iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

I look forward to sharing these facts with you. I hope to bring more awareness to the plight of threatened species all around the world so that we can help save them. I hope you all have a wonderful day! 💚🌲🌵🪲🦎 (3/3)

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

I will be researching and typing these facts out by myself, and sharing my image and information sources in the alt text captions. Species across all kingdoms and phyla will be represented. I will try to have an even representation for all different kinds of taxa. (2/3)

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

Wishing you all the best of luck! Unfortunately, I cannot help as I'm all the way in New South Wales and I am currently very busy studying horticulture. However, this is the kind of work I aim to get myself involved in, whenever I have the time to.

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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

Beautiful photo! Red-tails are one of my favourite cockatoos simply because of how pretty they are! 🖤❤️

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

I think "Bugger off, ya c**t" is more appropriate for a rainbow lorikeet to say 😂😂😂

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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

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

Both Hamas and the Israeli Defense Force need to back down, stop fighting and be held accountable for their war crimes. Innocent civilians in #Israel and #Gaza should not be displaced, wounded or killed simply because those in power do not like each other. Humanity is better than this. #nomorewar

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

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

In the meantime, I am very happy to say that now I will be studying horticulture! I hope to gain a lot more knowledge and experience in working with plants, and I hope to meet some wonderful new people as well. 🌿💚

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.

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

Reposted by Ben J. (Proteros)

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. 💚🌏

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

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

Nice! They're such adorable little tennis balls, aren't they?

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

Thank you! It's a photo I took of a male Red-rumped parrot, one of my favourite birds. I really like yours too. Is it an Elegant, Rock or Blue-winged parrot?

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

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

Ben J. (Proteros) @proteros.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Gorgeous!! The impala is my favourite antelope, but nyalas are a close second. The females are so pretty too.

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

As long as we retain our humanity and look out for others, we will get through the dark times. ALL of us. No matter who we are or where we come from. We will survive this. 🌏♥️

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

The very basis of human society and culture is built upon love, trust and cooperation. It has been this way since the very beginning, and will always be a part of us for as long as our kind exists. That is why the very word "humanity" is defined by love and compassion, not greed and violence.

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

But we all know this; greed gets you nowhere, and REAL humanity will ALWAYS prevail. No matter how bad things have been throughout all of human history, we have survived, through love and care for our fellow people. If humans did not care for each other, we would not have survived this long.

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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 · 09/01/2026

I think it would be very funny if something terrible happened to M*sk. (For legal reasons, this is a joke.)

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

Oh my god, it looks so stupid.... I LOVE IT! Thanks for the free laugh 🤣

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.

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

I should probably do a few drawings to show you all my skill level first, I'd say I'm average. Regardless of whether I'm good at illustration or not, at least all my works be human-made with human-made references (like iNaturalist and books) and not involve any (de)generative AI slop.

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

I'm really sorry to hear that. Wishing you all the best, get well soon. ❤️