iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

An uncommon visitor: A female Summer #Tanager. (Canon R7, 400mm f/8 1/250s) #birds #birdPhotography

A medium-sized yellow bird perched on a tree branch. She has black eyes (like a doll's eyes) and a dark, black and yellow wing.

David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A mama #bluebird. Notice how she has two worms in her beak. This is because she is preparing to carry them away. It's a clear sign that she has babies nearby. (Canon R7, 400mm, 1/1000s f/8) #birds #birdPhotography

A small blue bird perched on a metal tray feeder. She is grayish-blue, with a red chest, and a white belly. She has two mealworms in her beak.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A hummingbird resting on a stick, It's rare to see them not at a feeder. (Canon R7, 400mm, 1/1000s, f/9.1) #birds #birdPhotography

A tiny bird, green and gray, with a white belly, and a long beak. She is perched on the end of a thin tree branch.

A cropped version of the previous photo.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A male #bluebird perched on the end of a stick. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8, 1/800s) #birds #birdsPhotography

A small bird, blue head, blue wings, blue tail, red chest, white belly, short pointy beak. He is perched on the very top of a thin, vertical tree branch.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Found a Mississippi Kite hanging out in the top of my big oak tree. He's here for the dragonflies, no doubt. #birds #birdPhotography

A large gray bird with a white head, a short beak, and red eyes. It is perched on a branch, and surrounded by green oak leaves.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I hate that i had to do this, but they were getting into my battery silo, and although i prefer not killing peripherals, i had to draw the line somewhere.

A wooden mousetrap baited with a AA battery. The bar has snapped shut on a wireless computer mouse.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I saved a box turtle from the lawnmower and put her in a safe place until I was done working.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I cooked a big plate of indian food, all vegetarian. (Naan is store bought.)

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I grew 3 pounds of heirloom tomatoes in just a few months, and there are many more still on the vine.

A plastic bowl full of ripe, red tomatoes, sitting on a kitchen scale.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I can't remember if I've posted this photo of a bun, so here is a photo of a bun. (Canon R7, 183mm, f/7, 1/500s) #bun #wildlifePhotography #naturePhotography #urbanWildlife

A brown rabbit, sitting calming in a clump of grass, near the base of a blue terra cotta birdbath. Head is lifted, ears are straight up.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Deers these days are getting much too brave. This one is after my cucumber garden. (Canon R7, 156mm, f/6.4, 1/500s) #wildlifePhotography #naturePhotography #urbanWildlife

A whitetail deer standing in a backyard covered by grass. Chain link fence behind the deer. Deer is standing sideways to the camera, but has turned her head to look directly at the camera.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

The Northern Cardinals that live near my house. They have become comfortable enough to share the patio with me. I have named them Ritchie and Lulu. Yes, Cardinals Ritchie-Lulu. I am aware this is terrible, but I will NOT take it back! (Canon R7, 300mm, f/8, 1/1250) #birds #birdPhotography

Two medium-sized birds perched on a mesh covered hopper-style feeder. One of them is bright red with a black mask around the eyes and below the beak. The other is light red with a prominent triangular crest.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

A cheerful looking Great Crested Flycatcher has dropped by to guard my tomatoes. (Canon R7, 400mm, 1/1000s, f/8, crop) #birds #birdPhotography

A medium-sized bird is perched on a tomato cage. It is a gray body, a yellow underbelly, and white strips on the wings. It has a modest crest of feathers on top of its head. Its head it turned to one size and mouth is open, giving the impression that the bird is smiling.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

An Eastern #Bluebird dad feeds his kid. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8, cropped) #birds #birdPhotography

Two birds perched on a metal tray feeder. The father bird is bright blue with an orange breast and white underbelly. The juvenile is speckled brown and white. The father has a worm in his mouth and he is feeding it to his child.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I didn't get many #orioles this year, but I got a few good photos. (Canon R7, 400mm, crop) #birds #birdPhotography

Two brightly colored orange birds face off from opposite sides of an orange plastic feeder. The birds have orange bodies, black heads, and black wings with white stripes. There are orange halves and grape jelly on the feeder.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Mourning #Dove gas decided to take a break from being a derp, and pose majestically. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8) #birds #birdPhotography

A large gray bird perched on the top of a pole. Its wings are darker gray and have black spots.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

The new #mockingbird is extremely brave. She is not scared of me at all when worms are available. (Canon R7 400mm f/8) #birds #birdPhotography

A medium-sized gray bird with white stripes on the wing.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Carolina #Wrens are supposedly very timid, but they are constantly having adventures on my patio. #birds #birdPhotography

A small brown bird with a white underbelly. It is clinging to a bamboo pole.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Carolina #Wren checks out a strawberry pot. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8) #birds #birdPhotography

A small brown bird with a white stripe over the eye. It is perched inside an empty terra-cotta strawberry pot. It is looking out through one of the planting holes.

The same bird, but now it has its entire head poking out of a different hole in the same pot.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

This #crow really really wanted to eat the hot pepper suet. #birds #crows #birdPhotography

A large black bird perched on a suet feeder. Its wings are spread wide.

The big black bird is now bending over the side of the feeder to eat. The bird is twice the size of the feeder.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

The bluebirds aren't eating their worms, but the Pine Warbler is happy to do so. He is carrying out, not dining in, so he must have babies nearby. (Sorry for the steep angle. I was on the ground when he came by.) #birds #birdPhotography

Bright yellow bird with dark wing, two white bars on the wing. It is perched on a metal tray. It has a worm in its mouth.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

The Prickly Pears on my patio are starting to bloom. Ph 1-3: Canon R7, 28mm, f/4 Ph 4: Canon M50, 180mm macro, f/5 #cactus #cacti #opuntia #flowers #bloomScrolling #flowerPhotography

Two large yellow flowers on the pads of a big cactus.

One large yellow flower and two unopened flower buds on the pad of a large cactus.

Overhead view of a large yellow flower. It is cup-shaped with many large petals, many light yellow stamens, and a green stigma in he center.

Macro photo of the inside of the flower. It shows the same structure as the previous photo, in greater detail.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

After the Cardinals and Mockingbirds started poaching the worms from the bluebird feeder, I upgraded to a barn-shaped feeder that keeps them out. It still doesn't stop the Carolina #Wren. #birds #birdPhotography

Poking out from a hole in the side of a barn-shaped feeder is the head of a small bird, brown with a white stripe over the eye. It's mouth is full of worms.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

After weeks of distrust, the #birds have finally accepted my bird bath. (Carolina #Wren). #birds #birdPhotography

Small brown bird with a white belly, and a white stripe over the eye. It is perched on the rim of a blue glazed bird bath. There are two large rocks in the bird bath, also a solar powered fountain, and a floating glass goldfish.

Now the bird is bent down, drinking the water.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

I forgot to post a wide shot of the Daisy #Fleabane, and I would not want the HOA to miss out, so here it is. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8) #flowers #bloomScrolling #flowerPhotography #macroPhotography

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Daisy #Fleabane ( / #Erigeron strigosus/ ) from the sunflower family (#Asteraceae). I have a large patch in my yard, which the HOA does not appreciate, but I am not a member. (Canon M50, 180mm macro, f/5.7, f/3.5) #flowers #bloomScrolling #flowerPhotography #macroPhotography

A large number of white flowers with many petals and yellow centers.

Close up of a few white flowers with yellow centers. They have many small thin petals

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

I keep thinking the Orange Birds are going to move on, but they are still here. #birds #birdPhotography

An orange bird with a black head and black-and-white wings is clinging to the center pole of an orange bird feeder. His body is vertical, with both feet on the pole, but he has turned his head horizontal. His mouth is full of jelly. There are two partly eaten orange halves on the feeder as well.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Little Miss #Bluebird demands more worms. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8) #birds #birdPhotography

Small blue bird with white underbelly is perched on a metal worm tray. Her mouth is wide open, but she is facing away from the tray, so it looks like she is yelling.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Yeah, immature males and adult females can look alike. I can't tell the difference. During migration, I just assume they're female. Key features are 2 white bars on the wing (adult male has 1), and yellow tail. Head and back can be speckled or not. (Photo from Cornell Ornith, All About Birds.)

A page from a book. It shows two different coloring of an adult female Baltimore Oriole.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

A Rose Breasted Grosbeak wisely retreats from a malfunctioning Red Bellied Woodpecker. #birds #birdPhotography

A small bird, black and white with a red triangle on the chest, flies away from a seed tray that has been taken over by a large woodpecker.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

It could also be an immature male. There's a lot of variation in female plumage, though. Here's a photo with less shadow on the head. It seems similar to a female shown on All About Birds: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Baltim...

Orange bird drinking from a hummingbird feeder.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

I though the Orange #Birds were on their way north, but instead they have become more bold, and even a bit of a nuisance. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/8) #birdPhotography

An orange bird drinking from a red hummingbird feeder. She is much too big for the feeder, so she is bending nearly in half to reach it.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

The Orange #Birds are on their way north. They were only passing through my neighborhood. This one thinks I can't see him. No one tell him. (Canon R7, 400mm, f/9.1, crop) #birds #birdPhotography

A bright orange bird with a black head and black wings. He is perched in a tree, hiding behind leaves.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

This is the last photo of the baby House #Finches. They made a lot of noise, and killed my fern with their poop, but I miss them now that they're gone. Photo 1 was Thurs (24-apr). Photo 2 was Sat (26-apr). I don't know their age, but they hatched at least 14 days before they left. #birds

Close up of 5 baby birds. They are dark grey with white down, yellow around the mouth, big black eyes. They are in a nest made of grass. They are all facing the same direction, but are ignoring me, and not looking at the camera.

An empty bird nest surrounded by bird droppings.

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David Michael Self @dmself.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

The Orange #Bird meets the Indigo Bird. (B_ltim_re Or_ole and Indigo Bunting, Canon R7, 400mm, f/8, crop) #birds #birdPhotography

An orange bird and a light blue bird clinging to the hanging cords of two suet feeders (they do not eat suet). They are about the same size and they are looking at one another.

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