iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

Spent this morning at Kings Park for a tour of the orchid conservation program. We got to see the seed bank, the cell culture lab, the cryolab and the greenhouse. I even got to hold some cloned Queen of Shebas! Kings Park scientists are doing amazing work […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

Cloned Queen of sheba orchids in a take away container

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026

I hope all the Western Australians and Victorians had an excellent long weekend! It feels like hiking season is ending very soon, so some friends and I went down to do the Nyingarn bidi - 2 nights in the bush is what the doctor ordered. Walking through the […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A purple enamel orchid. A shiny purple orchid flower, against a backdrop of fallen leaves.

A mauve coloured donkey orchid, so called because it looks kind of like a donkeys head.

Two women walking through the beautiful Jarrah Banksia woodland of the south west.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 24/09/2026

Another look at Perth's temperature, prompted by some online discussion that "I remember real scorchers as a kid, we just don't get that anymore" (I need to stop scrolling reddit). First, we can look at the distribution of Perth's daily max. temp - when we […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A kernel density estimate for daily maximum temperature at perth airport, coloured by decade. The data show decadal distributions of temperature getting warmer

A column chart of the number of days where daily perth max temp >40.3 degrees for each decade bewteen 1950 and 2026. There is a steady increase in the number of these extreme days.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 19/09/2026

The legends at Get Off My Chest know how to put a projector to good use! Carn the Dockers, but also let's stop accepting sponsorship from fossil fuel companies, and tax gas exports while we're at it! #WharfieTime #Freo #FreoDockers

A photo of the Woodside building in perth with a "wharfie time" banner and the words "to tax gas" projected below.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 16/09/2026

Hitting 30 degrees here in Perth today, and naturally this has brought out the "akshually it's pretty normal" people. Well actually, it's pretty abnormal. Based off the Perth Airport data (1944-2026), if today gets to 30C at the airport, it'll exceed the […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A density plot of daily September maximum temperature as measured at the Perth airport, with vertical lines indicating the 50th, 75th, 95th, and 99th percentiles, and one indicating today's forecast temperature of 30C. Todays temperature exceeds the 99th percentile.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 14/09/2026

I had a delightful long weekend, as my sister came to visit from Brissie! We did a really cool jewellery making course on Friday (using silver art clay, I'm excited to see the results after firing), and then walked the first day of the Bibbulman track to […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A native honeysuckle in fluorescence, with golden yellow flowers.

Small yellow cowslip orchids. Flowering in the leaf litter.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 01/09/2026

Happy Wattle Day! Here's a fun one spotted today to celebrate. I think it"s an angle leaved wattle, but so happy to be corrected. Just one of the ~500 wattles we have in WA.

A wattle, of the genius acacia, flowering.

It has bright yellow puff ball flowers, and angled green leaves.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/08/2026

Had time for a bit of wildflower spotting yesterday, but today is looking much less suitable for dilly-dallying. 28 mm so far, and it's still going. Not just a cold front, it's rotating! Great weather for ducks, and scientists trying to measure stream flow in ephemeral streams.

A map of southwest Australia with the rainfall radar, and a red pin where we are.

Three pink and white everlasting daisies in varying levels of focus.

Everlastings are small round flowers with many petals

A small bush covered in white spiky flowers

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 25/08/2026

The wheatbelt is stunning at the moment. We're out near Kellerberin this week instrumenting some surface water sites, among other things. We're trying to understand how water and salt are moving through the landscape, and how that relates to biodiversity […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A man stands knee deep in a muddy drain, fitting a water level logger.

A woman stands perched on a small ladder next to a water level logger.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 13/08/2026

Good to see the LNP saying the quiet part out loud this morning. If you're poor, you should just expect to live in substandard housing. I'd say the average Australian already does live in substandard housing. We should be bringing building codes up to […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A pinned highlight from the Guardian. The text reads:

"Australians should accept substandard housing, Bragg says

Yesterday Andrew Bragg announced he would strip the 2,000 page national housing code down to just 80 pages, removing most standards outside health, fire safety and essential structural requirements.

It caused a furore among some including the Australian Council of Social Service (Acoss), who said it would lock renters into skyrocketing power bills to keep their homes inhabitable.

RN Breakfast host Sally Sara asks Bragg if his policy means low-income earners should just accept that they will live in substandard housing. “Yes, definitely”, he replies."

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 10/08/2026

Add another tally to the "things you can do on public transport." Amazing what the bus and train drivers will let you bring on board if you wait till off peak and give them a big smile. PS i know the Germans won't blink an eye, but Australia is so car […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

Two wooden stools covered in plastic bags, sitting in the accessible part of a train carriage.

The same two stools, uncovered and at home. They are mid century, with wooden legs ans orange vinyl seats. They're amazing.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 10/08/2026

Very nice trip out to Kellerberin last week - the first fieldwork for my new position! Despite the dry July, the wheatbelt is looking lush, and we saw a bobtail!

A bobtail, a large Australian skin with a stubby tail, on a sandy track.

Gum trees against the backdrop of a blue sky and Canoga in flower

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/07/2026

It's pretty good to live in a biodiversity hot spot. WA has the best flowers. Not pictured, the male splendid fairy wren we saw in full blue fancy plumage! #SilentSunday #WesternAustralia #GlobalBiodiversityHotspot

A grevillwa, a native Australian plant. The flower consists of red tendrils, not a classic flower.

A ground spreading banking,.the flower is large and filamentous, tucked into long spiky leaves.

A green sundew, a low lying carnivorous plant.

A scented banjine flower, with green droopy petals

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 17/07/2026

In retrospect, glad I took my more expensive MTB on the plane if this is how it would have gone getting shipped. Not sure WTF FedEx did with my poor touring bike, fingers crossed it's not as bad as it looks. People talk shit about baggage handlers and bikes […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A bicycle box, end on, showing multiple large tears in the box.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 14/07/2026

Gus was our PhD office pal. We breathed life into him late one Friday night after one or two drinks. So glad to see him still loving life at UWA. #thriving

A foam fish hangs suspended in an empty fishtank, with a few small friends scattered around. The tank is labelled "Gus's pseudo aquarium"

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 13/07/2026

First day back at UWA! Nearly 13 years exactly since I first walked through these doors, and a bit less than 8 years since I walked out these doors. Building smells the same 😅 I'll be here for the next couple of years (pending miraculous job permanency...) […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

The sandstone entryway to rhe UWA geography building, with "Geography " in metal lettering across the top of the portal.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 02/07/2026

If I'd had any doubts at all about the necessity of moving home, today would have dispelled them. Sunny 17C in the middle of winter? Seasonal depression, do your worst. So, so, so pleased to be back in Perth 💚 #PerthIsOK #WestCoastBestCoast

A view from a hill overlooking the calm ocean.

The sky is quite clear blue, low clouds and an island can be seen on the horizon.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 29/06/2026

See ya Germany! It's been real. See ya soon, Australia! Hoping this is the last time I ever move house by plane...

Luggage trolley at the airport with a large cardboard box carrying a bicycle, a large black duffle bag, and a large red backpack.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 28/06/2026

Last night was the last of the goodbye parties. Long evening picnic by the Rhein, which has been of of my preferred ways to spend warm summer nights. The hardiest souls stopped for one last beer im Schatten des Doms at midnight. Grateful that so many friends […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

Night time, a group of people cluster around cheersing the camera. The person taking the photo is also holding their beer up.

Everyone looks warm but happy.

Groups of people sit around talking in the shade on a grassy bank by the rhein. The light is not quite golden, but has softened.

A group of people stand knee deep in a large river. The light where it hits them is golden, it is late afternoon

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/06/2026

My last day at the MPIC yesterday 💚 My wonderful friends and colleagues pulled out all stops to make me not want to leave Germany, with a VERY devious surprise party! I did not have even an inkling, so much so that i had brought goodbye cake for lunch […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A group of people stand in the shade under a tree, with two figures hugging in the foreground

The back of a pink cycling jersey, with the text 'Es vermissen dich in Mainz' and a lot of names in their own handwriting.

A watercolour painting of the Mainzer dom with many stick figures engaging in activities

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 24/06/2026

For #WaterfallWednesday, a cascade on the Myrdøla, upstream from Flåm in Norway. On #KodakGold.

A waterfall cascades down a rocky face, with a snowy mountain in the back and a road of steep switchbacks in the foreground.

The colours are a bit muted, the image is a bit underexposed.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

Rolls developed from my new (old) camera, and I'm quite pleased with them! Not bad for a camera older than me :) 1. Norway cycle tour 2. Frozen Aussenalster in Hamburg 3. Easter cycle tour on the Mosel #Analogue #Film #BikesBikesBikes #KodakGold #OlympusTrip

Three loaded bicycles leaning against a pile of felled and semi-processed logs.

A large frozen lake, framed by trees, with a bright blue sky above.

A woman stands next to a loaded bicycle, she has her hand on her hips and legs crossed, and is smiling.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 12/06/2026

Lake views while snacking at the Finsehytte, near the Hardangerjøkulen. #FensterFreitag #Norge #Norway #DNT #Finse

Two figures silhouetted against a large window through which snow and ice can be seen.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 22/05/2026

Big day today! Manuscript coauthor comments done and sent to the one outstanding coauthor ✅️ Flights booked to return home ✅️ Bike packed and started the long route to Norway ✅️ 🚈🚄🚈⛴️ over the next 44 hrs, and then the cycling begins. For now the bike […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A loaded touring bike leaning against folded seats on a train. There is a bottle of wine in one of the bottle cages

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2026

Fantastic night out to see Gidiki in Frankgurt last night - they play traditional Greek music with a modern twist. I went with a Cretan friend, and we danced some three step (badly in my case) and had a great time. Jealous of the Greek diaspora, which is so culturally connected.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/05/2026

I had a very nice weekend riding the Naheradweg over 2 days. We started at the Nahequelle (source of the Nahe), continued to Bingen (where the river meets the Rhein), and then home to Mainz. Would absolutely recommend. The upper part (before Idar-Oberstein) […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

Felenkirche at Idar-Oberstein. A church built into the side of a.
cliff looks over the city

A figure on a bicycle from the back, riding along a trail through green fields with a bright blue sky

A figure on a bicycle rides down some gravel double track through a green field towards a small town. The sky is a bright cloudless blue.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/04/2026

We had a splendid Sunday riding through the Rheingau sampling the goods. I'd never had a white Merlot before! Highlight was Schloss Vollrads, for both the wine and the grounds. Mainz-Bingen-Rüdesheim-Mainz. #BikesBikesBikes #Rheingau #Weinrad

A bottle of white wine, the label says it's a Merlot Blanc Noir.

Two people cycling on a wide trail, through vineyards. In the distance is a large Schloss- the destination of the moment.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 22/04/2026

Want to feel popular? Take a dog on the tram with the morning school rush. A gaggle of 9 yr olds were pretty delighted with Suki - according to them she is a very good dog and has a very sweet name! So lovely! #DogsOfInstagram #mainz

A medium sized ginger haired dog sits beneath a public transport seat.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 21/04/2026

Suddenly I find myself on the downhill slope to going home, with about 10 weeks left in Germany! The farewell Europe tour mainly consists of going cycle touring in Norway as a bucketlist item - we're hoping to do the Mjølkevegen, but Norway actually had an […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

Sentinel S2 real-colour imagery from mid-April of the area around Vinstra. The image shows the landscape almost entirely covered in snow.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 10/04/2026

This fantastic interactive art piece from @bluerehn and Nellie Pease is on display at the South Australian Museum, or you can check it out online at chronovarium.com. Chronovarium encourages you to change boundary conditions, see how the landscape […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A 2d image of a collected sediment core. It includes layers containing grass phytoloths, petrified wood, fern impressions, crocodile teeth and petrified wood. This relates to the decisions I made - decreasing fire, increasing rainfall, raising the water table, drought, and reducing soil phosphorous.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 07/04/2026

Long weekend could not have been better. Great cycling, great camp-sites, great food, wine, and company. The Mosel did not disappoint, although I could have done without 70 km of headwind on Sunday 😅 If I did it again, I would skip the part from Koblenz to […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A cliff face and vineyards are reflected in a glass still river. The sky is hazy with patches of cloud.

A double scoop of icecream in a cone is held aloft with a backdrop of classic german timbered houses and a cobbled plaza.

View from a tent. Vineyards and a small town are reflected in the river, framed by the red entrance of a tent.

Loaded bicycle against a fence, with panniers, front roll, and some stuff on the top tube.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/04/2026

Nothing like a cycle tour as an excuse to pay some attention to the bike. Washed, everything tightened, tyres installed. So ready for a few days tootling up the Mosel. This is my third set of g-ones, such a solid everyday tyre. Very rarely get punctures […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A purple steel frame touring bicycle leaning against a wall. It has beautiful silver beaten fenders, a brown brooks saddle, and brown walled tyres.

It looks mint.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 18/03/2026

Dog aunt reporting for duty. Suki is trying her paw at some science today while her dad is at a conference. She's a seasoned office worker, and doing a great job of snoozing the morning away. One old friend has already popped by for a visit, and she has […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A medium sized orange dog sitting on a tram.

The same medium sized orange dog snoozing on a rug. Shes wearing a pink harness.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 08/03/2026

#SilentSunday roaming around the Bingerwald and eating copious amounts of Hirsch-gulasch in the sun. Lucky to have made such lovely friends here. #spring #frühling #BingerWald #RheinlandPfalz #mittagessen #Waterfall

A group of people standing in front of a small waterfall in a forest. The trees are still bare of leaves.

A big blue plate with goulash, red cabbage, knödel, orange, and a pear.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

It's the sunniest, warmest Friday of the year, and all of Mainz is on the streets. You can feel the lift in people's moods, it's like magic. Strangers are smiling at one another, everyone is strolling slowly, just soaking it up. I knocked off early, couldn't […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A small beer in the foreground. In the background stands the front of the mainzer dom, a large cathedral made of local pink standstone. Clear blue skies are visible.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 23/02/2026

Schneeglökchen have appeared in the last week or so, filed under "signs that spring is coming" #fruehling #spring

Schneeglökchen, little bell shaped white flowers bloom in a cluster, with long green leaves.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/02/2026

Snowy commute home, beautiful but slow! I think this took a lot of the city by surprise, I definitely wasn't expecting it. #Mainz

A large tree in a snowy field against a grey sky

A snowy path through some trees from behind the bars of a bicycle.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 01/02/2026

A little giant clam for a friend's birthday card. I haven't been doing much art lately, nice to have a reason. Quite happy with it, as to my surprise I think it is actually recognisable as a giant clam! We'll see if she agrees... One of my favourite reef […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A watercolour painting of a giant clam, open enough to see the pink and purple insides. The shell has been colonised by a. Few corals and anemones.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 31/01/2026

Had the pleasure of going to a #SofarSounds gig in Frankfurt last night. These gigs are always so special, a bunch of strangers crowded into someone's living room or garden. One of the acts was from Perth, so we had an above average number of Australians in attendance.

A photograph of a crowd of people sitting on the floor in a living room, with two bearded men at the front of the room holding guitars.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/01/2026

Back in November, a friend and I did a ring-making course in Frankfurt, where we carved wax blanks to be cast in silver. I picked up the finished product today and I'm so pleased with it! I can't recommend Helen Habtay's class enough if you're in the […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A silver ring sitting in a ring box. The side facing up shows a wonky fish.

The same ring, laying down on the lid of the ring box which says "Studio Helen Habtay". A different wonky fish is facing the camera. Its wonky fish all the way round.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 26/12/2025

Belated Merry Christmas everyone! In a Boxing Day in the wrong hemisphere for cricket or sailing, I've taken myself to the ice hockey. They're incredible, so fast! Also wtf, can anyone explain day 1 of the Boxing Day test? 20 wickets?! Thank god this England […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

An ice rink lit up, players on the ice and ready for spieltag

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 19/12/2025

Looong last work day of the year with not one but two PhD defences in our group. Both did a wonderful job defending their theses! And can hopefully enjoy the christmas period with some well earned rest. More great PhD hats made, too!

A cardboard mortar board hate covered in memories of the PhD. Features a cave and stalagmites.

A second cardboard mortar board hat celebrating the PhD. Also has a cave and lots of scientific looking stuff

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 10/12/2025

My once a decade pavlova, just for the MPIC christmas party. Possibly I would make it more often if I owned beaters and didn't have to whip everything by hand... I hope the Europeans enjoy a little bit of aussie (not NZ 😉) christmas tradition! #pavlova #Christmas #Weinnachts #MPIC #Mainz

A golden brown baked meringue on brown baking paper

The same meringue, but completely covered in whipped cream, passionfruit, and blueberries.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 09/12/2025

Long weekend very well spent visiting Bavaria and Austria for the Krampusläufe. A little bit of mountain time around the Königsee and Hallstatt was just what the doctor ordered. The Krampi, Häxen, and Buttnmandeln were all incredible! You can tell people take […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A photo from the Bad Goisern krampus laufe, showing silhouetted horned figures

A large horned and furred krampus holds the hand of a tiny krampus. The lighting is red from flares

A church against a background of a large lake surrounded by mountains with some patchy snow. Hallstatt is a very cute, very beautiful village.

Mountains! With some blue sky, fir trees, and snow in the foreground.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 03/12/2025

After a fair bit of frustration, our new excimer laser is installed! We have it coupled to an Element 2, and new laser plus sector magnet (rather than quadupole) mass spectrometry is a steep learning curve for me. Nice to spend the afternoon tinkering in the lab though. #LAICPMS #MassSpec #MPIC

A laser ablation unit, next to an element 2 mass spectrometer. Both are big blocky scientific instruments, with few exciting features, although the laser unit is more.modern looking.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 25/11/2025

I fear there is not enough vitamin D in the world to make up for this much grey.

A view out a window of a grassed roof, and grey grey skies

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 16/11/2025

Sunday crafternoon, ring making workshop in Frankfurt. We carved the wax blanks, and the artist will cast them in Stirling silver for us. Very fun afternoon, and I can highly recommend the studio, Helen is lovely and very skilled […] [Original post on fediscience.org]

A desk showing with a cutting mat, a blue wax blank and various tools.

A close up, fingers holding the carved wax blank. Theres not enough detail to tell what it is, but its a series of misshapen fish following one another around the band

Two finished wax blanks, waiting to be cast.

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Dr Micha Campbell @michcampbell.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy · 04/11/2025

It's so impressive how consistent Randall has been over the years. Another good one, although I have to point out the reason Geology depts aren't OK is not that mountain hovercrafts, it's that departments keep getting decimated...

A comic from XKCD, with 4 panels. The first panel is two stickfigures, one says "We haven't checked in on the geology department for a while, I wonder if they're doing OK".

In panel two, one of the figures is shown walking away, saying "I'll go see what they're up to."

In panel three, the figure is shown opening a door on three people discussing a scientific poster. One of the three is saying: "49 million years ago, Heart Mountain Wyoming slide sideways 15 miles like a giant stone hovercraft"

In panel 4, the inquiring figure returns to her companion, saying "they're not OK". From out of frame, one of the geologists exclaims "Hey, YOU come uo with a better explanation!"

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