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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jul 10

I love northwest Michigan. ❤️ #Michigan

Looking up through pine trees on a sunny summer day while hiking a trail in northwest Michigan. The sun and its rays are peeking through the stand of trees.

A white mushroom with a pink cap is growing through moss in a deciduous mixed hardwood forest. It’s surrounded by fallen red and white oak leaves.

A child looks out over a calm lake in northwest Michigan. The water is as still as glass and the few clouds in the sky are reflected on the surface.

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 29

That’s the one

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 29

That is broad leaf plantain, plucked from my backyard!

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 29

Pancake tortoises are some of the strangest and most beautiful of chelonians. I love watching these two eat! #herps 🐢

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 10

Hahah! I’ve been told sardines are really tasty but I ate anchovies on a pizza once and it was gross 🤮. I don’t have the gumption to try sardines now

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 10

🐢 ❤️

Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · Jun 10

Sometimes I wonder what folks would think I do if they saw my desk? 🌎 🐢 😂

A can of sardines, preserved amphibian larvae, a Christmas card, repel insect repellent, a birthday card, safety glasses and twine on someone’s desk.

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 29

Bear corn (but no bears, lol 😢) and a few salamanders while doing a survey near this bridge. #herps 🌎 🦎

Bear corn growing through a shallow layer of dead leaves, mostly oak.

A view of an old trail bridge over a stream from a vantage point just downstream of the bridge.

An adult Southern Two-lined Salamander in a depression in the mud after lifting up a rock in a dry stream bed.

A freshly metamorphosed Eastern Red-backed Salamander walking on mud towards a dead oak leaf for cover.

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 26

😂

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 26

😂 I guess it depends on one’s definition of formal “A ceremony is a formal act or series of acts performed in a regular way” 🐢

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 25

My son told me our turtles outside were having a ceremony… #herps 🐢

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 24

All day every day they do

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 23

They’ve been here 220+ million years so let’s make sure they stick around longer.

Love them, respect them, protect them. 🐢 #herps #worldturtleday

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 23

They’re also incredible people indicators as folks who don’t like turtles are waving BIG red flag 🚩 #herps #worldturtleday 🐢

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 23

Happy World Turtle Day! Turtles are amazing:

They 1) cycle nutrients, 2) act as both prey and predator in the food web, 3) disperse seeds 4) and can even control algae in our water ways. #herps
#worldturtleday

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 22

What’s your favorite bird to see up in Quebec? There’s got to be some equally gorgeous individuals!

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 22

That’s a shame! I guess I wasn’t familiar with their range

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 21

Sure thing!

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 21

These are little bluebirds

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 21

This is the third straight year these little dinosaurs are nesting in our backyard 😃 🐦 #backyardwildlife #easternbluebird

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 19

#whitetaildeer #wildlifemanagement #deermanagement

Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 19

I'm looking for input from White-tailed #Deer #Biologists about measuring #ecological impact. Any feedback related to the Twig Age method, Oak Sentinel method and 10 Tallest method would be much appreciated! Ease of volunteer help is important! 🌏 Other suggested methods welcomed! :)

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 19

I'm looking for input from White-tailed #Deer #Biologists about measuring #ecological impact. Any feedback related to the Twig Age method, Oak Sentinel method and 10 Tallest method would be much appreciated! Ease of volunteer help is important! 🌏 Other suggested methods welcomed! :)

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 19

How cool!

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 18

Also found some Doll’s Eyes, Dead Man’s Fingers, Wrinkled Peach and an unknown (to me) brood started erupting! 🌎 #Fungus #cicada

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Ryan @herpbiologist.bsky.social · May 18

Spent some time this week collecting Eastern Leatherwood seeds. They will be propagated and/or become part of a woodland seed mix for restoration purposes. As always with me, I tend to find some #herps when doing things 😃 🌎

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