Kris Gates
@krismgates.bsky.social
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
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
Cookie platter recipe #8: Shortbread Thumbprints with either red currant or black currant jam.
December 10, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Cookie platter recipe #8: Shortbread Thumbprints with either red currant or black currant jam.
Cookie platter recipe #7. These don’t look great, but they taste delicious. Upcycling all the York Peppermint Patties I bought for Halloween by using them to top a Toll House-style butter cookie.
December 10, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Cookie platter recipe #7. These don’t look great, but they taste delicious. Upcycling all the York Peppermint Patties I bought for Halloween by using them to top a Toll House-style butter cookie.
Cookie platter recipe #6: Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies. Each has a chocolate espresso bean to signal the flavor. This is a recipe from Bob’s Red Mill. Good, but I prefer the chewier texture of a different recipe I’ve made in the past.
December 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Cookie platter recipe #6: Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies. Each has a chocolate espresso bean to signal the flavor. This is a recipe from Bob’s Red Mill. Good, but I prefer the chewier texture of a different recipe I’ve made in the past.
Reposted by Kris Gates
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
December 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
An awesome seasonal card from a friend.
December 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
An awesome seasonal card from a friend.
An adventurous stormy night with power outage, power restored, another power outage & thankfully another restoration. Each time it went out, battery backups awoke us with beeping. Up with flashlights to address, which woke up the cats, who hoped it was time to eat again. Early bedtime tonight.
December 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
An adventurous stormy night with power outage, power restored, another power outage & thankfully another restoration. Each time it went out, battery backups awoke us with beeping. Up with flashlights to address, which woke up the cats, who hoped it was time to eat again. Early bedtime tonight.
#Bird of the Day: Hermit Thrush (HETH)
Some of you may remember how excited I was to have a Swainson’s Thrush in my yard during the fall migration season. The very similar Hermit Thrushes live in Oregon all winter, but I’ve only seen them a handful of times. But on my California trip, I saw HETH in
Some of you may remember how excited I was to have a Swainson’s Thrush in my yard during the fall migration season. The very similar Hermit Thrushes live in Oregon all winter, but I’ve only seen them a handful of times. But on my California trip, I saw HETH in
December 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
#Bird of the Day: Hermit Thrush (HETH)
Some of you may remember how excited I was to have a Swainson’s Thrush in my yard during the fall migration season. The very similar Hermit Thrushes live in Oregon all winter, but I’ve only seen them a handful of times. But on my California trip, I saw HETH in
Some of you may remember how excited I was to have a Swainson’s Thrush in my yard during the fall migration season. The very similar Hermit Thrushes live in Oregon all winter, but I’ve only seen them a handful of times. But on my California trip, I saw HETH in
Reposted by Kris Gates
Minutes ago today the Trump regime abruptly cancelled citizenship ceremonies for several immigrants in Boston.
THEY CANCELLED CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES.
These immigrants followed every rule & did everything right—Trump banned them anyway. All are from Black & brown majority nations.
This Is Fascism.
THEY CANCELLED CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES.
These immigrants followed every rule & did everything right—Trump banned them anyway. All are from Black & brown majority nations.
This Is Fascism.
December 9, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Minutes ago today the Trump regime abruptly cancelled citizenship ceremonies for several immigrants in Boston.
THEY CANCELLED CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES.
These immigrants followed every rule & did everything right—Trump banned them anyway. All are from Black & brown majority nations.
This Is Fascism.
THEY CANCELLED CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES.
These immigrants followed every rule & did everything right—Trump banned them anyway. All are from Black & brown majority nations.
This Is Fascism.
Cookie platter recipe #5: Chai Pinwheels
I’m still trying to decide if these are going to get a cream cheese glaze.
The platter assortments this year aim for variety in pattern and form in shades of white to brown.
I’m still trying to decide if these are going to get a cream cheese glaze.
The platter assortments this year aim for variety in pattern and form in shades of white to brown.
December 9, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Cookie platter recipe #5: Chai Pinwheels
I’m still trying to decide if these are going to get a cream cheese glaze.
The platter assortments this year aim for variety in pattern and form in shades of white to brown.
I’m still trying to decide if these are going to get a cream cheese glaze.
The platter assortments this year aim for variety in pattern and form in shades of white to brown.
Cookie platter recipe #4: Honey & Tahini Cookies rolled in sesame and poppy seeds.
December 9, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Cookie platter recipe #4: Honey & Tahini Cookies rolled in sesame and poppy seeds.
Cookie platter recipe #3: Nutmeg Biscotti with toffee bits and dried cranberries
December 9, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Cookie platter recipe #3: Nutmeg Biscotti with toffee bits and dried cranberries
#Bird of the Day: California Quail (CAQU)
One day in Big Sur I had just a glimpse of a single quail in the brambles by the parking gravel before it secreted itself further in. Where you see one, you know there are plenty more, but they didn’t make an appearance while we sat and ate our sack lunches.
One day in Big Sur I had just a glimpse of a single quail in the brambles by the parking gravel before it secreted itself further in. Where you see one, you know there are plenty more, but they didn’t make an appearance while we sat and ate our sack lunches.
December 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
#Bird of the Day: California Quail (CAQU)
One day in Big Sur I had just a glimpse of a single quail in the brambles by the parking gravel before it secreted itself further in. Where you see one, you know there are plenty more, but they didn’t make an appearance while we sat and ate our sack lunches.
One day in Big Sur I had just a glimpse of a single quail in the brambles by the parking gravel before it secreted itself further in. Where you see one, you know there are plenty more, but they didn’t make an appearance while we sat and ate our sack lunches.
Reposted by Kris Gates
I can't help but feel that ducks delight in pulling off a flawless water-ski landing. This male mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was a split-second from touching down when I photographed him in Albuquerque on December 6, 2025.
#nature #naturephotography #birds
#nature #naturephotography #birds
December 7, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I can't help but feel that ducks delight in pulling off a flawless water-ski landing. This male mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was a split-second from touching down when I photographed him in Albuquerque on December 6, 2025.
#nature #naturephotography #birds
#nature #naturephotography #birds
A few favorites at the Wild Arts Festival today, organized by the local Bird Alliance chapter. Upcycled creatures made of metal, wood & tire rubber. Also the petite bird portraits by Sheila M. Evans, an artist previously featured by @goodport.bsky.social Oh, to have unlimited funds & empty walls!
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 AM
A few favorites at the Wild Arts Festival today, organized by the local Bird Alliance chapter. Upcycled creatures made of metal, wood & tire rubber. Also the petite bird portraits by Sheila M. Evans, an artist previously featured by @goodport.bsky.social Oh, to have unlimited funds & empty walls!
My brother in law sent over two buckets of spent grains from his brewing process for the neighbor’s chicken. It’s a hit!
December 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
My brother in law sent over two buckets of spent grains from his brewing process for the neighbor’s chicken. It’s a hit!
Reposted by Kris Gates
Putin declares victory.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
December 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Putin declares victory.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Time to phase out the autumn table decorations. I've had an assortment of colorful winter squashes and gourds out, so now I will turn them into soup and baked goods by roasting them and scooping out the tender flesh. 🍽️ And of course, the seeds will go out for the squirrels and birds to enjoy.
December 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Time to phase out the autumn table decorations. I've had an assortment of colorful winter squashes and gourds out, so now I will turn them into soup and baked goods by roasting them and scooping out the tender flesh. 🍽️ And of course, the seeds will go out for the squirrels and birds to enjoy.
#Bird of the Day: Brown Creeper (BRCR)
As I get further along in my birding journey, I have been trying to improve my skills at birding by ear. I’m slowly getting better at listening closely and being able to locate the bird making the sound, and sometimes I even know what I’m listening to before I
As I get further along in my birding journey, I have been trying to improve my skills at birding by ear. I’m slowly getting better at listening closely and being able to locate the bird making the sound, and sometimes I even know what I’m listening to before I
December 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
#Bird of the Day: Brown Creeper (BRCR)
As I get further along in my birding journey, I have been trying to improve my skills at birding by ear. I’m slowly getting better at listening closely and being able to locate the bird making the sound, and sometimes I even know what I’m listening to before I
As I get further along in my birding journey, I have been trying to improve my skills at birding by ear. I’m slowly getting better at listening closely and being able to locate the bird making the sound, and sometimes I even know what I’m listening to before I
Reposted by Kris Gates
Oh my goodness bidding has reached £600 that’s fantastic 🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷
It’s the time of year when I do my Christmas auction. This mouse icon is up for auction and it’s to raise money for Shelter Cymru & Doctors without borders. 100% of the money raised will go to these charities on a 50-50 basis.
December 6, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Oh my goodness bidding has reached £600 that’s fantastic 🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷
🧵 In Vancouver, Washington, two recent incidents have highlighted the violence of ICE agents, even against people who are not resisting. Last month, a man was mauled by an ICE-agency dog, his torso and arm pierced by the dog's teeth multiple times. And this week, an ICE SUV ran over a person who was
December 7, 2025 at 3:37 AM
🧵 In Vancouver, Washington, two recent incidents have highlighted the violence of ICE agents, even against people who are not resisting. Last month, a man was mauled by an ICE-agency dog, his torso and arm pierced by the dog's teeth multiple times. And this week, an ICE SUV ran over a person who was
Reposted by Kris Gates
Any one of us could be in the next apartment building that ICE raids in the middle of the night.
Any one of us could be on the next boat that Trump bombs on a whim.
Any one of us could be detained for hours despite being a U.S. citizen.
Authoritarianism hurts all of us.
Any one of us could be on the next boat that Trump bombs on a whim.
Any one of us could be detained for hours despite being a U.S. citizen.
Authoritarianism hurts all of us.
December 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Any one of us could be in the next apartment building that ICE raids in the middle of the night.
Any one of us could be on the next boat that Trump bombs on a whim.
Any one of us could be detained for hours despite being a U.S. citizen.
Authoritarianism hurts all of us.
Any one of us could be on the next boat that Trump bombs on a whim.
Any one of us could be detained for hours despite being a U.S. citizen.
Authoritarianism hurts all of us.
Happy #Caturday! Can you see what I see? This vehicle has a stuffed black cat head on its front passenger seat. For a moment, I was quite startled to see these eyes looking back at me!
December 6, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Happy #Caturday! Can you see what I see? This vehicle has a stuffed black cat head on its front passenger seat. For a moment, I was quite startled to see these eyes looking back at me!
Sharing pics from time in Pacific Grove. This town of ~20K completely charmed me for multiple reasons. Not the least of them were mule deer wandering freely within residential neighborhoods & the drivers slowing to keep them safe. In the cemetery, at my hotel, on the golf course, & in the driveways!
December 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Sharing pics from time in Pacific Grove. This town of ~20K completely charmed me for multiple reasons. Not the least of them were mule deer wandering freely within residential neighborhoods & the drivers slowing to keep them safe. In the cemetery, at my hotel, on the golf course, & in the driveways!
"Sands of the World" at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
As I previously described, I went to this museum to see their collection of taxidermic birds. But I was charmed by this display of small stoppered vials of sand, each carefully numbered in a framed case. The key to the 714-piece
As I previously described, I went to this museum to see their collection of taxidermic birds. But I was charmed by this display of small stoppered vials of sand, each carefully numbered in a framed case. The key to the 714-piece
December 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
"Sands of the World" at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
As I previously described, I went to this museum to see their collection of taxidermic birds. But I was charmed by this display of small stoppered vials of sand, each carefully numbered in a framed case. The key to the 714-piece
As I previously described, I went to this museum to see their collection of taxidermic birds. But I was charmed by this display of small stoppered vials of sand, each carefully numbered in a framed case. The key to the 714-piece
My neighbors now have 13 laying hens. And they love my yard when they’re set loose, scratching through the leaves and pecking under the bird feeder. My neighbors can’t keep up with the eggs— lucky me! Just in time for holiday baking!
December 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
My neighbors now have 13 laying hens. And they love my yard when they’re set loose, scratching through the leaves and pecking under the bird feeder. My neighbors can’t keep up with the eggs— lucky me! Just in time for holiday baking!