Natalie Metzger
@thefuzzyslug.bsky.social
💀 She/her
🎨 Illustrator and designer
🏔️ Pacific Northwest
🔗 https://thefuzzyslug.neocities.org/links
🪲🦀 Here Be Bugs 🕷️🦐
🚫 No genAI
🎨 Illustrator and designer
🏔️ Pacific Northwest
🔗 https://thefuzzyslug.neocities.org/links
🪲🦀 Here Be Bugs 🕷️🦐
🚫 No genAI
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
I can't quarantine Mr. Sharpie in another room any more because he's figured out he can move the vent covers.
This guy is walking around in the ducts like John fucking McClane.
This guy is walking around in the ducts like John fucking McClane.
February 1, 2026 at 2:43 PM
I can't quarantine Mr. Sharpie in another room any more because he's figured out he can move the vent covers.
This guy is walking around in the ducts like John fucking McClane.
This guy is walking around in the ducts like John fucking McClane.
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
I'm thinking of doing a bookmark series without tassels, is this something folks would be interested in?
Emoji vote if you have a preference:
📙 Without tassels are fine!
🔖 I like a tassel!
📚 Either is fine!
Emoji vote if you have a preference:
📙 Without tassels are fine!
🔖 I like a tassel!
📚 Either is fine!
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 AM
I'm thinking of doing a bookmark series without tassels, is this something folks would be interested in?
Emoji vote if you have a preference:
📙 Without tassels are fine!
🔖 I like a tassel!
📚 Either is fine!
Emoji vote if you have a preference:
📙 Without tassels are fine!
🔖 I like a tassel!
📚 Either is fine!
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
GIVEAWAY! Because why not. :D I've got this hardcover book, which had the cover DAMAGED in transit. There's nothing wrong with the story inside, so why not send it to someone for freesies?
How to enter:
- Share this post
- Be following me
- Comment
#Booksky 🪐📚💙 #IndieAuthor #Scifi #Giveaway
How to enter:
- Share this post
- Be following me
- Comment
#Booksky 🪐📚💙 #IndieAuthor #Scifi #Giveaway
February 1, 2026 at 4:07 PM
GIVEAWAY! Because why not. :D I've got this hardcover book, which had the cover DAMAGED in transit. There's nothing wrong with the story inside, so why not send it to someone for freesies?
How to enter:
- Share this post
- Be following me
- Comment
#Booksky 🪐📚💙 #IndieAuthor #Scifi #Giveaway
How to enter:
- Share this post
- Be following me
- Comment
#Booksky 🪐📚💙 #IndieAuthor #Scifi #Giveaway
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Got busy and #birbfest2026 kind of got away from me but I’ve been working on these Stellar’s Jays for a hot minute! Stellar’s jays have such tude I love these little guys.
#birds #illustration #stellarsjay
#birds #illustration #stellarsjay
January 31, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Got busy and #birbfest2026 kind of got away from me but I’ve been working on these Stellar’s Jays for a hot minute! Stellar’s jays have such tude I love these little guys.
#birds #illustration #stellarsjay
#birds #illustration #stellarsjay
3* obvs
*hermit CRAB of the deep woods
*hermit CRAB of the deep woods
What do you want to be when you grow up?
1. fancy sexy vampire
2. disaffected dilettante
3. hermit of the deep woods
4. loveable monster
1. fancy sexy vampire
2. disaffected dilettante
3. hermit of the deep woods
4. loveable monster
January 30, 2026 at 11:13 PM
3* obvs
*hermit CRAB of the deep woods
*hermit CRAB of the deep woods
The first time I spotted one of these I was like, "WHAT THERE ARE MARINE WATER STRIDERS WHAT I mean it makes sense but WHAT WHAAAAATTT" 🪲🦑
I can't overrecommend this incredible paper about water skaters (genus Halobates). No one knows how they evolved. No one knows what they eat. They are superhydrophobic, which means water LITERALLY CANNOT WET THEM. Perhaps we should call them anti-water skaters? 🌊🧪
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Why did only one genus of insects, Halobates, take to the high seas?
Oceans cover over 70% of the earth’s surface and house a dizzying array of organisms, including five species of the peppercorn-sized ocean-skater Halobates, which live exclusively at the ocean surface...
journals.plos.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:11 PM
The first time I spotted one of these I was like, "WHAT THERE ARE MARINE WATER STRIDERS WHAT I mean it makes sense but WHAT WHAAAAATTT" 🪲🦑
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
I think the 3rd series is locked in and I'll hopefully get them done for ECCC.
Albertosaurus and Magpie
Utahraptor and Barn Owl
Torvosaurus and Turkey Vulture
Sinosaurus and Red Junglefowl
Giganotosaurus and Chilean Flamingo
Albertosaurus and Magpie
Utahraptor and Barn Owl
Torvosaurus and Turkey Vulture
Sinosaurus and Red Junglefowl
Giganotosaurus and Chilean Flamingo
January 30, 2026 at 1:41 AM
I think the 3rd series is locked in and I'll hopefully get them done for ECCC.
Albertosaurus and Magpie
Utahraptor and Barn Owl
Torvosaurus and Turkey Vulture
Sinosaurus and Red Junglefowl
Giganotosaurus and Chilean Flamingo
Albertosaurus and Magpie
Utahraptor and Barn Owl
Torvosaurus and Turkey Vulture
Sinosaurus and Red Junglefowl
Giganotosaurus and Chilean Flamingo
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Much, much older drawing of a hoppy lil guy. I'll name them one day I promise.
January 29, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Much, much older drawing of a hoppy lil guy. I'll name them one day I promise.
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
#goblinweek
Rognon and their mutated friend !
Rognon and their mutated friend !
January 29, 2026 at 10:15 PM
#goblinweek
Rognon and their mutated friend !
Rognon and their mutated friend !
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
very important picture for anyone needing it:
it's cold out, please remember to winterize your greyhounds
January 29, 2026 at 10:31 PM
very important picture for anyone needing it:
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Call your reps to demand they:
1) Abolish ice (every day!)
2) Vote no whenever the "Make Elections Great Again" Act comes up. It's an atrocious set of restrictions on elections made to make voting harder. Fuck that! Don't let them hear the end of it.
Remember. Squid can't use phones, so we have to.
1) Abolish ice (every day!)
2) Vote no whenever the "Make Elections Great Again" Act comes up. It's an atrocious set of restrictions on elections made to make voting harder. Fuck that! Don't let them hear the end of it.
Remember. Squid can't use phones, so we have to.
January 29, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Call your reps to demand they:
1) Abolish ice (every day!)
2) Vote no whenever the "Make Elections Great Again" Act comes up. It's an atrocious set of restrictions on elections made to make voting harder. Fuck that! Don't let them hear the end of it.
Remember. Squid can't use phones, so we have to.
1) Abolish ice (every day!)
2) Vote no whenever the "Make Elections Great Again" Act comes up. It's an atrocious set of restrictions on elections made to make voting harder. Fuck that! Don't let them hear the end of it.
Remember. Squid can't use phones, so we have to.
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Hey friends! Would you like to hash out world building details for your next manuscript with me and bestselling author Rae Carson? You can bid on just that in this auction to help raise funds for orgs in MN! www.32auctions.com/organization...
January 29, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Hey friends! Would you like to hash out world building details for your next manuscript with me and bestselling author Rae Carson? You can bid on just that in this auction to help raise funds for orgs in MN! www.32auctions.com/organization...
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
I donated a virtual 45 minute school visit or Ask Me Anything call. I'll either do a prepared presentation for your school or have a call with you to talk about anything publishing related. Bidders choice.
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
January 28, 2026 at 10:30 PM
I donated a virtual 45 minute school visit or Ask Me Anything call. I'll either do a prepared presentation for your school or have a call with you to talk about anything publishing related. Bidders choice.
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Hi! This is my donation to the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser.
Auction opens tomorrow 1/29 12am EST and goes until Friday at 11:45pm EST.
More info and see all 500+ other auction items at: www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Auction opens tomorrow 1/29 12am EST and goes until Friday at 11:45pm EST.
More info and see all 500+ other auction items at: www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
January 28, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Hi! This is my donation to the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser.
Auction opens tomorrow 1/29 12am EST and goes until Friday at 11:45pm EST.
More info and see all 500+ other auction items at: www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Auction opens tomorrow 1/29 12am EST and goes until Friday at 11:45pm EST.
More info and see all 500+ other auction items at: www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Publishing for Minnesota is a response from bookish folks to ongoing ICE raids causing harm to immigrant communities, our neighbors across the country. Funds raised from the auction support those most impacted, in urgent need ❤️🩹
Auction opens Thursday, January 29 📚
www.32auctions.com/publishingforMN
Auction opens Thursday, January 29 📚
www.32auctions.com/publishingforMN
January 28, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Publishing for Minnesota is a response from bookish folks to ongoing ICE raids causing harm to immigrant communities, our neighbors across the country. Funds raised from the auction support those most impacted, in urgent need ❤️🩹
Auction opens Thursday, January 29 📚
www.32auctions.com/publishingforMN
Auction opens Thursday, January 29 📚
www.32auctions.com/publishingforMN
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
![3-panel comic. (1) [Three small arthropods on ocean floor.] ARTHROPOD 1: Now that we’re multicellular, what are your plans? I’m gonna evolve little legs and swim around with them! ARTHROPOD 2: I’m gonna evolve sharp pincers and use them to crunch stuff! ARTHROPOD 3: I’m gonna evolve glands to make string from my butt and use it to construct elaborate geometric nets hundreds of times my size to catch other animals. (2) [Silence] (3) ARTHROPOD 1: *Dude.* ARTHROPOD 2: Can you *please* just be normal about this? ARTHROPOD 3: *What??!*](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreia3p425asp237hjolbn5lly6g6hzm2eoygqjpkd5dii6zrwqnp7qi@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Hello, can I interest you in a frog in these tumultuous times?
January 28, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Hello, can I interest you in a frog in these tumultuous times?
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
In case anyone wants a little break, here are a few of my favorite facts that I learned in 2025, in no particular order.
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
January 28, 2026 at 3:44 PM
In case anyone wants a little break, here are a few of my favorite facts that I learned in 2025, in no particular order.
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Some trees benefit from, and may even encourage, getting struck by lightning because it kills their nearby competitors nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
time for our monthly Unboxing Adventure of “what’s underneath the sofa!”
absolute treasure trove today
absolute treasure trove today
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM
time for our monthly Unboxing Adventure of “what’s underneath the sofa!”
absolute treasure trove today
absolute treasure trove today
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
you want to see an example of exceptionally crafted alt-text?
Read Rachel's.
(i would have said something like "that one 'back away slowly' gif of homer simpson slinking back into the bushes." lol)
Read Rachel's.
(i would have said something like "that one 'back away slowly' gif of homer simpson slinking back into the bushes." lol)
My classic example is this one. The automated alt-text is "a cartoon of homer simpson standing in a grassy area". Nearly everything about that is wrong.
To communicate to an audience, you actually have to use your brain and not just rely on a computer to do the work.
To communicate to an audience, you actually have to use your brain and not just rely on a computer to do the work.
a cartoon of homer simpson standing in a grassy area
Alt: Well known gif of Homer Simpson from the cartoon, The Simpsons. Homer, in his typical white shirt and blue pants, is standing in front of a tall hedge. He has a neutral expression on his face. Silently, he walks backwards into the hedge so you can't see him anymore.
It is very comical because this happens slowly so at one point, all you can see is his belly, his nose and his cartoon eyeballs.
media.tenor.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:25 PM
you want to see an example of exceptionally crafted alt-text?
Read Rachel's.
(i would have said something like "that one 'back away slowly' gif of homer simpson slinking back into the bushes." lol)
Read Rachel's.
(i would have said something like "that one 'back away slowly' gif of homer simpson slinking back into the bushes." lol)
Reposted by Natalie Metzger
Grinding bones to make bread? 👎
Consider the alternative.
Consider the alternative.
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Grinding bones to make bread? 👎
Consider the alternative.
Consider the alternative.