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Nature Center Walk: 

Monarch butterfly caterpillar

We saw a few of these on a number of milkweed plants. Still haven’t seen any on our plants but still holding out hope for one.

Don’t know what insect this is, but I was amazed at how well it turned out just using the iPhone camera.

Thought these mushrooms looked …

Woke up extra early this morning and got a nice walk in. The weather was perfect and the sky was beautiful.

Out for a morning walk before the heat of the day

Finished reading: Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy A Tor Original by Martha Wells 📚

I’d forgotten what happened in the previous book but this got me excited for the book coming out soon. Pre-ordered already!

Some early flowers are peeking up in the yard.

Another year another week in March spent on Sanibel Island. Most of our time was spent on the beach, but we did get over to the J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge for some birdwatching. We didn’t see nearly as many birds as we usually do and were told that there was a drought …

Year in books 2025 📚: 

The Murderbot Diaries

Martha Wells · Series · 7 books

I loved Murderbot! Everything from the world that it was set in to the cynical internal dialogue of Murderbot. I ripped right through these in the Spring while I was in Florida. Recommend them to anyone who enjoys sci-fi mixed with quirky cynical …

Finished reading: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree 📚

Really enjoyed this book. Cozy is definitely the right word for it. What else would you expect from a book about opening a coffee shop?

Listened to two great podcasts on tools that I enjoy using. The first was a Decoder episode with Steph Ango and the next with the CEO of Kagi on Mac Power Users. Both of them are passionate about what they do and want to make the products as good as they can for their users.

Day 30: “Solitude” 📷

Shi Shi Beach in the fog was magical.

#mbjune

Day 29: “Winding”

The Manistee River is so beautiful in the Fall. I’ve backpacked it more than once, and I would do it again.

#mbjune

Day 28: “ephemeral” 📷

Drove to Ohio to see the eclipse back in April of last year, and it was a very memorable experience. Will never forget how the sky looked like sunset in every direction for those fleeting moments.

#mbjune

Day 27: “Collective” 📷

Is a collection of shells a collective? I don’t know. What I do know is that I enjoy the trips down to Florida where my parents enjoy collecting these and so many more.

#mbjune

Day 26: “Bridge” 📷

Update: I realized that this is actually the bridge over the Red River. Another beautiful area, but I do still have a special place in my heard for Manistee.

Love hiking on the Manistee River Trail and this bridge is a highlight.

#mbjune

Day 25: “Decay” 📷

Looking at where I took this, and I find it interesting that this was right around the corner from Fallingwater in Pennsylvania.

#mbjune

Day 24: “Bloom” 📷

The local botanical garden was right around the corner for years, and it took my brother for visiting for us to visit.

#mbjune

Day 23: “Fracture” 📷

While hiking in Cuyahoga National Park, we met a park ranger who guided us down a small hidden canyon with some carvings in the rock face. Felt like we walked into a different world outside of time.

#mbjune

Day 22: “Hometown” 📷

There weren’t many things to see in my hometown but many fields of corn, wheat, and soybeans. This little drive goes back to the cemetery we lived near. It was a peaceful route to walk, and we enjoyed hiking through the woods back to the river beyond.

#mbjune

Day 21: “Silhouette” 📷

I went way back to 2011 to find this photo I took while in Greece. I remember this ferry ride that stopped by a few islands on its way to Patmos. Lovely sunset. The ride took hours, and I think we arrived sometime around 2am.

#mbjune

Day 20: “Gather” 📷

There is just something about apple picking in the Autumn… Even in the heat of the Summer when I don’t want the bright sunny days to end, I can smell the Fall air. If it weren’t for Winter, and maybe despite it, Autumn may be my favorite season. …

Day 19: “Equal” 📷

Nephew left his shoes at the house after visiting for the weekend. I suppose shoes aren’t really equal and are really more like mirror images of each other…

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 18: “Texture” 📷

Hard to describe how this green sand in Hawaii felt, but it was definitely different from light fluffy white sand. Learned that there are only a few green sand beaches in the world. This one was quite the trek getting to.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3… …

Day 17: “Warmth” 📷

I don’t know how else to describe Hawaii other than very warm and very beautiful.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 16: “Blur” 📷

I am almost certain this on the way home from or on my way to my last trip before COVID shut everything down back in March 2020.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 15: “Tie” 📷

This brings me back to 2015 when I did some rock climbing in the area.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 14: “Twilight” 📷

Taken from my hotel balcony in Honolulu. To be honest it’s before sunrise and not after sunset. I was up super early due to jet lag.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 13: “Pathway” 📷

This was a surprisingly nice hike through Capilano River Regional Park in Vancouver.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 12: “Hidden” 📷

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

Day 11: “Brick” 📷

On the same trip as my photo from yesterday, this is a photo of a gate in Toledo, Spain.

#mbjune

Day 10: “Rail” 📷

First time on a high speed train in Madrid, Spain back in 2017. It was crazy how fast they go! Such a fun trip with my brother.

#mbjune

For Day 8 of the challenge, here’s a photo I took years ago on the Tuolumne Grove Trail. 📷

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

“Wood”

#mbjune

Traveling through the air and clouds last summer in a Piper.

challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

“Switch” is a hard word to find a good option for, but here’s an old farmhouse sink for challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

The contrast of the black sand of Punalu’u Beach and the Pacific surf for Day 6 of challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

📷

#mbjune

What better reflection for day 5 of challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3… than Reflection Lake?

#mbjune

I have so many photos I’ve taken of old movies I’ve watched just to share with family to talk about how nostalgic they are. I would loved to find one from Apple Dumpling Gang, Swiss Family Robinson, or an old animated Disney movie, but this one will do. 📷

#mbjune

The shadow an exhibit at ArtPrize from 2018 for day 3 of challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

#mbjune

The curve of the wings of this snowy egret for day 2 of the challenge 📷

#mbjune

Throwback to a photo I took of a tree in October for day 1 of challenges.micro.blog/2025/05/3…

📷

Finished reading: The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman 📚

Wow… just wow. Favorite one of the series so far. Just when I thought the craziest thing in the book had happened, something even wilder would happen. Already picked up the next one. Jeff Hays is an incredible voice …

Enjoyed hearing @manton speak at Austin EFF about the Fediverse and running micro.blog. Happy to hear that he’s enjoying running it himself and making decisions in the best interest of users. www.youtube.com/watch

Currently reading: The Wall by Marlen Haushofer 📚

I picked it up after seeing it on Susan Rigetti’s favorite books of 2024. I read it for 40 minutes straight last night, and I expect I’ll finish it soon enough. So far it’s unlike anything I can remember reading. So mysterious and …

Golden hour shadows 📸

I finished reading: Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman 📚

I enjoyed this so much more than the first one. Really feel like the characters and the situation is far more fleshed out. Started the next one in the series right away. Really enjoying the Audible dramatization.

Currently reading: Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman 📚

Continuing the series. Been a good way to spend my $.99 audible credits.

I really enjoyed this video. The cinematography and music are just so good.

kottke.org/25/04/004…

Finished reading: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 📚

Enjoyed this more as the book went on. It balances the terribleness of the whole situation with the right amount of humor. Looking forward to continuing the series!

Questioning why I ever came home from vacation as it’s now snowing here in Michigan…

We have a bird, deer, and raccoon feeder (not necessarily in that order)

Michigan Theater. 📍

Enjoyed seeing Explosions in the Sky last night in Ann Arbor!

A Brown Pelican is searching for food.

How I Use Tailscale: 

What is it?

Tailscale is a VPN service that makes the devices and applications you own accessible anywhere in the world, securely and effortlessly. It enables encrypted point-to-point connections using the open source WireGuard protocol, which means only devices on your private network can …

Setting Up Hugo on Cloudflare: 

I wanted to start off by sharing how I set up this my original homepage. I was impressed by how easy it was to do, especially since I’m new to both Hugo and Cloudflare Pages.

I followed the excellent documentation that Cloudflare provides. If you’re not married to the idea of using Hugo, …

Hello World: 

Console.Write("hello world");

Found a family of foxes in a den near my house

History repeats itself almost 2 years to the day

Texas is growing on me

He did not like getting told off for burying nuts in my flowerpot

My dog-nephew Ryder will be staying with me until mid-August, and he has agreed to be a good boy.

Hello curmudgeonly friend

Pardon the leg but I had to show that this little guy was maybe two feet away from me.

First irises of the year!

Trying out some strawberry plants

The saga continues

Twilight Robin

I’m thinking this is a dark eyed junco.

Last sunset on Sanibel for the year

Doesn’t do it justice

Good morning! Happy Monday!

Here goes nothing

Just one more Manistee River Trail photo

Battleship row

Pure Michigan

Breakfast.

Campsite number one. Not much you can do when you show up at midnight and there are no open spots.

Hello, October.

👋

Goooooood morning

California isn’t the only place whose sky is affected by the fires. Take a look at this site for the full scope of the smoke fire.airnow.gov

What a sky

moon.

Sunday vibes

what are you looking at?

It’s just one of those evenings

Caught her enjoying one of my hibiscuses. She was very patient and let me run inside to get my camera to get this. Pretty sure it’s a female ruby throated.

Jaali

yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk

new lens who dis

Oh deer

So many daisies

Lots of potential

Good morning!

I knew you weren’t a weed

Thanks for fixing my vase arrangement Abigail!

Catalpa or cigar tree blossom

moody

We were friends until my shutter fired.

#aphotoadayjune

#aphotoadayjune

Guess who has peonies??? I’ll have some pink / purples ones here too in the next couple of days. #aphotoadayjune

My cubicle neighbor was not thrilled to see he got caught snacking before dinner. #aphotosdaymay

Irises be bloomin #aphotoadaymay

It’s coming. #aphotadaymay

It’s coming. #aphotadaymay

#aphotoadaymay

Apparently I I need a bigger battery (or two). #aphotoadaymay

They’re getting bigger! #aphotoadaymay

It’s not perfect yet, but I’m thrilled to have my home wired network up and running! Learned a lot about patch panels, punch down tools, drilling holes in walls (and out the other side). Looking forward to cleaning it up and moving onto the next project. #aphotoadaymay

Huey, Louie, Duey, and Gus (I think) have all been safely hatched. Their momma did not approve of any of these photos, and she made me go inside before she’d bring them their dinner. #aphotoadaymay

Anyone want any roving lilies? I have plenty go around. #aphotoadaymay

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! #aphotoadaymay

Does this count as a splash of color in an unusual place? @paige.sharon #aphotoadaymay

I have some new housemates on the way! Huey, Duey, Louie, and Gus. #aphotoadaymay

Today was a good day. Socially-distance socialized with some friends, finally made progress on a home project, and the weather was amazing. We’re gonna mix things up–if you can think of ideas for themes you’d like to challenge me to, leave a comment, and I will do my best to make …

Best day of the year—so far. #aphotoadaymay

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that they are camera shy. Or they weren’t dressed for the occasion. Either way, they were not happy.

LAST DAY OF APRIL! New challenge begins tomorrow! #aphotoadayapril

Momma doubling as a pillow and a tent. #aphotoadayapril

This one and its partner landed right outside my office for a split second. I didn’t get the other one, but I at least got this. #aphotoadayapril

This tree better bloom. Whole reason I bought the house across the street from it. All the flowers with none of the mess. #aphotoadayapril

I’m sorry I Implied two days in a row was a special occasion, Michigan. You’ve made your point. Now can we go back to that thing you were just doing before this thing? #aphotoadayapril

Two beautiful days in a row? I will take it, Michigan. #aphotoadayapril

At least it’s not snow #aphotoadayapril

Spring is in the air. #aphotoadayapril

Reusing old subjects for new material, but I’m gonna use it til I lose it. #aphotoadayapril

The snow and buds just keep falling. #puremichigan #aphotoadayapril

Almost. #aphotoadayapril

Despite the fact the weather can’t decide what season it is, it is still spring. #aphotoadayapril

I’m thinking these will look a lot more interesting in a couple of days. Again I have no idea what they are and have done zero research into them. Hostas? Also this is being posted after midnight, but it still counts. #aphotoadayapril

My creeping myrtle is blooming now and winter aconite is all done. Daffodils are still in and so are… some purple stalk flowers. #aphotoadayapril

When you just need that ice cream and a good walk in the sun. Yes I cheated today and this was taken with my phone. Two strikes against house whatever. #aphotoadayapril

She’s still there! I was worried when I hadn’t seen her in a few days that she had abandoned the den due to the trees around her being cut down. She did not enjoy seeing me as much as I enjoyed seeing her. #aphotoadayapril

Daffodils! #aphotoadayapril

Even when things are looking up, it’s sometimes worth it to look down. I don’t know what that means. Anyways, bonus photo for the day. One of the last blooms of my winter aconite. #aphotoadayapril

Things are looking up in my backyard #aphotoadayapril

#aphotoadayapril

Oh hi there

I think I received a visit from a Merlin this morning.

Had a friendly visitor named Ned this evening.

Last day here, and I’m resorting to hot tea to stay warm. Can you believe it hasn’t even hit 70 yet today?

Not much of a sunrise to see on my last day on the island, but it was a nice refreshing scurry to the beach to see what I could see.

So much noise. So not on purpose. Just imagine it without the snowstorm and you’d be left with soft red light filtering down onto an empty lot. #wishihadmydslr #yesfilter #somuchnoise

This is a Donax, a genus of small edible saltwater clams. Namesake of one of the streets on the island. Send help.

My parents’ haul for the last week.

What’s a vacation without a food photo? My first shrimp étouffée. It was amazing.

Good morning, Lake Lansing! Getting ready for the Lake Lansing Team Relay!

First ride with a new shoulder!!!! (and since September 2018). I don’t know that I can fully express what it means to be back to doing things like riding a bike or how much fun my little jaunt was, but it was great!!!

Shadow of the contrail!

Red buds!

Are you lost?

Wakey wakey

Gray gray gray

It feels nicer than it looks.

Had some slightly quieter walking companions today.

Wish me luck.

It is too nice out to stay cooped up all day.

This one got my vote. #artprize2018

#artprize2018

Coffee!! #artprize2018

Bachelor party. #brogettinghitched

Day 3

Day 2.

They told us that all Spanish bartenders were gruff and all business. Wrong! This guy was great and didn’t even speak English. Here he is comparing the English and Spanish menus with Josh.

Gotta cure that jamón. #twinningspain2017

Jamón ibérico y queso! #twinningspain2017

Josh! …and some sort of building important to the entire Spanish monarchy… #twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

The bridge into Toledo #twinningspain2017 #canoneos80d

Toledo train station

#twinningspain2017 #canoneos80d

#twinningspain2017 #canoneos80d

Cathedral of Toledo! #twinningspain2017 #canoneos80d

I don’t actually (and haven’t looked it up) know what Mazapan is, but it tastes like sugar cookie dough. #twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

The Cathedral of Toledo! #twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

Calle de las huertas, I think? #twinningspain2017

Yo quiero Taco Bell! #twinningspain2017

Keepin it classy, Spain! #twinningspain2017

Yum! #twinningspain2017

Handles shaped for your hands! #twinningspain2017

To make ourselves feel better about the Sagrada Familia fiasco, we visited La Pedrera.

Underestimated how difficult tickets would be to get, but still super impressive from the outside—and it’s not even done yet! #twinningspain2017

Left or right???

Josh! And a cathedral! #twinningspain2017

Four Corinthian columns from the Temple of Augustus. #twinningspain2017

Josh’s head checking out a carrer he really liked. #twinningspain2017

Desayunos! #twinningspain2017

Barcelona Cathedral #twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

Columbus Monument #twinningspain2017

Taking the high speed rail! #twinningspain2017

#twinningspain2017

Beer to be!

Sitting under a hickory in the late summer means getting pelted by leaves and bits of nuts from the overly zealous squirrels above.

Got to the top of the cone and spotted a second one in the distance!

Climbing up the cinder cone of an extinct volcano

Climbing up a huge petrified dune.

Disappearing!

More lava tubes

Lava tubes!!!

We found a lava flow!

Vacation ain’t over yet!

Thor holding Thor’s….very small hammer.

We made it!

Where I came from…

Where I’m going…

😱

Not there yet!

Good ole Charle

More scramblin’ in Hidden Canyon

Scramblin’ in Hidden Canyon

On the way to hidden canyon.

We made it!

The view from Observation Point!

No, Charlie!! Not Dave!!

Cactus flower!

A view of Observation Point from far below. It’s a 2000 foot climb over the course of 4 miles.

Petroglyphs–again!

Rough translation: two fat square people were last seen chasing two skinny people through the canyon.

Petroglyphs!

Don’t tell mom I climbed this.

Okay, I promise I won’t wake it up.

This’ll do just fine.

Cedar Apple Rust

Professor Nicholson expounding on the traits of Cedar Apple Rust.

😁

Biology on Tap!

#traversecity2016

#traversecity2016

#traversecity2016

#traversecity2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

#redrivergorge2016

Good morning.

Muffin mix.

View from the Starbucks on the 40th floor.

Disappointed. #seattle2016

“The Tide Rolls In” #seattle2016

A view of the Olympic Mountain Range. #seattle2016

Jellyfish II #seattle2016

Jelly. Fish. Jellyfish. #seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

Taking the ferry to the San Juan Islands! #seattle2016

#seattle2016

Trrrroooollllll #seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

#seattle2016

Mount Rainier National Park #seattle2016

Mount Rainier National Park #seattle2016

Mount Rainier National Park #seattle2016

#seattle2016

The gum wall. #seattle2016

#seattle2016

Dinner last night at the fisherman’s terminal. #seattle2016

#thatsnocloud #seattle2016

RIP old friend. January 6, 2011 - August 27, 2016. 😞

#youwont2016 #aftertheend

Tarmacs are cool! #youwont2016 #theend

Visited this place too. Couldn’t bring it on the plane. #morningbeer #youwont2016

#youwont2016

The hostel’s feisty pet toucan. #youwont2016

Colombians like kites. #youwont2016

Yea I totally visited an organic coffee plantation in the mountains. Nbd. #youwont2016

Agreed. #youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

A very very happy marigold. #youwont2016

#purecolombia #youwont2016

Some familiar looking plants out in the wild. #youwont2016

Minca #youwont2016

#youwont2016

Pescado Frito #youwont2016

Our supremely interesting captain. #youwont2016

Goodbye for now, Cartagena. #youwont2016

Santa Marta #youwont2016

On our way to Taganga this morning. #youwont2016

La Playa Blanca #youwont2016

A very late lunch at La Playa Blanca #youwont2016

Snorkeling at La Playa Blanca #youwont2016

I believe this was a church in the Santo Domingo square. #youwont2016

#youwont2016

Cartagenian red snapper, sweet rice, plantains, and salad. #youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

Cafe’ tinto #youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016

#youwont2016 #priorities

#youwont2016

Discin'

Doug Mains and the City Folk

First disc golf of the year.

#florida #onlyfilterwasmypolarizedsunglasses

Mug Club Member.

For my next trick, I will walk on top of the snow.

The great frozen north.

Manistee River, October 2014

Throwback to May 2011 on the island of Patmos.

Not Yosemite this time.

October in Yosemite. This was towards the end of a very long first day.

Another from this fall. We climbed up that. Hardest day of the entire trip for me.

Yosemite trip from this October.

Curried Chicken Soup

#igerslansing

Good morning.

That counts, right?

Found this baby snapping turtle while out on a run.

Neat! #neature #salamonie

Worth walking in the rain for.

Tombstone! #openingday2014

Seems a bit presumptuous…

Every morning is a coffee morning!