Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 4d

They put out Halloween and Christmas decorations at the stores at the same time this year… the last week of SEPTEMBER!??!!

an illustration of a cat dressed up as a christmas tree by cindysuen

ALT: an illustration of a cat dressed up as a christmas tree by cindysuen

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Dave Watson @ecosystemunraveller.com · 5d

I’m especially keen to showcase purpletufts, one of the grooviest and most underrated mistletoe specialist frugivores (sister to Tityras and becards)
(pic by Jesus Alferez)

Derpy mottle chested dark grey and white bird perched on a twig with two outrageous epaulette / armpit flanges of bright pinky purple

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 5d

You don’t want to know…

two men are shoveling a pile of money into a furnace

ALT: two men are shoveling a pile of money into a furnace

media.tenor.com

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 5d

Bubble wrap of unusual size…

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 5d

Chiz FTW!

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 5d

Vote Australian White Ibis FTW!!! #TeamBinChicken www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Australian bird of the year 2025: vote for your favourite #birdoftheyear in the Guardian / BirdLife Australia poll

From little penguins to (very big) cassowaries, every bird has its fans. Vote for your favourite in the 2025 Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll

www.theguardian.com

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 5d

No.

Hello We Are Rats (WEBTOON) comic of one rat in a Santa hat singing a Christmas carol and hanging Christmas lights and the other rat in a Halloween witch’s hat unplugging the Christmas lights and saying an emphatic, No.

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 9d

There is no “invasion from within” just like there is no “Tren de Aragua” invasion from Venezuela. You can’t make things up, then use them as an excuse for going to war or disappearing innocent people into foreign prisons.

A screenshot of an X post by Aaron Rupar (@atrupar
, 5h ago) quoting Trump speaking to generals: "America is under invasion from within. We're under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in any ways because they don't wear uniforms. At least when they're wearing a uniform you can take them out." The post includes an image of a man in a suit speaking at a podium with the presidential seal, set against a backdrop of the American flag.

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Jay Kuo @nycjayjay.bsky.social · 9d

The most important thing we heard out of the speeches by Hegseth and Trump to top military brass? Nothing. Total silence. That’s as it should be, but still a far cry from what Donald and Pete were used to. My write-up on the Quantico cringefest, in the replies.

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 15d

Crypsis as modelled by the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus, meaning bittern-bull freckle, for those of you playing at home!). @rosemarymosco.com

Bird and Moon Comics does a comic about ornithological vocabulary for every issue of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's wonderful Living Bird magazine. Here's the latest one, featuring the American Bittern.

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 16d

Steal the Look: Masked Flowerpecker abcbirds.org

👀 Spotted: the Masked Flowerpiercer serving absolute looks on the cover of our newest ‘Bird Conservation’ magazine.
This is clearly the palette for all you “winters” out there.
🔷 Would you wear this?
Become an ABC Member to receive our newest issue:
bit.ly/4n9ZgpX

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 16d

Steal the Look: Cerulean Warbler Mountain Core
abcbirds.org/birds/

Steal the Look: Cerulean Warbler Mountain Core

☕ This is giving trails at dawn and celebratory pour-over coffee at the peak.
🪵Carhartt hat — because nothing says “I split my own firewood” like something purchased at REI.
👖 Yellow Levis — Vintage, of course & showing just enough ankle to remind everyone you own Blundstones.
🏔️ Crop top + Puffy Vest — Bonus points for smelling faintly of cedar.
The Cerulean Warbler builds nests from moss and spider silk — And, you? You’re finally ready to build that chicken coop for your dream backyard.

Get more outfit inspo from the birds in our bird library:
https://abcbirds.org/birds/

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 17d

a cat is laying down on a table with the words `` no '' written on its face .

ALT: a cat is laying down on a table with the words `` no '' written on its face .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Dave Watson @ecosystemunraveller.com · 22d

Made it out to the farm near Bridgetown for Grounded Festival. The sun is shining and punters are starting to stream in. Let’s do this!

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Woodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social · 23d

A raven turned up on our #LochArkaig ospreycam today, and had a lot to say for itself!

🔊 Sound up for some lovely kronking.🐦‍⬛

#raven

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Mineral Cup #MinCup25 @mineralcup.bsky.social · 23d

#MinCup25 Round 2 Match 2: It's all about how minerals interact with humans as dramatic #stibnite faces off against futuristic #perovskite.

Vote: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r2...
Results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results...

Vote in Round 2 Match 2 — Mineral Cup

Click here to vote in Stibnite vs Perovskite Photo credits: Gianandrea Ghirri and Enrico Bonacina

www.mineralcup.org

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 22d

The last political column I was allowed to write in the @washingtonpost.com was a criticism of Obama.

His people took issue with my piece, but we were respectful.

Now he is tweeting in support of me.

This is how free political speech and respect for debate *actually works*.

Or used to work.

Tweet From Obama mentioning my firing from the Washington post. Wirh a photo of me

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Wil Wheaton @wilwheaton.net · 22d

"...most elected Democrats remain in the mode of believing they are a party of government temporarily out of power. They are that too. But really they’re an opposition party in the midst of an attempted authoritarian takeover of the American Republic." - @joshtpm.bsky.social

A Few Thoughts on KimmelGeddon

Let me start by noting the obvious: What we saw yesterday with...

talkingpointsmemo.com

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 23d

This is America @cathywilcox.bsky.social

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 25d

Disappointingly biased reporting by Amelia Bernasconi and Ben Clifford from ABC News. INS is not a “weed” and it is not a “biodiversity problem“. In fact, if you read the report, experts showed how much this native regrowth SUPPORTS biodiversity.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Power plant's weed-fuelled comeback rejected by planning commission

The Independent Planning Commission of NSW knocks back plans to restart Redbank Power Station in the Hunter Valley, fuelling it with biomass instead of coal tailings.

www.abc.net.au

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

Alex Wild @alexwild.bsky.social · 25d

I am just going to keep posting that the TX governor recently pardoned a political murderer.

The dude texted "I'm going to shoot protestors", then went and shot a Black Lives Matter protester. He was convicted in a jury trial.

Hard to find a more blatant example of celebrating political violence.

Gov. Greg Abbott pardons Daniel Perry, veteran who killed police brutality protester in 2020

A Travis County jury sentenced Perry to 25 years in prison last year, prompting Abbott to ask the state parole board to review his case.

www.texastribune.org

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Reposted by Dr Maggie J Watson

David Tan @mangrovepitta.bsky.social · 26d

#binchook2025

Bronwen Scott @snailseyeview.bsky.social · 26d

Nominate your Australian Bird of the Year.

(As long as it's the Australian Pratincole. You know there is no species finer. Although Tooth-billed Bowerbird is pretty good too.)

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Australian bird of the year 2025: nominate your favourite now

We want to hear which Australian birds you think should be shortlisted for the Guardian/Birdlife Australia bird of the year poll next month

www.theguardian.com

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 26d

"On the Nautilus men's hearts never fail them" Captain Nemo. www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/8035...

A nautilus and a quote from Twenty thousand leagues under the sea. Illustration by @terngirl, quote by Jules Verne.

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 26d

a black and white drawing of a cat 's eyes in the dark

ALT: a black and white drawing of a cat 's eyes in the dark

media.tenor.com

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Dr Maggie J Watson @terngirl.bsky.social · 26d

Lol transparent background fail...

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