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Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

770 followers 810 following 910 posts

Professor of Philosophy, Religion, Classics, and Environmental Studies. I study fish and forests, and the cultural ideas that connect them. Current home: South Dakota. Former homes: NY, VT, NM, PA, España. Canon for Creation Care, Episcopal Diocese of SD.

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Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Decided to paint one more owl today. Here it is.

Watercolor sketch of a barred owl perched on a branch and surrounded by straight tree trunks.

November 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Here’s a burrowing owl I painted in my sketchbook yesterday.

Watercolor sketch of a brown-and white burrowing owl perched on a fencepost, with accompanying text indicating the species and date and place where it was seen.

November 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Snowflakes: https://davoh.org/2025/11/09/snowflakes.html

$A hand-drawn geometric pattern resembling a snowflake is accompanied by handwritten notes explaining the creation and relevance of the design, and a little about Koch Snowflake fractal geometry and Sierpiński Gaskets in geometry as well.$

November 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Serviceberries in my garden, yesterday and today. Today my garden got its first blanket of snow.

Golden and orange leaves densely cover branches against a dark background.

Snow-covered brown leaves on a tree or bush create a wintry scene.

November 8, 2025 at 1:30 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Teaching outdoors: https://davoh.org/2025/11/07/teaching-outdoors.html

A collection of bags and books and a Norwegian sitting mat is spread out on dry grass.

A group of people are sitting in a circle on grass, surrounded by trees and a building, under a clear blue sky.

November 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Moses watches the chapel renovation: https://davoh.org/2025/11/06/moses-watches-the-chapel-renovation.html

A watercolor painting depicts a street view with cars, trees, and architectural elements, highlighted by a statue of Moses and an inscription about its history and significance.

November 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Today’s sketch, made while listening to a lecture. Decided to try drawing my own hands, my pen, and my sketchbook. Practice, practice, practice.

A sketch depicts people seated from behind at a table, with notebooks, a coffee cup, and a hand writing in a notebook.

November 4, 2025 at 2:20 AM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

My wife recognizes the subject so I feel pretty good about this portrait.

A detailed sketch portrays a smiling man wearing glasses on a textured background.

November 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

A page of single-line sketches: https://davoh.org/2025/11/01/a-page-of-singleline-sketches.html

A sketchbook page features single-line drawings of a chair, headphones, a lamp, a table with mugs, and handwritten notes with dates.

November 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Today’s shelfie. These are books I used in teaching today.

Your challenge is to guess what I teach.

A stack of various books on topics including environmental issues, sustainability, urban development, and art.

October 31, 2025 at 10:48 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Shelfie.

These are books that I’ve brought to class this week or have pulled off the office shelves for discussions with students. Quite a few others have already been reshelved.

Two stacks of books in philosophy and religion on a desk.

October 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Prairie chicken sketch in my notebook.: https://davoh.org/2025/10/24/prairie-chicken-sketch-in-my.html

A whimsical sketch of a bird with bold lines and subtle color hints appears on lined paper.

October 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Today’s breakfast sketch: Hell’s Kitchen: https://davoh.org/2025/10/24/todays-breakfast-sketch-hells-kitchen.html

A sketch on a notepad captures a cafe scene with tables, chairs, and a large I ♥ MPLS sign, closely mirroring the illuminated and decorated environment visible in the background.

October 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

20 Minute Pallet Bench: https://davoh.org/2025/10/23/minute-pallet-bench.html

Hand-drawn sketch of a bench made of pallet wood, with a diagram of a pallet and notes for building the bench

A wooden bench made from pallets is situated in a garden area with plants and a building in the background.

October 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Sketch: Hope Breakfast Bar: https://davoh.org/2025/10/23/sketch-hope-breakfast-bar.html

A sketch of a breakfast bar with a drink menu, coffee cups, and various items, accompanied by handwritten notes.

A beige poster encourages people to write down and share their hopes, dreams, and prayers, including a quote by Desmond Tutu.

October 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

My grandson is sleeping so I am trying to figure out how to sketch bison. Hopefully by the time he’s my age we will also have figured out how to let the bison roam their native plains again, too. One step at a time.

A series of sketches showing different stages of drawing a bison, from geometric shapes to a detailed colored illustration.

October 21, 2025 at 6:01 PM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Sketching insects I’ve seen this week.

Two insects are illustrated with handwritten labels describing each as a parasitoid wasp from Canton, SD, and a tarnished plant bug from Sioux Falls, SD, with the date noted as 20 Oct 2023.

October 21, 2025 at 2:33 AM

Dave O’Hara

@davoh.bsky.social

Did a little salvage carpentry with one of my philosophy students yesterday when we found a perfectly good pallet by the dumpster. Some sawing and some deck screws quickly turned it into seating for one of our outdoor learning spaces.