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secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
@secondnaturemb.bsky.social
24K followers 600 following 8.4K posts
Naturalist, writer, artist, and educator with a Ph.D. in Ecology. I make interpretive signs, illustrations, murals, and books. Sometimes, I chase polar bears and belugas. #scicomm #sciart http://www.discoversecondnature.ca
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secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦 @secondnaturemb.bsky.social · Mar 7
Hi Everyone!
I'm Heather. A lot of new people have joined me in the last 24 hours so I thought I'd answer some frequently-asked questions.

1. Where do you live? - I live in Manitoba, Canada in a provincial park on Lake Winnipeg. It is a wild area of the boreal forest, but not remote. 1/
A white woman wearing glasses, a red toque and a scarf with a green parka smiles at the camera. A snowy forest can be seen behind her. A small cottage sits quietly on a moonlit night in the snowy boreal forest. Smoke rises placidly from the chimney while the windows glow with warm light. It's a cold clear night with lots of snow.
Reposted by Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
A story in four parts. This second year polar bear cub wasn't feeling it anymore. Mom, however, reminded her that they needed to keep moving with a few potentially dangerous males nearby. However, the effects of the pep talk didn't last long :) #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A larger polar bear cub lies face down on the ice with her bum in the air while her mother continues to walk ahead of her on the snowy lake bed. A larger polar bear cub lies lazily on the snowy lake bottom while her mom turns back to notice her stretched out on the ice. The cub jumps four feet into the air away from her mom who lunges at her as a reminder to get up and move on the snowy lake. The cub collapses on the snowy lake again on her face with her bum in the air right behind her month who has apparently given up and turns her back to keep walking.
November 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
I started my week with a milestone. My family built it when I was two. I bought it in my 30s and officially paid off the mortgage yesterday. My own little piece of paradise is all mine.
A little blonde girl wearing denim overalls sits on the white front steps of a brown cottage with white trim. A thick forest can be seen in the background. The same girl, now much older sits on the steps of the same cottage. It's now green and there is a screened-in porch enveloping the front door, but it still sits in a forest.
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
A story in four parts. This second year polar bear cub wasn't feeling it anymore. Mom, however, reminded her that they needed to keep moving with a few potentially dangerous males nearby. However, the effects of the pep talk didn't last long :) #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A larger polar bear cub lies face down on the ice with her bum in the air while her mother continues to walk ahead of her on the snowy lake bed. A larger polar bear cub lies lazily on the snowy lake bottom while her mom turns back to notice her stretched out on the ice. The cub jumps four feet into the air away from her mom who lunges at her as a reminder to get up and move on the snowy lake. The cub collapses on the snowy lake again on her face with her bum in the air right behind her month who has apparently given up and turns her back to keep walking.
November 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
alexandragallant.com
Tapping the sign again
Page from BRAINS First Panel: "An AI has no sense of anything. No context. No experience." Illustration of a little pink frog (he's playing a blood cell in this comic, though, which is why he's pink) Second panel: "It cannot touch" the pink frog bends down to pick a flower Third panel: "It cannot smell" 'sniff sniff' the frog smells the flower Fourth panel: "It cannot breathe" (the frog is now dark blue with bright pink lungs visible, as though the frog has been imaged in some way) Fifth panel: "It cannot think" (the frogs brain is now visible, similarly to the lungs in the previous panel) Sixth panel: "It cannot be" the frog is floating and his cute lil butt is visible Seventh panel: "*Stares directly at camera*" the pink frog stares directly at camera Eight panel: "It cannot be... YOU"
November 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Apparently I was a day early for the #BirdofTheDay theme of #YellowEyes so here this is again :)
secondnaturemb.bsky.social Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦 @secondnaturemb.bsky.social · 1d
Took a detour on my way home from the city today to look for snowy owls and lucked into one just before sunset. They're such beautiful birds. #birds 🌿
a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles opens its wings to take off from the top of a large spruce tree on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles takes it first down stroke while taking off from the top of a large spruce tree on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles speads its wings in flight on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles spreads its wings to the fullest in flight on a clear evening.
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Took a detour on my way home from the city today to look for snowy owls and lucked into one just before sunset. They're such beautiful birds. #birds 🌿
a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles opens its wings to take off from the top of a large spruce tree on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles takes it first down stroke while taking off from the top of a large spruce tree on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles speads its wings in flight on a clear evening. a large white snowy owl with yellow eyes and black speckles spreads its wings to the fullest in flight on a clear evening.
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Some colourful visitors to the feeder yesterday. I don't see evening grosbeaks that often, despite them being year-round residents. #birds 🌿
Three yellow, grey, white, and black birds perch on a wooded bird feeder and munch on sunflower seeds. The male on the right and in the back are bright yellow with white wing patches over black wings and tail. The female on the left is more grey with yellow highlights around her nape. Both have large, creamy beaks. A female evening grosbeak sitting on the edge of a platform feeder. Hhe is mostly a light tan grey with a dusting of yellow on her nape and shoulders. Her black and white wings stand out against the paler body.
November 24, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Reposted by Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Mom and cub stopped by to check us out where we watched, breathless from the buggy. Some bears are very curious of the large, white box full of people with clicky things.
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Mom and cub stopped by to check us out where we watched, breathless from the buggy. Some bears are very curious of the large, white box full of people with clicky things.
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Like mother, like daughter. This cub is 1 year and 11 months old and will be sticking around for another 6 months at least before venturing off on her own. They both look to be in good shape and I hope they have good luck on the ice once Hudson Bay freezes. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
A mother polar bear and her nearly 2-year-old cub pose in the diffuse morning light on the snow-covered rocks of a dry lake bed. Both look to be a healthy weight for this time of year.
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Watching polar bears spar will never get old. #mammals 🌿
November 22, 2025 at 2:07 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Two evenly-matched males spent the afternoon lazily sparring while waiting for the bay to freeze. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
Two male polar bears lie on the snowy ground facing each other and lazily mouth at each other's head. The bears are up on all fours now with one draping himself over the back of the other who chomps on the loose fur around his opponent's neck. Both bears are standing on hind legs, sussing each other out before sparring for real. Both bears are standing on their hind legs getting ready to take a swipe at each other.
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
He found a chew toy on the tundra. Polar bears will eat just about anything they can find, but the only thing that will really fuel their metabolism is seal fat, which they will have to wait for the bay to freeze to get their paws on. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A large, male polar bear sploots on the snowy tundra and gnaws on a piece of frozen carcass.
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
How I've been feeling this week at the end of polar bear season in Churchill. #Mammals 🌿
A large, male polar bear 'splooting' in the snow along the end of a bank of bare willows.
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Polar bear moms are fierce. This mom watched three different males approaching her nap spot, posing a threat to her cub. They retreated with Mom stopping to assess the situation regularly. You can see a pretty serious scar on her face, indicating that she was quick to defend her cubs. #mammals 🌿
A mother polar bear watches intently as her cub wakes up in the snowy willows next to her. A mother and cub run away in the snowy grasses of a dry lake bed. A polar bear mom and cub look back to where they came from in the snowy dry lake bed on the tundra. A mom polar bear and cub stand in a snowy dry lake bed and look off into the distance watching some polar bear males off camera. A light snow floats around them.
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Polar bear moms are fierce. This mom watched three different males approaching her nap spot, posing a threat to her cub. They retreated with Mom stopping to assess the situation regularly. You can see a pretty serious scar on her face, indicating that she was quick to defend her cubs. #mammals 🌿
A mother polar bear watches intently as her cub wakes up in the snowy willows next to her. A mother and cub run away in the snowy grasses of a dry lake bed. A polar bear mom and cub look back to where they came from in the snowy dry lake bed on the tundra. A mom polar bear and cub stand in a snowy dry lake bed and look off into the distance watching some polar bear males off camera. A light snow floats around them.
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
The happiest doggos you'll ever meet. They are part of the Wapusk Adventures family, just south of Churchill, Manitoba. I love photographing them in their element.
Sisters Comet and Rea smile off to the right of the image, tongues out, blue eyes bright as they race to the finish line. They are medium-sized white and tan sled dogs and look over the moon happy. Cleagan, a tan and brown sled dog with black muzzel and floppy ears, pants excitedly, brown eyes bright as he wait for the signal to run. Arya and Night run excitedly with their team behind them on the snow. Arya is a small brown and tan sled dog in a bright orange shirt. Night has more black on him and is a little bigger. Both have striking blue eyes. Moose smile after a short run. He is a large, white wheel dog, who loved pulling and is wearing a bright green and orange shirt under his harness.
November 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Polar bears a BIG. This one had pass through only a few hours prior. #mammals 🌿
The large snowshoe-footprints of a polar bear coming down a snowy hill. A front paw-print of a polar bear in the snow. My black-gloved hand for reference. It's about a quarter of the size of the print. The back paw-print of a polar bear in the snow. My hiking booted foot for comparison. It is about 1/4 the size of the print.
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Polar bears a BIG. This one had pass through only a few hours prior. #mammals 🌿
The large snowshoe-footprints of a polar bear coming down a snowy hill. A front paw-print of a polar bear in the snow. My black-gloved hand for reference. It's about a quarter of the size of the print. The back paw-print of a polar bear in the snow. My hiking booted foot for comparison. It is about 1/4 the size of the print.
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
I got to cap off a fantastic polar bear season with the treat of driving one of the tundra buggies for a while. This stretch of trail is quite smooth, but they did let me take it down off of the ridge into rougher terrain.
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Two mother polar bears and their respective cubs beating a hasty retreat from a large male who had just showed up in the neighborhood. Males are a risk to cubs. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
November 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
A very stark reminder why no one goes out on foot after dark in Churchill, Manitoba. This mom and her cubs came just off the beach and behind the town complex. The Polar Bear Alert staff gently herded them away from town to keep everyone safe. #mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
November 14, 2025 at 3:39 AM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Happy Exploding Whale Day for those who celebrate :)
jlkavanaugh.bsky.social Dr. Jeffrey Kavanaugh 🇨🇦 @jlkavanaugh.bsky.social · 14d
55 years ago today, the Oregon State Highway Division had a whale of a problem on its hands. How it solved it is the stuff of legends.

In other words: Happy Exploding Whale Day!
The Exploding Whale: An infamous moment in Oregon history creates a strangely beloved icon
YouTube video by KATU News
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Polar bears are solitary for the most part. Usually, the only time you see cuddling is with mom and cubs. However, this is two males. I've noticed that some males will hang out together while waiting for the ice and this will be a precursor to a sparring bout. #mammals 🌿
One male polar bear lays his head on the flank of another bear who is lying down. You can tell that the bottom bear isn't really all that happy about this. His back leg is poised to push the other one off and his head is twisted to the side. Two male polar bears face off on their hind legs against a backdrop of snowy willows. They're not going to hurt each other, just spar.
November 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
secondnaturemb.bsky.social
I really need to get to bed, but I just poked my head out the back door again. This is the view from my deck. All of this is looking south. When the geomagnetic storms are like this, the oval overshoots me and stretches into the US, which is why so many are seeing it tonight. #aurora
A bright red glow reaches up into the darkness, illuminating the silhouettes of tall slightly scraggly, spruce trees Swirls of green and red light sweep down from the sky, lighting up the forest and contrasting against the Stark silhouettes of trees Dramatic swirls of green and red light swirl down from the middle of the sky, starkly contrasting against the bear of Poplar, tall Spruce trees. Still more dramatic curtains of light sweep down from above in sheets of green and red. The tall bear poplars and spruce spires our starkly silhouetted.
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 AM