iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This semester I'm designing a freshman seminar I've titled "Evolution and Society". Post-defense I'm now working on course planning details, & have both too many ideas & worry what I'm neglecting.. What would you consider an essential topic(s) or reading(s) for a class like this? Please do share!

Image of the course description, which reads: Our society has been shaped by evolutionary ideas. Learning about evolution has led people to question human nature, our place in the natural world, and what that means for us as individuals and a society. Through reading, discussion, and museum visits, this class will explore how evolutionary study has filled us with wonder and a sense of kindship with all living things, been used to justify some of humanity’s greatest atrocities, and continues to be misused and misunderstood today. With grounding in the logic of evolutionary theory, we will ask how understanding evolution does – or doesn’t – help us understand ourselves. Field trip(s) required.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Hey Bluesky! Emerging from my dissertation-formatting cave to share that I defended my PhD last week! So many incredible people helped me reach this point, especially over the last few months as I scrambled to finish in time. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such good friends.

The cover slide from my dissertation defense talk. The background image is of a river flowing through rainforest in Ranomafana National Park, and along the sides are photos of various birds I studied in-hand. The title text reads: “Ecological diversification across taxonomic scale in three adaptive radiations of Malagasy birds”. Below that are listed my name (Anya Auerbach), my advisor Sushma Reddy, and my committee: Sharon Jansa, Keith Barker, Kieran McNulty, and David Fox.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Not exactly beautiful photos, but these guys were new species for me near Tofino on Vancouver Island last week.

A photograph of a western red-backed salamander that was sheltering under a log. It’s a small, slender salamander, brownish overall with an orange upper side.

A northwestern salamander walking on a concrete road at night. Its a chunky, slightly pinkish gray salamander. We moved the salamander to just off the road after grabbing a photo.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Just got back from a week traveling around Vancouver Island with my best friend. We experienced the herring spawn, grey whale migration, and an incredible amount of rain. Watching a couple river otters foraging along the Victoria waterfront was definitely a highlight though.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

And then there’s the polish crested chicken’s skull 💀

A greyscale drawing of the brain, skull, and exterior of a polish crested and normal chicken. The chicken has a pouf of feathers over most of the head. Under this, the braincase domes up dramatically and is full of small perforations. The brain itself is bizarrely shaped too, to fill this shape. It almost looks like a crawling baby. Very uncanny all around.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

It is always the season to make latkes for a crowd.

A photograph of two pans full of latkes on a stovetop. They are thin, crispy potato pancakes, cooking in olive oil. They objectively look delicious.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

From my mom, so no link! You just substitute frozen passionfruit puree (find at your local Latin grocery) for lime juice (use slightly more, here 1 cup rather than 3/4). Here it is, don’t know the origin of the recipe but credit for passionfruit version to my mom, Karen Becker.

A screenshot of a recipe for Lime pie (or lemon or passion). The recipe is as follows.

Preheat oven to 325.
Process, or put in a ziplock and roll with a rolling pin or pound until you have crumbs (you can also buy graham crumbs and add powdered ginger):
-gingersnaps, to make 1 cup crumbs
Mix will with:
-2 2/3 tbsp butter, melted. (If the crust seems to greasy, as with some richer kinds of cookies, I add a little almond flour)
Pat evenly into an 8” pie pan (glass is best). Bake 10 minutes, then cool 10 minutes.
Whisk or blend:
-1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
-grated peel of 2 large limes
-3/4 c fresh lime juice (about 4 large juicy limes, a lot more if small or dry)
-4 yolks
Pour into crust. Bake 25 minutes, until set. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving (important). Do not serve at room temperature.
For a 9” pie use 1 ½ recipe. For passion pie, use 1 cup puree for 8” pie, 1 ½ cups for 9”.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Also ate passionfruit pie when I got home, one of the best and easiest things one can make.

A picture of a deep golden-yellow pie, like a key lime pie but closer to orange. Its not very pretty but it tastes fantastic I swear.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Saw some fluffy guys in Minneapolis yesterday. Ate some really good pupusas. Started a new book (Forest Euphoria- lovely and relatable!). Went to a Klezmer dance. There are lots of ways to be in community!

A photo of a deer taken with a phone through binoculars. It is lying down and dusted in snow.

A distant digibin of an Eastern Screech-Owl asleep in its tree cavity, with snow falling outside. It is a small gray owl with intricate patterning and cute little ear tufts.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Most popular chant of the day: “ICE OUT. FUCK ICE.” As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

I was at a Friendsgiving with mostly folks from the Plant Bio department, but apparently I was the only one who wanted to do a #Plantsgiving tally. I don’t know what all was in everyone else’s dishes, so just the things I brought:

A photograph of a bowl filled with nicely charred roasted brussels sprouts. They’re heavily topped with toasted, ancho chili-coated sunflower seeds and pomegranate seeds.

The top of a pumpkin cheesecake, which has a layer of sour cream mixed with brown sugar and a bit of bourbon on top. Its decorated with pecan halves.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Normal Common Dolphin for comparison!

A typically colored common dolphin leaping out of the water. It has a dark back, yellow sides, and a paler white strip running along the flank.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

I was back home in NY last week and got to get out on the ocean for the first time in way way too long. The whales were minimally cooperative (distant humpback and fin), but a big pod of common dolphins included a melanistic individual! Also, any day with tubenoses is a very very good day.

A photograph of a melanistic common dolphin porpoising out of the water. Its monochrome but sharply contrasting light and dark gray, with the usual orange areas replaced by a dark slate color.

A photograph of a Great Shearwater flying over the ocean. Its a brown and white bird with very long wings and, if you look carefully, nostrils enclosed in tubes on the top of the bill. They can drink saltwater and snort out the salt!

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

I’m mostly here to tell more people about Mihirungs, because its fun to say and because “what if that angry goose was 8 feet tall” was a reality early Aboriginal Australians were forced to confront.

A photograph of a Mihirung fossil. Its an enormous, obviously flightless bird with an absolutely massive, deep bill. It looks like it will hunt you down.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Made a visit this morning to what is obviously the most important Athens landmark - The Tree That Owns Itself. Thanks @ethanofthegulls.bsky.social for reminding me this is here, highly recommend if you’re at #Evol2025

A photograph of a decently sized white oak tree growing on a small plot of land at a quiet intersection. Its plot is closed off by old fashioned-looking stone pilons.
A stone marker in front of the tree reads: “For and in consideration of the great love I bear this tree and the great desire I have for its protection for all time. I convey entire possession of itself and all land within eight feet of the tree on all sides. -William H Jackson

A closeup of a small plaque. It reads:
The Tree That Owns Itself
Quercus alba
Deeded to itself by Col. William H Jackson circa 1832
This scion of the original tree was planted by the junior ladies garden club in 1946
National Register of Historic Places 1975
Athens Historical Landmark 1988

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Hey #Evol2025 folks - Interested in adaptive radiation? Morphological evolution? Cool birds? I’ll be presenting the results of my first dissertation chapter, looking at diversification in Malagasy vangas (+ a bit about what comes next!) (Sat 4:45-5 in Macroevo & Diversification IV, Parthenon 2)

An image of the first slide from my talk. Its titled “Tempo and mode of trait evolution in the adaptive radiation of Malagasy vangas”. The authors are myself, Euan Lim, and Sushma Reddy, all affiliated with the University of Minnesota. My email is auerb027@umn.edu. Around the text are five photographs of vangas, birds which look extremely different from one another.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

I wasn't exactly expecting to hear crossbill call notes while working at my desk on May 1st! These aren't remotely the best photos I've taken of White-winged Crossbills this year, but in addition to the date, these birds turned out to be a fun milestone- species #100 for my yard list!

A photograph of a male white-winged crossbill. He's perched on the twigs of a deciduous tree covered in buds. He's a pinkish bird with dark wings, white wing-bars, and a chunky bill crossed at the tips.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

I love how many bird photos end up unintentionally hilarious. Look at this Redpoll in deep contemplation of its foot.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I finally got around to getting the next City Watch book. Pratchett has a way of always being (maybe too) timely.

I’m holding the book “Jingo” by Terry Pratchett, the next in the City Watch series of Discworld books that I’ve slowly been working my way through.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I heard someone say wholesome bivalves? live.staticflickr.com/65535/525847...

A photograph of a surf scoter with a bivalve (probably a mussel) in its beak. Surf scoters are ducks with ridiculous-looking giant colorful beaks, which they use mostly to eat mussels.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

University of Minnesota admin can always be relied on to use the maximum possible number of words to say absolutely nothing lmao

Screenshot of text from an email. The header reads: Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

The text of the email reads:
Dear students, faculty, and staff:

Many of you have heard reports that several federal agencies have paused activities affecting federally-funded research. University leadership is closely tracking proposed changes, all executive orders, and the direction by the Office of Management and Budget to all departments and agencies. A team is assembled to assess and respond on behalf of our community.

The team will draw on the expertise of leaders across the University, internal and external experts, and our peer institutions and professional associations. We are reviewing all guidance and updates as they emerge to determine what they mean for our students, faculty, and staff, and for our programs dedicated to the education, research, and outreach missions of the University.

(continued in next image)

The text of the email from the previous image continues. It reads:

Of immediate interest to many—there is no impact to Pell grants or direct loans.

Our priority is to work with policymakers and remain focused on supporting the great work of the University, so that all of us can continue to deliver on our mission of world-class education, leading-edge research, and vibrant community engagement and outreach. We will not waver in our dedication to serving you, all Minnesotans, our nation, and world.

We will provide updates as they become available.

Sincerely,

Rachel T. A. Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost

Gregg Goldman
Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations

Shashank Priya
Vice President for Research and Innovation

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Central Park was absolutely full of Cute Little Guys on my winter break trip home. Especially these guys, tufted titmice, which seem to visit NYC in numbers every other winter. This one was missing its tail, which isn't great for their maneuverability, but means extra cute and round for me.

A photograph of a tufted titmouse perched on a twig among fallen leaves. It is a very cute little gray bird similar to a chickadee, with a big dark eye and little crest. They are supposed to have tails, which this one notably does not.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Hey #SICB2025 - interested in adaptive radiation? Morphological evolution? Cool birds? Just trying to figure out where to start tomorrow morning? I’ll be presenting the results of my first dissertation chapter, looking at diversification in Malagasy vangas, in A601 at 8:45am!

An image of my title slide. The title of the talk is “Tempo and mode of trait evolution in the adaptive radiation of Malagady vangas”. The authors are Anya Auerbach, Euan Lim, and Sushma Reddy, who are affiliated with the University of Minnesota and Bell Museum of Natural History. The text is surrounded by five photographs of different species of vangas, which look impressively different from one another.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Happy New Year from me, my latkes, and my union.

A photograph of two latkes on a plate and a lit menorah. One latke is covered with homemade applesauce and the other with lox, the two best and correct traditional latke toppings.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Went on our near-annual thousand islands birding trip yesterday. It started snowing on the ferry ride back! Snowy Owl numbers weren’t as high as some years and we didn’t find any Short-eared, but we had luck with cooperative Snow Bunting flocks (and a surprise mammal!)

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

The views were great both ways, too (not to mention the food in Sunset Park)

A photo of the NYC skyline from the back of the south Brooklyn ferry, with coastal Brooklyn, lower Manhattan, and Jersey City in view. The clouds overhead are multilayered and moody.

The view from the N train crossing the Manhattan bridge of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge lit up at night. Its a really good view, albeit kinda crooked and blurry.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Post-sunset digibin of a purple sandpiper… I think this is art

A blurry, very dark photograph of a purple sandpiper taken with a cell phone through binoculars. It’s standing on what I’m informing you are seaweed-covered rocks, silhouetted against waves lit orange with the last rays of light. Its paler, mottled belly and drooping bill shape are somewhat visible.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

We did also see the Eared Grebe, along with lots of other lingering waterfowl! Two new county birds for me.

A photograph of an eared grebe swimming, a tiny ball of fluff of a waterbird. Its dark gray above and pale mottled gray below, with a small, pointy, upturned bill and a red eye.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

@gacatail.bsky.social and I were out for a short walk and an attempt at seeing a continuing Eared Grebe yesterday when a report came in of an American Bittern just a few minutes from home! This goofball spent the day in a tiny patch of reeds and shrubs, staring down its chin at passerby.

A photograph of an American Bittern standing in some undergrowth, slightly obscured by twigs. Its a beautifully mottled brown heron with bizarre proportions - a chunky body, relatively short legs, a thick neck and small head.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Look at this ANT PLANT. The last week of lab in the Ecology class I’m TAing this semester is a tour of the UMN Conservatory, a gorgeous space full of weird and wonderful plants. I knew about plants that made homes for their ant mutualists, but not that they got this elaborate!

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

A stall at the holiday market in downtown Saint Paul had *actual female cardinals* available as ornaments. A first??!!! (With @gacatail.bsky.social’s mitten for scale)

A photograph of a rack of christmas tree ornaments. There are a set of carved and painted wooden cardinals, some bright red and others tan with a black face and orange beak.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

We got a lovely dusting of snow for Thanksgiving here in Minnesota, and I baked my usual pumpkin cheesecake. (also some very good brussels sprouts, not pictured).

A photograph of a residential street. The grass and roads are covered in a thin layer of snow.

A photograph of the pumpkin cheesecake, in a springform pan on the counter. Visible is its sour cream, brown sugar, and bourbon topping, decorated with concentric circles of pecans.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

The neighborhood was just full of friends yesterday

A photograph of a neighborhood. There is a light dusting of snow and a scattered flock of turkeys, two of which are hurrying to cross the sidewalk just ahead.

A photograph taken at night, lit by street lamps. In the foreground is a raccoon crouching in front of a gutter. Its looking furtively over its shoulder at you.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I have so many incredible photos from this encounter, which lasted ~half an hour (and the rest of that north woods trip!) but here's another showing some interaction - the smaller (female?) lynx spent a while sitting on the snow bank vocalizing while the other watched it from the road.

A photograph of a canada lynx crouched on a snow bank with dense spruce woods in the background. Its mouth is partly open and its eyes are slitted. You can also see the underside of one extremely fuzzy paw.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

We reached the top of a hill down a back road in Superior National Forest and were face to face with a pair (!!) of Canada Lynx walking towards us. They appeared to be courting, though if anyone knows more about lynx behavior I'd love to get their thoughts!

A photograph of a pair of lynx walking down a snow-covered gravel road. They are medium-sized cats with very fluffy gray fur, huge paws, and long black tufts on their ears. The lead lynx is in focus, the other is out of focus a ways behind.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Here is a very good thing I shared on twitter after the exodus to here had already begun- I hope some new people can enjoy! In February 2024 I had an absolutely mind-boggling encounter with one of my most-wanted animals (sound on for weird lynx noises!!)

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Ash-e jo (Persian barley, bean and herb stew, probably not very authentic) for dinner.

Photograph of a bowl full of stew. Grains of barley, chickpeas, and lots of stewed herbs are clearly visible.

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Anya Auerbach @aauerbach.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

I’ve been shifting more towards using bluesky in the last month, though will say there are reasons I haven’t fully left twitter either. Anyway, hi!!! Here’s my favorite recent photo of me (from the big solar storm a month ago). I love biodiversity, evolutionary theory, birds, and union organizing.

A photograph of me, a white person with shortish hair. Its dark and I’m sitting crosslegged on the ground, looking over my shoulder and away from the camera at a spectacular aurora borealis overhead.

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