Stephen E. Aitken
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stephenaitken.bsky.social
Stephen E. Aitken
@stephenaitken.bsky.social
29 followers 13 following 10 posts
Author/Illustrator of picture books, middle grade non-fiction, fiction, on environmental subjects: ecosystem conservation, climate crisis etc.
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stephenaitken.bsky.social
www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-...
“The distribution of melanosomes suggests that the sails were “conspicuously colored,” Sues says, and were likely used to communicate with other members of their species." @orcabook.bsky.social @therightsfactory.bsky.social @middlegradehub.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 1:40 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
Fascinating...and wow, these creatures can JUMP!!!
bsky.app/profile/tjal...
tjalamont.bsky.social Tom Astle @tjalamont.bsky.social · Jun 10
The exteriors of spider eyes are part of the exoskeleton, so can't move. But in jumping spiders, the internal parts of the large central eyes have muscles that can swivel and twist to help the spider aim its eyes from inside the head. This is a 4-frame.gif showing that internal movement. 🌿🐙🕷️👀
June 10, 2025 at 1:17 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
It's coming!!!! A passion book that marries both science and art with stunning images and fascinating details of how animals use their color to survive in the natural world. It's in ARCs now (Advanced Review Copies).

www.orcabook.com/Color-in-Nat...
June 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
A new color has been discovered and it's called OLO.
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
@orcabook.bsky.social @middlegradehub.bsky.social @staceykondla.bsky.social
Scientists Say They've Discovered a New Color—an 'Unprecedented' Hue Only Ever Seen by Five People
The color, dubbed olo, is described as an intensely saturated teal. Researchers say it might have applications in understanding color blindness
www.smithsonianmag.com
June 5, 2025 at 1:14 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
LIVING LIGHT, CONSERVING BIOLUMINESCENT ANIMALS AND PLANTS has been selected on Earth Day 2025 by THE NATURE GENERATION as an HONOR BOOK in the Young Adult Non-Fiction Category. Congratulations to all the other authors whose books won and were recommended. Thanks to Orca Books my wonderful publisher
April 23, 2025 at 2:27 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
'OLO' is a new color, seen by only 5 people (so far) in an experimental setting where their M cones were stimulated by laser treatments. Check it out
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
@orcabook.bsky.social
Scientists Say They've Discovered a New Color—an 'Unprecedented' Hue Only Ever Seen by Five People
The color, dubbed olo, is described as an intensely saturated teal. Researchers say it might have applications in understanding color blindness
www.smithsonianmag.com
April 23, 2025 at 2:22 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
World Traveler - bioGraphic www.biographic.com/world-travel...
@orcabook.bsky.social Wheatear migrations
World Traveler - bioGraphic
This tiny songbird treks cross-hemisphere over deserts, oceans, and mountain ranges in one of the animal kingdom’s most impressive migrations.
www.biographic.com
April 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
Bioluminescent organisms often live at great depths, but sometimes they wash to the surface. The female angler fish is an amazing adaptation to life in the darkness. @orcabook.bsky.social @middlegradehub.bsky.social @mindrolling.bsky.social

www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/u...
A Jet-Black, Bioluminescent 'Football Fish' Washed Up on a California Beach
The sea creature typically lives in depths of 3,000 feet and rarely shows up on shore in one piece
www.smithsonianmag.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:07 AM
stephenaitken.bsky.social
The amazing world of color! Check out bioGraphic ...Hakai Magazine merged with them quite recently. They produce exceptional articles.
www.biographic.com/red-fish-blu...
Red Fish, Blue Fish - bioGraphic
Mexican hogfish change colors—and sex—as they grow, perplexing scientists and attracting admirers.
www.biographic.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM