Astraziel
LightNews LightNews
banner
astraziel.bsky.social
Astraziel
@astraziel.bsky.social
7 followers 24 following 25 posts
(he/him) Here to chill and hang out with cool peeps!
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Astraziel
msainato.bsky.social
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
Following the killing of AFGE Member Alex Pretti and the subsequent slanderous rhetoric that followed from top Trump administration officials, AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement: “Yesterday, AFGE brought together labor and faith leaders from Minneapolis and across the nation to mourn our fallen brother from Local 3669, Alex Pretti. We honored his life and legacy and lifted up his family, his friends, his union, Minneapolis, and our nation in prayer. “Today, we demand accountability. “In the immediate aftermath of Alex’s killing, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem betrayed the public trust by slandering the good name of our union brother and calling him a “domestic terrorist.” Alex Pretti was a patriotic ICU nurse at a VA hospital who devoted his life to serving America’s veterans. That claim was reckless, defamatory, and unsupported by the facts. Noem was preceded in this false statement by Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, who is also the architect of the chaotic and failed immigration policy in Minnesota. “Our demand is clear: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was responsible for carrying out the policy that led to Alex’s needless killing, and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of that policy, must resign immediately. If they refuse, President Trump must dismiss them.
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
frostdragonheart.bsky.social
If you're lucky, you can catch Mizutsune yawning in MHWilds. He's so cute!
January 25, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
arminreindl.bsky.social
Some days ago I made a thread on Pleistocene crocs in honor of Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age, and now I'm bringing it here too.
Let me prefice this by saying that I of course understand their absence, obviously more unique fauna takes priority and I don't begrudge the team their choice
The Prehistoric Planet Ice Age logo A photo of a crocodile resting at the edge of a river, its jaws agape. Image by the BBC
December 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
villesinkkonen.bsky.social
Sculpted a @sawyerleeart.bsky.social amazing kinsbane dragon. :)
January 13, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
kakapojay.bsky.social
A little Ceoptera investigates an odd sight - a Dearc either sunning itself or having an existential crisis.

#sciart #paleoart
A brown and pink Ceoptera walking along a rocky shoreline, where a Dearc is lying flat on its back for some unknown reason.
February 7, 2024 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
bobnichollsart.bsky.social
NEW ARTWORK TO START 2026

Here's "Deep Blue Buffet," commissioned by The Etches Collection. Featured, from the Late #Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay, are #SeaRex #Hybodus #Hypsocormus #Metriorhynchus #Aspidorhynchus & #Allothrissops

#SciArt #PaleoArt #MarineReptiles #Pliosaurs #Pliosaurus #JurassicWorld
January 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
asmeesh.bsky.social
Good intentions.
black and white sketch of a downed crow, arrow sticking out, feet comically in the air. A speech bubble reads "have you tried water?"
January 8, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
alexries.com
The crystalline cloakmouth, a creature from the deep oceans of the birrin world of Chriirah.

Prey lured to the glowing esca find themselves impaled by the glassy jaws, before the veil-like mouth closes around them.
An illustration of a fiction alien deep sea creature Sketches of a fiction alien deep sea creature
January 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
I need a mood booster, let's talk about capybaras.

Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.

They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.

(📷: Fernando Maidana)
January 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
webvein.bsky.social
Mega dragonite awakened something within me (the need to draw it as salamander)

Inspired in part by the work of RJ Palmer of course!

#dragonite #pokemon #realisticpokemon #megadragonite
January 4, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
kakapojay.bsky.social
Before we close out 2025, here is Walking with Dinosaurs thread number 4 (and a bit) – this time, The Pack, my personal favourite episode. It follows the young Albertosaurus Rose as she faces the trials and tribulations of the ancient Horseshoe Canyon– will she succeed? (1/60)
Rose the Albertosaurus
December 26, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
paleofeathers.bsky.social
We wish you a Merychippus, and a happy New Year! This Miocene, three-toed horse hopes everyone has a safe and cozy holiday season. 🐴🎄
A mounted fossil skeleton of the extinct Miocene horse, Merychippus, in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The skeleton’s heating a santa hat.
December 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
markwitton.bsky.social
It's #ChristmasEve, so I depicted Parasaurolophus under UV light, lit up like a Christmas tree - you can check out the rationale of this #paleoart on my #Patreon if you're already bored of holiday TV. Oh, and Happy Christmas to those who celebrate! #sciart #fossils

www.patreon.com/posts/146578...
The crested dinosaur Parasaurolophus, as it may have appeared when hit with UV light. The fluorescent body parts indicate areas of thickened keratin, which is especially reflective of UV light, even in species that cannot see UV wavelengths. The fluorescent fungi are just fluorescent fungi.
December 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
kakapojay.bsky.social
After four months and 36 illustrations, I present the final Kem Kem chart – a look at of one of the most incredible ecosystems the world has ever seen.

Short thread below!

#sciart #paleoart
Size comparison between Araripesuchus, Xericeps, Siroccopteryx, Rebbachisaurus, an indeterminate leptocleidid, Galianemys, Laganosuchus, Neoceratodus, an indeterminate iguanodontian, Hamadasuchus, Alanqa, Spinosaurus, an indeterminate titanosaur, Anhanguera, Ornithocheirus, Nicorhynchus, Aidachar, Elosuchus, Afrotapejara, Carcharodontosaurus, Onchopristis, Norisophis, Simoliophis, Bawitius, Apatorhamphus, Deltadromeus, Leptostomia, an indeterminate abelisaur, an indeterminate noasaurid, an indeterminate dromaeosaur, Concavotectum, Axelrodichthys, Tribodus, Haimirichia and myself.
December 22, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
kakapojay.bsky.social
The chart is almost complete! I'm happy with my selection of >1m animals, but this is your last chance to request a critter if you think I've missed an important one (no guarantees I'll add it though!).

Keep your eye out for the final chart - there is more to come! 👀
Size comparison between Araripesuchus, Xericeps, Siroccopteryx, Rebbachisaurus, an indeterminate leptocleidid, Galianemys, Laganosuchus, Neoceratodus, an indeterminate iguanodontian, Hamadasuchus, Alanqa, Spinosaurus, an indeterminate titanosaur, Anhanguera, Ornithocheirus, Nicorhynchus, Aidachar, Elosuchus, Afrotapejara, Carcharodontosaurus, Onchopristis, Norisophis, Simoliophis, Bawitius, Apatorhamphus, Deltadromeus, Leptostomia, an indeterminate abelisaur, an indeterminate noasaurid, an indeterminate dromaeosaur, Concavotectum, Axelrodichthys and myself.
December 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
literallymiguel.bsky.social
a sebecid and a dyrosaurid squabble over a delicious turtle #paleoart
December 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
robinince.bsky.social
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
astraziel.bsky.social
Gore-geous! Puns aside I am so proud of Mia and so happy to see her phenomenal art!
miamarra.bsky.social Miamarra @miamarra.bsky.social · Dec 12
Quest Complete!!
From start to finish:
Gore Magala is officially complete! Roughly 60 hours spent and lots of painting lessons learned with him.
Thank you to all who stopped by to watch him come to life ❤️
This was truly a painting that made me cry (happy tears) after 🥹
December 13, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
alexries.com
Some of the diverse life that lives among the floating garden beds on a birrin bluestick farm; a cash crop of great value but challenging cultivation.

#illustration #creaturedesign #alien
December 5, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
renecampbellart.bsky.social
Added in the shiny reflections and he is pretty much done. I'd like to touch up certain areas after resting for a bit, but I may as well show him off early.

This is "Regal", a male Australian blue swimmer crab that took nearly 250 hours to paint, spanning over 3 years

#sciart #crustmas 🦀
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
puddicure.bsky.social
Prehistoric Planet: the female giant moa is 10 feet tall. And she likes her males small.

Prehistoric Planet: she could end his life with a single kick…and he knows it.

Everyone in the chat: NEED THIS. NEED THIS IMMEDIATELY
November 27, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
deardean22.bsky.social
The fruit.

Some comments:
December 1, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by Astraziel
villesinkkonen.bsky.social
Corythosaurus #sciart
November 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
mariolanzas.bsky.social
PTEROSAURIA, from the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncta... I dedicated to these flying reptiles of the mesozoic 🪁 This art is now also available for Prints and other items at Redbubble/people/mariolanzas 🪁 #pterosauria #quetzalcoatlus #paleoart #pteranodon #sizechart
December 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Astraziel
vitor-silva.bsky.social
Coastal Feast - Pisco Formation

New art for Tales from the Phanerozoic, a project by João Macêdo. Check the Late Miocene chapter here, with detailed information about its backstory, environment and creatures: sites.google.com/view/talesfr...

Quick description in the -big- Alt

#SciArt #Paleoart
Pico Formation, Peru during the Late Miocene. A female Odobenocetops and her calf feed on Anadara bivalves on the seafloor. This odd cetacean, related to modern belugas and narwhals, had the shortest snout among whales and backward-facing tusks (males bore a single very long one). Though known only from incomplete skeletons, vertebrae suggest a length of about 3 m. The mother shields her calf as if sensing nearby danger. Their presence also startles swimming Chlamys scallops. Sharing the bottom, the semiaquatic ground sloths Thalassocnus graze on Zosteraceae seagrass, showing an unusual niche compared to today’s small arboreal sloths. Nearby, Luidia starfish prey on Loxechinus urchins, Myliobatis rays search for buried bivalves, and Isostichopus sea cucumbers partly bury themselves while others cling to rocks beside a camouflaged Octopus. Farther away grow Lessonia algae, and above them drifts a weakened Architeuthis, speculatively depicted in this Period. Both Odobenocetops and Thalassocnus are in the sight of an Acrophyseter group, ~4.5 m macropredatory sperm whales with powerful teeth adapted to hunt large marine animals. The main action centers on a dense school of Sardinops. These 40 cm fish rely on safety in numbers but face multiple attacks at once. Two penguin species, the smaller Spheniscus humboldti and the larger, long-beaked Spheniscus megarhampus, attack in their groups. Piscobalaena attempt to filter-feed on the school, though at only 4–5 m long they are "small whales". An Isurus mako shark appears but retreats when a massive Piscogavialis crocodilian approaches from below. A swift Acrophoca snatches an isolated Sardinops, while overhead big Pelagornis birds (6 m wingspan) wait to seize any fish that reaches the surface.
December 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM