iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

I am going to have to delay my first post. I am sorry, I have been very busy with my photography and horticulture studies, which are going very well. I do promise you I am cooking up something I am sure you will enjoy very much, trust me on it. Quality always takes place over quantity!

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

A handful of little green beans! 🥺

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

My apologies, everyone. I will be moving #ThreatenedSpeciesOfTheWeek to Mondays, so that each post is on the first day of the week, not the last. Stay tuned, my first post will be of a very rare and lonely species, with the entire population descending from the first and ONLY individual ever found.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Hello, everyone. I am here to announce that I'll be starting a new series of posts tagged #ThreatenedSpeciesOfTheWeek! Every Sunday, I will share a photo and facts about an #Endangered or #CriticallyEndangered species on the #IUCNRedList that I think deserves much more love and recognition. (1/3)

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

David C. Simon @davidcsimon.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Yellow Tail returned to our garden this week, marking a major milestone: I've been photographing this beautiful wild King Parrot for over 10 years now!!! First photo: 21/12/2015 Latest photo: 09/02/2026 #birds

Photograph from December 2015 of a male Australian King Parrot standing on a wooden railing. The bird is bright red and green, with distinctive yellow markings on his tail and the top of his head (though the marking on the head is difficult to see in this photo).

Photograph from February 2026 of the same bird perched on a tree branch in dappled sunlight looking much the same as he did 10 years ago.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

I take no 'sides' in war. The only 'side' I stand with is humanity. I stand with *people* of all countries, races, religions and ages. I stand against violence, terrorism, warfare and genocide, no matter who the victims and perpetrators are. Because we are all human. 🌏☮️ #worldpeace #nomorewar

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

My take on the war in #Israel and #Palestine is that I simply wish for it to end. People shouldn't be killing each other over trivial differences such as race and religion because we are all human. We all bleed red. Tears mean the same in every language. #Nomorewar #Nomoregenocide. #worldpeace

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

My apologies for my lack of content lately. I have been very busy over the past couple of weeks. I will be sharing some more of my photography here soon, and hopefully get around to posting all my recent nature photos as observations on iNaturalist and eBird.

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

natsky777 @natsky777.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Solidarity with Australia's First Nations Peoples, on a day of grieving & survival. A reminder to all, that that the oldest, continuous, living culture on Earth deserves an Australia Day that they can celebrate as well, that isn't #InvasionDay 🖤💛❤️ #ChangeTheDate www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMX2...

youtube.com

Yothu Yindi - Djapana (Official Video)

YouTube video by YothuYindiVEVO

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Look at (and listen to) this ABSOLUTE UNIT!

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

In a world full of hatred and cruelty, be brave enough to be loving and kind. Having a warm heart in a cold world is strength, not weakness. 💚🌏

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Terrorizing innocent people who just want to live in peace and provide for themselves and their families is NOT "protecting the country from crime." I stand in solidarity with all good people and communties who are affected by ICE and their brutal campaigns. ☮️ #FuckICE #AbolishICE #RacismNotWelcome

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Joining in on the #PortfolioDay trend, my name is Ben, but you can also call me Proteros. I'm a photographer from Sydney who focuses mainly on flowers and birds, though I sometimes do other animals and landscapes. Here's just a few of my favourite bird pics from last year that I haven't yet shared:

A photograph of a Laughing kookaburra, (Dacelo novaeguineae) a large Australian kingfisher, perched up high in a tree and in full focus, the leafy green background blurred. The word "kookaburra" derives from the Wiradjuri word "guuguubarra," in reference to the distinctive call the bird is well known for.

Photo taken in Bulli, NSW in September 2025

A photograph of an Australasian or Purple swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) standing and bending down in shallow water, perhaps for a drink. It is a mostly black bird with a characteristic purplish-blue front and belly and a large, triangular red bill with a keratinous, red 'shield' on the forehead. This bird is also native to New Zealand, where it is known as the pūkeko.

Photo taken in Campbelltown, NSW in May 2025

A photograph of a male Superb fairywren, (Malurus cyaneus) a tiny blue bird native to eastern Australia. He is perched on a thin stem of a weed and is in breeding plumage with luminous light blue feathers on the crown, nape and cheeks. The rest of the bird is brown, light grey and black. Like other fairy wrens, it has a long, erect tail, giving it a distinctive and easily identifiable shape.

Photo taken in Campbelltown, NSW in November, 2025

A photograph of a Little wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera) stretching itself upright to feed on the nectar of a bright red Grevillea inflorescence which contrasts greatly against the blurred green foliage of the background. Little wattlebirds are honeyeaters who are frequently seen around large flowering native trees and shrubs. They are mostly grey and patterned with white stripes like their larger, more well-known relative, the Red wattlebird. (Anthochaera carunculata) However, they lack the diagnostic yellow belly and red wattles.

Photo taken in Bulli, NSW in September, 2025

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

"Generative" AI does not generate anything. In fact, it does the complete opposite; it steals a bunch of REAL images without people's consent and DEGENERATES them into an awful amalgamation of pixels. Let us call it out for what it is, degenerative garbage #aislop #fuckai #aiartisnotart #fuckaiart

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Gotta love how AI-generated slop is exactly like an invasive species now; everywhere and nearly impossible to get rid of. Literally, it is EVERYWHERE. Even in places you would least expect like antique shops, art competitions and artist conventions. Ugh. #aislop #aiartisnotart #fuckaiart #fuckai

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

I thought I'd share some of my favourite photos of our beautiful Australian native #ducks to bring attention to them, and to inspire more love and compassion towards all ducks, both wild and domesticated. 🦆❤ #birdphotography #Australianbirds #photography #nature #naturephotography #banduckshooting

A close-up portrait of a Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) in autumn on a blurred background of green lawn grass and fallen brown leaves. This common duck species is mostly brown, with a pale cream-brown face, a dark-brown crown and eye stripe. Its eyes are chestnut brown and its bill is dark grey with a slight green tint and black tip.

Photo taken in Campbelltown NSW in May 2025

A close-up portrait of an adult male Australian wood duck or maned duck (Chenonetta jubata) on a blurred background of dirt and green grass. He has some small blades of grass in his small, pointed grey bill. Males of this species are identified by their dark brown necks and heads which lack the white stripes of females. They also have a tuft of longer, darker feathers on the back of their heads, hence the common name "maned duck" (though it is not visible in this photograph.) Both males and females have a light silver-grey body with black or grey speckles and brown bars on the breast.

Photo taken in Campbelltown NSW in July 2023

A close-up portrait of an adult female Australian wood duck or maned duck (Chenonetta jubata) on a blurred background of light green lawn grass. The females of this species have a lighter brown head with two white stripes, above and below the eye.

Photo taken in Campbelltown NSW in July 2023

A close-up portrait of an adult female hardhead duck (Aythya australis) on a blurred bakground of greenish water. She is chocolate-brown all over with dark brown eyes and a dark grey bill with a light grey tip. Hardheads are the only diving ducks native to Australia and are interesting to watch as they disappear beneath the waters momentarily before re-emerging.

Photo taken in the Hunter Wetlands Centre in Newcastle NSW in May 2023

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

All birds are sentient and can dream. They have an inner world, just like we do. When this hardhead duck (Aythya australis) rests on a sunny rock and closes his eyes to nap, one may begin to wonder, what does he see? #birdphotography #Australianbirds #ducks #photography #nature #naturephotography

A close up photograph of a male hardhead duck (Aythya australis) resting in the sunlight with his eyes closed. The background is a blue pond with small, green floating plants, blurred and out of focus. The duck is a chocolate-brown, darker towards the head and lighter on the body. He has a dark-grey bill with a white tip with the characteristic duck shape.

Photo taken in Campbelltown NSW in November 2025

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

Mike Hargis @miketakespics.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

“But compassion isn't about solutions. It's about giving all the love that you've got.” ~ Cheryl Strayed Good morning my friends! This world already has plenty of anger, hatred, fear, bitterness, criticism, and judgement. Be the light. Be the love ❤️

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

Dr. Rod Taylor @fossilrod.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

This #FossilFriday, here's Franz Anthony's delightful #Ediacaran life artwork, featuring critters from all three Ediacaran assemblages - including our very own Haootia!

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Not even 2 weeks into 2026 and the world is already full of more terrible shite. Maybe it's not that the elite forgot the horrors of the past, rather, they wish to repeat them. These sociopaths revel in the suffering of others and are so utterly consumed by greed that they've lost their humanity.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Fun fact: You can tell whether an adult galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is male or female by looking at their eyes. Males have dark brown eyes, while females (like this one pictured here) have red eyes. #birdphotography #Australianbirds #parrots #galah #photography #nature #naturephotography

A portrait photograph of a female galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) illuminated by the sun on a dark green and blurred background. Her eyes are a vibrant red, surrounded by fleshy grey-pink eye rings as this is the south-eastern subspecies (E. r. albiceps). The galah is an attractive cockatoo with a white crest and crown, bone-white beak, pink belly, neck and chest and light grey feet, back, wings and tail.

Photo taken in the Greater Sydney Area in September 2023

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Men (or should I say, MONSTERS) who use (de)generative #AI to remove the clothes on images of women (and children!) need to have their ballsacks removed before being thrown into jail indefinitely. Or, preferably, thrown into the nearest wood chipper, feet-first. Please rid the world of these scum.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

I've been thinking on getting back into illustration and making some infographics on my favourite subjects; Australian native plants and animals, ecology, paleontology and geochronology. Should I?

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

Dr swift parrot @teamswiftparrot.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Demure little superb parrot 💚

Green superb parrot with orange beak in a hand

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

There is still beauty in this world. Just look at the wonderful array of shapes and colours in our #Australiannativeplants #Nature has always prevailed, and will continue on in spite of what life throws at it. (Species descriptions in alt text) #photography #naturephotography #plants #flora

A closeup photograph of a Mountain devil (Lambertia formosa) inflorescence among its own foliage in its natural bushland habitat.

The small cluster of bright red and orange long, tubular flowers are surrounded by orange and yellow bracts. The leaves are dark green on top, pale light green and hairy underneath with a prominent midvein and downturned margins, and a tiny pointed apex or tip.

Photo taken October 2025 in the Royal National Park south of Sydney

A closeup photograph of the inflorescence of a yellow drumsticks (Isopogon sp.) in its natural environment.

The tiny yellow flowers are arranged on a globular green structure which will mature to form a "cone" which resembles the ball of a wooden drumstick, giving the species its common name. The flowers mature from the bottom-up, with the lowermost flowers being open and the uppermost being tiny emerging buds.

Photo taken October 2025 in the Royal National Park south of Sydney

A closeup photo of the pink inflorescenses of a Kunzea (Kunzea sp.) in its natural environment on a blurred background, emphasizing the shape and colour.

These strange flowers are related to the well-known bottlebrushes (Callistemon and Melaleuca genera) and tea trees (Leptospermum.) They have clusters of multiple elongated stamens which gives the flower much of its colour, surrounding a single pistil.

Photo taken November 2025 in Katoomba, Blue Mountains

A closeup photo of the multiple flowers on a smokebush (Conospermum longifolium) among many other low-growing plants in its natural habitat. The background is blurred and out of focus, keeping the focus on the many clusters of flowers.

The tiny white flowers are arranged in dense cluster inflorescenses that appear on long, upright stalks.

Photo taken October 2025 in the Royal National Park south of Sydney

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Here's to hoping the last few days of the year will be peaceful and that 2026 will be a fresh start. No more wars, no more violence and no more AI and corporate greed making people's lives miserable. Together, we can all make the world a better place. Be kind and stand up for peace and justice.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

I didn't do much on Christmas this year. I spent time with and had a lovely home-cooked lunch with some of my family. I also had lunch with fellow garden volunteers a few days prior. Christmas doesn't have to be bustling to be joyful. It can be as simple as spending time with the people you love.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Sorry for my late post. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and I would like to wish you all a happy New Year too. ❤️

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

David C. Simon @davidcsimon.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

I spotted the first baby King Parrot of this breeding season yesterday! #birds

Photograph of a juvenile Australian King Parrot on a power line. It is mostly green, with red belly and undertail coverts, a bright orange beak, and dark eyes.

Same subject, but on a different power line standing next to an adult male King Parrot (red neck/head, darker green, black tail). The juvenile is begging from the male.

Same as the previous photo, but cropped to a narrower field and showing the male feeding the juvenile.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

I really don't like how #bluesky only allows short posts of 300 characters. It really limits my ability to make long and thoughtful posts. I might have to switch to including large paragraphs in photos, but then that will distract away from the actual photos I want to post with long descriptions.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

I would like to show my deepest condolences to the Jewish community here in Australia one week following the devastating antisemitic terror attack that claimed 15 innocent lives and injured many more. Hatred, violence and any form of discrimination has NO place here and will NOT be tolerated. (1/5)

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Indeed, fantails are some of the birds ever.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

The world might be in a very dark place right now, but just know that there is still hope. Know that there is still beauty. Know that there is still life. (1/5)

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Dr swift parrot @teamswiftparrot.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Check out the baby monobrow of this kid blue-winged parrot 🥲

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

A portrait of a Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) brilliantly illuminated by the light of the sun. They are perhaps one of the most colourful, cheerful and iconic bird species of the eastern coast of Australia. #birdphotography #australianbirds #parrots #photography #lorikeet

A close-up portrait of a Rainbow lorikeet, (Trichoglossus moluccanus) a brightly coloured parrot with a blue streaked head, a red beak, red eyes, a lime green nape, a green back and a red and orange breast. It is exposed to natural sunlight, giving it a golden glow. The background is unlit, entirely blurred and out of focus, emphasizing the bird's colours.

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James van der Moezel @vandacorp.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

The rainbow lorikeets have just started visting the yard now that the neighbouring banksias have finished flowering. #Australia #Canberra #spring #october #birds #photography #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #BirdingAdventures #Ornithology #lorikeet #bird

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Look at them LOOK AT THEM They're such beans. I love them. 💚

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Since I'm new here, I thought I'd post one of my favourite photos of all time! Here's a male red-rumped parrot, (Psephotus haematonotus) otherwise known as a grass parrot, enjoying a tasty snack as he forages in the lawn next to a footpath. #birdphotograhy #australianbirds #parrots #photography

A photographic image of a male red-rumped parrot (Psephotus haematonotus) standing on bright green mowed grass with a grey concrete footpath in the background. The bright emerald-green parrot has a golden belly, brown eyes and a blade of grass in his shiny dark-grey beak.

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Check out this beautiful image of a temperate rainforest landscape in Canada! 💚🌲🌿 This photographer has many other similarly beautiful works.

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

James van der Moezel @vandacorp.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Early morning visit from the king parrots this morning. They started chirping away from around 06:30. #Australia #Canberra #spring #october #birds #photography #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #BirdingAdventures #Ornithology #parrot #bird

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Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

Glen Ryan @silverdory.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Double ducks west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC. Didn't see a lot of large duck orchids (Caleana major) on my couple of brief East Gippsland trips this year but did see scattered plants in full flight at a couple of locations. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants

Large duck orchid (Caleana major) west of Mallacoota, East Gippsland, VIC

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Gotta love sulphur-crested cockatoos and their comical antics. That, and how photogenic they are! They truly are one of the birds of all time! 🤣

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Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

(1) Generative AI slop might be able to mimic what writing, photography and art *looks* like, but it will NEVER be able to copy what it *feels* like to make it. A soulless computer system that spews out content will *never* be able to replicate the passion behind real creative work. #antiai #aislop

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