iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I can't say these photos will win any awards, but warbler season in Pittsburgh (Clayton Hill at Frick Park specifically) sure is fun! On this particular outing a few weeks back, I got FIVE new life listers. Woo! #birding #birds #warbler 🪶

A Blackburnian Warbler high up in the trees. The photo is a bit grainy, but you can make out the flame-orange throat.

A somewhat grainy photo of a Yellow-rumped Warbler perched on a tiny branch in front of two thick tree trunks. The bright yellow marking on its side is visible.

A grainy photo looking up at Black-throated Green Warbler perched on a thin branch against the sky. The solid black throat and bright yellow face are visible.

A grainy photo of a Chestnut-sided Warbler perched on a branch. The yellow cap atop the black and white face is visible, as is the distinctive chestnut colored streak on its side.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Been seeing a lot of very cute catbirds around Pittsburgh lately. Here is one I saw while at the zoo! #birds 🪶

A Gray Catbird perched on a thin branch in front of green foliage. The medium-sized bird is gray with a black cap.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

A new life lister for me! Saw a pair of them creeping up the tree. Cute! #birding 🪶

A Brown Creeper on a tree trunk. The creeper is white underneath and streaked brown and grey on top.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

A few song sparrows from my walk this morning. They really are quite pretty aren't they? #birding 🪶

A Song Sparrows perched in a bare tree. The brown streaked back is visible, with the bird looking back over its shoulder.

A Song Sparrow perched on a broken stump. The sparrow is streaked brown, and is looking back at the viewer over its shoulder.

A Song Sparrow perched on a stick just above the ground. The sparrow faces us. It has brown streaked wings and a white belly with brown streaks.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Another life lister from my recent trip! #birding 🪶

A Lincoln's Sparrow perched on a reed. It has a gray belly and brown wings and head, with sharp streaks of dark brown.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Replace the cross with the angel Moroni, and you have what I saw in Utah back when I was still a believing Mormon. Passages like Matt 25:35-46 come to mind...

A four panel comic depicting MAGA-style Christianity. First panel shows a figure saying "fucking foreigners." Second panel shows the figure approaching a church saying "fucking gays". The third panel shows the figure kneeling before a cross saying "I love you, Jesus". Fourth panel shows the figure leaving the church saying "fucking poor people".

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Another life lister from my recent trip. I missed the shot, but I actually saw this kite strike its prey. Nature is metal! #birding 🪶

A White-tailed Kite perched at the top of a tree. We see the grey wings and back, black bars on the shoulder, and the white head looking back at us.

A White-tailed Kite perched in a tree, having recently landed after catching its prey.

A White-tailed Kite perched on a tree, tearing into its meal.

A White-tailed Kite perched in a tree, holding its prey in its talons while looking to the right.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Another shot from my recent work trip. #birding 🪶

A juvenile White-crowned Sparrow perched on a branch, stretched out to eat a berry. The sparrow has a gray underbelly and brown and gray streaked wings.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

When traveling for work, the time zone difference makes it easy for me to spend a bit more time on the walk between the hotel and office. Shots like this make it well worth the extra effort! #birding 🪶

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I'd say my work trip was pretty successful - here is one of the seven new life listers I got! #birding 🪶

A Say's Phoebe perched on top of some Curly Dock. The Phoebe is a gray flycatcher with a distinctive salmon-orange belly.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

I dodged the snow back East and got screamed at by this little guy. #birding 🪶

A Spotted Towhee perched in a tree. The towhee has a black head with red eyes, a white underbelly with orange flanks, and black wings with white spots.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Does this mean I can finally uninstall Balatro? Or do I instead go for Completionist++?

A screenshot of Balatro achievements. The "Completionist+" achievement getting a win with every deck on Golf Stake difficulty is selected. This achievement was earned Jan 19, 2026.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Briefly put, I look like a Republican (I'm most definitely not) and multiple queer folk in my life told me I'd look a safer person if I painted my nails. Done, but I have a question: how the fuck do y'all do stuff (in my case, dishes) with your nails done?

A photo of a hand with short, painted nails. The nails are painted black with some dark greenish reflective streaks. The nail polish is chipping on all five fingers, with a large fleck missing from the middle finger.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Not bad for a city of 300K. I was glad to be there, and glad that one of my teens wanted to come. No matter how this ugly chapter of US history gets, I want my children to know that I stood up for what is right. #Pittsburgh #NoKings #TrumpIsAJagoff www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh...

High aerial shot of the Oct 18 No Kings protest in Pittsburgh. A crowd of thousands can be seen filling the street and parking lotoutside the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

A tufted titmouse playing peekaboo. Very cute. #birds 🪶

A tufted titmouse perched on a branch, partially obscured behind a large green leaf. The titmouse has a cream colored belly, with rusty highlights on its flanks, with grey wings and tail, with a black patch above its short black bill.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

This isn't the greatest shot of a kingfisher ever, but I love kingfishers, and this was my one chance to see one and I got the shot! Taken two weeks ago on the shore of Lac Inferieur while exploring the Bois de Boulogne in Paris #birds 🪶

A Common Kingfisher perched on the exposed roots of a tree overlooking the banks of a lake. The kingfisher is a small bird with vibrant teal upperparts and bright orange underparts.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

New life lister! Too bad I didn't actually see the male she was calling out to. #birds 🪶

A female Indigo Bunting perched on a twig up in the green foliage. Unlike the blue males, this female has a light underbelly and brown wings.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

The photo isn't great since he insisted on staying so high up in the canopy, but this Scarlet Tanager is one of THREE life listers I got today. Woo! #birds 🪶

The underside of a Scarlet Tanager perched on a thin branch, with green foliage in the background. The breeding male is a brilliant orange-red, except for its wings and tail, which are solid black.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

"Watch closely while I show you how to find dinner!" It was super fun to watch this red-bellied woodpecker interact with its two fledglings. It was also hilarious when one fledgling tried to peck and straight up just fell off the tree before flying off. 🤣 #birds 🪶

Two red-bellied woodpeckers through the foliage. Center-left is an adult woodpecker with white and black coloration on its back. It stares intently at a tree trunk. On a skinny branch off to the right is a fledgling, which is a bit fuzzier and gray.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

What a messy eater! I watched this guy go to town until there was nothing left on the stalk! #birds 🪶

A Lesser Finch eating fluffy seed on the end of a stalk. The finch has a black cap, striking yellow underbelly, and an olive back with black and white highlights. The bird holds a seed with fluffy hairs in its beak. Some additional fluff is stuck to its head.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

This Barn Swallow is pretty freaking adorable if you ask me. #birds 🪶

A Barn Swallow perched on a narrow reed in a marsh, with its face and breast illuminated by golden hour sun.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

What in the #Pittsburgh hell is this? Apparently they were "on sale" so we "had to try them" or something... I'll report back later on this monstrosity.

A package of Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle Crunchy Cheetos.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Look at that cutie! Spotted near Shoreline Lake in East Palo Alto while on a work trip. Was cramming a camera into my carry-on worth it? I'd say so. #birds 🪶

A Black Phoebe perched on the flat top of a fence post. The small bird has almost fuzzy dull black feathers with a white underbelly. It had a small thin black beak and black eyes. The wooden fence post is sun bleached and the vegetation in the background is out of focus.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

It was early morning and arguably the sun was in the wrong direction, but I rather like how this shot turned out! #birds 🪶

The dark silhouette of a Double-crested Cormorant swimming in the water. A small wake trails the bird's body, and the reflection of the bird's head can be seen on the water.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Traveling for work and got this new life lister! #birds 🪶

A Western Kingbird perched on a wire fence.

A Western Kingbird perched on a branch with green foliage in the background.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

I went out looking for warblers for my life list and got four new additions! They're rather uncooperative subjects for photography though - not like this cute little guy. #birds 🪶

A floofed up house sparrow perched on an old wood fence post.

A house sparrow perched on an old wood fence post.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

The warblers were out in force today, but this song sparrow was the most cooperative subject. #birds 🪶

A song sparrow perched on a tangle of small branches. The sparrow has coarse brown steaks, and is looking over its shoulder back at the camera.

A song sparrow perched on a tangle of small branches. The sparrow has coarse brown steaks, and is lifting its head up to sing.

A song sparrow perched on a tangle of small branches. The sparrow has coarse brown steaks, and is looking to the right.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I don't know why, but this side-by-side cracks me up. Guess I should have cranked up the shutter speed! #birds 🪶

A downy woodpecker perched on a reed, but with a very blurry head from its fast pecking motion.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Bluejays may be assholes at the feeder, but they sure are pretty! #birds 🪶

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

The wren was surprisingly still for a bit while I took this pic. Probably trying to remember if it turned off the oven before zipping off to go check. 🪶

A Carolina Wren perched on a branch. The wren is a small rusty brown bird with a short tail and a distinctive white eye stripe.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The same hawk after missing its quarry. It actually ended up tangled in the grass and after shaking loose came up empty taloned. 🪶

A Red-tailed Hawk on the ground. Its wings are outstretched and its talons are buried in tangled dry grass.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

I'm certainly anthropomorphizing a bit, but this hawk looks downright sad. To be fair, moments before this, I watched it try and fail to catch some lunch and it was erm...not majestic 😅 #birds 🪶

A Red-tailed hawk perched a branch looking back over its shoulder. The hawk has a brown patterned back, with its namesake tail clearly visible.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

The office got a new toy. Don't think I'll use it again, but it gave me a chuckle. Also, for erm...reasons...my site has a thing with llamas.

A white mug with printed latte art of a llama wearing a baseball cap.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

I spotted this little guy on my walk to work this morning. House Sparrows have been living alongside us for as long as we've had permanent settlements, so in some sense, I think they're a reflection of us. They're also quite pretty if you ask me. #birds 🪶

A male House Sparrow perched on a power line in front of a red brick house. The sparrow has bright brown wings with black streaks, a cream underbelly, and a black bib under creamy cheeks. The short black beak holds a yellow seed.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Photographing one of these hyperactive little guys has been tricky - they're so tiny and just won't stay in frame! They are cute though! #birds 🪶

A Golden-crowned Kinglet clinging to the trunk of a tree. The tiny songbird has olive-green plumage, a creamy underside, and a bright yellow crown stripe, bordered by black lines.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Right, but the king is a figurehead. The actual power rests with Prime Minister Musk, who is currently fucking with us all despite not having been nominated or confirmed by the Senate, and despite the fact that Congress never authorized DOGE or its any of its bullshit.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

It was bitter cold today at Frick Park but that didn't stop this floofed up Downy from looking for lunch. 🪶

A Downy Woodpecker hanging on a narrow tree trunk staring intently at a small hole. The woodpecker has a fluffy white underbelly, black wings with rows of white spots, and a red spot on the back of its head.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

This White Throated Sparrow is showing us the true meaning of the word 'borb'. #birds 🪶

A White-Throated Sparrow perched in the middle of a thicket. The sparrow has fluffed up its feathers so much that its body appears to be a feathery orb. The head poking out of the orb has a white throat, yellow lores, and white stripes on its black crown.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

I've been trying for weeks to get a photo of a Belted Kingfisher. They are easy to find, but usually I just see a flash of movement accompanied by the tell-tale atatatatata zipping away up the river bank. Today though, I finally found a cooperative subject and I'm stupidly happy about it. #birds 🪶

A Belted Kingfisher perched on a branch.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Without downloading any new pictures where are you mentally?

A photograph of La commedia illumina Firenze by Domenico di Michelino on the wall of Florence Cathedral. The painting depicts Dante holding his famous poem in front of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I'm still mad about the Belted Kingfisher shot getting spoiled by a drone, but at least I got this shot of a Cooper's Hawk. #birds 🪶

A Cooper's Hawk perched in a bare tree. The hawk has a gray cap and back, white underside with rusty barring on its chest, and barred tail. The hawk is perched upright on a branch and is looking to the left so its face and beak are visible against the cloudy sky.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

The temperature is finally above freezing (33°F is technically above freezing) so we went out to Allegheny Cemetery. That's two new life listers for me! #birds 🪶

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Even after reading about ptiloerection, countercurrent heat exchange, metabolic rates, and so on, it blows my mind that birds can survive below freezing temps while I barely manage my walk to the bus with multiple layers on. Anyways, here is a Blue Jay, completely unbothered by the cold. #birds 🪶

A Blue Jay perched on a sawed off post. The Blue Jay has iridescent blue feathers, fluffy white belly, and a black collar.

A Blue Jay perched on a sawed off narrow branch. The Blue Jay has iridescent blue feathers, fluffy white belly, and a black collar.

A Blue Jay perched on the end of a broken off branch The Blue Jay has iridescent blue feathers, fluffy white belly, and a black collar.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I finally figured out how to use the manual focus and managed to redeem myself a bit with this shot of a cardinal in the snow. #birds 🪶

A male Northern Cardinal perched on a thin branch in the snow. The cardinal is entirely red except for it's black face and orange beak. It's a bit fluffy looking, presumably because of the cold snow.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

In my opinion the Tufted Titmouse is an adorable bird. Despite the cold I had some more luck with them today. It was especially fun seeing one of them stashing seed into a crevice of a dead tree. #birds 🪶

A Tufted Titmouse perched on a lone branch. This bird has greyish upper parts, white underparts, and rusty flanks. It has a distinctive pointed crest, and a black forehead.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

A Dark-eyed Junco braves the cold to strike a pose. #birds 🪶

A Dark-eyed Junco perched on a snow-covered branch. The bird is dark gray on top, and white underneath. The bird is small, nestled in the branches of the leafless, snow-covered tree.

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Flip @flippityflip.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

After trying for quite some time, I finally got an okay pic of a tufted titmouse. They just don't sit still! Taken at Frick Park in Pittsburgh. #birds 🪶

A tufted titmouse on snow covered ground. The bird is grey with a white underbelly, with rusty-orange just under its wing.

A tufted titmouse perched on a snow covered branch.

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