Vanessa Westerfield
@paradoxstudios.bsky.social
Artist, California Naturalist, photographer, writer. Sonoma County CA
Things that are less parasitic than ICE, part 1. Barnacles! Most people think barnacles parasiticize the organisms they cling to, however they are mostly harmless unless the host is already sick or immune compromised. They also provide microhabitats for smaller organisms and filter water. #nature
February 7, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Things that are less parasitic than ICE, part 1. Barnacles! Most people think barnacles parasiticize the organisms they cling to, however they are mostly harmless unless the host is already sick or immune compromised. They also provide microhabitats for smaller organisms and filter water. #nature
Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Vanessa, and this is my best nature adventure companion, Willow. This is us standing beneath a massive California Bay Tree we found today. I'm an artist, Naturalist, gardener, and occasional wordsmith. Cont'd
#nature
#nature
February 3, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Vanessa, and this is my best nature adventure companion, Willow. This is us standing beneath a massive California Bay Tree we found today. I'm an artist, Naturalist, gardener, and occasional wordsmith. Cont'd
#nature
#nature
Mussels, one of the ocean's filters. They absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous, while providing a crucial food source for many marine species. An abundance of mussels is a good indicator of clean water and a healthy marine ecosystem. This is in Bodega Bay.
#marinelife #tidepools
#marinelife #tidepools
January 29, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Mussels, one of the ocean's filters. They absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous, while providing a crucial food source for many marine species. An abundance of mussels is a good indicator of clean water and a healthy marine ecosystem. This is in Bodega Bay.
#marinelife #tidepools
#marinelife #tidepools
Willow and I are walking 31 miles in January to raise money for Best Friends Animal Society! Did mile 5 today! You can pledge and donate here: gofund.me/d99ccc25b
January 5, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Willow and I are walking 31 miles in January to raise money for Best Friends Animal Society! Did mile 5 today! You can pledge and donate here: gofund.me/d99ccc25b
Descending into the fog. I love living in the valley because the fog gets trapped in between the hills for hours on fall and winter mornings, creating a mystical blanket of moisture.
#nature #fog #california
#nature #fog #california
December 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Descending into the fog. I love living in the valley because the fog gets trapped in between the hills for hours on fall and winter mornings, creating a mystical blanket of moisture.
#nature #fog #california
#nature #fog #california
December 23, 2025 at 3:35 AM
December 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
December 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Nothing regulates my nervous system like an after rain hike. Found some really cool mushies today and shot a roll of Cinestill 400D.
Are you a winter lover or summer person?
#hiking #nature #winter #california #forest
Are you a winter lover or summer person?
#hiking #nature #winter #california #forest
December 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Nothing regulates my nervous system like an after rain hike. Found some really cool mushies today and shot a roll of Cinestill 400D.
Are you a winter lover or summer person?
#hiking #nature #winter #california #forest
Are you a winter lover or summer person?
#hiking #nature #winter #california #forest
I do photography because words aren't always enough.
My husband and our girl at Fort Ross, on his 7th anniversary of sobriety.
#photography #dogsofbluesky
My husband and our girl at Fort Ross, on his 7th anniversary of sobriety.
#photography #dogsofbluesky
December 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I do photography because words aren't always enough.
My husband and our girl at Fort Ross, on his 7th anniversary of sobriety.
#photography #dogsofbluesky
My husband and our girl at Fort Ross, on his 7th anniversary of sobriety.
#photography #dogsofbluesky
My niece is 7 here, and just turned 14 last week. Can't believe it's been 7 years. This was not long after I acquired my favorite medium format, my Pentax 67 and 90mm f2.8. Still my most used camera and lens.
#believeinfilm #photography
#believeinfilm #photography
December 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
My niece is 7 here, and just turned 14 last week. Can't believe it's been 7 years. This was not long after I acquired my favorite medium format, my Pentax 67 and 90mm f2.8. Still my most used camera and lens.
#believeinfilm #photography
#believeinfilm #photography
December 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
December 9, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Many religions seek a glorious afterlife. They teach people to live with the purpose of attaining a position in some sort of ideal paradise. What is so wrong with being HERE?
December 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Many religions seek a glorious afterlife. They teach people to live with the purpose of attaining a position in some sort of ideal paradise. What is so wrong with being HERE?
Western Jack-o-lantern
December 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Western Jack-o-lantern
What an amazing thrifted book score today! I'm so excited to get cozy with these.
#thrifting #booksky #books #history
#thrifting #booksky #books #history
December 1, 2025 at 10:42 PM
What an amazing thrifted book score today! I'm so excited to get cozy with these.
#thrifting #booksky #books #history
#thrifting #booksky #books #history
I tagged them on Instagram but you can easily Google them. Wonderful things and well made! Check em out.
#blackfriday #consumerism #indigenousbusinesses
#blackfriday #consumerism #indigenousbusinesses
December 1, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I tagged them on Instagram but you can easily Google them. Wonderful things and well made! Check em out.
#blackfriday #consumerism #indigenousbusinesses
#blackfriday #consumerism #indigenousbusinesses
November 22, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I almost didn't go on the hike. I almost didn't see the largest murmuration I've ever witnessed. I almost didn't hear their cackling chaos so loudly it sounded like a waterfall, or their wings all synchronized at take off it sounded like thunder. But I went. And I was mesmerized.
#nature
#nature
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I almost didn't go on the hike. I almost didn't see the largest murmuration I've ever witnessed. I almost didn't hear their cackling chaos so loudly it sounded like a waterfall, or their wings all synchronized at take off it sounded like thunder. But I went. And I was mesmerized.
#nature
#nature
November 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Guess who ate mom's sleepy gummies lastnight? Idk if she saw God but she definitely saw the devil. Don't worry she's feeling much better this morning.
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #edibles
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #edibles
November 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Guess who ate mom's sleepy gummies lastnight? Idk if she saw God but she definitely saw the devil. Don't worry she's feeling much better this morning.
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #edibles
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #edibles
Cozy day with a couple of new books. When these are half off I gotta go for it! So stoked for both of them.
#bookworm #goodreads
#bookworm #goodreads
November 12, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Cozy day with a couple of new books. When these are half off I gotta go for it! So stoked for both of them.
#bookworm #goodreads
#bookworm #goodreads
PSA for fall: leave the leaves!
Leaves breakdown and feed the soil, which feeds the plants and trees. They are also important shelters for insects. You know what doesn't feed the soil? Piles of leaves gathered in plastic bags. Stop it.
#leavetheleaves #biodiversity
Leaves breakdown and feed the soil, which feeds the plants and trees. They are also important shelters for insects. You know what doesn't feed the soil? Piles of leaves gathered in plastic bags. Stop it.
#leavetheleaves #biodiversity
November 9, 2025 at 11:46 PM
PSA for fall: leave the leaves!
Leaves breakdown and feed the soil, which feeds the plants and trees. They are also important shelters for insects. You know what doesn't feed the soil? Piles of leaves gathered in plastic bags. Stop it.
#leavetheleaves #biodiversity
Leaves breakdown and feed the soil, which feeds the plants and trees. They are also important shelters for insects. You know what doesn't feed the soil? Piles of leaves gathered in plastic bags. Stop it.
#leavetheleaves #biodiversity
She's turning grey but she's still so beautiful. My best adventure buddy ❤️
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #hiking
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #hiking
November 8, 2025 at 5:42 AM
She's turning grey but she's still so beautiful. My best adventure buddy ❤️
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #hiking
#dogsonbluesky #dogsofbluesky #hiking