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William Boddy

@williambee.bsky.social
47 followers 97 following 61 posts

Botany, conservation, and sea shanties

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Reposted by William Boddy
Canadian Paintings @canadianpaintings.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Red Sumac Tom Thomson 1916
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Odd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
So, happy 89th anniversary of the day Oswald Mosley tried to sell fascism to Liverpudlians—and someone concussed him with a brick
A man in a suit, standing on top of a van with loudspeakers on it, flinches as projectiles are hurled at him
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Julie S. Lalonde @julieslalonde.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
I harp on this all the time, but there is so much peer reviewed solid evidence that we benefit from small talk with strangers, knowing our neighbours, chatting with our baristas, etc. And I believe that our shift away from that stuff is at the root of all our antisocial behaviour right now.
theglobeandmail.com
How to talk to a stranger and make friends
Talking to strangers is good for us, and a growing number of places have started campaigns, events and programs to kickstart those conversations
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Meade Krosby @meadekrosby.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
If you could use a pick-me-up, check out the Smithsonian’s live cheetah cub cam. The five-day old cubs are beyond adorable, and an important addition to the captive breeding program for this vulnerable species.
nationalzoo.si.edu
Cheetah Cub Cam
The Cheetah Cub Cam streams live from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.
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William Boddy @williambee.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
“Scientists believe the most likely cause is climate disruption. Human-driven heating has pushed up winter temperatures on and around the Antarctic peninsula to 5C above preindustrial levels, one of the fastest rises in the world.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
World’s largest penguin colony suffers ‘enormous population crash’
Chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski Island in Antarctica down by two-thirds since 2011, probably due to climate crisis
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Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The House of Commons is debating the price of food, which is a bit weird because eliminating the carbon tax was supposed to solve that problem.
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
One thing I find endlessly funny about the rise of AI is that it has revealed that there is a large number of people who believe that the reason they wrote essays at school or university is their teachers were desperately waiting for them to provide a definite answer to “Lear: what’s up with him?”
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William Boddy @williambee.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Disgusting
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 26/09/2026
Tech companies suddenly decide they can, in fact, moderate content on their platforms after all
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Christoph Harig @charig.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Millions of people voted for this man and would do it again
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The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 17/09/2026
OpenAI may have solved the Navier-Stokes equation — but mathematics is more than $1 million trophy hunts
theconversation.com
OpenAI may have solved the Navier-Stokes equation — but mathematics is more than $1 million trophy hunts
Silicon Valley may end mathematical trophy hunting by making sport of it. But the modern mathematical landscape is so much broader than that.
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NBC News @nbcnews.com · 17/09/2026
The new wild cat species is about the size of a domestic kitten and lives in Bolivia.
nbcnews.to
New wild cat species is identified for first time in 100 years, researchers say
A type of tiger cat, the animal is smaller than a house cat, slender and spotted. It lives in the Bolivian cloud forest.
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Dr. Merritt Rae Turetsky @queenofpeat.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What is tiny but has a PLANET-sized influence? Sphagnum of course. A 🧵 on why this moss matters more than ever. Holding more than 20× its dry weight in water, halting decay, shaping entire ecosystems, thwarting fire. Never underestimate a moss. 1/
Close up image of a tiny red Sphagnum moss.
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andrea bennett (they/them) @akkabah.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Need a little bright spot in a bleak week? For @thetyee.ca, @sarahkcox.bsky.social visits the folks bringing locally extinct bluebirds back to Vancouver Island: thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Bluebirds Went Extinct on Vancouver Island. Now They’re Back | The Tyee
Seventy landowners and many other volunteers have helped return their gentle, chortling song to the Cowichan Valley.
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The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 14/09/2026
Planting trees in the wrong places is not a climate solution
theconversation.com
Planting trees in the wrong places is not a climate solution
Global tree-planting campaigns can harm natural drylands. Effective climate restoration must work within dryland ecosystems, not seek to replace them.
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Terence Tao @teorth.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
A group of 25 Fields Medalists, including myself, have made a joint declaration on Math and AI: mathandai.org . We welcome additional signatories. See also this article in the Economist announcing the declaration: www.economist.com/science-and-...
mathandai.org
Declaration — Math and AI
Read the declaration and add your name.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
After Ontario replaced the Endangered Species Act, ministry biologists were told they couldn't review developers' plans. We found that over 12 have since left, feeling their jobs "stopped feeling meaningful." Here's our latest investigation: thenarwhal.ca/bill-5-endan... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Endless Screaming @infinitescream.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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Texas Jainsaw Massacre @jaina.wirefault.com · 03/09/2026
I like to think about the ozone hole and acid rain situation in the 80s and how we don’t worry about those so much anymore because a lot of people worked really hard to fix them (as best they could)
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Oden @oden-gjallarhornet.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
El Niño is now stronger than at any point in the last 1,000 years, study finds arstechnica.com/science/2026...
arstechnica.com
El Niño is now stronger than at any point in the last 1,000 years, study finds
“One more warning sign here of what we're facing in a warmer world.”...
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 01/09/2026
UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke to combine herbaria, creating the third-largest university plant collection in the United States ncbg.unc.edu/2026/08/31/u...
ncbg.unc.edu
UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke to combine herbaria, creating the third-largest university plant collection in the United States - North Carolina Botanical Garden
The combined herbaria will create an unmatched archive for studying plant diversity in the southeastern United States (Chapel Hill, N.C.— Aug. 31, 2026) UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University will unite....
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Astronomy Picture of the Day 🪐 @apod.shinyakato.dev · 25/08/2026
🔭 Earth's Shadow Visualized with Lunar Eclipses Image Credit & Copyright: Tim Martin ap260825
Many images of Earth's Moon are shown each partly
eclipsed. The lunar images are arranged so that the 
eclipsed dark part is toward the center, showing a 
large dark circle in the center. 
Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
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Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"Their hydronyms" is a legitimately funny punchline.
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Kness @kness.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Hiiii ! This is your Canadian ceramic artist writing! Soooo after this week-end debacle, I just wanted to write a little update about the Canada - USA trade war and how art is actually political. 80% of my work sells to the U.S. and it looks like I just lost my main source of income.
Canadian otters on a Canadian made mug that's handmade and cute and how could you put tariffs on that ???
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The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 25/08/2026
Vulnerability to wildfire smoke is in our genes, thanks to an evolutionary quirk
theconversation.com
Vulnerability to wildfire smoke is in our genes, thanks to an evolutionary quirk
Mutations that occurred tens of thousands of years ago made humans uniquely sensitive to particulate air pollution.
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Tabatha Southey🇨🇦 @tabathasouthey.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
OK, but it would be funny — and thus Canadian — to go with Lake of Mexico for a while.
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Canadian Paintings @canadianpaintings.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Horse and Train Alex Colville 1954
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Topher Florence @topherflorence.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
formal proposal of a replacement for the vince mcmahon meme format
a series of pictures of agent scully from the hit television series "the x-files" wearing glasses. each picture gradually has a slightly more serious expression and more dramatic lighting
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The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 16/03/2026
How plant populations keep a genetic memory of the past
theconversation.com
How plant populations keep a genetic memory of the past
Genetic signatures help uncover the echoes of the past events in the histories of jewelweed populations, and understand their genetic implications for conservation.
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Cloe Logan @cloelogan.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
The Ontario government wants to rewrite the law that compelled it to disclose documents revealing the Greenbelt land scandal, the Skills Development Fund controversy and others. For @nationalobserver.com 🧵
nationalobserver.com
Ford targets Ontario law that exposed his government's worst scandals
The Greenbelt scandal, the Skills Development controversy and more were all revealed through freedom of information requests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
NEW: Doug Ford’s ⁦‪@OntarioPCParty‬⁩ government is changing the law to protect the premier and his ministers from public scrutiny. Freedom of information “modernization” will shield politicians. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford government moving to ‘modernize’ freedom of information laws to shield politicians from scrutiny
The changes will be introduced after the legislature resumes on March 23.
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 10/03/2026
The Doug Ford government’s proposal to amalgamate conservation authorities received 14,000 public comments. Ontario now has a $20-million final plan to make it happen. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario’s $20-million plan to merge conservation authorities | The Narwhal
The Ford government’s final plan for amalgamating 36 conservation authorities removes some controversial mergers
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Nicolai von Ondarza @nvondarza.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Quite noteworthy that the same people who years fighting the energy transition are now demanding quick dismantling of climate laws in response to the US/Israel-Iran war-made energy crisis. How much better would we be prepared in Europe if we had more forcefully transitioned to headpumps and EVs?
Quote from the FT: Italy’s industry minister Adolfo Urso has called for the immediate suspension of the EU’s carbon emissions trading system to help cut soaring energy prices.

“The suspension of the ETS [European trading system] should be considered precisely as an emergency response to the conflict, pending a more thorough revision of the system,” Urso told an Italian newspaper.

The ETS requires polluting industries to purchase permits for their carbon emissions. Urso had called for its suspension before the war erupted, but said the issue was more urgent now because of the current surge in energy prices. Scrapping the system, he said, would cut the cost of Italy’s gas-reliant electricity production by €25-€30 per megawatt hour.
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 22/02/2026
Canada credits gold medal curling win to expert fingering
thebeaverton.com
Canada credits gold medal curling win to expert fingering
MILANO-CORTINA - With Canada's mens team defeating Great Britain to clinch gold in the Winter Olympics, Canadian skip Brad Jacobs is crediting the victory to his team's delicate, sometimes-controversi...
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Eva Hyldgaard 🇩🇰 Dane for Democracy @evahyldgaard.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Danish PM on Facebook this morning: “I am happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to healthcare for everyone. Where insurance and wealth do not determine whether you receive proper treatment. The same approach exists in Greenland. Happy Sunday to you all”
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Hildur Knútsdóttir @hildur.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I regularly see people wondering how it's possible that there are so many musicians and writers and film makers and artists from a tiny nation like Iceland. And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.
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SK Winnicki, PhD 🏳️‍⚧️ @skwinnicki.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Found an additional graphic that gets even more of these quotes together. I've kept "I hate myself, I hate clover, and I hate bees" pinned above my desk since I first started studying evolutionary biology as an undergraduate. So relatable to get extremely frustrated with your study system.
Image of Charles Darwin quotes, with the recipient of the letter and the date the letter was written. He said "I hate every wave of the ocean" to W.D. Fox on 15 February 1836, "Oh my God how I do hate species and varieties" to J.D. Hooker in 11 March 1858, "I am very tired, very stomachy, and hate nearly the whole world" to Thomas Huxley on 10 September 1860, "I am very poorly today and very stupid and hate everybody and everything" to Charles Lyell on 1 October 1861, "I hate myself, I hate clover, and I hate bees" to John Lubbock on 3 September 1862, and "I am languid and bedeviled and hate writing and hate everybody" to J.D. Hooker on 23 June 1863.
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Damon Tighe @damontighe.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
The Desert Candles are already up (1.5 months early :/) along with A LOT of other #flowers in the #Carrizo Plain. This Brassicaceae has it all - showy intricate flowers, a Dr Seuss level swollen hollow stipe, the ability to grow in nutrient poor soils and the capacity to get super tall. #california
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Caroleeena @caroleeena.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Scotland has passed a law that all new buildings must install ‘swift bricks’ which are hollowed out bricks to help nesting swifts and other endangered birds! Swifts are especially endangered because so many chimneys now have chimney caps. Swifts return to the same nesting spot year after year.
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Dr Christine Plastow @chrissieplastow.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Your periodic reminder that you can start learning ancient Greek right now, free of charge!
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Jesse @requiemarm.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
they should make a movie series about how it’s irresponsible to use technology to mess with the natural order of things for profit
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Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 30/01/2026
❤️
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Tyler Olsen @tyolsen.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
As Okanagan officials warn about an invasive 'pine beetle of the water,' the B.C. government says it doesn't have enough money to ramp up enforcement to ensure invasive mussels don't arrive in the province's lakes. Today in @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
thetyee.ca
Warnings of a Dire New Shellfish Invasion in BC | The Tyee
Golden mussels are ‘the pine beetle of the water’ say Okanagan officials tracking their advance.
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Naomi Fraga @naomibot.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Wildflower watch 2026 continues and all eyes on Death Valley, world renowned wildflower hotspot 👀. It was a pleasure to speak w/ @alanhalaly.bsky.social as I conducted reconnaissance w/ the supreme defender of wildflowers 💚 @bitterwaterblue.bsky.social. www.reviewjournal.com/news/environ...
reviewjournal.com
Death Valley could be weeks away from a wildflower bloom. Here’s what to know
At the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 “superbloom” that carpeted the desert floor in flowers, observers may have success in locating wildflowers once again.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The Doug Ford gov’t got 14,233 public comments on its plan to transfer 60% of Wasaga Beach to the town. ~98% opposed citing environmental harms "We did not consider any changes to the proposal based on the feedback received," the gov't decided My latest on this saga: thenarwhal.ca/wasaga-beach...
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario advances Wasaga Beach transfer | The Narwhal
98% of public feedback opposed Ontario’s plan to drop provincial park designation and protections on a portion of Wasaga Beach
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dumb genius/smart idiot @andrew.mcguiregis.com · 25/01/2026
Twitter screenshot. Text as follows: 

Remembering that thing in grad school when my professor, a great ornithologist, got a random call

Drunk guy, bar noises in background: (text all caps) IS THIS THE BIRD PROFESSOR? 

My advisor: um...yes?

Drunk guy (again, all caps) DO HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE FEET?

my advisor: ...yes 

* wild cheering over phone from bar *
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Marsha McLeod @marshamcleod.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
906 days. That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada. Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
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Vincent Ledvina @vincentledvina.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
The aurora tonight from Fairbanks, Alaska filmed in real-time (not sped up). Insane show!
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Rav BOO!dram 🎃👻 @rvbdrm.com · 09/01/2026
BIG FIGHT AT POLAND’S WROCLAW ZOO!!!
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Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
historically accurate☑️
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