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David Shorthouse

@dshorthouse.bsky.social
1K followers 88 following 182 posts

In order: father, husband, canoeist, biodiversity informatician. Opinions mine and not those of my employer. orcid.org/0000-0001-7618-5230

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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Last paddle of the season this weekend, making that 20 trips in 2 summers. No repeats and all were in Ontario, Canada. Most were 4+ nights. Half solo, half with friends and family. Not a bad little run for the canoe.
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tdwg.org @tdwg.org · 09/10/2026
🗓️ The public review of the Minimum Information about a Digital Specimen (MIDS) started on 5 Oct and will close on 4 Dec 🥇 MIDS is a new standard, and this is its first public review 👥 We encourage all community members to participate 🔗 tdwg.link/mids-review #TDWG #standards #MIDS #collections
MIDS Public Review
Costidiscus recticostatus and Heteroceras emericianus, France CC BY-SA 4.0 by Didier Descouens via Wikimedia  Commons.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
A few more pics of the Steel River northernontario.travel/paddling/ste... rugged and remote canoe route, approx. 170km & ~16 portages over 10 days with my son. No other humans from start to finish.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
10 days & 9 nights, not a single soul except moose, wolves, beavers, and grouse. Poured rain while we hunkered under a tarp on a sand spit one night. Swam in Cairngorm Lake two days prior and our boots and socks froze solid overnight two nights afterward. Weather was exactly seasonal and splendid.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Completed the Steel River Loop with my eldest son today. Gruelling in low water and chilly temps. But, exactly what I needed to wire my head back on.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Vibrating with anticipation.
Car and canoe parked a skip and a jump away from the Diablo portage.
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Doc Hammertime @dochammertime.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
WABAKIMI PHOTO DUMP 🧵 Float plane drop off is always exciting, we landed on Wabakimi Lake to begin our trip!
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Dezene Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · 22/09/2026
Just published a fun Open Access paper with several great co-authors from across the continent. Swimming caterpillars! 🐛 🏊‍♀️ 🪳🪲🧪 academic.oup.com/jinsectscien...
academic.oup.com
Diversity of swimming behavior in larval Lepidoptera
Abstract. Lepidoptera are a highly diverse lineage of predominantly terrestrial insects, yet their larvae occupy diverse habitats where they may experience
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
…contemplating how to launch a company called, “The Wiggling Doughnut” that specializes in fishing lures that spring into action upon sudden & unexpected exposure to water.
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GBIF @gbif.org · 22/09/2026
⭐ Celebrating 25 years of GBIF! ⭐ To mark GBIF’s 25th anniversary, a new open access article in the Biodiversity Data Journal provides a comprehensive overview of GBIF’s history, network and infrastructure. 📖 Read the article:🔗https://gbif.link/gbif25paper-news @bdj.pensoft.net @pensoft.net
A collage of various biological illustrations with the GBIF 25 year logo in the centre
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tidying up one of two papers to be delivered at @tdwg.org in two symposia sessions. I have some zingers like, "Arguments that the data held in walled garden Collections Management Systems are authoritative is rendered 'quaint' at their best, but shallow and breathless at their worst."
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Donna Giberson (Elbows UP!) 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @donnag.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
So sorry to hear today that Cedric Gillott (U.Saskatchewan) passed away Saturday. Many will know him from his textbook 'Entomology', but I knew him as my long-time partner in organizing & assembling the Bull. of the Ent. Soc. of Canada, & a fellow craft beer/cider lover. Rest in peace, my friend.
Photo of Cedric Gillott. Photo shows the head and shoulders of a white-haired man wearing glasses, and a pale blue shirt.Cover of a textbook called Entomology, by Cedric Gillott. It features a large moth and a beetle on a pale brown backing.
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Rod Page @rdmpage.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Should @biodivlibrary.bsky.social charge for access? That's the question I ask in forum.biodiversitylibrary.org/t/should-bhl...
forum.biodiversitylibrary.org
Should BHL charge for access?
Given that most people’s reaction to the question “should BHL charge for access?” is likely to be an emphatic NO! let me explain my goal here. I have no formal role in BHL, this post is purely me shoo...
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Am jealous! Happy paddling to you and your dad.
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Doc Hammertime @dochammertime.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Heading to Wabakimi Provincial Park tomorrow! Fly in/out into Wabakimi Lake for a pretty leisurely loop. Counter clockwise loop starting Up the flindt river, east across Brennan Lake, north down the Allan Water River back to Wabakimi Lake
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GBIF @gbif.org · 10/09/2026
🌺 You won't want to miss this one! You're invited to join the GBIF Science Symposium! The theme of the event, “From Open Data to Living Knowledge."🧬 This event is free to join in person at Universitetet i Oslo or through virtual livestream. 🔗 www.gbif.no/events/2... @gbifnorway.bsky.social
Photo of the University of Olso
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Nice! I see a stray "localhost" on the code links such as on iphylo.org/jstor-plant-...
iphylo.org
MIN - JSTOR
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Rod Page @rdmpage.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I've been revisiting a mapping I created between plant type specimens in @jstor.bsky.social Global Plants website and records in @gbif.org (see my blog post doi.org/10.59350/m59... for details). I've now released a crude website to explore the mappings iphylo.org/jstor-plant-...
doi.org
Where are the plant type specimens? Mapping JSTOR Global Plants to GBIF
Blog by Rod Page on biodiversity informatics, taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, knowledge graphs, and other topics.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Northern Algonquin paddle this Labour Day long weekend.
Brain Lake, Algonquin Provincial ParkTall & Skinny waterfalls in Algonquin Provincial ParkCliffs at Brain Lake
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Wow! That part doesn’t see much traffic, afaik. Should be a great trip. That’s good news about Mattice Lake Outfitters. Main lodge & its cabins ok?
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Through burns!? Eesh, that’d be hard to look at. As would Mattice Lake if you’re headed up that way. Hope to do the Steel/Diablo in a couple weeks.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Off to paddle a remote part of Algonquin Provincial Park this Labour Day weekend to see 250+ year-old black ash, hemlock, and yellow birch. And, to drink from Brain Creek of course.
Screenshot of North Algonquin paddling map by mapsbyjeff.com showing contours of old growth stands.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Find your flow, stay sharp & stave off dementia!
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Justin Ling @justinling.ca · 27/08/2026
Today's @xkcd.com
It's a stickman holding a hammer, lifting up his leg, and saying:

"Listen up, leg. I've been sending you rich, oxygenated blood for years, while you send me worthless used-up blood with no oxygen. Time to teach you a lesson about not ripping me off!"

It is captioned: tariffs
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Biodiversity Data Journal @bdj.pensoft.net · 25/08/2026
"Round-tripping of natural history data might help preserve institutional memory... so knowledge endures beyond individual careers." - David Shorthouse, guest editor of the collection. 🗓𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟏 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 Read more about this new BDJ collection on curation, #AI & collections data 👇
bdj.pensoft.net
New collection: Open Digital Curation of Collections-based Biodiversity Data
Biodiversity Data Journal (BDJ) launches a new topical collection, titled "Beyond Digitization: Open Digital Curation of Collections-based Biodiversity Data”, aimed at exploring the Open Di...
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Ash Whiffin @ashwhiffin.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We currently have TWO collections-based vacancies at National Museums Scotland! As part of the upcoming DiSSCo UK program, we’re seeking a Digitiser and Senior digitiser to work with our insect collection: careers.nms.ac.uk/vacancies (Apply by 31st August) #Digitisation #Insects #MuseumJobs
An multi-camera imaging set-up at NMSPreserved bumblebee specimens with data labels below each individual
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Working on this today but am too easily distracted by maps and canoe routes. Assuming I can focus my energies, come join me and the iDigBio community next week as I take a look at what's happened in 6 years of running Bionomia off the side of my desk.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Their shenanigans had broken up by this point, but here’s a taste of the splashing and singing. (audio up!)
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
From the shore of a remote lake in Algonquin this morning as the sun was burning off the fog, I witnessed a raft of loons in a large circle, each member doing a crazy cartwheel in sequence like teenagers at a skate park, followed by whooping and trilling. It was the most beautiful thing and I wept.
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Bon Hanson @bonhanson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
He came to explore Canada's beautiful landscapes and discovered why Canadians are known for being some of the kindest people in the world. ✌️🇨🇦 www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/ar...
ctvnews.ca
A New Zealander boarded a canoe to cross Canada. Then he discovered the nature of its citizens
A New Zealand man said his solo paddling adventure through Canada’s wilderness taught him about the Great White North’s majestic landscapes and the beauty of human nature.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Completed a 4-day canoe trip with my youngest son, James Macklin and his son to the Biscotasi Provincial Park area in northern Ontario, Canada. We took the last operating Budd train in the world from Sudbury & dropped off alone in the middle of nowhere.
Rail Diesel Train being loaded with canoes in Sudbury, OntarioRail Diesel train being loaded with a canoeTwo canoes at a campsite at sunrise in Biscotasi Provincial Park
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Distributed System of Scientific Collections @dissco.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Join the @dissco.bsky.social x #WiNoDa hackathon on machine annotation services (MAS) next October 14-15th and learn how to develop and connect these services directly to DiSSCo. 📖 Info: lnkd.in/dzR3VWAF 📌 Registration (deadline is 31 August 2026): lnkd.in/dih-tGmg @disscoflanders.bsky.social
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Jessica Budke 🌱🥼🔬 @mossplants.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Are you passionate about #naturalhistory #collections? Apply for our open position for the Herbarium Collections Manager @utkherbarium.bsky.social. We will start evaluating applications on Aug 17, so get your application in now. #Botany2026 #herbarium #jobs
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Last month of operations for ww.simplemappr.net. There are now a few solutions to replace most of the functionality. See the bottom of docs.google.com/document/d/1...
ww.simplemappr.net
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Robert Cubey @rcubey.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Two jobs at @thebotanics.bsky.social (RBGE) - National Project Manager Scotland & National Data Manager Scotland - join us in delivering @dissco.bsky.social in the UK www.rbge.org.uk/about-us/job...
rbge.org.uk
Vacancies | Working Here | What We Do
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Wayne Maddison @waynemaddison.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
A old-timer's concern about science as a chronic social medium, leading to the advice to spend time alone with nature and ideas. waynemaddison.wordpress.com/2026/07/25/s...
waynemaddison.wordpress.com
Science like no one is watching
I grew up largely unwatched. As children, David and I would go out and play unsupervised, free-range. We would go down to the ravine to explore nature. It was fun, but more than that, I think it wa…
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
PyMapper github.com/CalebHendren... by Caleb Hendren is desktop-capable & "...essentially a remake of SimpleMappr in Python." 😍
github.com
GitHub - CalebHendren/PyMappr
Contribute to CalebHendren/PyMappr development by creating an account on GitHub.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
static.klipy.com
Bob And Doug Mc Kenzie: The Great White North
Alt: Bob And Doug Mc Kenzie: The Great White North original hosers.
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Doc Hammertime @dochammertime.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
I’m back home in Detroit after a surreal couple weeks in Northern Ontario. The wildfires in and around Armstrong, Wabakimi Provincial Park devastated First Nations communities and outfitters. For the time being Armstrong itself seems to be spared.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Getting giggly about my next paddling adventure with my son. The Budd train to the headwaters of the Spanish River! There's something romantic about stopping the train on a remote lake, unloading, then watching it recede while you contemplate your life choices 🛶 www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzti...
youtube.com
Immersive railway POV through Canadian Shield in 4K | TRIPPING Train 185 (2023) | TVO Original
YouTube video by TVO Docs
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Robbed in Colombia by a gang of 30yr old men who preyed on their marks outside youth hostels. So he came home, unable to reach Peru as planned. A sad end for what was an otherwise safe and enriching experience.
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GBIF @gbif.org · 20/07/2026
Are you our next GBIF Executive Secretary? One week left to apply for this incredible position! ⭐ We're seeking a visionary leader with demonstrated experience in biodiversity science, international collaboration and organizational management. 🌱 🔗gbif.link/Executive-... Deadline: 24 July
A collection of various biodiversity drawings and photographs arranged in a collage on a cream-coloured background
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Natural Science Collections Alliance @nscalliance.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Join the #TaxonWorks conversation & explore their software & community. Loosely focused on three themes, #research, #collections, and getting started, there will be lots of opportunities for conversation. #iDigBio events.zoom.us/ev/AjGnrAbjA...
events.zoom.us
Talking with TaxonWorks: Connecting Collections and Research
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Doc Hammertime @dochammertime.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
More heartbreaking stories out of Wabakimi www.snnewswatch.com/local-news/o...
snnewswatch.com
Outfitter desperate to find help for canoeists surrounded by fire
Bruce Hyer of Wabakimi Wilderness Lodge is trying to locate a helicopter to extricate four clients.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
No!!! This is terrible.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
That sucks. Good luck to you! Seems like winds shift from the East on Thursday & with it some needed rain.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
…make that the NW end of Santoy.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Yikes! Be safe. Hope you don’t have to suck too much smoke climbing the Diablo portage. Apparently some new, easier portages on the NE end of Santoy up to Diablo Lake if you want to skip the grind.
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Looks like you’re headed to the Steel River!
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David Shorthouse @dshorthouse.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Microphorella shorthousei sp. nov 😍 Brooks & Cumming doi.org/10.11646/zoo...
doi.org
Revision of the Microphorella chiragra species group (Diptera: Dolichopodidae sensu lato : Parathalassiinae) | Zootaxa
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