iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

This dahlia variety is called Hart’s Bonnie. Note the thin red highlights on every petal - neat! #dahlia #flower

Yellow dahlia flower with thin red highlights on every petal. Set against a solid black background.

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

This is a Water Scorpion, plying the waters of Parish Lake Oregon yesterday. These predatory insects breath through a siphon at the end of their long abdomen, while they hunt just under the surface. #bug #insectphotography #aquaticinsects #waterscorpion

A stick-like bug floats just under a water surface littered with dead bug parts.

021

Reposted by Jonathan Ley

American Birding Association @aba.org · 23/07/2026

The white-eyes are coming! And in a few parts of the ABA Area, they are already here and spreading. Rajan Rao is a California birder and Cornell University student whose article about white-eyes was the cover story of the May 2026 issue of Birding magazine… Listen here: www.aba.org/the-white-ey...

aba.org

The White-Eyes are Coming with Rajan Rao - American Birding Association

071

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Yum! This Turkey Vulture found a snack - a mole. Trouble was, he couldn’t get any leverage to rip it up. After grabbing, prodding, and tossing it around, the vulture flew off with it. Maybe it needs to ferment a bit. At a wildlife refuge along the Columbia River. #bird #birdphotography #vulture

A large bald-headed bird - a turkey vulture - stands on the ground, and holds a small animal in its beak.

0110

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

This Townsend’s Solitaire - a type of thrush - perched just for a moment below a scenic overlook high in Oregon’s Columbia River gorge. You have to look fast if you want to see the most interesting birds! #bird #birdphotography #thrush

A gray bird with a white eye-ring is perched on the tip of a dead branch.

0231

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

When I saw there was a #BirdOfTheDay theme of stepping out or walking, I thought of this photo I took of a Northern Rough-winged Swallow actually running down a ledge in Chicago. They have such tiny legs. Not sure I've ever seen another one doing this. #bird #birdphotography #swallow

A grayish-brown bird with wings tucked back steps toward the camera.

2331

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This particular Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a celebirdy here in Oregon. It’s the first one ever spotted in our state. It’s been playing hide-and-seek in the vast Summer Lake wildlife refuge for the past month. #bird #birdphotography #heron

The upper half of a large gray bird with a white cheek, long dark bill, yellow eye, and wispy yellow crown.

0202

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Close up and personal with a Clark’s Nutcracker. I took this photo from a bird blind in central Oregon. It was so close this view filled the frame. You can see the outline of the blind in the reflection in the bird’s eye. #bird #birdphotography #nutcracker #jay

Close up view of a bird’s head. The feathers are all gray, the beak and eyes black.

0221

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This is a Belding’s Ground Squirrel- the little guys you see racing across the roads in eastern Oregon, tempting fate. This one was thankfully nowhere near a road… about a week ago. #wildlifephotography #oregon #squirrel

A side-view of a small light tan rodent as it pauses on a bed of pine needles.

0161

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

These petroglyphs at Picture Rock pass north of Summer Lake take a bit of sleuthing in the bush to find. Not sure exactly how old they are, but people have inhabited this location for many millennia. This is what was important to them. #petroglyph #landscapephotography #oregon

A large flat rock is inscribed with human and animal figures of various sizes- about four animals and three human figures.

0144

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

This Cassin’s Sparrow is a typical “little brown bird” most people wouldn’t take a second look at. But if you know birds, it’s more like “cool! A Cassin’s Sparrow… at least I think it is… is it?” This was last week in central Oregon. #bird #birdphotography #sparrow

A small light-brown bird with light streaking on its head is perched on a log, facing the camera with its head turned to the side.

0342

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Lewis’s Woodpeckers are striking birds, especially when the light hits them just right. These are gregarious birds - living communally, looking out for each other. This one was in central Oregon last week. #bird #birdphotography #woodpecker

1346

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Pinyon Jays are social birds - living in extended family flocks that help each other defend nests, find food and so forth. They are in serious decline unfortunately. I spotted this one in central Oregon last week. Such an elegant bird! #bird #birdphotography #pinyonjay #jay

0110

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

This Clark's Grebe was plying the waters north of Summer Lake Oregon a few days ago... still is, I suppose. Most birders already know - if the eye is in the white, it's Clark's Grebe, if it's in the black, Western Grebe. #bird #birdphotography #grebe

0121

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Lake Abert is huge, yet unfamiliar even to most Oregonians. It's a 65 sq. mile inland sea - no outflows means the shallow water accumulates salt. A handful of similar lakes stretch from south central Oregon into northern California. If you want solitude, it's here. #lakeabert #landscapephotography

060

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Music and Nature come together in “In a Landscape” - an outdoor classical piano concert series by Hunter Noack. I attended this recent concert at Summer Lake, Oregon - under the stars (most IaL performances are in daylight). It was sublime. #inalandscape #piano #photography

160

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

I saw this Red Crossbill yesterday in central Oregon. These birds wander the west in search of conifer cones they pry open with their unique beaks. #bird #crossbill

1194

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Lazuli Bunting letting it all out this spring in east Portland. I feel like these guys have been expanding their range locally in recent years, and I’m all for it! #bird #birdphotography #bunting

0261

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I’ve seen Mountain Quail a few times, but only fleeting views. This is the best I’ve seen yet, but there’s lots of room to improve, which keeps me motivated! #bird #quail #birdphotography

0140

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A MacGillivray’s Warbler singing along the Metolius River in Oregon, a few days ago. #bird #birdphotography #warbler

0101

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This White-headed Woodpecker was drinking from the Metolious River in Oregon. It repeatedly dipped its bill into the water like a straw. The central Oregon Cascades is one of the best places to see woodpeckers in the US. #bird #woodpecker #birdphotography

090

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

I haven’t posted in some time, but let’s give Bluesky another go. This Common Merganser family is on the go! Along the Metolius River in Oregon a couple days ago. #bird #duckling

0221

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Just a simple photo of some Oregon Grape from the other day's hike through the Tillamook State Forest in Oregon's coast range. #oregon #oregongrape #naturephotography #landscapephotography

0100

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

This is a juvenile Pacific Wren I watched for a while yesterday. Its parents stopped by with a mouthful of bugs at one point. #bird #birdphotography #pacificwren #wren

0171

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

A view of the Milky Way over Shadow Lake, in the heart of the Wind River mountains of Wyoming. Wish I was there now... in a galaxy far far away. #landscapephotography #windriver #nightphotography #stars #milkyway

0162

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

I encountered this Yellow-bellied Marmot high in the alpine tundra of the Wind River Mountains. #wildlifephotography #windriver #marmot #naturephotography

070

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

The Black Rosy-Finch is a enigmatic denizen of the central Rocky Mountains. It's one of the least-studied songbirds in North America, as it breeds in rocky boulder fields and cliffs well above the tree line. This one was molting, giving it a disheveled look. #bird #birdphotography #blackrosyfinch

060

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

A view of the Shark's Nose in the alpenglow from over Shadow Lake. This is in the heart of the Wind River mountains of Wyoming. #mountain #landscapephotography #windriver #backpacking

050

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

A Pine Grosbeak, going through its summer molt deep in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. #bird #birdphotography #naturephotography #pinegrosbeak

090

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

A classic scene of lakes and mountains, at Bear Lake in the south part of the Wind River Mountains. We had the lake to ourselves. #backpacking #landscapephotography #windriver #hiking

0120

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

This Clark's Nutcracker was living up to its name - you can see the pine nut in its beak. This was in the middle of Wyoming's Wind River mountains. #bird #birdphotography #clarksnutcracker #naturephotography

1262

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Crossing the South Fork Little Wind River with Payson Peak in the distance. This was part of a week long backpacking loop through the heart of Wyoming's southern Wind River range. #backpacking #landscapephotography #hiking

090

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

When you see American Pikas bouncing around the alpine rocks, putting all their effort into blurting out a "meep" like a dog's squeeze toy, how could you do anything but smile. This one was at about 12,000ft elevation in the Wind River Range. #pika #wildlifephotography #windriver #backpacking

061

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Shadow Lake, in the heart of the Wind River mountains of Wyoming. This place is over a day's hike from the nearest trailhead. #backpacking #landscapephotography #windriver

0410

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

This Mountain Chickadee was at about 10,000ft elevation deep in the southern Wind River Range. #bird #birdphotography #mountainchickadee #naturephotography

1602

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

A view over Deep Creek Lakes in the Wind River mountains of Wyoming. This was part of a 66-mile loop through the southern part of the range. #landscapephotography #windriver #backpacking #hiking #mountain

080

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

This Rhinoceros Auklet was in Puget Sound. I can't tell what kind of little fish is in its mouth, but looks tasty! #bird #auk #birdphotography #naturephotography #rhinocerosauklet

0231

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

I went kayaking in Hood Canal (a fjord in the Olympic peninsula) last week, and about 40+ Harbor Seals were cruising around, checking us out. #wildlifephotography #harborseal #seal

070

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

This is the skeleton of a giant Allium that bloomed earlier in the summer in our garden. Sure, the flower is neat, but this is a whole different way to enjoy the plant - and it doesn't need watering! #flowerark #flower #allium #flowerphotography

050

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

A clump of Phlox growing on the side of a rock near the summit of 'Valhalla' in the Olympic Peninsula's Buckhorn Wilderness. #flower #phlox #landscapephotography

070

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

This Hermit Thrush was calling out to it's fledglings to "come and get it", forcing them to chase their food, and not wait for it to be delivered. Good lesson. This was in the Olympic National Forest last week. #bird #birdphotography #hermitthrush #naturephotography.

Close up photo of a brown songbird with a spotted breast, and two juicy bugs in its bill - a yellow caterpillar and a large ant.

0120

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

The Buckhorn Wilderness on the east side of Olympic National Park is home to an ancient forest of Western hemlocks, Douglas fir, Western redcedar and many other varieties. This photo is from last week. #landscapephotography #oldgrowth #forest #trees #olympicnationalpark

0100

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

I encountered a pair of Barred Owls last week in a local forest. People ask how I find these owls - more details in the comments. I like how the forest is reflected in this one's eyes - the world it inhabits is being projected back at us. #bird #birdphotography #owl #barredowl #superbowl

3141

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

A few days ago, I hiked up to this viewpoint (nicknamed Valhalla) in the Buckhorn Wilderness, immediately east of Olympic National Park in the US Pacific Northwest. The large mountain is The Brothers, which I last climbed over 20 years ago. #landscapephotography #olympicnationalpark #wilderness

Mountains on the horizon, coated in bits of clouds, a valley filled with clouds below, and a thick green forest in the foreground.

2382

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

White-tailed Eagle, coming in HOT! - In the Lofoten Islands, Norway. I'll be posting more from Norway in the future, but I'm going to move on to other locations and subjects for a while. #bird #birdphotography #norway #whitetailedeagle #eagle

0140

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

A view over some alpine tundra in the highlands of Norway. The ground here is mostly covered in lichen, and has the feel of a very soft sponge. It's like walking on clouds. No wonder the ancients considered mountaintops sacred ground. #landscapephotography #tundra #norway

1392

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

A Northern Gannet soars over the ocean at Runde, Norway. There's a colony of these elegant seabirds on the sheer cliffs, facing the sea. #bird #birdphotography #northerngannet #boobies #norway

0330

Jonathan Ley @jonathanley.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

An iconic waterfall deep in Geiranger Fjord, Norway. They call this the Seven Sisters. Though, it seems a lot of things are named "Seven Sisters" throughout Norway and the world. #waterfall #landscapephotography #fjord #norway #geiranger

0100