Erik Hoffner
@erikhoffner.bsky.social
Editor, photojournalist & award-winning podcast producer for nonprofit news outlet @Mongabay. Member of Society of Envi Journalists & Vermont Center for Photography
Severely entangled right #whale found dead off N. Carolina 😥
The young whale nicknamed "Division" had fishing line wrapped around his head & mouth, cutting into his blowhole & embedded in his upper jaw, as was reported on Dec. 3 🐋
This made it hard to feed, weakening him & leading to today's news
The young whale nicknamed "Division" had fishing line wrapped around his head & mouth, cutting into his blowhole & embedded in his upper jaw, as was reported on Dec. 3 🐋
This made it hard to feed, weakening him & leading to today's news
January 30, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Severely entangled right #whale found dead off N. Carolina 😥
The young whale nicknamed "Division" had fishing line wrapped around his head & mouth, cutting into his blowhole & embedded in his upper jaw, as was reported on Dec. 3 🐋
This made it hard to feed, weakening him & leading to today's news
The young whale nicknamed "Division" had fishing line wrapped around his head & mouth, cutting into his blowhole & embedded in his upper jaw, as was reported on Dec. 3 🐋
This made it hard to feed, weakening him & leading to today's news
Warnings about realistic but inaccurate #AI wildlife images & videos aren't slowing their spread which also provoke fear, panic & hostility, beside clicks: news.mongabay.com/2026/01/wild...
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
January 30, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Warnings about realistic but inaccurate #AI wildlife images & videos aren't slowing their spread which also provoke fear, panic & hostility, beside clicks: news.mongabay.com/2026/01/wild...
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Almost worse, gen AI is also invading the value of camera trapping images, as many fakes are now surfacing:
Experts told @theworld.org it’s difficult to see how this 'board of peace' will achieve anything close to what is claimed
@matthewjbell.bsky.social reports: theworld.org/segments/202...
Even the quoted rep from conservative American Enterprise Institute sounded pretty skeptical 👀
@matthewjbell.bsky.social reports: theworld.org/segments/202...
Even the quoted rep from conservative American Enterprise Institute sounded pretty skeptical 👀
January 29, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Experts told @theworld.org it’s difficult to see how this 'board of peace' will achieve anything close to what is claimed
@matthewjbell.bsky.social reports: theworld.org/segments/202...
Even the quoted rep from conservative American Enterprise Institute sounded pretty skeptical 👀
@matthewjbell.bsky.social reports: theworld.org/segments/202...
Even the quoted rep from conservative American Enterprise Institute sounded pretty skeptical 👀
Europe lost nearly 2,500 km of pristine Balkan rivers since 2012 to small scale hydro dams
But activists prevented dams slated to drown 900 km more
Top dammer is Albania, despite its high profile 2024 cancellation of the Vjosa River project
New analysis: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0006...
But activists prevented dams slated to drown 900 km more
Top dammer is Albania, despite its high profile 2024 cancellation of the Vjosa River project
New analysis: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0006...
January 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Europe lost nearly 2,500 km of pristine Balkan rivers since 2012 to small scale hydro dams
But activists prevented dams slated to drown 900 km more
Top dammer is Albania, despite its high profile 2024 cancellation of the Vjosa River project
New analysis: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0006...
But activists prevented dams slated to drown 900 km more
Top dammer is Albania, despite its high profile 2024 cancellation of the Vjosa River project
New analysis: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0006...
[New just-in-time arrival]
"How to Live Under Fascism: New Poems" by @andreicodrescu.bsky.social
"A guide to living in the dictatorship of the new American plutocracy. I was born and raised in Romania...where poetry was always a nightmare for the state, and a lifeline to the terrified citizen."
"How to Live Under Fascism: New Poems" by @andreicodrescu.bsky.social
"A guide to living in the dictatorship of the new American plutocracy. I was born and raised in Romania...where poetry was always a nightmare for the state, and a lifeline to the terrified citizen."
January 11, 2026 at 10:43 PM
[New just-in-time arrival]
"How to Live Under Fascism: New Poems" by @andreicodrescu.bsky.social
"A guide to living in the dictatorship of the new American plutocracy. I was born and raised in Romania...where poetry was always a nightmare for the state, and a lifeline to the terrified citizen."
"How to Live Under Fascism: New Poems" by @andreicodrescu.bsky.social
"A guide to living in the dictatorship of the new American plutocracy. I was born and raised in Romania...where poetry was always a nightmare for the state, and a lifeline to the terrified citizen."
❄️ New in my photo series on winter & wonder ❄️
For 25 years I've strapped on skates to find refrozen ice fishing holes, they look like eyes or exploding stars in the morning light
Many of these images are in public or private collections now
See more at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
For 25 years I've strapped on skates to find refrozen ice fishing holes, they look like eyes or exploding stars in the morning light
Many of these images are in public or private collections now
See more at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
January 11, 2026 at 2:04 PM
❄️ New in my photo series on winter & wonder ❄️
For 25 years I've strapped on skates to find refrozen ice fishing holes, they look like eyes or exploding stars in the morning light
Many of these images are in public or private collections now
See more at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
For 25 years I've strapped on skates to find refrozen ice fishing holes, they look like eyes or exploding stars in the morning light
Many of these images are in public or private collections now
See more at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
New Year read: Norway & Sweden repeatedly displaced #Indigenous Sámi saying ‘reindeer herders can live anywhere’
But nomadic people aren’t rootless, as the forthcoming translation of Elin Anna Labba’s award winning novel powerfully argues
Much Sámi ancestral territory was drowned by hydro dams:
But nomadic people aren’t rootless, as the forthcoming translation of Elin Anna Labba’s award winning novel powerfully argues
Much Sámi ancestral territory was drowned by hydro dams:
January 1, 2026 at 4:49 PM
New Year read: Norway & Sweden repeatedly displaced #Indigenous Sámi saying ‘reindeer herders can live anywhere’
But nomadic people aren’t rootless, as the forthcoming translation of Elin Anna Labba’s award winning novel powerfully argues
Much Sámi ancestral territory was drowned by hydro dams:
But nomadic people aren’t rootless, as the forthcoming translation of Elin Anna Labba’s award winning novel powerfully argues
Much Sámi ancestral territory was drowned by hydro dams:
When I exhibit this 25 year photo series of frozen ice fishing holes, gallery visitors have a wide range of reactions: are they eyes? stars? cells?
Captured new ones like these last week during prime conditions, which climate change shrinks every year, see more here: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Captured new ones like these last week during prime conditions, which climate change shrinks every year, see more here: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
When I exhibit this 25 year photo series of frozen ice fishing holes, gallery visitors have a wide range of reactions: are they eyes? stars? cells?
Captured new ones like these last week during prime conditions, which climate change shrinks every year, see more here: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Captured new ones like these last week during prime conditions, which climate change shrinks every year, see more here: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Skating into winter — & 2026 — like this today
It’s a little rough but stunning out there, merry solstice to all ❄️
See more on-ice-imagery at Instagram, www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
It’s a little rough but stunning out there, merry solstice to all ❄️
See more on-ice-imagery at Instagram, www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
December 21, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Skating into winter — & 2026 — like this today
It’s a little rough but stunning out there, merry solstice to all ❄️
See more on-ice-imagery at Instagram, www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
It’s a little rough but stunning out there, merry solstice to all ❄️
See more on-ice-imagery at Instagram, www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Cold weather = stunned sea turtles washing up on Cape Cod
New England Aquarium has already treated 450+ during the 2025 season!
Strandings began on Nov 7 w/ 200+ requiring care in the first weeks: most are critically endangered Kemp’s ridleys
Rehabbed ones are flown south for safe release 🙌 💯 🏆
New England Aquarium has already treated 450+ during the 2025 season!
Strandings began on Nov 7 w/ 200+ requiring care in the first weeks: most are critically endangered Kemp’s ridleys
Rehabbed ones are flown south for safe release 🙌 💯 🏆
December 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Cold weather = stunned sea turtles washing up on Cape Cod
New England Aquarium has already treated 450+ during the 2025 season!
Strandings began on Nov 7 w/ 200+ requiring care in the first weeks: most are critically endangered Kemp’s ridleys
Rehabbed ones are flown south for safe release 🙌 💯 🏆
New England Aquarium has already treated 450+ during the 2025 season!
Strandings began on Nov 7 w/ 200+ requiring care in the first weeks: most are critically endangered Kemp’s ridleys
Rehabbed ones are flown south for safe release 🙌 💯 🏆
Been out making new images for this 25 year project ❄️
When ice fishing holes freeze, they look like stars, eyes, cells...
When I exhibit this series visitors have a range of reactions
—> See more and follow the link in bio for a film about my process "ICE VISIONS" www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
When ice fishing holes freeze, they look like stars, eyes, cells...
When I exhibit this series visitors have a range of reactions
—> See more and follow the link in bio for a film about my process "ICE VISIONS" www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
December 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Been out making new images for this 25 year project ❄️
When ice fishing holes freeze, they look like stars, eyes, cells...
When I exhibit this series visitors have a range of reactions
—> See more and follow the link in bio for a film about my process "ICE VISIONS" www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
When ice fishing holes freeze, they look like stars, eyes, cells...
When I exhibit this series visitors have a range of reactions
—> See more and follow the link in bio for a film about my process "ICE VISIONS" www.instagram.com/erikhoffner/
The "Certi" devils prowl parts of Czechia each Dec 5 as traditional reminders for people to ‘be good’
Some have bags to carry naughty children away
Pre-Christian traditions like this are still marked seasonally across much of Europe
Charles Freger imaged this handsome devil in Nedasov:
Some have bags to carry naughty children away
Pre-Christian traditions like this are still marked seasonally across much of Europe
Charles Freger imaged this handsome devil in Nedasov:
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The "Certi" devils prowl parts of Czechia each Dec 5 as traditional reminders for people to ‘be good’
Some have bags to carry naughty children away
Pre-Christian traditions like this are still marked seasonally across much of Europe
Charles Freger imaged this handsome devil in Nedasov:
Some have bags to carry naughty children away
Pre-Christian traditions like this are still marked seasonally across much of Europe
Charles Freger imaged this handsome devil in Nedasov:
Researchers saw a North Atlantic right whale near Boston recently which was last reported from Ireland:
"An extraordinary connection showing the whale traveled 3,000 miles across the Atlantic"
This rarity suggests that historical habitats may still hold value & the species keeps seeking them out
"An extraordinary connection showing the whale traveled 3,000 miles across the Atlantic"
This rarity suggests that historical habitats may still hold value & the species keeps seeking them out
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Researchers saw a North Atlantic right whale near Boston recently which was last reported from Ireland:
"An extraordinary connection showing the whale traveled 3,000 miles across the Atlantic"
This rarity suggests that historical habitats may still hold value & the species keeps seeking them out
"An extraordinary connection showing the whale traveled 3,000 miles across the Atlantic"
This rarity suggests that historical habitats may still hold value & the species keeps seeking them out
The "Krampus" begin prowling parts of Europe this week as traditional & seasonal reminders for people to ‘be good’
An antihero who ‘seeks to prevent children from becoming spoiled by rampant consumerism flowing from the economics of Christmas,’ Charles Freger imaged these in Austria:
An antihero who ‘seeks to prevent children from becoming spoiled by rampant consumerism flowing from the economics of Christmas,’ Charles Freger imaged these in Austria:
December 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The "Krampus" begin prowling parts of Europe this week as traditional & seasonal reminders for people to ‘be good’
An antihero who ‘seeks to prevent children from becoming spoiled by rampant consumerism flowing from the economics of Christmas,’ Charles Freger imaged these in Austria:
An antihero who ‘seeks to prevent children from becoming spoiled by rampant consumerism flowing from the economics of Christmas,’ Charles Freger imaged these in Austria:
Our reporting in Suriname has been used to (so far) prevent a large number of Mennonites from settling forested areas there in the first place—rather than return land already taken from Indigenous communities in Colombia: mongabay.org/impact/how-m...
November 29, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Our reporting in Suriname has been used to (so far) prevent a large number of Mennonites from settling forested areas there in the first place—rather than return land already taken from Indigenous communities in Colombia: mongabay.org/impact/how-m...
Airport coffee kiosks around the region use the Amazon name and even wilder things to sell a cup of Nescafé or worse, spotted this eg in Ecuador recently where many westerners go to pay for ‘journeys’
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Airport coffee kiosks around the region use the Amazon name and even wilder things to sell a cup of Nescafé or worse, spotted this eg in Ecuador recently where many westerners go to pay for ‘journeys’
As a photographer I’m always looking for a new angle
Extreme fisheye lens on a phone can provide that, with all of beauty’s imperfections
Full set at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Extreme fisheye lens on a phone can provide that, with all of beauty’s imperfections
Full set at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
November 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
As a photographer I’m always looking for a new angle
Extreme fisheye lens on a phone can provide that, with all of beauty’s imperfections
Full set at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Extreme fisheye lens on a phone can provide that, with all of beauty’s imperfections
Full set at Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikhoffner
Camera trap update:
Excited ermine below the house gets…
…..a mouse!
Appears thrilled with the catch, might be the adult female I recorded right here this summer with about six kits in tow 👀
Excited ermine below the house gets…
…..a mouse!
Appears thrilled with the catch, might be the adult female I recorded right here this summer with about six kits in tow 👀
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Camera trap update:
Excited ermine below the house gets…
…..a mouse!
Appears thrilled with the catch, might be the adult female I recorded right here this summer with about six kits in tow 👀
Excited ermine below the house gets…
…..a mouse!
Appears thrilled with the catch, might be the adult female I recorded right here this summer with about six kits in tow 👀
[Good news]
Native Plant Trust has now banked 10 million seeds of native New England plants, including rare & endangered ones 🌱
And they got $1.5 million more funding to continue this work 💪
When the present seems so unstable, it's good to think about a native plant-i-ful future
Native Plant Trust has now banked 10 million seeds of native New England plants, including rare & endangered ones 🌱
And they got $1.5 million more funding to continue this work 💪
When the present seems so unstable, it's good to think about a native plant-i-ful future
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
[Good news]
Native Plant Trust has now banked 10 million seeds of native New England plants, including rare & endangered ones 🌱
And they got $1.5 million more funding to continue this work 💪
When the present seems so unstable, it's good to think about a native plant-i-ful future
Native Plant Trust has now banked 10 million seeds of native New England plants, including rare & endangered ones 🌱
And they got $1.5 million more funding to continue this work 💪
When the present seems so unstable, it's good to think about a native plant-i-ful future
Nestlé has decided to stop sourcing paper from suppliers like SCA in northern #Sweden for their unsustainable, anti-climate and -biodiversity forestry, plus failures to respect Indigenous rights
How unsustainable is Sweden’s forestry? ‘Very,’ sources have told me: news.mongabay.com/2022/06/how-...
How unsustainable is Sweden’s forestry? ‘Very,’ sources have told me: news.mongabay.com/2022/06/how-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Nestlé has decided to stop sourcing paper from suppliers like SCA in northern #Sweden for their unsustainable, anti-climate and -biodiversity forestry, plus failures to respect Indigenous rights
How unsustainable is Sweden’s forestry? ‘Very,’ sources have told me: news.mongabay.com/2022/06/how-...
How unsustainable is Sweden’s forestry? ‘Very,’ sources have told me: news.mongabay.com/2022/06/how-...
“I get excited about ethnomycology and thinking about which mushrooms have cultural value that maybe haven’t made it into field guides.” northernwoodlands.org/blog/article...
- Maria Pinto, author of “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Zombies…”
- Maria Pinto, author of “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Zombies…”
November 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“I get excited about ethnomycology and thinking about which mushrooms have cultural value that maybe haven’t made it into field guides.” northernwoodlands.org/blog/article...
- Maria Pinto, author of “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Zombies…”
- Maria Pinto, author of “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Zombies…”
Looking for a coffee substitute?
Guayusa is great ('rocket fuel' a friend says) & often grown by Indigenous/local communities & coops via #agroecology #agroforestry, supporting #biodiversity & #climate too
I mail order it but was glad to finally meet this generous tree while traveling in Ecuador:
Guayusa is great ('rocket fuel' a friend says) & often grown by Indigenous/local communities & coops via #agroecology #agroforestry, supporting #biodiversity & #climate too
I mail order it but was glad to finally meet this generous tree while traveling in Ecuador:
November 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Looking for a coffee substitute?
Guayusa is great ('rocket fuel' a friend says) & often grown by Indigenous/local communities & coops via #agroecology #agroforestry, supporting #biodiversity & #climate too
I mail order it but was glad to finally meet this generous tree while traveling in Ecuador:
Guayusa is great ('rocket fuel' a friend says) & often grown by Indigenous/local communities & coops via #agroecology #agroforestry, supporting #biodiversity & #climate too
I mail order it but was glad to finally meet this generous tree while traveling in Ecuador: