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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Our flight home from KEF to BWI on the Kjölur was smooth and uneventful. Kjölur is the name of a mountain plateau in the west central highlands of Iceland. In contrast, our journey on the F35 mountain road across the Kjölur was rough and bumpy and took almost as long!

The nose of a 737 Max8 with a food service truck to its left side and a jetway at its right side.

The front of an Icelandair jet showing its left side windshield with the name “Kjölur” on its side. The end of a jetway is seen on its right.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

“Here be dragons”. An old map of Iceland in our hotel. We didn’t see any of these!

A map of Iceland surrounded by mythical creatures.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Had a wonderful meal here tonight! A restaurant recommended by @samer.is.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Crossing from north to south on F35, the Kjölur route across the Icelandic highlands. We must have gone through 50 huge “water hazards” if we went through 1! The road was in need of a visit by the grader. Saw a Toyota Yaris en route, might still be there!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

We are at Hvervellir hot springs on the Kjölur route across the Icelandic highlands. Were here 10 y ago but traveling S to N, now N to S. It was famous as the refuge of an 18C Icelandic outlaw. “Þfófadilir” translates as “the way of the thief”!

A hand-painted sign saying Þjófadilir on a red background rests against a varnished wooden wall.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Gunnólfsvíkurfjall, the highest point in far northeast Iceland, near the village of Þórshöfn. If you zoom in you can see a NATO early warning station on the highest point.

A mountainous peninsula on the far shore of an inlet of the sea. In the foreground is a heath in golden autumn colors. A blue sky is overhead.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Lýsi: A staple on every Icelandic breakfast buffet!

A bottle of lemon flavored yellow cod-liver oil

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The 1875 explosion of the Askja caldera deposited vast quantities of pumice over much of eastern Iceland, evident in many areas. We drove through a huge desert of pumice to reach Askja. Utterly amazing! This ia a small pool covered with fragments of floating golden pumice.

Floating small fragments of mostly golden pumice rock on a pool.

A shallow pool between large rocks. It is covered with small 1-2 cm3 pieces of floating pumice rock.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Stuðlagil, the Alcantara Gorges of Iceland!

(Iceland) Tall basalt columns run along a turquoise river. Birch trees in autumn color are on the right side.

(Sicily) Tall basalt columns on tje right side of a stream.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The view from our room In Möðrudalur of Herðubreið, the “Queen of Icelandic Mountains”. It is on the highest farm in Iceland. The whole area has vibes of Jackson Hole in Wyoming.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Où est la neige d’antan? The dry part of the Askja Caldera in central Iceland: There is 150 year old snow/ice buried beneath up to 2 or 3 meters of volcanic ash/pumice from the 1875 eruption of the Askja volcano. The ash insulates the snow/ice.

Under a blue sky with clouds, an area of grey volcanic ash and low hills. Marker poles are seen in the center and the left of the image.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The aurora made an appearance tonight here in Myvatn, N. Iceland. The surprise was that the clouds present all day cleared up in the late evening and stayed away! iPhone photo…better ones on my proper camera.

Green colors of the aurora borealis swirl through a starry sky. Some yellowing birch trees are seen in the bottom of the frame.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A video from atop Hverfjall, a tuff cone near Myvatn, N. Iceland. Turn up sound to hear the wind blowing.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The 2 Presidents, a study in contrasts.

On the left side a man, in a dark suit with red tie and heavily made up, sits glowering, while on the right side a woman, also in a dark suit, sits with the expression of the cat who got the cream. A table piled with cups and bottles, etc., is between them.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Had interesting convo with an engineer in Iceland’s power authority. He says that France with its nuclear is in effect supplying the inertial load for all of Europe. Europe has so much wind/solar that France is the “rock” that it depends upon! Iceland has so much hydro that it doesn’t need wind!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Always look up: interior of the Baroque dome of the Cartuja de Ara Christi, a former Carthusian monastery north of Valencia in Spain.

Monochrome image of a circular dome within an arched area. The dome is divided into 8 sectors, each painted with various ornate images such as putti, lions, birds. There is a central dark hole, perhaps beneath a cupola. Surrounding the outside (lower ring) of the dome are 8 windows.

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Reposted by T. Michael Redmond

Elle Cordova @ellecordova.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Rough Draft vs Final Draft

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Due to bad electrical storms in Northern Europe we were late for our connection and spent the night in Frankfurt. Frankfurt is always a great place to see many of the last remaining 747s in passenger service.

A view overlooking airport buildings over a grass-covered flat roof. Some aircraft are seen on the left side. A multi story building is from the middle to the extreme right. A sign saying “Frankfurt Airport” is on the top of this building.

A large jetliner stands at an airport. It is mostly white with a dark blue tail section and is painted in Lufthansa livery. It bears the name “Lufthansa” on its front to the right of the image.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Listening this morning to a discussion on “Morning Joe” re: price of oil. All were amazed that the price of a barrel was still in the $80s range but that gas is av. $4 or so. I was shouting at them it is refining! Why buy oil when refining capacity is way down, worldwide. Listen to Paul Krugman!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

An historic day in Irish sports history!Today, perennial contender Mayo overcame a 75 year drought, and an alleged priest’s curse, to finally win its first All-Ireland Football Championship and the Sam Maguire Trophy since 1951, beating the defending, and heretofore perennial, champions, Kerry.

static.klipy.com

Mayoforsam GAA Flag Waving

Alt: Mayoforsam GAA Flag Waving to show County Mayo’s huge desire to win the All-Ireland GAA Football Championship Sam Maguire Trophy in 2026.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

An expired Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp. These are enormous– wingspan pushing 2 inches– but harmless to humans while murder to cicadas!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Something my wife bought at a sale at her glass studio for $5! Every single type of micro head you could imagine to tear anything electronic/photo down!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

20 seconds of firefly sparking tonight with a fireworks soundtrack!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

In an essay on climate-induced societal breakdown in The Irish Times (unfortunately paywalled), @fotoole.bsky.social writes that “We now live in the future we were warned of.” Quoting Sigmund Freud, he writes “we are living in uncanny times”!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Notice to Vampires: Avoid this house in Maryland due to hazardous quantities of newly harvested garlic.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

An all black video capturing the song of a calling Eurasian Scops Owl. Listen in the middle for single mournful sounding hoots. Another attendee at a meeting in Mallorca who knew I was a birder mentioned that he was hearing this near his hotel. So I went to the vicinity and got this.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A Renault 4; Valldemosta, Balearic Islands, Spain. This car is an icon of my childhood. They assembled them in my hometown of Wexford, Ireland. You can still see them in places like Argentina or Morocco, still running. LIt must be 40 or 50 years old!

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: Hazy, zoomed in image of The Rising Sun, a 138 metre superyacht in Palma (where I am for a conference) Harbour. Owned by David Geffen, formerly owned by Larry Ellison.

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Reposted by T. Michael Redmond

JBR @jbred56.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Sóla is deaf. Her vet just confirmed our suspicions. No known cause. As a puppy she was taught verbal commands with sign language. Her sight is great so the vet said teach her to come with flashlights and lasers. Anyone got advice for helping a deaf dog? #Dogsofbluesky

Dog lying down beside her mom looking pitiful.

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Reposted by T. Michael Redmond

BWJones @bwjones.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

For context, this is one hundred ninety-two thousand, five-year biomedical research grants. More than five years of complete funding for the entirety of the NIH for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, blindness, epilepsy, infectious diseases, etc… An entire generation of scientists.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

One of my tasks in Ireland was to get decent marmalade and honey. This should keep us going for a year or so. Murder on luggage weight, though!

Six jars of preserves on the left wit 2 jars of honey on the right, on a grey kitchen counter.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Our ride back to DC, a “Pencil Rocket”, has arrived!

A 757 jet aircraft in United livery approaches its gate at an airport. Seen behind the wing of another plane. A ground staff person in yellow hi-vis jacket stands to the left of the wing.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The High Cross of the Scriptures (ca 900 AD) at the preeminent Irish monastic site of Clonmacnoise founded 548 AD, from whence the “Isle of Saints and Scholars” sent missionaries to Dark Ages Europe to keep the flame of Christianity alive.

A high cross set in an ancient grassy graveyard. A cloudy sky with blue sky patches and trees in the right background. This is a carved ring Celtic cross with figures carved on all sides of the square pillar. The cross is set on a massive stone base.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Made a sentimental journey back to a place where I spent a month when I was 13! Kids of that age are sent to do full immersion Irish in a gaeltacht area such as An Mhuiríoch on Dingle peninsula in SW Ireland. Went to several old haunts in the area. Many changes but mostly the same wonderful place.

A road sign saying “An Mhuiríoch” in black letters on a white background, supported on grey metal poles, and surrounded by a Fuchsia hedge. Situated in Corca Dhuibne on the far western Dingle Peninsula.

An old fishing boat pier at Baile na nGall (aka Ballydavid) with several small boats parked on the concrete. Coastline is in the background with sea in the middle ground

A cream-painted two-storey house in An Mhuiríoch stands at about the end of a short tarmac driveway. Two cars are parked to the right. A brown wooden gate is in front. I stayed in this house 50+years ago. Then there was no gate, the house was white-washed and the driveway was a rough-stone yard.

A grey stone building set in a gravel space with hills in the background, called Gallarus Oratory. The building is a corballed drywall structure shaped like an upturned boat. There is a small doorway on the right of the building. It is of indeterminate age but at least 1000 years old.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

For you paleontology fans, here is a ~400 MYO Devonian tetrapod trackway (one of 3 known worldwide) at Valentia Island in SW Ireland. It was made by one of the earliest amphibians on wet sand or mud.

A pavement of grey slate stone with fossilized footprints of an early tetrapod amphibian running from bottom to top.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

We finally made it out to Skellig Michael and its 6C Christian monastery, off the coast of SW Ireland. A place we’ve always wanted to go, but weather, opportunity, etc., have always conspired… Surreal, spectacular; superlatives apply!! It hosted Luke Skywalker’s refuge in some Star Wars films.

A craggy, rocky island in a dark blue ocean. A lighthouse is on a steep cliff above the ocean on the left centre of the island. Various paths and ancient stone buildings are on the right side of the island.

A view of an island in the ocean seen through the stone windows of a old church on an adjacent island. The sky is overcast and cloudy.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

For #caturday: Cats of Wexford, a moggy at the harbour.

A cat with tabby and ginger mixed upper body and head with white belly and feet looks at the camera, sitting on a concrete seawall overlooking the sea.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Stained glass by Harry Clarke from 1914, in University College Cork, depicting St. Gobnait, a 6C Irish saint who is patron saint of bees, beekeepers, and ironworkers. Numerous bees and honeycombs are worked into the design. IMHO, Harry Clarke is one of the greatest Irish artists in any medium.

A resplendent stained glass window depicting a woman with red hair, a veil, and a halo, dressed in a purple-blue dress surrounded by many symbols including bees, honeycombs, and other nuns.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

@bwjones.bsky.social Cork’s English Market. How I love me a market! Hands down, the best market in the whole of Ireland. Even by appointment to their British majesties!

Brass plaques on a painted brick wall. The upper commemorating a visit by the British Queen and by the then Prince of Wales (now King).

A display case of fish, including smoked fish and green samphire.

A display case containing various pork products and a pig’s head.

A display case containing pork chops with the sign “Pork Chops- on the bone- skin on?- please Ask”

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Methinks that Ireland is rather “over-barbered”. After restaurants and pubs, some kind of barbershop or hair salon is the next most common business in Irish main streets. Really abundant. Don’t ever remember that! You can get a cut for €18.

A navy blue and white shop front beside red brick houses on a paved street.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Sunset scene at the Woodenworks (docks) in Wexford, Ireland.

A dusk scene at a tidal inlet with the tide out. Mudflats are exposed in the middle ground with water suffused with golden sunset light. On the left side are buildings and fishing boats tied up at a dock. A breakwater extends on the right. There is riprap in the near ground.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Sunset scene at the Woodenworks (docks) in Wexford, Ireland.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

In my “Happy Place” today! A great trip out to Great Saltee Island off the South Wexford coast, a noted seabird colony where I spent many summers in my youth. This is ~20 miles as the gull flies from where I used to live. Always a treat to visit here.

A small Island on the horizon of a blue sea with a blue sky above. A sailboat passes in front.

A stone gate encrusted with yellow lichens stands in front of a sea view with a blue sky above. Grasses are on bottom left, while bracken ferns are in the lower right.

A cliff overlooking a blue sea with blue skies above. On the cliff and surrounding slopes are hundreds of large white birds sitting on the ground. In front is a grassy slope with rocks, some with yellow lichens.

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Generations of Dubliners have grown up calling the Natural History Museum the “Dead Zoo”. Currently in exile at the Collins Barracks while its space is being renovated. Home to various fossils and stuffed animals, it has the world’s largest collection of Blaschka glass models of marine animals.

A woman standing beside two skeletons of large elk-like animals standing on wooden platforms in a dark room

Blown glass models of marine invertebrates on display stands in a glass case.

A sign describing Glass Models of Marine Life: “The coloured glass models of marine animals which are exhibited in the various cases in the Natural History Museum were prepared in the nineteenth century, before the year 1886, by Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka. Leopold Blaschka was born on the 27th May, 1822 in Aicha, Bohemia and died on the 3rd July, 1895 in Hosterwitz, near Dresden. His son Rudolph was born on the 17th June, 1857 and died on the 1st May, 1939. The Blaschka family originally came from Venice where craftsmanship in decorative glass is traditional. The degree of accuracy of zoological detail evident in these intricate and delicate models has never been achieved subsequently by later collections in the museum.”

Two blown glass models of radiolarians in a glass display case

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

“I write it out in a verse— MacDonagh and MacBride And Connolly and Pearse Now and in time to be, Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.” WB Yeats. Two locations important to the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin: Arbour Hill and the GPO, O’Connell St.

Gravesite of the executed 1916 Easter Rising leaders.

A large building with 6 columns in central Dublin: the GPO (General Post Office).

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

The Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Sq., Dublin. This beautiful space was dedicated in 1966, on the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rebellion to remember all those who died over the centuries in the struggle for Irish freedom and independence. It was down the street from where we stayed.

A garden with a large cruciform pool of greenish water. There are steps at the end of the garden rising to a plaza enclosed by a tall semicirclular grey stone wall. In the centre of the plaza is a massive modern sculpture. Trees are in the background

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T. Michael Redmond @tmr65.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Interesting sketch by William Blake, at National Gallery of Ireland, for an edition of Dante’s Inferno depicting the fate of corrupt politicians. In bottom right, being boiled in pitch.

A sketch in greys and orange depicting arches over a pool of boiling pitch. Various human images are in the bottom left and right corners.

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