Kris Gates
@krismgates.bsky.social
2.1K followers 770 following 5.9K posts
Scientist, atheist, educator. Proud PNW liberal; Oregon. Striving to be a part of our more perfect union. Lover of birds, cats, baking & preserving. Facts Matter. #Bird photos are mine unless noted otherwise. Joined 4/24 Missing Post News! She/her/pissed
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
krismgates.bsky.social
fungal or microbial infection. As I was researching this topic, I was interested to find that there is a potential vaccine in development for urushiol poisoning! Science!
🪶
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDC-APB
krismgates.bsky.social
leaves without reaction. And the toxic fruit of the Pacific poison oak, formed in clusters of pale berries, are consumed by dozens of types of #birds, including this pair of Downy Woodpeckers who were chowing down on this climbing vine. Scientists speculate that the toxin may help the plant avoid
krismgates.bsky.social
In fact, in winter when its leaves are gone, bare stems of poison oak can be recognized by spots where its secreted sap has blackened. 🪶 Reasons for the plant’s production of the toxin are not understood, since many animals, including ungulates such as deer, squirrels, goats, & elk can feed on the
krismgates.bsky.social
allows it to be absorbed by the skin, worsening symptoms which can include blistering. 🦉 Urushiol is also produced by the Chinese lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, and its sap, when exposed to air, becomes shiny & black; this material has been used for centuries in Asia to make lacquerware.
krismgates.bsky.social
#Bird of the Day: Downy Woodpecker (DOWO)
As autumn approaches, one of the first plants here to turn a shade of brilliant red is Toxicodendron diversilobum, Pacific poison oak. Yet another reason to stay on the trails! The irritating compound emitted from this plant is urushiol; its oily consistency
krismgates.bsky.social
Bonus #bird. Anna’s Hummingbird on a wild honeysuckle. Incomplete throat gorgette is indicative of a juvenile male. This little one was also plucking insects from tree bark.
A hummingbird hovers and sips from the pale pink trumpet-shaped blossoms of a flowering vine.
krismgates.bsky.social
He’s already convinced some. I protest weekly and one of the things regularly shouted at our group is “Trump Forever”. I’ve also heard “Go King Trump” which sounds confusingly like “F*cking Trump” from a passing vehicle.
These weak Trumpers love the idea of a monarch who oppresses their “enemies”.
krismgates.bsky.social
So beautiful! Could be an ornamental cherry tree.
Reposted by Kris Gates
moocowsue.bsky.social
Legal specialists have called the premeditated & summary extrajudicial killings illegal. They noted that the military cannot lawfully target civilians — even criminal suspects — who do not pose a threat in the moment and are not directly participating in hostilities.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/u...
U.S. Military Kills Another 6 People in 5th Caribbean Strike, Trump Says
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Kris Gates
mlrphotography.bsky.social
Good morning

Chasing waterfalls and autumn views! Who else has stood on the Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls and felt tiny compared to this natural wonder? Highly recommend visiting the Columbia River Gorge this time of year!

#MultnomahFalls #AutumnVibes #WaterfallWednesday #RoadTrip
krismgates.bsky.social
Yes, I was hoping you would do so, to expand the audience for your good advice.
krismgates.bsky.social
A few more of the raccoons' antics from today:
krismgates.bsky.social
He's so twisted & repressed, the most dangerous thing he's seen is the PDX Naked Bike Ride, rather than agents of the police state ripping parents from children, attacking peaceful assemblies, breaking down doors without warrants to herd residents outside at 2am & beating brown people without cause.
atrupar.com
Q: We've seen images out of Chicago of federal agents shooting faith leaders with pepper balls and arresting journalists. Where's the limit for you on what's acceptable conduct by federal agents?

MIKE JOHNSON: I've not seen them cross the line yet.
Reposted by Kris Gates
gtconway.bsky.social
That's twenty-seven flat-out murders. That's twenty-seven lives taken without even a semblance of a legal justification under domestic or international law.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/u...
krismgates.bsky.social
Time to plan your costume around it!
krismgates.bsky.social
Does the regime realize that members of their own cabinet seem to wish death upon Americans? I'm looking at you, RFK, Jr., and you're not the only one.
krismgates.bsky.social
Yikes! I'm so sorry-- and hope you don't lose the nail.
But of course I know you won't stop doing good deeds!
krismgates.bsky.social
It looks worse than it feels. I use a wheelbarrow when I am putting manure on the veggie bed, but with the flower beds I need to walk among the perennials & get it around each plant. There's just no way to do it with a wheelbarrow without crushing plants. But I'll come up with a better technique!
krismgates.bsky.social
Good idea! This looks much worse than it feels, thankfully!
krismgates.bsky.social
Once inside cleaning up, I discovered that the way I awkwardly supported the heavy buckets of compost with my forearm as I empty them leaves me with bruises. I should come up with a better plan.
A person’s left arm showing bruising along the inner forearm. I do bruise easily.
krismgates.bsky.social
Today’s the day for good shit, & by that I mean free well-composted horse manure. My neighbor knows a gal with stables. I spread this year’s load on the flowers beds since we gave the vegetable garden a top dressing last fall. Some years I am doing this chore in the rain, so thankful for 60F & sun!
A small trailer filled with horse manure. Half-way done! Buckets and shovels and a trailer partially filled with horse manure. Empty trailer, hosed out, with shovels.
krismgates.bsky.social
Nothing like working in the yard on this beautiful fall day and having three pairs of military jets fly overhead, toward Portland.