Jen C Mars
@jencmars.bsky.social
Illustrator: Fantasy & Nature - Wildlife Photography Enthusiast - TTRPG Player - I like birds and bugs
Portfolio: https://www.jencmars.com
Shop: https://jencmars.bigcartel.com/
Portfolio: https://www.jencmars.com
Shop: https://jencmars.bigcartel.com/
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Looking for a gift for the GM on your list? MAKING ENEMIES is the gift that keeps on giving: You give it to your GM, and they give you encounters with weird, wacky and terrifying new adversaries. Win-win!
Find purchasing links here: spyandowl.com/making-enemies
Find purchasing links here: spyandowl.com/making-enemies
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Looking for a gift for the GM on your list? MAKING ENEMIES is the gift that keeps on giving: You give it to your GM, and they give you encounters with weird, wacky and terrifying new adversaries. Win-win!
Find purchasing links here: spyandowl.com/making-enemies
Find purchasing links here: spyandowl.com/making-enemies
Reposted by Jen C Mars
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
TAPS SCREEN
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Going all the way back to Gili T - I was amazed at how many Peacock Mantis Shrimp there are there! I know I say this about most critters, but these have to be one of my faves!
#marinelife #🦐
#marinelife #🦐
November 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Going all the way back to Gili T - I was amazed at how many Peacock Mantis Shrimp there are there! I know I say this about most critters, but these have to be one of my faves!
#marinelife #🦐
#marinelife #🦐
Reposted by Jen C Mars
A Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) from NE Louisiana. These small (<24in) kingsnakes are mimics of the venomous Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) and a joy to photograph. #herps #snakes #NaturePhotography 🌿
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 AM
A Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) from NE Louisiana. These small (<24in) kingsnakes are mimics of the venomous Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) and a joy to photograph. #herps #snakes #NaturePhotography 🌿
Reposted by Jen C Mars
These fork-tailed bush katdid nymphs have drama antennae
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
These fork-tailed bush katdid nymphs have drama antennae
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Stopped by the local bookstore. A young teen boy wanted a WINGS OF FIRE. His mom refused, saying…
“Graphic novels don’t have proper sentences in them.”
I have never more wanted to become a teen’s illicit pusher. “Here, kid, take this PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID to the counter, it’s on me.”
“Graphic novels don’t have proper sentences in them.”
I have never more wanted to become a teen’s illicit pusher. “Here, kid, take this PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID to the counter, it’s on me.”
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Stopped by the local bookstore. A young teen boy wanted a WINGS OF FIRE. His mom refused, saying…
“Graphic novels don’t have proper sentences in them.”
I have never more wanted to become a teen’s illicit pusher. “Here, kid, take this PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID to the counter, it’s on me.”
“Graphic novels don’t have proper sentences in them.”
I have never more wanted to become a teen’s illicit pusher. “Here, kid, take this PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID to the counter, it’s on me.”
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Not a tiny bird's nest, this cute little mossy cup is the remains of a green lacewing cocoon!
If you've seen a crawling piece of fluff it's almost certainly one of these little trash monsters, hiding from predators & prey. Adults look like this: flic.kr/p/2jZaTAQ
#Chrysopidae
North Carolina, USA
If you've seen a crawling piece of fluff it's almost certainly one of these little trash monsters, hiding from predators & prey. Adults look like this: flic.kr/p/2jZaTAQ
#Chrysopidae
North Carolina, USA
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Not a tiny bird's nest, this cute little mossy cup is the remains of a green lacewing cocoon!
If you've seen a crawling piece of fluff it's almost certainly one of these little trash monsters, hiding from predators & prey. Adults look like this: flic.kr/p/2jZaTAQ
#Chrysopidae
North Carolina, USA
If you've seen a crawling piece of fluff it's almost certainly one of these little trash monsters, hiding from predators & prey. Adults look like this: flic.kr/p/2jZaTAQ
#Chrysopidae
North Carolina, USA
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Yes, this is absolutely my Monday expression
These fork-tailed bush katdid nymphs have drama antennae
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Yes, this is absolutely my Monday expression
These fork-tailed bush katdid nymphs have drama antennae
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
These fork-tailed bush katdid nymphs have drama antennae
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Whenever I find them I wonder about the bright colors, they're very striking and noticeable to my eye
Reposted by Jen C Mars
I think today is a good day to share my second piece for the Magic: The Gathering in Miniature III exhibition that'll be in Gallery Nucleus Jan 31 - Feb 15, 2026:
Elspeth in Bloomburrow with sweet pea wings! 💖 This is done in acrylics on the back of a Swords to Plowshares artist proof.
Elspeth in Bloomburrow with sweet pea wings! 💖 This is done in acrylics on the back of a Swords to Plowshares artist proof.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I think today is a good day to share my second piece for the Magic: The Gathering in Miniature III exhibition that'll be in Gallery Nucleus Jan 31 - Feb 15, 2026:
Elspeth in Bloomburrow with sweet pea wings! 💖 This is done in acrylics on the back of a Swords to Plowshares artist proof.
Elspeth in Bloomburrow with sweet pea wings! 💖 This is done in acrylics on the back of a Swords to Plowshares artist proof.
Reposted by Jen C Mars
In several days you'll likely be sitting next to an ignorant relative who is 100% convinced he knows the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. Here's my primer on the topic. #thanksgiving #sweetpotato #yam #botany 🍠 colinpurrington.com/yams-versus-...
The difference between sweet potatoes and yams » Colin Purrington's blog
Every year at Thanksgiving, families in the United States sit down to argue about politics and the difference between sweet potatoes and yams. This page details how to tell them apart and explains how...
colinpurrington.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In several days you'll likely be sitting next to an ignorant relative who is 100% convinced he knows the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. Here's my primer on the topic. #thanksgiving #sweetpotato #yam #botany 🍠 colinpurrington.com/yams-versus-...
Reposted by Jen C Mars
I'd never even heard of 'thrips' before until I found a Giant Thrip (Idolothrips spectrum) in my garden last night.
It was only about 1cm long, so 'Giant' is relative.
#insects #invertebrates
It was only about 1cm long, so 'Giant' is relative.
#insects #invertebrates
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 AM
I'd never even heard of 'thrips' before until I found a Giant Thrip (Idolothrips spectrum) in my garden last night.
It was only about 1cm long, so 'Giant' is relative.
#insects #invertebrates
It was only about 1cm long, so 'Giant' is relative.
#insects #invertebrates
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
November 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Have you ever heard of an allonautilus? The fuzzy sea peach at the top of my oil painting is the extremely rare allonautlius. Its only been documented in the wild a couple of times.
*more in comments*
#nautilus #allonautilus #marinelife #cephalopods #wildlifeart #oilpainting 🐡 🦑 #deepseamining
*more in comments*
#nautilus #allonautilus #marinelife #cephalopods #wildlifeart #oilpainting 🐡 🦑 #deepseamining
November 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Have you ever heard of an allonautilus? The fuzzy sea peach at the top of my oil painting is the extremely rare allonautlius. Its only been documented in the wild a couple of times.
*more in comments*
#nautilus #allonautilus #marinelife #cephalopods #wildlifeart #oilpainting 🐡 🦑 #deepseamining
*more in comments*
#nautilus #allonautilus #marinelife #cephalopods #wildlifeart #oilpainting 🐡 🦑 #deepseamining
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Today may be the day for me to play the lotto!
In 4.5 years I've *seen* two Pacific Wrens in the yard (maybe heard a few more)
Today TWO Pacific Wrens just runnin' all around the place - like right out in the open!
And posing for photos...
Wren 1
#birds #becurious
In 4.5 years I've *seen* two Pacific Wrens in the yard (maybe heard a few more)
Today TWO Pacific Wrens just runnin' all around the place - like right out in the open!
And posing for photos...
Wren 1
#birds #becurious
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Today may be the day for me to play the lotto!
In 4.5 years I've *seen* two Pacific Wrens in the yard (maybe heard a few more)
Today TWO Pacific Wrens just runnin' all around the place - like right out in the open!
And posing for photos...
Wren 1
#birds #becurious
In 4.5 years I've *seen* two Pacific Wrens in the yard (maybe heard a few more)
Today TWO Pacific Wrens just runnin' all around the place - like right out in the open!
And posing for photos...
Wren 1
#birds #becurious
From the other room, where I’ve left the 7 y/o alone: “OH YEAH, WE’VE GOT SOME WACKY SCIENCE GOING ON IN HERE!!!”
November 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
From the other room, where I’ve left the 7 y/o alone: “OH YEAH, WE’VE GOT SOME WACKY SCIENCE GOING ON IN HERE!!!”
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Ok hell yeah. Some kid (presumably) put their whole ass into this public education campaign. I’ve seen multiple stapled on poles near my house. I love the energy.
November 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Ok hell yeah. Some kid (presumably) put their whole ass into this public education campaign. I’ve seen multiple stapled on poles near my house. I love the energy.
Reposted by Jen C Mars
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...
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...
November 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Endangered Species of the Philippines 🇵🇭
November 22, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Endangered Species of the Philippines 🇵🇭
Reposted by Jen C Mars
#BlueSkyArtShow theme is #Small: this is an isopod, a small land dwelling crustacean in the genus Armadillidium. Acrylic painting on wood panel. #art #painting #bugs #traditionalart #colorful
November 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
#BlueSkyArtShow theme is #Small: this is an isopod, a small land dwelling crustacean in the genus Armadillidium. Acrylic painting on wood panel. #art #painting #bugs #traditionalart #colorful
Reposted by Jen C Mars
With ICE and border patrol goons spreading out across the country, I put together a resource guide for buying, printing, and distributing whistles, based on my own experience. Now is the time to whistle up, hope this helps. dansinker.com/posts/202…
November 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
With ICE and border patrol goons spreading out across the country, I put together a resource guide for buying, printing, and distributing whistles, based on my own experience. Now is the time to whistle up, hope this helps. dansinker.com/posts/202…
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Fly
Liv Rainey-Smith
Woodcut print
LE of 33 signed and numbered. Part of the ARCANUM BESTIARUM by Robert Fitzgerald. #art #woodcut #printmaking
Liv Rainey-Smith
Woodcut print
LE of 33 signed and numbered. Part of the ARCANUM BESTIARUM by Robert Fitzgerald. #art #woodcut #printmaking
November 21, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Fly
Liv Rainey-Smith
Woodcut print
LE of 33 signed and numbered. Part of the ARCANUM BESTIARUM by Robert Fitzgerald. #art #woodcut #printmaking
Liv Rainey-Smith
Woodcut print
LE of 33 signed and numbered. Part of the ARCANUM BESTIARUM by Robert Fitzgerald. #art #woodcut #printmaking
Reposted by Jen C Mars
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Color study for something else I’m working on. I wanted to test out this paper, Legion Stonehenge, and this little mini airbrush.
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Color study for something else I’m working on. I wanted to test out this paper, Legion Stonehenge, and this little mini airbrush.
Reposted by Jen C Mars
Byrsax tsushimenis, great example of a species I would like to 3-D print so our visually impaired museum visitors can experience Full Beetle Weirdness for themselves
November 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Byrsax tsushimenis, great example of a species I would like to 3-D print so our visually impaired museum visitors can experience Full Beetle Weirdness for themselves