iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by David Smith

Chris Packham @chrisgpackham.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

No , Natural England aren't looking to kill all the Dartmoor ponies , as disingenuous politicians across the political divide would have you believe . A lot of hysteria about this news story over the past few days – well and truly debunked here . . . www.dartmoornature.org.uk/post/ponies-...

dartmoornature.org.uk

Ponies, Dartmoor and fake news

There’s been a deluge of misinformation recently about ponies on Dartmoor. Dartmoor Nature Alliance’s Tony Whitehead looks at the origins and potential impacts of the current “pony campaigning". He st...

529779

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Can't say I've ever seen one of these before! I think it may be the nymph of a Red Bug, Deraeocoris ruber. It's rather splendid.

010

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

This little bee is only about 7mm long. I guess it's probably Andrena minutula, Common Mini-miner Bee, but I'll probably struggle for a few hours, looking at all the photos, trying to confirm or deny that guess before I give up and accept I don't have enough information.

Tiny bee on inflorescence of Ground Elder. She has a mass of white pollen on her hind leg.

121

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Some kind of plant bug in the garden the other day. Deraeocoris flavilinea perhaps? It's rather splendid whatever it is.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Lesser Stag Beetle, Dorcus parallelipipedus, in the garden yesterday.

010

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Really lucky to capture these tiny Yellow-faced Bees mating. It was so quick it was over by the time the camera focused. There are lots about this year, hanging about the bee hotels and especially the new post I drilled up this year. I think they might be Hylaeus confusus. Any thoughts anyone?

Yellow-faced Bees mating on white Ground Elder flowers

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Finally managed to get a shot of an Ashy Mining Bee, Andrena cineraria, in the garden yesterday.

Black and white bee hanging under a white inflorescence.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The Swifts have returned! Last year we were delighted that these two Swifts fledged in one of the nest boxes we put up 5 years before. Today, their parents returned and have taken up residence again.

260

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Interesting find on my walk this afternoon: an Oil Beetle.

070

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Saw this fabulous Broad -banded Nomad Bee, Nomads signata, in the garden today. I saw one couple of years ago and got some photos just before I went in a solitary bee ID course so was able to get expert confirmation. It's a pretty scarce bee in the UK so I'm honoured to share it's territory.

Yellow, black and orange Nomad Bee resting on a green leaf.

140

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

It's been really windy and chill, so not many of the smaller bees were about even when the sun was shining, but this Grey-patched Mining Bee, Andrena nitida, was up to the task of pollinating the apples along with a couple more of her kin.

030

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I've been seeing something out of the corner of my eye for some time now, but the other day we found out what it was. This little mouse realised we weren't a threat and came to check out the soil round a plum tree we had just planted, while we sat and watched just a few feet away.

171

Reposted by David Smith

Claire Laila Dines @freedomtodoubt.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Bottom trawling is so damaging to marine life nothing but a total ban on this fishing practice is sufficient & in the feebly-governed UK, incl Scotland, we can at least ban this plague of life in our waters in ALL MPAs! UKGov's plan to ban practice in *parts* of 41 MPAs is nowhere near enough!

25830

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

This Red-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius, has been doing the lion's share of pollination on this patch of broad beans. It's great to see them around the garden in increased numbers this Spring. Usually, our broad beans mostly get pollinated by B. terrestris and B. hortorum.

020

Reposted by David Smith

Miles King @milesking.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

what a good idea.

0103

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

One of today's star visitors to a magic patch of dandelions was this male Andrena haemorrhoa, Orange-tailed Mining Bee.

010

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

A beautiful visitor to the garden today despite the strong, cold wind: Andrena nitida, Grey-patched Mining Bee, I think.

Black bee with orange thorax feeding on yellow dandelion flower

032

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Yesterday was warm enough to have lunch outside. Fresh-picked salad of mixed lettuces, mustards, mizuna, dandelion, chervil, endive and radicchio, with homemade sauerkraut and fermented cucumbers and local Blue Vinny cheese, topped with flowers and herbs.

Salad in a radially blue-striped bowl on a great sun-dappled background

060

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Also yesterday, I managed to capture these Dark-edged Bee-flies, Bombylius major, mating.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Yesterday, this beauty was the first bee of the year to need help getting out of the polytunnel. I think she is an Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Halictus rubicundus.

010

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

First Garden Bumblebee, Bombus hortorum, I've seen in the garden this year. Earlier than usual I think and collecting pollen.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

The first young slowworm I've seen this year sunning itself on the path. Previously I've seen a few very small ones when disturbing some leaves.

Young male Slowworm in a reverse S shape on a brown brick path in the sunshine. The Slowworm is silvery-copper coloured with a vestige on its head of the black line it has when very young. It's head rests in the dried remains of an Evening Primrose flower head.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I've been away, so it was nice to catch up with some neighbours in the garden like this stunning parasitoid wasp. I'm guessing at Ichneumon stramentor, but I'm happy to be corrected or confirmed in that ID.

Yellow and black solitary wasp on a flat wooden surface.

030

Reposted by David Smith

Protect the Wild @protectthewild.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

So so close to 100,000 signatures to end the Guga hunt! Please keep signing: petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE...

02621

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

I picked up this caterpillar in the garden to move out to a safe spot, and suddenly a white larva emerged from it! My guess is it's a parasitic fly larva. Anyone help with ID of the host or parasite?

100

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Beautiful 22-spot Ladybird, Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata, looking so bright and pristine in the sun today.

Yellow beetle with black spots on green background

081

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

First Early Bumblebee, Bombus pratorum, I've seen this year. She kept going back to that space down the side of the bee bricks presumably because it had warmed up in the sunshine, but it meant she had to keep ridding herself of cobwebs.

030

Reposted by David Smith

Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 18/02/2026

These two women are suing Andrew Tate, alleging he raped them. Here they visit the social media companies that created Tate. Please share. *one voice altered to disguise identity

12148363300

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

A Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, patrolled the garden regularly today visiting every Lungwort in flower, drinking deep and long, gathering masses of pollen. #WildlifeFriendlyGarden

020

Reposted by David Smith

George McGavin @georgemcgavin.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Quite so.....we need to do the right thing now or we will be home a mere blip on the fossil record...actually, that is the norm....

1126

Reposted by David Smith

Protect the Wild @protectthewild.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

When the evidence is this blatant and it’s still not enough, trail hunting has to end. Support Northants Hunt Sabs.

23423

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The last two apples from our crop. They kept well considering all ripened so early. We almost got through to February without having to buy any, and we still have frozen and dehydrated to use. I'm so grateful we have space to grow organic fruit. #GrowYourOwnFruit #RealFood

020

Reposted by David Smith

Leana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Zuhrah is in a critical condition, now on day 50 of her hunger strike she could die aged only 20. In 1981, Irish republican Martin Hurson died on day 46. The government has refused to engage & reverse the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

15140

Reposted by David Smith

Protect the Wild @protectthewild.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

At this very moment, foxes are being hunted, exhausted, and ripped apart by hounds all under the guise of "tradition." Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal. Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊

27664

Reposted by David Smith

Right to Roam @righttoroam.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

A little thread of ideas for your Boxing Day Walk (Trespass)

1349

Reposted by David Smith

Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

The Countryside Alliance are once again talking out of their (top) hat. 80% of the public, rural & urban, think fox hunting should remain illegal. The ‘rural culture war’ is a myth, as @jon-moses.bsky.social shows here: national.thelead.uk/p/the-rural-... bsky.app/profile/theg...

614241

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

We are so lucky to have access to good quality, nutrient-dense, fresh food. We can just pop out to the garden to pick a wide range of salad leaves and herbs, put it on a plate with this morning's sourdough bake and some goodies from the fridge.

A plate full of food, including slices of brown bread, salad and other tasty items.

Two oval sourdough loaves resting on a wire cooling rack on a black counter top.

130

Reposted by David Smith

Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.

This is the saddest day of my professional life.
Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage.
I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys.
I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show,
A show that I named and helped develop over all those years.
Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry.
These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter

In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices.
Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'.
•
I chose the latter.
It broke my heart.
I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make.
I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer.
I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence.
One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career.

I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more.
I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost".
James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice.
Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences.
I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness.
Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire.
I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal.
I am so sorry to let you down.
I hope that you can understand my reasoning.
I have to accept that I am not what the current
BBC expects of their freelance presenters.

Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not
"just a job"
I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world.
From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too.
The strawberry is dead.
Long live the strawberry. B

1011106752820

Reposted by David Smith

Longbarrow Press @longbarrowpress.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

First published as a 'digital pamphlet' in 2023, and briefly available as a print edition in 2024, here's the free, downloadable PDF of our 'Winter Songs' mini-anthology, with poems apt for the year's end, and the year to come. longbarrowpress.com/wp-content/u...

The cover of the 'Winter Songs' mini-anthology: the bare branches of winter trees, just visible in the darkness, with the title and contributors' names in white text.

04519

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Well of course: but there's a huge fight to tackle the problem of all the other chemicals being thrown on the soil and our food. One small step. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

France’s birds start to show signs of recovery after bee-harming pesticide ban

Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades

030

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

I was a little concerned for this Tern I saw down at West Bay this afternoon. It seems to have damage near its right leg, which it kept preening around. Sadly, there's not much I could do except hope. It seemed exhausted and only flew short distances. I fear the gulls will get it.

020

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

I've been really enjoying the Savoy and red cabbage sauerkraut I made at the beginning of September, so I thought I'd try 3 cabbage kraut: red, Savoy and January King. I'll let you know what it's like in a month or two. #SlowFood #FermentedFood #OldManMakesFood #FoodPreservation #HealthyGut

Close up of a glass jar of freshly assembled sauerkraut, with red, green and yellow shredded leaves.

040

David Smith @davidsmithartist.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Swapped our usual Jurassic Coast for a few windy days in Cornwall. Nice view from our room.

050