iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Bumblebee Conservation Trust @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species, these four remain active in October 💛 Bumblebee nests come to their natural end in autumn. New queens seek undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring 🍂🐝 🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: ow.ly/LRS750ZNaOf

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 926: Don’t try to control every stage of the process. Make room for other people to do their job; and make room for surprise and spontaneity when doing yours.

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Barry Butler Photography @barrybutler9.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Harvest Moon rising behind Chicago Harbor Lighthouse on Saturday evening in Chicago.

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Today’s Autumn Arrival Spotlight is the Bar-tailed Godwit! 😍 These long-distance travellers fly from their Arctic breeding grounds to settle along UK mudflats, where they probe for bugs with upturned bills.

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🥖Kekeflipnote🥖 @kekeflipnote.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

In this period of time filled with AI stupidity, let's celebrate those we are not celebrating enough: Art supporters, Art commissioners THANK YOU! Thanks to YOU, many artists can do what they do the best and keep being productive but most importantly Artists can LIVE!

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Katherine Lam @ LBX 431 @katherinelam.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

badly done and very brief little guide about contrast when thinking about composition! this is really just the tip of the iceberg, but it is something i think about a lot! if you take one thing from this, its that composition is ALL about relationships between the elements. (1/2)

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Pip Wren @lollibeepop.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A joyous fat bear week to all 🐻

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Carole King @carolekingofficial.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Happy Fall! 🍁🍂🌻🪸 #autumnalequinox

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Karin Celestine @celestineandthehare.com · 22/09/2026

It is the autumn equinox tomorrow The equinox hare is on their way. Those who are quiet of heart and walk the hedge might catch a glimpse. Do say hello if you do

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Edward Ross @edwardross.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Hey, I know your mental health is probably in the gutter right now. If you're a creative freelancer (or even if you're not!) you might find some useful advice in this comic book guide I wrote for the @societyofauthors.bsky.social, with stunning art by a bunch of amazing creators (tagged in thread) 👇

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Harry Woodgate @harrywoodgate.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Authors, illustrators, screenwriters, poets etc. Please sign this open letter regarding the recent UK Supreme Court judgement on trans peoples’ rights to legal recognition. 🏳️‍⚧️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.com

An Open Letter of Solidarity With the Trans Community from UK Writers

NOTE: THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT TO PRESS AND RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC ON TUESDAY - UNTIL THEN, PLEASE ONLY SHARE WITH SMALL GROUPS AND TRUSTED INDIVIDUALS. The UK Supreme Court ruling of 17th April 2025...

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Switchboard - LGBTQIA+ Support Line @switchboard.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

We know today may feel especially heavy for our trans and non-binary siblings. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or affected by the UK Supreme Court’s decision, please know you’re not alone. We’re here for you every day from 10am to 10pm. #TransRights #Trans #NonBinary #SupremeCourt #Gender

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Dr Fern Riddell @drfernriddell.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

‘Transgender’ people have been with us for over 100 years, and what we would recognise as trans identities are found in our archives - in the UK alone - reaching as far back as the medieval era. 1/

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mothcub @mothcub.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

The baguette is the key.

Three panel comic. In the first panel, a bunny looks at baguettes on display and says, "mmm... breads".

In the second panel, the bunny holds a baguette above its head and says, "I'll take this one".

In the third panel, the bunny sits on the floor with the baguette, and says, "ahhh... now I have it all".

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Cartoon Brew @cartoonbrew.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

From teeny little super guys to animated dogs: Indie animation legend & Sesame Street animator Paul Fierlinger has died at 89. He carved out a singular path in animation — one marked by a distinct visual voice, a relentless work ethic, and a deep emotional honesty. Read his obituary here:

cartoonbrew.com

From Teeny Little Super Guys To Animated Dogs: Paul Fierlinger Dies At 89

Fierlinger carved out a singular path in animation — one marked by a distinct visual voice, a relentless work ethic, and a deep emotional honesty.

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Sarah McIntyre @sarahmcintyre.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

A message to the UK government: please respect our copyright 🙏 #MakeItFair #HandsOffOurCopyright 1/2

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Bluesky, will you ever let me post a pic? I seem to get an error message every time... 🥲

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Nicola Kent @nicolakent.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

IT'S THE LAST DAY TO DO THIS! Takes 20 mins with this help from the AOI which is easily adapted to others not just illustrators.

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ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 25/02/2025

The Government is siding with big tech over British creativity. Today is the FINAL chance to respond to their consultation on AI and copyright. Let's make sure creators' voices are heard. Guidance below 👇 #MakeItFair #PayTheCreator www.alcs.co.uk/news/your-ri...

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Nicola Kent @nicolakent.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

TWO DAYS left to respond to the UK Govt consultation on Copyright and AI. The AOI has created a brilliant guide to help with this - the consultation is onerous but their tips make completing it quick and easy for any creator, not just an illustrator. PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE: theaoi.com/news/the-cop...

theaoi.com

The Copyright and AI consultation - how to respond as an illustrator – The AOI

The Copyright and Artificial Intelligence consultation was published by in December 2024, and we are encouraging illustrators to submit a response to the consultation to demonstrate the negative affec...

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Harry Woodgate @harrywoodgate.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

This is a brilliant (& urgent) explainer of the current UK consultation on the use of copyrighted works in the training of generative AI - read, share, and pester your MPs using the links at the bottom of the post!

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Sarah McIntyre @sarahmcintyre.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

A handwritten letter on my illustration work desk to my local MP, Mel Stride, asking him to help UK children's book illustrators keep our copyright during the current AI policy consultation ✍️ @mrsteveantony.bsky.social @alcs-uk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social (Typed out in the alt text)

Dear Mr Stride, can you please help me and other UK children’s book illustrators?

The governing is considering AI policy measures that would make us, as copyright holders, ‘opt out’ if we don’t want tech companies breaching our copyright to train their systems. The big companies then use our own art in competition against us.

The UK ought to be proud of its children’s book tradition. Our artwork is exported all over the world, and by giving it away free, we’re ruining the industry. Children will be poorer: there’ll get dumbed-down, mechanical books that have no real person thinking hard about each aspect of them.

My colleague Steve Antony described it:
“It’s like allowing someone to break into my house and steal my belongings so that they can research, recycle and resell them, unless I stick a label on each and every one of my belongings that says ‘DO NOT STEAL’, even though the objects are clearly not theirs and clearly within someone else’s house. That house bring my copyright. It’s absolutely ridiculous, makes no sense, completely destroys existing copyright laws and insults every single one of us.”

Please, could you stand up for us and out copyright? If you could mention our concerns to Feryal Clark, Minister for AI & Digital Governent, and to Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industry, Arts & Tourism, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Warmest wishes, Sarah McIntyre,
Illustrator & Author, Bovey Tracey

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Emma Reynolds @emmaillustrate.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

URGENT 🚨 Our UK copyright is under threat. The MOST important thing we can do is encourage every author & artist we know to respond to the consultation itself - this post breaks it down so it's easy to do! Complete before 25th Feb! againstthebox.substack.com/p/time-to-ha... #kidlit #kidlituk

againstthebox.substack.com

NO, we don’t want to give up copyright protection

Follow these tips and tricks to complete the AI consultation in no time at all

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Children's Books North Network @cbnnetwork.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Writers!!! Don’t miss this fantastic event hosted by Seven Stories in Newcastle on 26th February 18:30pm, free entry 📚

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Today is #ReverseTheRedDay, uniting people worldwide to fight species decline. from UK wetlands to remote islands, conservation efforts are making a real difference, and proving that species recovery is possible. Here's 7 species we’re fighting for and why action matters...🧵

A striking close-up of an Atlantic Puffin against a vibrant green background. The bird holds a fresh sprig of green leaves in its colourful, triangular beak. Below, bold text reads "Reverse The Red Day" in white and red, followed by "Seven threatened species we’re fighting to save."

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Actually me, if I don't put that magical Avon Skin So Soft spray on in the summer

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Debbie Fong 🌲📬✨ @debbiefong.com · 29/01/2025

Happy Year of the Snake! 🧧🐍 I’m including this limited edition postcard print with all shop orders for the next few weeks (or until they run out)! Go get your own Coupon for Prosperity: www.pommopress.com

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Gale Galligan @galegalligan.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

drew this last july for a very delayed, currently-still-unreleased issue. be someone's moment

Page 2/4.

PANEL 1
Child Gale reading in bed.

Caption: That librarian didn't know if any of the books she gave me would open my world or show me myself or change my life, but she believed that they could.

Gale: what if I wrote a story?

PANEL 2
A teacher handing a paper back to Child Gale, who is sitting at a desk.

Caption: Every book, every librarian, every teacher could be that moment for someone.

Teacher: Creative ideas here. Keep it up.

PANEL 3
Same as the final panel of page 1 - the Claudia and Mean Janine cover - but with scribbles where Claudia and Janine used to be.

Caption: So to think of kids like me, reaching for a shelf where they might find themselves for the first time, and finding it empty because the adults have decided they don't belong -

PANEL 4
Waves of darkness, with floating book covers: All Boys Aren't Blue, Gender Queer, Melissa, Flamer, The Hate U Give.

Caption: To think of kids like me, dreaming of telling stories but not believing they can because there are no authors like them on the shelves --

PANEL 5
An empty space within Panel 4.

Caption: And to think of authors like us, wanting to reach back to those kids and pull them up, to share our histories and struggles and successes, to say you matter only to have author visits cancelled or books pulled from libraries schools book fairs or never have those books published at all.

CAPTION: It is heartbreaking. But you know this.

Page 3/4.

PANEL 1
Present-day Gale peeking out from a comic panel.

Gale: If you're reading this in Voices from the Middle, you are probably an English teacher in the United States.

PANEL 2
A montage, in light lines, of protest signs (Freedom =/ Censorship; No Book Bans) and news headlines (The Fight To Ban Books, The post-2020 surge in calls for banning books, visualized).

Caption: it is very likely that you have been watching the rising challenges facing our books all across this country. You may be fighting them in your school or district right now.

PANEL 3
Gale in line to vote, turning back to face the viewer.

Gale: So what you probably don't need is a cartoonist explaining book bans to you. You know what's happening, you know the stakes.

Gale: But!

PANEL 4
Gale leaning against a wall next to a potted plant.

Gale: Maaaybe there's a blank space on your wall? One that feels a little lonely?
Gale: Well~
Gale: I can help with that!

PANEL 5
Gale drawing at desk; a cat peeks over their chair.

Caption: Thanks for hanging out with me for these four issues! See you at the library!! ♥ Gale Galligan 2024

Caption: How To Use
1) Turn the page!
2) Photocopy a mini poster! (Or cut it out! No rules!!!)
3) Display and discuss!

Poster titled BANNED and CHALLENGED GRAPHIC NOVELS

Caption: Graphic novels are a popular target for challenges because...

PANEL 1

An astronaut in space.

Astronaut: Comics can convey complex ideas in accessible, entertaining ways.

PANEL 2
Person holding a comic. A prose novel sits on a pedestal with an ostentatious caption pointing to it saying "Real Book".

Person: Their educational value isn't as enshrined as other art forms.

PANEL 3
A person in a chicken costume addresses the reader. In the background, a critic yells at them.

Chicken: It's easier to take an image out of context than to read a whole prose book.
Critic: CHICKEN COMIC

PANEL 4

Caption: Stories have power.

Three drawings of authors follow, featuring attributed quotes for each.

Maia Kobabe, creator of Gender Queer, Borrowed & Banned interview, Nov 30, 2023: I do wonder sometimes whether one of the reasons my book in particular is being targeted is the fact that it shows this kind of very gentle, easy coming out story, and it shows that coming out can be quite celebratory...

Jerry Craft, creator of the New Kid books, NPR's Morning Edition interview, Dec 28, 2022: I hated reading books as a kid because - who were my heroes? The Black kid in Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn? There was no kid who looked like me that I was proud of.

Mike Curato, creator of Flamer, Banned in the USA Spotlight, pen.org: I wrote this book because I want to help young people who are in the vulnerable place I was when I was their age.

PANEL 5: FUN FACTS!

Caption: * Three of the ten most challenged books in America in 2023 were graphic novels. * Comics have been weathering censorship and challenges for decades. In the 1940s, people held public comic book burnings.

PANEL 6: FURTHER READING --
CBLDF: History of Comics Censorship
"I Made the Most Banned Book in America" - Maia Kobabe for The Nib, Sept 1, 2023
Addressing Comics Challenges Toolkit - ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table
PEN America's How to Fight Book Bans

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Rachel Sanson @rachelsanson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Also if you are an ✨✏️ILLUSTRATOR✏️✨ pleeease take two minutes to fill out this AOI survey on AI copyright laws and their impact on our careers. If nothing else you can click the options furiously and let some of that rage out 🌩️ rb.gy/hzrz6b

rb.gy

AI and Copyright Consultation Survey for Illustrators

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Describe your in person social skills with a GIF.

A GIF from the TV sitcom Frasier. Niles Crane looks apologetic, saying "She exhausts easily under the pressure to be interesting."

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Chloe Douglass @chloeillustrates.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

creativerightsinai.eaction.org.uk/MP If you've not already emailed your mp about the AI consultation, use this. It takes seconds. #kidlituk

creativerightsinai.eaction.org.uk

Safeguard Creative Rights in AI

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Did you take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend? Tell us what you saw! 👀 You've got 'til 23rd Feb to submit your results: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

A Nuthatch peers out from behind the textured bark of a tree, its sharp beak pointing upward with a crumb of food still clinging to the tip. Its sleek blue-grey back and warm buff underparts contrast beautifully against the soft green background. With an alert expression and a slight tilt of its head, it looks as if it’s waiting for something- perhaps a gentle reminder to submit your results!

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Animal Photo Reference Repository @animalphotorefs.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references. Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.

animal-photo-references.com

Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository

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Lucy Knisley @lucyknisley.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Hourly Comic Day is only a week away! Here’s a very earnest invitation to join in, and some advice from someone who’s been doing this for almost 20 years! Read my old ones here: www.lucyknisley.com/hourly-comic...

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A Tea Walks Home Alone at Night @teaberryblue.net · 23/01/2025

Hey, friends— Things are REALLY rough for political cartoonists right now. Their traditional clients are refusing to run their work. New clients can’t afford to pay them. A lot of political cartoonists are subsisting off patreons. If you share a political cartoon, please credit the cartoonist.

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

My most borrowed book of 23/24 was 'What's Next?' with @timothyknapman.bsky.social (Walker Books) - hooray for Baby Badger and his Dad! Glad there's still a lot of love for them out there 😊 🤍🦡🖤 #PLR

An illustration from 'What's Next?', a picture book by Timothy Knapman and Jane McGuinness. It shows Baby Badger and his Daddy snuffling in the earth for bluebell bulbs.

The cover for 'What's Next?', a picture book published by Walker Books. It shows Baby Badger looking up at the moon and stars, with flowers, mushrooms and creatures around him.

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Yes, this! I feel honoured and, well, blessed somehow on PLR day. The real practical, helpful impact of the payment, combined with being able to see that your books have really been read 100s, or 1000s, of times by kids across the country (at no cost to them!)... feels like a win-win kind of magic.

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Joel Morris @gralefrit.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Authors going on socials to say thanks for their PLR statement are a reminder that - despite what the likes of Zuckerberg say - people’s work is worth something, and that if you pay micropayments to creators, it makes a huge difference to their viability. Because lots of us don’t earn all that much.

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Sam Vimes 🫜 @reaper-man.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Friendly reminder: Now is 𝘯𝘰𝘵 the time for infighting. We stand together, or we fall alone.

Dominoes falling, with trans rights being the first to tip. Other dominoes are gay rights freedom of expression, women's rights, free love, free speech, democracy. People rush to shore up the defense. The words "United we stand, divided we fall" are displayed in the bottom text

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Happy PLR Day to everyone who celebrates! And readers, remember that not only do libraries give you access to a wide selection of books for free, the Government also pays authors a small sum for every time one of their books is borrowed from a public library... #ThisWritingLife

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Bearwood Parish Council @bearwoodcouncil.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

No one knows who constructed Binhenge or for what ancient purpose it was built. Some say it serves as an astronomical clock. Others say it was an altar constructed for cat worshipping purposes.

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Gale Galligan @galegalligan.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

and now, Art™️ (1/3)

Black and white zine cover:

A Zine of Things I Struggle to Draw on a Regular Basis — from memory

OR: "Hey I Hate This, Let's Do It For Fun

OR: "Please Buy This To Make My
Suffering Worthwhile"

OR: "You Think You're Going To Draw Your OCs Standing In A Void For The Rest Of Your Life And Then They Tell You People Have To "Exist" In The "World" And "Interact with Objects And Creatures"
For '''''Story Reasons''''''

Drawings of a knee, hand, burger, fire hydrant, and sink follow. At the bottom is the author’s name. It’s me, Gale Galligan.

Page 1. Title: Horse. Drawing of a goofy horse face is next to the title.
Subtitle: starting off strong.

A simple illustration of a horse follows with written notes. A word balloon emerges from the horse: “whinny.”

Text:

I loved horse stories when I was a kid, and
would look upon this with horor and shame.

BIG, SOULFUL EYES

(Next to an arrow pointing to ears:) i can only draw rabbits.

the most majestic friend of humans

(Above butt:) basically a big dog in the back???

(Above face:) oh god do they have cow noses or

I immediately regret deciding to do this from memory

(By knee:) NO

(Between legs:) knobbly backwards nonsense

(By hoof:) omg flats

The problem is, people who like horses know horses very well and will mercilessly destroy a poorly-researched horse drawing.

Page 2. Title: Baseball Cap. Drawing of baseball cap next to title, with a word balloon saying “chaos”.

Subtitle: the second most cursed hat after tricorns

Fun fact: I had no idea how to draw these before working on the BSC books.

Drawings of baseball caps in various positions follow, with written notes.

Text:

does it point up? down? sideways???

(By a hat saying “quack”:) cool tip: just draw a duck

(By a person wearing a baseball cap looking up:) aaaaa

(Pointing at the brim of a cap:) it’s all fun and games until the wiggly bit

¡ put together a pinterest of kristen stewart in hats and that helped

(Pointing at inside of baseball cap:) head goes here

(Pointing at back of cap:) sometimes a ponytail in here

(Pointing at top of cap:) more of a snapback??

WHY IS THE BRIM WIGGLY!!!

(Around a head wearing hat facing forward saying “ha ha”:) how to draw facing forward?? (answer: don’t)

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clunse bungis @clunse.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

one of my favorite pictures of all time

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Jane McGuinness @janemcguinness.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Been pretty good at approaching tasks in several different areas today, but every area of life right now feels like digging my way out of a gorge with a teaspoon... things could definitely be worse! But it'd be nice to feel more immediately effectual 🫥

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Coots on ice, wheee. DYK? Coots have lobed toes. They spread out in water for swimming and fold on land for walking...or skating? 😎

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