Kris Gates
@krismgates.bsky.social
Scientist, atheist, educator. Proud PNW liberal; Oregon.
Striving to be a part of our more perfect union. Lover of birds, cats, baking & preserving. Facts Matter.
#Bird photos are mine unless noted otherwise.
Joined 4/24 Missing Post News!
She/her/pissed
Striving to be a part of our more perfect union. Lover of birds, cats, baking & preserving. Facts Matter.
#Bird photos are mine unless noted otherwise.
Joined 4/24 Missing Post News!
She/her/pissed
Bonus bird pic.
Love the combo here: adult Western Gull (in front, mostly white, yellow bill, pink legs), immature Western (right, mottled grey), immature/nonbreeding Heermann's Gull (at left, mostly grey, dark legs, reddish bill), & mature Heermann's (grey w/ white head, wings up).
Gulls are hard.
Love the combo here: adult Western Gull (in front, mostly white, yellow bill, pink legs), immature Western (right, mottled grey), immature/nonbreeding Heermann's Gull (at left, mostly grey, dark legs, reddish bill), & mature Heermann's (grey w/ white head, wings up).
Gulls are hard.
February 5, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Bonus bird pic.
Love the combo here: adult Western Gull (in front, mostly white, yellow bill, pink legs), immature Western (right, mottled grey), immature/nonbreeding Heermann's Gull (at left, mostly grey, dark legs, reddish bill), & mature Heermann's (grey w/ white head, wings up).
Gulls are hard.
Love the combo here: adult Western Gull (in front, mostly white, yellow bill, pink legs), immature Western (right, mottled grey), immature/nonbreeding Heermann's Gull (at left, mostly grey, dark legs, reddish bill), & mature Heermann's (grey w/ white head, wings up).
Gulls are hard.
GPS tag on a Western Gull in San Francisco showed researchers that the bird was somehow traveling very quickly from one spot to another, 80 miles away. Investigation revealed that the #bird had hitched a ride on a garbage truck all the way to the compost facility outside the city where it
February 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
GPS tag on a Western Gull in San Francisco showed researchers that the bird was somehow traveling very quickly from one spot to another, 80 miles away. Investigation revealed that the #bird had hitched a ride on a garbage truck all the way to the compost facility outside the city where it
begging posture. I also stumbled across this banded immature #bird. It’s possible that in addition to the numbered band there is a small GPS location in this gull’s leg, a technological advancement that has made research into bird migrations and lives much more illuminating. In fact, in 2018 such a
February 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
begging posture. I also stumbled across this banded immature #bird. It’s possible that in addition to the numbered band there is a small GPS location in this gull’s leg, a technological advancement that has made research into bird migrations and lives much more illuminating. In fact, in 2018 such a
to thwart them. I just wish they’d stay at the coast, instead of flying over my house 60 miles inland! These Western Gulls are the most common type seen on the Oregon Coast, and you can see here the difference in adult (mostly white) and juvenile (mottled grey) plumage, including a young #bird in
February 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
to thwart them. I just wish they’d stay at the coast, instead of flying over my house 60 miles inland! These Western Gulls are the most common type seen on the Oregon Coast, and you can see here the difference in adult (mostly white) and juvenile (mottled grey) plumage, including a young #bird in
#Bird of the Day: Western Gull (WEGU)
I’m actively trying to get over my prejudice against gulls by learning more about them. Grudgingly, I have to admit that they are considered quite intelligent, good at adapting to human environments to access food sources, and skilled at outsmarting our attempts
I’m actively trying to get over my prejudice against gulls by learning more about them. Grudgingly, I have to admit that they are considered quite intelligent, good at adapting to human environments to access food sources, and skilled at outsmarting our attempts
February 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
#Bird of the Day: Western Gull (WEGU)
I’m actively trying to get over my prejudice against gulls by learning more about them. Grudgingly, I have to admit that they are considered quite intelligent, good at adapting to human environments to access food sources, and skilled at outsmarting our attempts
I’m actively trying to get over my prejudice against gulls by learning more about them. Grudgingly, I have to admit that they are considered quite intelligent, good at adapting to human environments to access food sources, and skilled at outsmarting our attempts
Mom’s 80th birthday festivities. A good day but boy am I tired—& so are my folks. Mom’s best friend from California flew up to surprise her. You only turn 80 once & no one knows what tomorrow will bring; I’m glad my mom could make the most of hers.
Also, Dad is doing great after yesterday’s spill.
Also, Dad is doing great after yesterday’s spill.
February 5, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Mom’s 80th birthday festivities. A good day but boy am I tired—& so are my folks. Mom’s best friend from California flew up to surprise her. You only turn 80 once & no one knows what tomorrow will bring; I’m glad my mom could make the most of hers.
Also, Dad is doing great after yesterday’s spill.
Also, Dad is doing great after yesterday’s spill.
the feeder. Once they’re installed, the jays back off, or move to the ground to clean up corn and seeds that were scattered during the peanut battle. Other small ground-feeding #birds join them: the juncos and towhees, sparrows and doves. After the squirrels have their fill, they vacate the platform
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
the feeder. Once they’re installed, the jays back off, or move to the ground to clean up corn and seeds that were scattered during the peanut battle. Other small ground-feeding #birds join them: the juncos and towhees, sparrows and doves. After the squirrels have their fill, they vacate the platform
per trip. They swallow a nut deep in the throat & pinch a 2nd in the beak, making quick work of taking them to a cache for later. But the squirrels also love the peanuts, & as the jays swoop back & forth from feeder to tree, a squirrel or 2 or 3 will climb the apple tree to make the aerial leap to
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
per trip. They swallow a nut deep in the throat & pinch a 2nd in the beak, making quick work of taking them to a cache for later. But the squirrels also love the peanuts, & as the jays swoop back & forth from feeder to tree, a squirrel or 2 or 3 will climb the apple tree to make the aerial leap to
perch on a wire or branch to watch me deposit the seeds, then swoop down to pick through the offerings for their favorite peanuts in the shell. 🪶 But the CASJ are able to snatch only 1 nut at a time, so they’re usually still working frantically when the STJA arrive, capable of grabbing 2 peanuts
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
perch on a wire or branch to watch me deposit the seeds, then swoop down to pick through the offerings for their favorite peanuts in the shell. 🪶 But the CASJ are able to snatch only 1 nut at a time, so they’re usually still working frantically when the STJA arrive, capable of grabbing 2 peanuts
#Bird of the Day: Steller’s Jay (STJA)
When I take out a load of mixed seed to my platform feeder, there’s a definite hierarchy to the order in which the backyard birds come to feed. The California Scrub Jays will see me loading up a pitcher from the metal bucket in which I store the food. They’ll
When I take out a load of mixed seed to my platform feeder, there’s a definite hierarchy to the order in which the backyard birds come to feed. The California Scrub Jays will see me loading up a pitcher from the metal bucket in which I store the food. They’ll
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
#Bird of the Day: Steller’s Jay (STJA)
When I take out a load of mixed seed to my platform feeder, there’s a definite hierarchy to the order in which the backyard birds come to feed. The California Scrub Jays will see me loading up a pitcher from the metal bucket in which I store the food. They’ll
When I take out a load of mixed seed to my platform feeder, there’s a definite hierarchy to the order in which the backyard birds come to feed. The California Scrub Jays will see me loading up a pitcher from the metal bucket in which I store the food. They’ll
How it started: Coffee date with a friend.
How it’s going: Mom called to tell me Dad had fallen and I went to help. 7 hours in urgent care. All good news: nasty scalp laceration but no brain bleeding, signs of concussion, or other injuries. Could have been a much worse day for all of us.
How it’s going: Mom called to tell me Dad had fallen and I went to help. 7 hours in urgent care. All good news: nasty scalp laceration but no brain bleeding, signs of concussion, or other injuries. Could have been a much worse day for all of us.
February 4, 2026 at 2:17 AM
How it started: Coffee date with a friend.
How it’s going: Mom called to tell me Dad had fallen and I went to help. 7 hours in urgent care. All good news: nasty scalp laceration but no brain bleeding, signs of concussion, or other injuries. Could have been a much worse day for all of us.
How it’s going: Mom called to tell me Dad had fallen and I went to help. 7 hours in urgent care. All good news: nasty scalp laceration but no brain bleeding, signs of concussion, or other injuries. Could have been a much worse day for all of us.
being spaced too far apart; the #birds simply attempt to fly between them as they would between tree branches or leaves. To be effective, marks on glass should be no farther than 2” apart; that may seem as though it would impair viewing through the window, but the marks themselves can be quite
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
being spaced too far apart; the #birds simply attempt to fly between them as they would between tree branches or leaves. To be effective, marks on glass should be no farther than 2” apart; that may seem as though it would impair viewing through the window, but the marks themselves can be quite
#bird tempted by alcoholic winter fruits. If you have a window with a history of bird impacts, there are a lot of products on the market that you can stick to the window in the effort to make the glass more visible to the birds. However, research has shown that many of these do not work as intended,
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
#bird tempted by alcoholic winter fruits. If you have a window with a history of bird impacts, there are a lot of products on the market that you can stick to the window in the effort to make the glass more visible to the birds. However, research has shown that many of these do not work as intended,
having undergone a couple cycles of freeze & thaw have fermented, converting the sugars to alcohol. The #birds seem to enjoy them regardless, or perhaps because of, their intoxicating effects. Drunk birds, however, are especially prone to striking windows as they fly. Cedar Waxwings are another
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
having undergone a couple cycles of freeze & thaw have fermented, converting the sugars to alcohol. The #birds seem to enjoy them regardless, or perhaps because of, their intoxicating effects. Drunk birds, however, are especially prone to striking windows as they fly. Cedar Waxwings are another
#Bird of the Day: American Robin (AMRO)
When the sun comes out on a winter’s day, it’s not uncommon for my yard & trees to be filled with robins. This time of year, they feast among the red berries of the holly, making an especially photogenic sight. We’ve finally had some cold weather & the berries
When the sun comes out on a winter’s day, it’s not uncommon for my yard & trees to be filled with robins. This time of year, they feast among the red berries of the holly, making an especially photogenic sight. We’ve finally had some cold weather & the berries
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
#Bird of the Day: American Robin (AMRO)
When the sun comes out on a winter’s day, it’s not uncommon for my yard & trees to be filled with robins. This time of year, they feast among the red berries of the holly, making an especially photogenic sight. We’ve finally had some cold weather & the berries
When the sun comes out on a winter’s day, it’s not uncommon for my yard & trees to be filled with robins. This time of year, they feast among the red berries of the holly, making an especially photogenic sight. We’ve finally had some cold weather & the berries
A few last flowers from Belize to help melt the ice.
Belize has wild orchids all over the jungles and highlands and the bloom season was just beginning when we were there. The Belize national flower is the black orchid, a tiny purple-black blossom you can see in the last photo (taken by a friend).
Belize has wild orchids all over the jungles and highlands and the bloom season was just beginning when we were there. The Belize national flower is the black orchid, a tiny purple-black blossom you can see in the last photo (taken by a friend).
February 3, 2026 at 1:52 AM
A few last flowers from Belize to help melt the ice.
Belize has wild orchids all over the jungles and highlands and the bloom season was just beginning when we were there. The Belize national flower is the black orchid, a tiny purple-black blossom you can see in the last photo (taken by a friend).
Belize has wild orchids all over the jungles and highlands and the bloom season was just beginning when we were there. The Belize national flower is the black orchid, a tiny purple-black blossom you can see in the last photo (taken by a friend).
Badger has found a new perch. She’s cozied up on one of the shelves above the refrigerator. Watching me make granola, the little stinker.
February 3, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Badger has found a new perch. She’s cozied up on one of the shelves above the refrigerator. Watching me make granola, the little stinker.
of calories, so any advantage they can gain increases their chances of survival. Cooper’s Hawks are fairly common in urban/suburban environments, and young #birds may be especially prone to be creative in their hunting methods. Immature birds have the yellow eyes you can see here:
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
of calories, so any advantage they can gain increases their chances of survival. Cooper’s Hawks are fairly common in urban/suburban environments, and young #birds may be especially prone to be creative in their hunting methods. Immature birds have the yellow eyes you can see here:
I think the most surprising part is that the COHA only perched in the area on weekdays when traffic was sufficient to use its strategy, and only in certain weather auspicious to there being crumbs for the feeding #birds. For a bird of prey, each feeding attempt is a significant expenditure
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I think the most surprising part is that the COHA only perched in the area on weekdays when traffic was sufficient to use its strategy, and only in certain weather auspicious to there being crumbs for the feeding #birds. For a bird of prey, each feeding attempt is a significant expenditure
#Bird of the Day: Cooper’s Hawk (COHA)
Last summer, a young Cooper’s Hawk in New Jersey made headlines when a zoologist noticed that it was timing its predatory dives with the pedestrian walk signal at an intersection’s traffic control light. When it heard the noise of the signal, the bird seemed to
Last summer, a young Cooper’s Hawk in New Jersey made headlines when a zoologist noticed that it was timing its predatory dives with the pedestrian walk signal at an intersection’s traffic control light. When it heard the noise of the signal, the bird seemed to
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
#Bird of the Day: Cooper’s Hawk (COHA)
Last summer, a young Cooper’s Hawk in New Jersey made headlines when a zoologist noticed that it was timing its predatory dives with the pedestrian walk signal at an intersection’s traffic control light. When it heard the noise of the signal, the bird seemed to
Last summer, a young Cooper’s Hawk in New Jersey made headlines when a zoologist noticed that it was timing its predatory dives with the pedestrian walk signal at an intersection’s traffic control light. When it heard the noise of the signal, the bird seemed to
Bouquet of the Day
February 2, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Bouquet of the Day
I spent some time watching these blue-black wasps in Belize. They were not aggressive, possibly a type of mud wasp?
February 1, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I spent some time watching these blue-black wasps in Belize. They were not aggressive, possibly a type of mud wasp?
its insect diet with small fish, and may feed fish to its young. Although they are fairly comfortable around humans, these carnivores aren’t tempted by seed feeders. They may, however, visit a #bird feeder that offers fresh mealworms.
February 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
its insect diet with small fish, and may feed fish to its young. Although they are fairly comfortable around humans, these carnivores aren’t tempted by seed feeders. They may, however, visit a #bird feeder that offers fresh mealworms.
seen as varying amounts of white on the underbelly, tail coverts, wing and tail feathers. Immature birds are dark brown instead of black, gradually darkening as they mature. Because this #bird hangs around water, the BLPH sometimes supplements
February 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
seen as varying amounts of white on the underbelly, tail coverts, wing and tail feathers. Immature birds are dark brown instead of black, gradually darkening as they mature. Because this #bird hangs around water, the BLPH sometimes supplements
cup-shaped nests to cliffsides or the undersides of bridges and elevated structures. There are six sub-species of this #bird in their range that spans part of the US west/southwest, through Mexico and Central America, and the Andean range of South America. Variation among the six sub-species is
February 1, 2026 at 3:12 PM
cup-shaped nests to cliffsides or the undersides of bridges and elevated structures. There are six sub-species of this #bird in their range that spans part of the US west/southwest, through Mexico and Central America, and the Andean range of South America. Variation among the six sub-species is