Nicole Gerlach
@ngerlach.bsky.social
Behavioral ecologist, evolutionary organismal biologist (birds, other verts, & critters in general), & educator. Aspiring Ms. Frizzle. Avid reader. Seeker of tiny moments of joy and magic. she/her.
Comments, opinions, & photos my own.
Comments, opinions, & photos my own.
Pinned
Nicole Gerlach
@ngerlach.bsky.social
· Aug 20
Hi, I'm Nicole. I'm a biologist and full-time teaching faculty. I'm primarily a behavioral ecologist by training, with my main research interests in mate choice / parental care behavior, especially extra-pair mating behavior in socially monogamous songbirds like the dark-eyed junco!
My dog is *almost* the perfect grading companion, except for the fact that every time I glance at her I am reminded how much I too would like to curl up on the couch and take a nap.
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
My dog is *almost* the perfect grading companion, except for the fact that every time I glance at her I am reminded how much I too would like to curl up on the couch and take a nap.
#LocalVertDiversity 41 & 42. Fishies! *Very* tentatively IDed as Grass Carp (the big one; Ctenopharyngodon idella), and Eastern Mosquitofish (the little ones; Gambusia holbrooki)
It's near-impossible to get a decent picture of fish with my super-old phone camera. But there's def. 2 species there!
It's near-impossible to get a decent picture of fish with my super-old phone camera. But there's def. 2 species there!
December 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 41 & 42. Fishies! *Very* tentatively IDed as Grass Carp (the big one; Ctenopharyngodon idella), and Eastern Mosquitofish (the little ones; Gambusia holbrooki)
It's near-impossible to get a decent picture of fish with my super-old phone camera. But there's def. 2 species there!
It's near-impossible to get a decent picture of fish with my super-old phone camera. But there's def. 2 species there!
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
Tetrapoda*: how it started vs. how it's going.
*OK, OK: stem-Tetrapoda. But it's not as snappy.
*OK, OK: stem-Tetrapoda. But it's not as snappy.
December 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Tetrapoda*: how it started vs. how it's going.
*OK, OK: stem-Tetrapoda. But it's not as snappy.
*OK, OK: stem-Tetrapoda. But it's not as snappy.
#LocalVertDiversity 40. Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)
Red-eared sliders (T. s. elegans) are familiar to most people because they're invasive in so many places (including here), but I think this is the native subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider (T. s. scripta). #turtle #wildlife 🐢
Red-eared sliders (T. s. elegans) are familiar to most people because they're invasive in so many places (including here), but I think this is the native subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider (T. s. scripta). #turtle #wildlife 🐢
December 9, 2025 at 10:39 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 40. Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)
Red-eared sliders (T. s. elegans) are familiar to most people because they're invasive in so many places (including here), but I think this is the native subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider (T. s. scripta). #turtle #wildlife 🐢
Red-eared sliders (T. s. elegans) are familiar to most people because they're invasive in so many places (including here), but I think this is the native subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider (T. s. scripta). #turtle #wildlife 🐢
After a grocery run last night, I realized that my finals week supplies are largely the same as my hurricane prep supplies (chocolate, drinks, Publix smores cookies, and PB&J ingredients).
December 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
After a grocery run last night, I realized that my finals week supplies are largely the same as my hurricane prep supplies (chocolate, drinks, Publix smores cookies, and PB&J ingredients).
#LocalVertDiversity 39. American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus).
I learned this semester that the Botanical Gardens are not just for plants, they're also a great place for finding bullfrogs and other wildlife. I think this was one of three or four I saw.
I learned this semester that the Botanical Gardens are not just for plants, they're also a great place for finding bullfrogs and other wildlife. I think this was one of three or four I saw.
December 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 39. American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus).
I learned this semester that the Botanical Gardens are not just for plants, they're also a great place for finding bullfrogs and other wildlife. I think this was one of three or four I saw.
I learned this semester that the Botanical Gardens are not just for plants, they're also a great place for finding bullfrogs and other wildlife. I think this was one of three or four I saw.
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
These Pygmy Fruit-eating Bats are another one of my neighbors here at @casabentbill.bsky.social #CostaRica
They cut along the midrib of banana leaves to make them collapse into a protected little house. And then they cuddle with each other and wonder why this strange man is looking at them.
#bats
They cut along the midrib of banana leaves to make them collapse into a protected little house. And then they cuddle with each other and wonder why this strange man is looking at them.
#bats
December 8, 2025 at 12:17 AM
These Pygmy Fruit-eating Bats are another one of my neighbors here at @casabentbill.bsky.social #CostaRica
They cut along the midrib of banana leaves to make them collapse into a protected little house. And then they cuddle with each other and wonder why this strange man is looking at them.
#bats
They cut along the midrib of banana leaves to make them collapse into a protected little house. And then they cuddle with each other and wonder why this strange man is looking at them.
#bats
I would like to formally apologize to whatever minor deity / universal power / person at the registrar's office for whichever offense I committed that caused the final exams for both of my courses this semester to be assigned 7:30 AM time slots.
December 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I would like to formally apologize to whatever minor deity / universal power / person at the registrar's office for whichever offense I committed that caused the final exams for both of my courses this semester to be assigned 7:30 AM time slots.
I would never have thought this was the same species as the Hairy Woodpeckers I’m familiar with.
There are 17 subspecies of Hairy Woodpeckers with considerable variations in coloration. Some are intensely white; ours in Washington state are dirtier-looking; and the Costa Rican is this lovely rich brown color (the Leuconotopicus villosus extimus subspecies). #birds
#woodpeckers #nature
#woodpeckers #nature
December 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I would never have thought this was the same species as the Hairy Woodpeckers I’m familiar with.
During the semester, my #vertz students each have to give a "Get to Know a Vertebrate" presentation on a species of their choice, including adding it to the class GTKAV phylogeny, which starts with juncos (my study species) and humans.
Here are all the cool species I got to learn about this year!
Here are all the cool species I got to learn about this year!
December 4, 2025 at 6:27 PM
During the semester, my #vertz students each have to give a "Get to Know a Vertebrate" presentation on a species of their choice, including adding it to the class GTKAV phylogeny, which starts with juncos (my study species) and humans.
Here are all the cool species I got to learn about this year!
Here are all the cool species I got to learn about this year!
Everyone DOES need to see a Stegosaurus occasionally.
A pair of Stegosaurus leisurely walking while a group of Hesperornithoides bicker in the foreground
I just think everyone needs to see Stegosaurus every now and then. Makes everyone happier 😊 This is an illustration of my licensing library and is available for non exclusive licensing.
#paleoart
I just think everyone needs to see Stegosaurus every now and then. Makes everyone happier 😊 This is an illustration of my licensing library and is available for non exclusive licensing.
#paleoart
December 4, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Everyone DOES need to see a Stegosaurus occasionally.
Hooray, it’s finally jamdvent calendar season! I’m a few days late in starting, since my Thanksgiving guests only left yesterday and the mini jam jars are decidedly single serving.
December 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Hooray, it’s finally jamdvent calendar season! I’m a few days late in starting, since my Thanksgiving guests only left yesterday and the mini jam jars are decidedly single serving.
One of the best laughs I've gotten this semester, a thread: 🧵
Background: Our intro bio series has course codes BSC2010 and BSC2011, and around the department, we tend to just refer to them by number.
In class today, I was talking about the difference between foregut and hindgut fermenters. 1/5
Background: Our intro bio series has course codes BSC2010 and BSC2011, and around the department, we tend to just refer to them by number.
In class today, I was talking about the difference between foregut and hindgut fermenters. 1/5
December 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
One of the best laughs I've gotten this semester, a thread: 🧵
Background: Our intro bio series has course codes BSC2010 and BSC2011, and around the department, we tend to just refer to them by number.
In class today, I was talking about the difference between foregut and hindgut fermenters. 1/5
Background: Our intro bio series has course codes BSC2010 and BSC2011, and around the department, we tend to just refer to them by number.
In class today, I was talking about the difference between foregut and hindgut fermenters. 1/5
Time to play another round of "will any of my students recognize the reference from the 1980s?"
(This is the last slide of my last lecture in #Vertz. Cetaceans are the last group I talk about, and phylogenetically, the whole semester has been about fish, so it's doubly appropriate.)
(This is the last slide of my last lecture in #Vertz. Cetaceans are the last group I talk about, and phylogenetically, the whole semester has been about fish, so it's doubly appropriate.)
December 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Time to play another round of "will any of my students recognize the reference from the 1980s?"
(This is the last slide of my last lecture in #Vertz. Cetaceans are the last group I talk about, and phylogenetically, the whole semester has been about fish, so it's doubly appropriate.)
(This is the last slide of my last lecture in #Vertz. Cetaceans are the last group I talk about, and phylogenetically, the whole semester has been about fish, so it's doubly appropriate.)
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
This #givingtuesday please consider donating to the Paleontological Research Institution/Museum of the Earth
PRI is a major US fossil collection and education center
& has been struggling after a major donor was unable to fulfill a pledge but is almost out of the woods, any support helps!
🦑⚒️🧪🐌🐚
PRI is a major US fossil collection and education center
& has been struggling after a major donor was unable to fulfill a pledge but is almost out of the woods, any support helps!
🦑⚒️🧪🐌🐚
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This #givingtuesday please consider donating to the Paleontological Research Institution/Museum of the Earth
PRI is a major US fossil collection and education center
& has been struggling after a major donor was unable to fulfill a pledge but is almost out of the woods, any support helps!
🦑⚒️🧪🐌🐚
PRI is a major US fossil collection and education center
& has been struggling after a major donor was unable to fulfill a pledge but is almost out of the woods, any support helps!
🦑⚒️🧪🐌🐚
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
Wisdom’s mate joins
her!
🎼 #Reunited
USFWS staff spotted band EX25 on 11/25. No, he has not been named; we await that news.
So far we have a few photos and we'll share more as we receive them.
Here's to a successful egg laying and hatching season for these two!
Photos by Chris Forster.
#Birds
her!
🎼 #Reunited
USFWS staff spotted band EX25 on 11/25. No, he has not been named; we await that news.
So far we have a few photos and we'll share more as we receive them.
Here's to a successful egg laying and hatching season for these two!
Photos by Chris Forster.
#Birds
November 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
On the other hand, the part where there still was deeper water was FULL of alligators. These three were closest to the path, but I counted maybe 18-20 total. Plus a heron in satellite dish mode! #wildlife 🪶🐊
November 30, 2025 at 12:32 AM
On the other hand, the part where there still was deeper water was FULL of alligators. These three were closest to the path, but I counted maybe 18-20 total. Plus a heron in satellite dish mode! #wildlife 🪶🐊
We’ve had such a dry autumn that the wetlands at the prairie were… not very wet.
November 29, 2025 at 10:36 PM
We’ve had such a dry autumn that the wetlands at the prairie were… not very wet.
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
#OnThisDay in 1859, Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was first published.
Much of the original manuscript was used as scrap paper by Darwin's children. On the back of this painting of a house is an original manuscript page from Origin!
#CambridgeUniversityLibrary (DAR 185)
Much of the original manuscript was used as scrap paper by Darwin's children. On the back of this painting of a house is an original manuscript page from Origin!
#CambridgeUniversityLibrary (DAR 185)
November 24, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#OnThisDay in 1859, Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was first published.
Much of the original manuscript was used as scrap paper by Darwin's children. On the back of this painting of a house is an original manuscript page from Origin!
#CambridgeUniversityLibrary (DAR 185)
Much of the original manuscript was used as scrap paper by Darwin's children. On the back of this painting of a house is an original manuscript page from Origin!
#CambridgeUniversityLibrary (DAR 185)
My favorite assignment that I give my #Vertz students is to pick a fantasy creature and argue for where they think it would fit in the vertebrate phylogeny. They get so creative and detailed with their analysis, and it's so much fun to read.
November 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
My favorite assignment that I give my #Vertz students is to pick a fantasy creature and argue for where they think it would fit in the vertebrate phylogeny. They get so creative and detailed with their analysis, and it's so much fun to read.
Reposted by Nicole Gerlach
Happy Thanksgiving, to all who celebrate. May you be the one feasting on turkey-sized paravian theropods, and not the other way around!
And to those condemned to battling family upon the occasion, may the strength of a million raptors course through your veins.
And to those condemned to battling family upon the occasion, may the strength of a million raptors course through your veins.
November 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, to all who celebrate. May you be the one feasting on turkey-sized paravian theropods, and not the other way around!
And to those condemned to battling family upon the occasion, may the strength of a million raptors course through your veins.
And to those condemned to battling family upon the occasion, may the strength of a million raptors course through your veins.
Who’s got two thumbs and totally forgot to take the turkey out to bring it up to room temperature before putting it in the oven?
At least I did remember to defrost it.
At least I did remember to defrost it.
a man wearing a white shirt and tie smiles in front of a window
Alt: Jim from The Office points both thumbs at himself and says “this guy!!!”
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Who’s got two thumbs and totally forgot to take the turkey out to bring it up to room temperature before putting it in the oven?
At least I did remember to defrost it.
At least I did remember to defrost it.
The first time I hear Sandhill Cranes trumpeting in a given year, it always takes me a minute before I remember what that weird unearthly sound is. 🪶 #birds
November 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The first time I hear Sandhill Cranes trumpeting in a given year, it always takes me a minute before I remember what that weird unearthly sound is. 🪶 #birds
You've just died. The 6th picture in your gallery is what killed you.
Oh. Erm, well. That’s actually plausible.
(It was pretty small in real life, so I’m going to assume it got lucky and nicked my femoral artery or something.)
Oh. Erm, well. That’s actually plausible.
(It was pretty small in real life, so I’m going to assume it got lucky and nicked my femoral artery or something.)
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 AM
You've just died. The 6th picture in your gallery is what killed you.
Oh. Erm, well. That’s actually plausible.
(It was pretty small in real life, so I’m going to assume it got lucky and nicked my femoral artery or something.)
Oh. Erm, well. That’s actually plausible.
(It was pretty small in real life, so I’m going to assume it got lucky and nicked my femoral artery or something.)
#LocalVertDiversity 37. Domestic Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) & 38. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Duck face-off! The Muscovys looked like they were about to cause trouble, but the Black-bellied held their ground (water?) and the Muscovys swerved around. #birds 🪶
Duck face-off! The Muscovys looked like they were about to cause trouble, but the Black-bellied held their ground (water?) and the Muscovys swerved around. #birds 🪶
November 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
#LocalVertDiversity 37. Domestic Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) & 38. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
Duck face-off! The Muscovys looked like they were about to cause trouble, but the Black-bellied held their ground (water?) and the Muscovys swerved around. #birds 🪶
Duck face-off! The Muscovys looked like they were about to cause trouble, but the Black-bellied held their ground (water?) and the Muscovys swerved around. #birds 🪶