Kris Gates
@krismgates.bsky.social
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
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
#Bird of the Day: Eared Grebe (EAGR)
The Eared Grebe has one of the most remarkable annual transformations of all birds. First is the stunning change in plumage. In winter’s non-breeding colors the EAGR is dapper in white & dark grey, offset with a blood-red eye. But for breeding season, adults grow
The Eared Grebe has one of the most remarkable annual transformations of all birds. First is the stunning change in plumage. In winter’s non-breeding colors the EAGR is dapper in white & dark grey, offset with a blood-red eye. But for breeding season, adults grow
January 23, 2026 at 3:58 PM
#Bird of the Day: Eared Grebe (EAGR)
The Eared Grebe has one of the most remarkable annual transformations of all birds. First is the stunning change in plumage. In winter’s non-breeding colors the EAGR is dapper in white & dark grey, offset with a blood-red eye. But for breeding season, adults grow
The Eared Grebe has one of the most remarkable annual transformations of all birds. First is the stunning change in plumage. In winter’s non-breeding colors the EAGR is dapper in white & dark grey, offset with a blood-red eye. But for breeding season, adults grow
Reposted by Kris Gates
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
Reposted by Kris Gates
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
January 22, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
Here's an oddity seen on a bird walk earlier in the week. This particular wetland pond is home to a large, invasive type of carp. Sometimes I see them writhing in the shallows, gaping mouths at the surface. These mallards were calmly nibbling duckweed near the bony remains, long since skeletonized.
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Here's an oddity seen on a bird walk earlier in the week. This particular wetland pond is home to a large, invasive type of carp. Sometimes I see them writhing in the shallows, gaping mouths at the surface. These mallards were calmly nibbling duckweed near the bony remains, long since skeletonized.
Reposted by Kris Gates
The U.S. formally withdrew from the World Health Organization. President Trump justified the move based on what he viewed as the “mishandling” of the coronavirus pandemic, a failure to adopt changes and inappropriate political influence from members.
Formal U.S. withdrawal from WHO is decried as ‘scientifically reckless’
Trump justified withdrawing from the health alliance formed in 1948 based on what he viewed as the “mishandling” of the coronavirus pandemic and a failure to adopt changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:30 AM
The U.S. formally withdrew from the World Health Organization. President Trump justified the move based on what he viewed as the “mishandling” of the coronavirus pandemic, a failure to adopt changes and inappropriate political influence from members.
Reposted by Kris Gates
Trump has removed signs at George Washington’s house in Philadelphia that inform the public about the history of slavery and signs at Fort Sumter that inform the public that the fort is at risk due to climate change.
Because history and science are like COVID: If you ignore them, they go away.
Because history and science are like COVID: If you ignore them, they go away.
January 22, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Trump has removed signs at George Washington’s house in Philadelphia that inform the public about the history of slavery and signs at Fort Sumter that inform the public that the fort is at risk due to climate change.
Because history and science are like COVID: If you ignore them, they go away.
Because history and science are like COVID: If you ignore them, they go away.
Congressman from CA-2, Jared Huffman, speaks the words I long to hear from @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social , @schumer.senate.gov and every Democrat ever in front of a microphone. Stop normalizing the madness, please!
January 23, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Congressman from CA-2, Jared Huffman, speaks the words I long to hear from @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social , @schumer.senate.gov and every Democrat ever in front of a microphone. Stop normalizing the madness, please!
Reposted by Kris Gates
Report Finds Workers Are Less Safe After Trump’s First Year in Office
Danger on the job is on the rise as federal funding, workplace inspections, and safety regulations decline.
documentedny.com/2026/01/21/o...
Danger on the job is on the rise as federal funding, workplace inspections, and safety regulations decline.
documentedny.com/2026/01/21/o...
One Year After Trump Vowed to Make America Great Again, Report Finds Workers Are Less Safe - Documented
As federal funding, workplace inspections, and safety regulations decline — danger on the job is on the rise.
documentedny.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Report Finds Workers Are Less Safe After Trump’s First Year in Office
Danger on the job is on the rise as federal funding, workplace inspections, and safety regulations decline.
documentedny.com/2026/01/21/o...
Danger on the job is on the rise as federal funding, workplace inspections, and safety regulations decline.
documentedny.com/2026/01/21/o...
Block party for this racist.
January 22, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Block party for this racist.
Thank you, Bluesky community, for making me smarter today. Apparently in 1916: The Treaty of the Danish West Indies transferred sovereignty of the Danish West Indies from Denmark to the United States in exchange for a sum of US$25,000,000 in gold, & agreement to cede US interest in Greenland.
Treaty of the Danish West Indies - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Thank you, Bluesky community, for making me smarter today. Apparently in 1916: The Treaty of the Danish West Indies transferred sovereignty of the Danish West Indies from Denmark to the United States in exchange for a sum of US$25,000,000 in gold, & agreement to cede US interest in Greenland.
#Bird of the Day: Acorn Woodpecker (ACWO) & EUST
As someone who loves to observe bird behavior, I was thrilled to see something in California that I had previously only read about: the battle for a tree cavity between starling and woodpecker. This large conifer snag stood on my hotel grounds and I
As someone who loves to observe bird behavior, I was thrilled to see something in California that I had previously only read about: the battle for a tree cavity between starling and woodpecker. This large conifer snag stood on my hotel grounds and I
January 22, 2026 at 2:44 PM
#Bird of the Day: Acorn Woodpecker (ACWO) & EUST
As someone who loves to observe bird behavior, I was thrilled to see something in California that I had previously only read about: the battle for a tree cavity between starling and woodpecker. This large conifer snag stood on my hotel grounds and I
As someone who loves to observe bird behavior, I was thrilled to see something in California that I had previously only read about: the battle for a tree cavity between starling and woodpecker. This large conifer snag stood on my hotel grounds and I
Reposted by Kris Gates
A memo was released by ICE instructing agents to violate the U.S. Constitution. ICE told officers and agents that they can forcibly enter homes without warrants signed by judges. The memo was from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, was shared with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) by two whistleblowers.
www.hsgac.senate.gov
January 22, 2026 at 1:54 AM
A memo was released by ICE instructing agents to violate the U.S. Constitution. ICE told officers and agents that they can forcibly enter homes without warrants signed by judges. The memo was from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, was shared with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) by two whistleblowers.
Reposted by Kris Gates
One day you're a violent protestor beating the shit out of cops at the Capitol. The next you're pardoned, given a badge, and beating the shit out of non-violent protestors. What a great country!
January 22, 2026 at 1:56 AM
One day you're a violent protestor beating the shit out of cops at the Capitol. The next you're pardoned, given a badge, and beating the shit out of non-violent protestors. What a great country!
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"Juvenile closely resembles juvenile Roadside and Broad-winged Hawks, but has bold, teardrop spotting below."
"Juvenile closely resembles juvenile Roadside and Broad-winged Hawks, but has bold, teardrop spotting below."
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
“He sat there with his thoughts for a while, Law on the one hand, and Poverty on the other, beholding a radiant vision of a woman rise above the dull, smoldering fire.”
“He sat there with his thoughts for a while, Law on the one hand, and Poverty on the other, beholding a radiant vision of a woman rise above the dull, smoldering fire.”
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
“This was immediately visible in the differences in behaviour of her mother and her grandmother, but equally obvious in the respective lots of her half-brother and half-sister.”
“This was immediately visible in the differences in behaviour of her mother and her grandmother, but equally obvious in the respective lots of her half-brother and half-sister.”
January 22, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence.
"Juvenile closely resembles juvenile Roadside and Broad-winged Hawks, but has bold, teardrop spotting below."
"Juvenile closely resembles juvenile Roadside and Broad-winged Hawks, but has bold, teardrop spotting below."
That sunshine feels so good!
January 21, 2026 at 9:12 PM
That sunshine feels so good!
Reposted by Kris Gates
Trump: "Sometimes you need a dictator."
January 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Trump: "Sometimes you need a dictator."
🧵One of the best parts of travel is getting to sample other cuisines-- and boy, do I love Belizean food. This might sound odd to people who know me, because beans are an integral part of many dishes & I do not care for beans. But they're also pretty easy to avoid. At my favorite lodge we're asked
January 21, 2026 at 4:57 PM
🧵One of the best parts of travel is getting to sample other cuisines-- and boy, do I love Belizean food. This might sound odd to people who know me, because beans are an integral part of many dishes & I do not care for beans. But they're also pretty easy to avoid. At my favorite lodge we're asked
#Bird of the Day: American Coot (AMCO)
For some reason, these coots don’t seem to get a lot of love. From afar, their sleek black bodies may seem featureless, but closer up you can admire their garnet-red eyes & ivory-white bills. The upper mandible of the bill extends up the forehead to form what
For some reason, these coots don’t seem to get a lot of love. From afar, their sleek black bodies may seem featureless, but closer up you can admire their garnet-red eyes & ivory-white bills. The upper mandible of the bill extends up the forehead to form what
January 21, 2026 at 3:52 PM
#Bird of the Day: American Coot (AMCO)
For some reason, these coots don’t seem to get a lot of love. From afar, their sleek black bodies may seem featureless, but closer up you can admire their garnet-red eyes & ivory-white bills. The upper mandible of the bill extends up the forehead to form what
For some reason, these coots don’t seem to get a lot of love. From afar, their sleek black bodies may seem featureless, but closer up you can admire their garnet-red eyes & ivory-white bills. The upper mandible of the bill extends up the forehead to form what
Reposted by Kris Gates
The choice is impeachment and removal or calamity for the United States. I don't see how anybody watching Trump's speech in Davos can draw any other conclusion. He's a senile madman.
January 21, 2026 at 2:26 PM
The choice is impeachment and removal or calamity for the United States. I don't see how anybody watching Trump's speech in Davos can draw any other conclusion. He's a senile madman.
Reposted by Kris Gates
Had a wonderful morning birding with some pals and came home to even more wildlife.
January 21, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Had a wonderful morning birding with some pals and came home to even more wildlife.
Reposted by Kris Gates
I've finished sorting/culling my photos from Belize, leaving an album of ~950. Many of these will now be added to 1 of my digital photo frames. I love re-living my travels this way; each photo reminds me of places, people, & experiences I've been so lucky to meet along the way. Embrace the world!
January 21, 2026 at 4:44 AM
I've finished sorting/culling my photos from Belize, leaving an album of ~950. Many of these will now be added to 1 of my digital photo frames. I love re-living my travels this way; each photo reminds me of places, people, & experiences I've been so lucky to meet along the way. Embrace the world!
I've finished sorting/culling my photos from Belize, leaving an album of ~950. Many of these will now be added to 1 of my digital photo frames. I love re-living my travels this way; each photo reminds me of places, people, & experiences I've been so lucky to meet along the way. Embrace the world!
January 21, 2026 at 4:44 AM
I've finished sorting/culling my photos from Belize, leaving an album of ~950. Many of these will now be added to 1 of my digital photo frames. I love re-living my travels this way; each photo reminds me of places, people, & experiences I've been so lucky to meet along the way. Embrace the world!
Had a wonderful morning birding with some pals and came home to even more wildlife.
January 21, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Had a wonderful morning birding with some pals and came home to even more wildlife.
#Bird of the Day: Heermann’s Gulls (HEEG)
If you follow along with BOTD, you’ll know that gulls are my least favorite kind of birds. It’s an admission of my own ignorance, as I have trouble differentiating them. I do make an exception for those I can identify with my limited skills. Laughing Gulls
If you follow along with BOTD, you’ll know that gulls are my least favorite kind of birds. It’s an admission of my own ignorance, as I have trouble differentiating them. I do make an exception for those I can identify with my limited skills. Laughing Gulls
January 20, 2026 at 3:02 PM
#Bird of the Day: Heermann’s Gulls (HEEG)
If you follow along with BOTD, you’ll know that gulls are my least favorite kind of birds. It’s an admission of my own ignorance, as I have trouble differentiating them. I do make an exception for those I can identify with my limited skills. Laughing Gulls
If you follow along with BOTD, you’ll know that gulls are my least favorite kind of birds. It’s an admission of my own ignorance, as I have trouble differentiating them. I do make an exception for those I can identify with my limited skills. Laughing Gulls