follow the lead set by Dorothy Bishop and Stephen Curry in putting pressure on the Royal Society to […]
I'll be sending this letter to the Royal Society, but I also want it out there in public, because I hope that more people will follow the lead set by Dorothy Bishop and Stephen Curry in putting pressure on the Royal Society to […]
Original post on sauropods.win
sauropods.win
June 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
(4/n)
Post a famous bathroom scene
November 26, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Post a famous bathroom scene
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Another old dive clip for your eyeballs. Cirroctopus I think? I remember it had those weird lumps on the back of the mantle, but idk what those are. Injury? From @schmidtocean.bsky.social dive 606 #mappinggalapagosvents #MarineLife
November 26, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Another old dive clip for your eyeballs. Cirroctopus I think? I remember it had those weird lumps on the back of the mantle, but idk what those are. Injury? From @schmidtocean.bsky.social dive 606 #mappinggalapagosvents #MarineLife
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Roses are red
That dino looks ill
That dino looks ill
November 25, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Roses are red
That dino looks ill
That dino looks ill
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
#worldwalrusday Walruses today live in the Arctic, but walrus fossils keep being discovered in ancient marine rocks from California! Read all about the 'toothless' walrus Valenictus sheperdi which we named from Santa Cruz last year: 🧪🦖🐬 coastalpaleo.blogspot.com/2024/02/vale...
Valenictus sheperdi and friends: Miocene-Pliocene tusked walruses from the Purisima Formation in Santa Cruz, California
I had very much intended to be writing a part 2 of my Xenorophus blog series right now but the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology jumped the...
coastalpaleo.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
#worldwalrusday Walruses today live in the Arctic, but walrus fossils keep being discovered in ancient marine rocks from California! Read all about the 'toothless' walrus Valenictus sheperdi which we named from Santa Cruz last year: 🧪🦖🐬 coastalpaleo.blogspot.com/2024/02/vale...