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matthewdickerson.bsky.social

@matthewdickerson.bsky.social
534 followers 95 following 239 posts
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Reposted by @matthewdickerson.bsky.social
Thomas Dickerson @elfprince13.mumak.app · 31/07/2026
@matthewdickerson.bsky.social poem alert
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Just learned that my book "Ents, Elves, and Eriador" w/ Jonathan Evans on the environmental vision of #JRRTolkien was released in Italian translation. It's the 1st one listed on the publisher's #Tolkien page. Nice to see it finding new readers and continued life. fedecultura.com/products/ent...
fedecultura.com
Ent, Elfi ed Eriador - Matthew Dickerson e Jonathan Evans
Scopri la visione ecologica cristiana in Tolkien: Elfi, Ent e Hobbit come custodi della Terra. Un saggio che illumina l’attualità del suo mito.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Connect the photos however you’d like in your imagination. But for me one evening last week, they were part of the same narrative — one I didn’t have to imagine. For the record, in case it helps you gauge proximity, both were with the same wide angle lens. And both taken from the same canoe.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
This little red-eyed vireo collided with our window. Badly stunned, it spent 10 minutes on my hand and lap with eyes closed, then another 7 standing and looking around before it suddenly flew off into the woods. I hope it is the same #vireo I heard singing for an hour this evening. #birds
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Morning walk in the woods of Vermont. Surprised by a close visit from a female black-throated warbler. #birdwatching #morningwalk #warblers
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Flocks of #warblers migrating through. Some stay for the summer. So many sings and colors! #Thrushes are back too. It’s been beautiful and delightful to see and hear. A few sightings new to my life list: northern parula, black-throated blue warbler, and black-throated green warbler. All photos mine.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
First #morningwalk of 2026 with large numbers of white trillium fully in bloom along with the red trillium, trout lily, spring beauties, blood root, and Dutchman’s Britches spread out along the trails and forest floor.
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Reposted by @matthewdickerson.bsky.social
Thomas Dickerson @elfprince13.mumak.app · 28/04/2026
New @matthewdickerson.bsky.social alliterative verse just dropped
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Ruby Fairy Slippers. Because there’s no place like home. Or, rather, no place like the little vernal spring in the woods near my home. #morningwalk #vermont #fungi
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Trout lily, hepatica, spring beauty, Dutchman’s britches, and trillium are all up and all but the last of those are blossoming. #morningwalk #wildflowers #considerthelilies
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Some new bird sightings over the past week on my #morningwalk and #eveningwalk. A brown creeper and a pine warbler. The camo on the creeper is very good against the maple bark.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
For #jrrtolkien folks interested in Icelandic or Old Norse. I visited Iceland on route from speaking at the Tolkien Conference in Zurich. Highlights included lunch with this reviewer www.bokmenntiroglistir.is/blog/dickerson (head of the Icelandic Lit. Soc.) and visiting an exhibit of Old Norse mss.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Newly posted essay on #jrrtolkien and his #middleearth writings: washingtoninst.org/grief-and-so...
washingtoninst.org
Grief and Sorrow in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth: the Importance of Lament and the Wisdom of Gandalf | The Washington Institute
What does it mean to lament? What does lament mean to you? At a basic level, to lament is to express sorrow or grief—usually visibly or audibly (or both), often in prayer or song or poetry. Lament can...
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
WENDELL BERRY, The Hidden Wound “…no man is alone, because he cannot be; he cannot arrange it so that either the good or the bad effects of his life will apply only to himself; he can only live in the creation, among the creatures, his life either adding to the commonwealth or subtracting from it.”
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
I will be speaking at this #jrrtolkien conference in Zurich in March on “Leadership in Middle-earth.” tolkien-tagung.ch There’s a great cast of speakers & it’s hybrid; online participation is free: tolkien-tagung.ch/contact-us My talk will focus on lament and leadership esp modeled by Gandalf.
tolkien-tagung.ch
Home Page
This is the official website of the one and only original Tolkien Conference Switzerland organized by the University of Zurich, the University of Lausanne, and the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
For those who live in the northeast and enjoy wildlife and wilderness landscape art. #middleburyvermont #photography #painting #art
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
A new review of an older book about #jrrtolkien and #ecology www.bookbub.com/reviews/6463...
bookbub.com
D. Art McKinney recommends Ents, Elves, and Eriador
An excellent analysis of Tolkien and his approaches to the environments of Middle-earth. Thought-provoking with well-supported information both within and without Tolkien's world.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Moonlight falls on the snowy woods, meadow, solar panel & woodshed. Cedar & pine, black birch & ash & sugar maple. And in the distance, a lone spruce where two mornings earlier four deer were browsing on spruce tips while an owl hunted from solar panel perch. #winterinvermont #lastdayofchristmas
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Words of wisdom from Norman Wirzba @nwirzba.bsky.social Certainly something I want to have in mind as a teacher.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
For the next nearly six months I get to watch the sunrise slowly moving northward. Wherever it comes up, I always enjoy its first peeking of the morning over the Green Mountains.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
#morningwalk on the Maine coast in mist
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Want to live on (escape to) another planet? I understand the impulse! Here’s a profound and important idea from my current read: “This Sacred Life”, by philosopher & writer Norman Wirzba @nwirzba.bsky.social whose many books I have found deeply thoughtful and moving. #goodbooks #transhumanism
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
I really enjoyed this conversation about rivers, fly fishing, ecology, and native fish with Katie for her Fish Untamed podcast. It’s a wonderful podcast with some great guests and topics. www.fishuntamed.com/podcast/epis... #flyfishing #riverecology #nativefish #alaska #dollyvardenchar #trout
fishuntamed.com
Ep 166: Native Fish and Biodiversity, with Matthew Dickerson — Fish Untamed
Matthew Dickerson is a freelance writer who has published in The Drake , Backcountry Journal , American Fly Fishing , Written River , and Fly Fishing International. He has also written many book...
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
I made this 8 yrs ago as part of a series, after serving as artist-in-residence at Glacier NP. I watched again today, reminded of what a priceless treasure our national parks and public lands are. What a loss if they get sold & exploited. #glaciernationalpark #nationalparks youtu.be/eorkWtTNUh0?...
youtu.be
Glacier National Park (and its Native Trout): An Introduction
YouTube video by Trout Downstream and Heart Streams
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Went for a walk in the woods this AM in between the rain and the predicted rain. We were surprised to find one of our neighbors hunting in our meadow not far from our house. But the neighbor seemed remarkably unsurprised and non-threatened by us. Perhaps it was visiting from #Narnia. #barredowl
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
For those folks who appreciate the wisdom of #jrrtolkien and #middle-earth here is a new piece I had published just this morning on Tolkien’s insights gleaned in the 20th century and how he portrayed fascism and tyranny and capitalism in his writings: washingtoninst.org/capitalism-f...
washingtoninst.org
Capitalism, Fascism, and the Wisdom of J.R.R. Tolkien | The Washington Institute
As last century wound to a close, author and scholar Tom Shippey published J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century, one of the most important works in the field of Tolkien studies. In the book, Shippey ...
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
I am not a mushroom forager. I don’t know enough & don’t want to die or fry my brain. But these were in our backyard — 2 lbs! — and are considered one of four varieties safest to eat in terms of trustworthy ID. So #mushroom soup for dinner. I think Frodo, Merry, and Pippin would approve. #hobbits
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Camping at the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, Quebec. A very beautiful place with some wonderful local food. The Foresta Lumina display after dark was delightful. #easterntownships #coaticook #quebec
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The local goldenrod has seemed not only especially abundant this year, but also very bright in its namesake color. The pollinators — including northern paper wasps, common eastern bumblebees, and honeybees (all shown) — have been abundant and busy among them. It’s quite delightful and encouraging.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
“Birds in the Sky, Fish in the Sea”. Sometimes they come together along the shore. It often ends badly for the fish, but as a fellow fisher I enjoyed watching these snow egrets foraging along the beach in Santa Barbara. #beaches #birds #snowegret #santabarbara www.squarehalobooks.com/birds-fish
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
I love my #vermont #backyard plopped down as it is near the edge of the green and often #mistymountains. I had a nice visit from #Beorn yesterday. Obviously, in his other skin at the time. He must have known I’ve been brewing mead — thus making my house a sort of mead hall or Meduseld.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
My favorite two bird sightings of the summer (so far) … just minutes apart. Though the former of these is not as pleased with the presence of the latter. #maine #baldeagle #loon
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
A wild brook trout caught this AM in a Green Mountain National Forest stream with winter wrens singing in the background to complement the symphony of the brook itself. A beautiful morning in a gorgeous place with a good friend standing on cold water on a hot day. #flyfishing @davoh.bsky.social
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
A delightful day of small stream fishing for wild #brooktrout (char) with a good friend. We were in the shade almost the whole time and the water stayed cold even when air the got hot. State fish of Vermont. #flyfishing @davoh.bsky.social
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Indigo bunting on a post in the garden. Although its song has been showing up on my Merlin app for two months, this was my first clear view -- and first chance to get a #birdphotograph that gives even a hint of the beauty of this bird.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
More #backyard #birdphotos. My 1st sighting of a beautiful ( aptly named) chestnut-sided warbler (a little deeper in the woods beyond the yard's edge). A chipping sparrow (in the cedar) and song sparrow (on the hammock) for comparison of two LBBs. And a gray catbird hunting worms in my garden.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
A recent essay I wrote about compassion in #TheHobbit (& also sympathy & empathy, none of which are toxic, and which are beautifully portrayed by #jrrtolkien ) for The Washington Institute — which was just published here: washingtoninst.org/the-hobbit-a... Warning: there is some theology in it.
washingtoninst.org
"The Hobbit" and Compassion (in an Increasingly Compassionless World) | The Washington Institute
“A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering.” ...
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
It's been a fun summer getting to know birds in our forest--especially passerines whose songs I've heard for years, but never knew about. Much enjoyment just sitting outside listening, but Merlin & a 400mm lens have been great tools. Here are a 4 favorite photos of newly identified birds. ID below.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Red-eyed Vireos in the woods around my house are enough better at hiding than I am at seeking that they keep chattering the whole time I’m looking for them. (That’s not a complaint!) Last evening, however, with my 400mm lens and tripod, I managed a long enough glimpse. #birding #vireo #vermont
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Reposted by @matthewdickerson.bsky.social
Thomas Dickerson @elfprince13.mumak.app · 18/05/2025
Good interview with @matthewdickerson.bsky.social
radixmagazine.com
Meekness Is Not Weakness: Matthew Dickerson on Living Gently and Thinking Deeply – Radix Magazine
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
I was interviewed by Radix magazine ostensibly about #jrrtolkien & the #inklings. It turned to conversation about a range of topics esp. virtues of gentleness & empathy valued by Tolkien but disdained by the Saurons, Sarumans, and fallen Denethors of the world. www.radixmagazine.com/2025/04/30/m...
radixmagazine.com
Meekness Is Not Weakness: Matthew Dickerson on Living Gently and Thinking Deeply – Radix Magazine
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
#eveningwalk in the Vermont woods with spring ephemerals: Dutchman’s breeches, trout lily, red & white trillium. #jrrtolkien was famous for his love of trees. I also appreciate his descriptions of flowers. His wise characters notices them. If these were in #middle-earth what would you name them?
Blossoming trout lilyBlossoming Dutchman’s breeches Blossoming red trilliumBlossoming white trillium
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
The red maples are blossoming in Vermont—seen here against the setting of the sun over the forest and an #eveningsky on our #eveningwalk. Hepatica, a favorite early spring ephemeral, was also staring to pop up on the trails through the woods. #blossoms #wildflowers #spring
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
The red maples are blossoming in Vermont—seen here against the setting of the sun over the forest and an #eveningsky on our #eveningwalk. Hepatica, a favorite early spring ephemeral, was also staring to pop up on the trails through the woods. #blossoms #wildflowers #spring
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
I had a wonderful day in Great Smokey Mountain National Parks. Our national parks are treasures to be valued and protected--as are those who work in them. More than merely delight and wonder, they offer learning, healing landscapes, forests to refresh aquifers for the clean water we all need.
Cascade on a forested river in Great Smokey Mountain National Park
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Celebrate well, my friends. 3.14 Enough said. — Acknowledgements: fresh, homemade pie courtesy of my wonderful partner.
A plate with crispy, golden brown apple pie and a little side of caramel ice cream.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Another restful and soul-restoring Sabbath rest day in the woods and Nordic trails of Rikert and the Green Mountain National Forest. Groves of hemlock, then spruce and pine, and then maple, with scatterings of yellow birch, beech, black cherry. Sadly, I saw no ents or entwives.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
A young tree splitting in two, a stream murmuring beneath a heavy snow, and some beautiful speckled clouds backlit by late afternoon light. Just a few scenes from yesterday’s Nordic ski-jaunt.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
A beautiful day Nordic skiing at Sleepy Hollow, in near-perfect conditions, with a picnic lunch at the Butternut Cabin looking out over Camel’s Hump (follow my pointing). A day Nordic skiing does not erase the atrocities being committed by our awful president and his oligarch, but it felt needed.
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matthewdickerson.bsky.social @matthewdickerson.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Two cellphone photos taken from airplane windows on a recent trip. The 1st is of #MtRainier just after midnight as it poked above the #clouds into the moonlight. The blur is from a long nighttime exposure. The 2nd is from a cool moment between two distinct cloud layers on the descent to land.
Mt Rainier from an airplane
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