Author | Lightnews

Pratab Ali

@prataba.bsky.social

180 followers 140 following 520 posts

Amateur photographer. landscape, insects, wildlife, stars. 20 plus years software engineer in telecoms. Sci-fi: BSG, Startrek, Expanse, some Starwars. Mando and Grogu! (Sorry, Large profiles with thousands of followers, I'm unlikely to follow you back)

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · Nov 18

What have you bee'n up to?

I've been taking my Nikon 105mm micro lens for a spin.

(14th June 2021 - from Twitter)

Bee about to land on a purple sage stem. Bee's wings are motion blurred.

Looking downwards on a bee sitting on purple sage.

Closeup of bee on purple sage. Wings have glint of golden sunset sunlight.

2 6 43

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Chris 🟡🟡🟡🟡 @shelfnerds.bsky.social · 16h

“During this morning’s briefing, you made an aside regarding the futility of the neutrino emissions Mister Paris detected in Sector 741,” Tuvok says.

“Tom’s wormhole mirage,” Harry clarifies.

“‘Just another heartbreak waiting to happen,’ is what you said,” Tuvok adds.
4/10

1 1 4

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Chris 🟡🟡🟡🟡 @shelfnerds.bsky.social · 16h

Harry sets the burrito down. “As always, your powers of observation don’t miss a thing. I—I haven’t been myself lately.”

“In fact, you seem to be suffering from acute cynicism,” Tuvok explains.

Harry raises a brow. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought of it as that—cynicism.”
3/10

1 1 4

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Chris 🟡🟡🟡🟡 @shelfnerds.bsky.social · 16h

Harry nods and lifts the burrito to his mouth, taking his first bite. Tuvok sits, a salad overflowing his plate.

“I have observed a recent and sudden shift in your demeanor and tone both on the bridge and in senior staff meetings,” Tuvok notes.
2/10

1 2 5

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Chris 🟡🟡🟡🟡 @shelfnerds.bsky.social · 16h

#MicroTreks

Harry sits at a table staring out the Mess Hall windows. His Talaxian-Mexican fusion burrito cools on his plate.

Tuvok steps into his view of the windows. “Ensign.”

Harry’s eyes slowly look up at the commander. “Hey, Tuvok.”

“May I join you?” Tuvok asks.
1/10

1 8 10

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 1d

Share someone who looks stylish in a banana.

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 2d

If you see this, SMILE 😁

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust @sheldricktrust.bsky.social · 3d

Maxwell may have his grumpy moments, but he's a friendly fellow at heart. Here's a sample of his social calendar: he greets the elephant orphans at his gate each morning. During the day, oxpecker birds perch on his back whilst warthogs, baboons, and monkeys share his snacks.

28 210

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Karly Kingsley @karlykingsley.bsky.social · 3d

Trump’s admin is planning to slash refugee admissions to the lowest level in modern history, banning most Black and brown refugees while giving preference to white Europeans/ English speakers who are mint for spreading anti-immigrant hate. It’s more white nationalism.

6 35 130

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Vox @vox.com · 3d

Are there any legal avenues left to challenge abusive tactics by ICE, or by other law enforcement agencies controlled by Trump? The short answer is that a few narrow pathways still exist, but they are unlikely to provide a meaningful check on ICE’s behavior.

How the Supreme Court placed ICE above the law

Broadly, there are 5 ways to constrain rogue federal law enforcement agents. The Supreme Court nuked 3 of them.

www.vox.com

6 21 38

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 3d

I know a few people that shunned Enterprise. They really missed out.

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust @sheldricktrust.bsky.social · 4d

Two months into Nursery life, Arthi is growing in confidence, character, and size. During feeding times, he confidently leads the herd, messily gulps down his bottle, and then demands another! His confidence a positive sign that he has already found his place among our Nursery family: swt.bio/arthi

7 40 230

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 4d

Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Paladeki) Winchester in resplendent flannel shirts. A still from the TV show Supernatural.

1 1 2

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 4d

Watching #JurassicWorldRebirth on amazon prime.

5 mins in I started 🤣 bad sign as it's not a comedy. Just a ridiculous opening

10 mins in decided that folding my laundry is more exciting. Went and did that.

Continued, 25 mins in decided cleaning my oven is more exciting...
🥱

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Vox @vox.com · 5d

Knowing who rises to the level of a “best” friend can be helpful when weighing the amount of relational upkeep a relationship requires. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/461697/best-friends-adults-relationship-qualities-ranking

1 3 9

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Sophie Carr @sophiecarr.bsky.social · 5d

I have a few favourite wave photos, taken over the years at a few beaches in #Iceland, and this is one of them, from this day in 2021. Slowing down the exposure (this is 0.3 sec) allows you to capture some beautiful movement 🌊

A large greenish wave is breaking as it meets the beach. The exposure is slowed down so the water is smooth. There are some white areas of froth above and lines as the wave breaks, as well as on the beach in front. Behind is grey sea.

18 45 330

Reposted by Pratab Ali

First Flight Podcast @firstflightpod.bsky.social · 6d

**🚀🖖NEW EPISODE ALERT**
We say bye to the Space Natzis, Daniels AND Silik this episode, and @abbymsommer.bsky.social and @shelfnerds.bsky.social find the heart in this episode that still resonates deeply today. Come take a listen!

2 7 16

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Aaron Sheppard Wildlife Photography @wildlifeshorts.bsky.social · 7d

Great Spotted woodpecker on the oak tree #oak #birds #woodpecker #wildlife #nature #spring #sun
youtube.com/shorts/Pa_ss...

Great Spotted woodpecker on the oak tree #oak #birds #woodpecker #wildlife #nature #spring #sun

YouTube video by Nature Shorts

youtube.com

1 9

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Michiale Schneider Carney @michiale.bsky.social · 7d

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” –Vincent van Gogh
(A roseate spoonbill at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida) #birds #spoonbill

1 6

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 7d

A poorly put together trailer. And for crying out aloud, you have to start by saying this is the trailer 🤦‍♂️

It looks like a fan made AI thing.

Being set in the Discovery timeline, I already had low expectations. And each time they put out another teaser the bar gets lower.

youtu.be/PAGzRczDYpc?...

Official Trailer | Star Trek: Starfleet Academy | NYCC 2025

YouTube video by Star Trek

youtu.be

Reposted by Pratab Ali

PeteGulls @gullssinceaboy.bsky.social · 8d

I wonder if all this sabre rattling about China and Starmer by the far right in the UK and US is an attempt to deflect from their close friendship with Putin?

2 4 10

Reposted by Pratab Ali

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 8d

Today’s #AutumnArrivalSpotlight is the delightful Pallas’s Warbler! 🍂

These tiny visitors from far east are a rare autumn treat for birdwatchers!

Look for their bright yellow eyebrow stripe and lemon rump as they flit through the trees.

1 30 220

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Gray @grays.art · 10d

Female Two-spotted longhorn bee
(Melissodes bimaculatus)

explored a vacant lot by the sea between two large homes in Cape Coral a few days ago, overcast & rainy, startled a burrowing owl & found a familiar subject.

#macroMonday #EastCoastKin #macroPhotography #macro #photography #pollinators #bees

Dangling from her mandibles by a blade of grass.

8 19 170

Pratab Ali @prataba.bsky.social · 9d

Star Trek Challenge: Tell people about yourself by listing one episode from DS9, VOY & TNG with no context.

“Darmok” TNG
“Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy” VOY
"Hippocratic Oath” DS9

Chris 🟡🟡🟡🟡 @shelfnerds.bsky.social · 9d

Star Trek Challenge: Tell people about yourself by listing one episode from DS9, VOY & TNG with no context.

“The Defector” TNG
“Muse” VOY
“Far Beyond the Stars…” DS9

Ross Webster @tehborg.bsky.social · 9d

Star Trek Challenge: Tell people about yourself by listing one episode from DS9, VOY & TNG with no context.

TNG: Elementary Dear Data
DS9: Babel
VOY: Scorpion 1 & 2

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Melanie @shuttlepodtwo.bsky.social · 11d

This whole opening sequence: from Nomad’s first attack on the Enterprise, through when it’s beamed on board, is so exceptionally well done. The tension, the dialogue, the stakes. It’s one of my favorite sequences in #StarTrekTOS.

#TOSSatNight
#TheChangeling

2 3 34

Reposted by Pratab Ali

Karen Masters @karenlmasters.bsky.social · 11d

Jess Wade is amazing, and it's my absolute honour to be one of the more than 2000 women in STEM whose wikipedia page she started: mymodernmet.com/jessica-wade... 🧪🔭👩‍🔬

Meet the Physicist Who Wrote Over 2,000 Wikipedia Biographies for Women in STEM

After noticing a lack of entries on Wikipedia for incredible women throughout history, this incredible woman decided to take matters into her own hands.

mymodernmet.com

8 210 780