Cian 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (he/him)
@cbdawson.bsky.social
• San Francisco Bay Area • Queer • Too many nature pix • FAIR and open gov science in the public interest • Geoscience • Water Resources • Birds! • Public Lands • Burrowing Owl & Pupfish stan acct •
This is a personal account, obviously 🙄
This is a personal account, obviously 🙄
Not a fan of the AI-first-and-for-everything approach. But hopefully this initiative will fastrack the DOE Office of Science's integrated research infrastructure efforts, to better connect the globally distributed experiments, data, computing, and people.
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Not a fan of the AI-first-and-for-everything approach. But hopefully this initiative will fastrack the DOE Office of Science's integrated research infrastructure efforts, to better connect the globally distributed experiments, data, computing, and people.
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...
Thick fog this morning in the delta.
I feel like I want to make a joke about the second photo, but given the apparent lack of understanding of this current admin, I'll refrain.
I feel like I want to make a joke about the second photo, but given the apparent lack of understanding of this current admin, I'll refrain.
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Thick fog this morning in the delta.
I feel like I want to make a joke about the second photo, but given the apparent lack of understanding of this current admin, I'll refrain.
I feel like I want to make a joke about the second photo, but given the apparent lack of understanding of this current admin, I'll refrain.
Decided to check out Stone Lakes NWR because I had never been but was nearby. Almost eerie lack of birds, and instead I saw this.
Enough with the 🤬 balloons. Stop buying 🤬 balloons.
(Sound up for full effect)
Enough with the 🤬 balloons. Stop buying 🤬 balloons.
(Sound up for full effect)
November 24, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Decided to check out Stone Lakes NWR because I had never been but was nearby. Almost eerie lack of birds, and instead I saw this.
Enough with the 🤬 balloons. Stop buying 🤬 balloons.
(Sound up for full effect)
Enough with the 🤬 balloons. Stop buying 🤬 balloons.
(Sound up for full effect)
You might be thinking of the sea-side of the trail? The 3 NWR photos are all looking inland, and that water is actively managed by the refuge.
When I started birding there, ~15 years ago?, there was often open water within easy view, but not anymore. View from base of Rock Hill:
When I started birding there, ~15 years ago?, there was often open water within easy view, but not anymore. View from base of Rock Hill:
November 23, 2025 at 4:11 AM
You might be thinking of the sea-side of the trail? The 3 NWR photos are all looking inland, and that water is actively managed by the refuge.
When I started birding there, ~15 years ago?, there was often open water within easy view, but not anymore. View from base of Rock Hill:
When I started birding there, ~15 years ago?, there was often open water within easy view, but not anymore. View from base of Rock Hill:
Further south down the shoreline, I stopped at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge for some birds, and spent a lot of time photographing the geothermal plants. It's been fascinating to watch how water levels have declined. The NWR visitor center trails area is now effectively land locked.
November 23, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Further south down the shoreline, I stopped at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge for some birds, and spent a lot of time photographing the geothermal plants. It's been fascinating to watch how water levels have declined. The NWR visitor center trails area is now effectively land locked.
It was a road trippin' week!
Camped at Salton Sea State Recreation Area. I walked out of my tent to the water & saw a raft of ~1k redheads one morning. Cactus wrens were a great alarm clock. The harbor at the visitor center no longer reaches the shoreline. Saw hundreds of blue-winged teals!
Camped at Salton Sea State Recreation Area. I walked out of my tent to the water & saw a raft of ~1k redheads one morning. Cactus wrens were a great alarm clock. The harbor at the visitor center no longer reaches the shoreline. Saw hundreds of blue-winged teals!
November 23, 2025 at 3:47 AM
It was a road trippin' week!
Camped at Salton Sea State Recreation Area. I walked out of my tent to the water & saw a raft of ~1k redheads one morning. Cactus wrens were a great alarm clock. The harbor at the visitor center no longer reaches the shoreline. Saw hundreds of blue-winged teals!
Camped at Salton Sea State Recreation Area. I walked out of my tent to the water & saw a raft of ~1k redheads one morning. Cactus wrens were a great alarm clock. The harbor at the visitor center no longer reaches the shoreline. Saw hundreds of blue-winged teals!
But the story of Allensworth is also a Central Valley groundwater story! Originally, there were multiple flowing wells. Residents formed the Allensworth Rural Water Company to take over from another company. Within a few years, water levels dropped and the wells went dry. #CAwater
November 23, 2025 at 3:04 AM
But the story of Allensworth is also a Central Valley groundwater story! Originally, there were multiple flowing wells. Residents formed the Allensworth Rural Water Company to take over from another company. Within a few years, water levels dropped and the wells went dry. #CAwater
This week I visited Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, looking for camping. I thought it was military related, but it's not. Founded in 1908, it was the only "town in California founded, financed, and governed by Black Americans".
There's a good audio tour w/photos;
allensworth.stqry.app/en/
There's a good audio tour w/photos;
allensworth.stqry.app/en/
November 23, 2025 at 3:04 AM
This week I visited Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, looking for camping. I thought it was military related, but it's not. Founded in 1908, it was the only "town in California founded, financed, and governed by Black Americans".
There's a good audio tour w/photos;
allensworth.stqry.app/en/
There's a good audio tour w/photos;
allensworth.stqry.app/en/
Why the heck does a California STATE public lands kiosk have this federal garbage posted?
And they couldn't even get the name right, it's SS State Recreation Area, not SS State Park.
(Rant, but also genuine question, if anyone knows -- has anyone seen these at other STATE facilities?)
And they couldn't even get the name right, it's SS State Recreation Area, not SS State Park.
(Rant, but also genuine question, if anyone knows -- has anyone seen these at other STATE facilities?)
November 21, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Why the heck does a California STATE public lands kiosk have this federal garbage posted?
And they couldn't even get the name right, it's SS State Recreation Area, not SS State Park.
(Rant, but also genuine question, if anyone knows -- has anyone seen these at other STATE facilities?)
And they couldn't even get the name right, it's SS State Recreation Area, not SS State Park.
(Rant, but also genuine question, if anyone knows -- has anyone seen these at other STATE facilities?)
This isn't a great owl photo, but I feel like it really captures how I think of this part of the Imperial Valley -- ag, geothermal, and birds.
Also: It would really be much easier if all birds put out little flags to identify themselves! 🚩
Also: It would really be much easier if all birds put out little flags to identify themselves! 🚩
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 AM
This isn't a great owl photo, but I feel like it really captures how I think of this part of the Imperial Valley -- ag, geothermal, and birds.
Also: It would really be much easier if all birds put out little flags to identify themselves! 🚩
Also: It would really be much easier if all birds put out little flags to identify themselves! 🚩
If folks haven't read it, I recommend @annaleen.bsky.social's Stories are Weapons, which is unfortunately more and more relevant during this administration. When I started it, I thought, "yeah yeah, I know this." But each chapter was 🤯; well researched analysis of these tactics, recent & historical.
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 AM
If folks haven't read it, I recommend @annaleen.bsky.social's Stories are Weapons, which is unfortunately more and more relevant during this administration. When I started it, I thought, "yeah yeah, I know this." But each chapter was 🤯; well researched analysis of these tactics, recent & historical.
New contender for the worst ever disaster TV show! I'm only on S1E1, but it's about Mauna Kea, located in Oahu, erupting. They figured it out from ground observations in the tropical forest ~80 miles north. The complex topography looks similar to the Alps, complicating where to drop the bombs. 🌋
November 16, 2025 at 4:27 AM
New contender for the worst ever disaster TV show! I'm only on S1E1, but it's about Mauna Kea, located in Oahu, erupting. They figured it out from ground observations in the tropical forest ~80 miles north. The complex topography looks similar to the Alps, complicating where to drop the bombs. 🌋
And proof that there really were thousands of birds (this is zoomed in between the two trees in the previous photo, when there was a big takeoff) . Sound up!
November 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
And proof that there really were thousands of birds (this is zoomed in between the two trees in the previous photo, when there was a big takeoff) . Sound up!
Got rained on, but then lucked out with these great sky/water reflections 😍!
Enjoyable birding day overall. Low volume, but good diversity. Confirmed that, yes, I can manage my scope, binoculars, and me all under an umbrella ☔️🤣
Enjoyable birding day overall. Low volume, but good diversity. Confirmed that, yes, I can manage my scope, binoculars, and me all under an umbrella ☔️🤣
November 15, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Got rained on, but then lucked out with these great sky/water reflections 😍!
Enjoyable birding day overall. Low volume, but good diversity. Confirmed that, yes, I can manage my scope, binoculars, and me all under an umbrella ☔️🤣
Enjoyable birding day overall. Low volume, but good diversity. Confirmed that, yes, I can manage my scope, binoculars, and me all under an umbrella ☔️🤣
Anyone good with random California melon identification?
~4-5" diameter. I think it's some kind of watermelon, based on its (very weak) flavor. I am not sure if the weak flavor is because it's not ripe yet, or just its normal taste.
Gleaned while birding in the delta.
~4-5" diameter. I think it's some kind of watermelon, based on its (very weak) flavor. I am not sure if the weak flavor is because it's not ripe yet, or just its normal taste.
Gleaned while birding in the delta.
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Anyone good with random California melon identification?
~4-5" diameter. I think it's some kind of watermelon, based on its (very weak) flavor. I am not sure if the weak flavor is because it's not ripe yet, or just its normal taste.
Gleaned while birding in the delta.
~4-5" diameter. I think it's some kind of watermelon, based on its (very weak) flavor. I am not sure if the weak flavor is because it's not ripe yet, or just its normal taste.
Gleaned while birding in the delta.
Here, have a rock haiku & art from a Central Valley 3rd grader, spotted at the Lodi Crane Festival. 🩶
Shoutout to them for sticking to their rock joy, amidst a sea of art about birds, butterflies, and other living critters. ⚒️
Shoutout to them for sticking to their rock joy, amidst a sea of art about birds, butterflies, and other living critters. ⚒️
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Here, have a rock haiku & art from a Central Valley 3rd grader, spotted at the Lodi Crane Festival. 🩶
Shoutout to them for sticking to their rock joy, amidst a sea of art about birds, butterflies, and other living critters. ⚒️
Shoutout to them for sticking to their rock joy, amidst a sea of art about birds, butterflies, and other living critters. ⚒️
The Central Valley dawn mist provided a scenic backdrop to an early boat ride on the South Fork of the Mokelumne River near Terminous this morning.
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 AM
The Central Valley dawn mist provided a scenic backdrop to an early boat ride on the South Fork of the Mokelumne River near Terminous this morning.
Sandhill cranes are always 🤩. Numbers up north around the Sacramento Delta (I've been to 5 refuges in the last two days) seem pretty low so far this year, though, so personally I might check the ebird numbers first before making that haul to Pixley. (But that depends if you are looking for volume)
November 8, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Sandhill cranes are always 🤩. Numbers up north around the Sacramento Delta (I've been to 5 refuges in the last two days) seem pretty low so far this year, though, so personally I might check the ebird numbers first before making that haul to Pixley. (But that depends if you are looking for volume)
I was going to make a joke about this, but got stymied when bluesky asked if I was going to write it in Icelandic!
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 AM
I was going to make a joke about this, but got stymied when bluesky asked if I was going to write it in Icelandic!
Fit in a quick jaunt to Hayward Regional Shoreline since I was down the street for something else. Did some birdwatching and well watching 😆.
The well network is for monitoring for migration of contaminants from the old West Winton Landfill (behind me) toward the bay.
#EBRPD #PublicLands
The well network is for monitoring for migration of contaminants from the old West Winton Landfill (behind me) toward the bay.
#EBRPD #PublicLands
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Fit in a quick jaunt to Hayward Regional Shoreline since I was down the street for something else. Did some birdwatching and well watching 😆.
The well network is for monitoring for migration of contaminants from the old West Winton Landfill (behind me) toward the bay.
#EBRPD #PublicLands
The well network is for monitoring for migration of contaminants from the old West Winton Landfill (behind me) toward the bay.
#EBRPD #PublicLands
What a gorgeous day along the SF Bay shoreline. I don't go to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland often, but it is such a great spot to view some iconic bay area landmarks. Today was all about the birds, though.
#PublicLands
#PublicLands
November 3, 2025 at 1:20 AM
What a gorgeous day along the SF Bay shoreline. I don't go to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland often, but it is such a great spot to view some iconic bay area landmarks. Today was all about the birds, though.
#PublicLands
#PublicLands
Visited another new-to-me park: Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. The lake is part of the Santa Clara water district reservoir.
We were at the base of the dam. I insisted on a seismic safety chat -- and that was before I realized it is built on top of the Calaveras fault 😆.
#PublicLands
We were at the base of the dam. I insisted on a seismic safety chat -- and that was before I realized it is built on top of the Calaveras fault 😆.
#PublicLands
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Visited another new-to-me park: Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. The lake is part of the Santa Clara water district reservoir.
We were at the base of the dam. I insisted on a seismic safety chat -- and that was before I realized it is built on top of the Calaveras fault 😆.
#PublicLands
We were at the base of the dam. I insisted on a seismic safety chat -- and that was before I realized it is built on top of the Calaveras fault 😆.
#PublicLands
My neighbors are hallucinating if they think this is true 🤦♂️
Folks were handing these flyers out at a @berkeleyca.gov meeting about the proposed San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan.
Interesting proposals, but I was surprised the city didn't allow any questions during the large group presentation 🤔
Folks were handing these flyers out at a @berkeleyca.gov meeting about the proposed San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan.
Interesting proposals, but I was surprised the city didn't allow any questions during the large group presentation 🤔
October 31, 2025 at 5:34 AM
My neighbors are hallucinating if they think this is true 🤦♂️
Folks were handing these flyers out at a @berkeleyca.gov meeting about the proposed San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan.
Interesting proposals, but I was surprised the city didn't allow any questions during the large group presentation 🤔
Folks were handing these flyers out at a @berkeleyca.gov meeting about the proposed San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan.
Interesting proposals, but I was surprised the city didn't allow any questions during the large group presentation 🤔
Fit in a quick birding visit to the Corte Madera shorebird marsh. It can be fabulous winter birding. Even mid-afternoon, it did not disappoint: saw 35 different bird species.
Not sure of the agency, I think it's technically outside of the Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park?
#PublicLands
Not sure of the agency, I think it's technically outside of the Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park?
#PublicLands
October 31, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Fit in a quick birding visit to the Corte Madera shorebird marsh. It can be fabulous winter birding. Even mid-afternoon, it did not disappoint: saw 35 different bird species.
Not sure of the agency, I think it's technically outside of the Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park?
#PublicLands
Not sure of the agency, I think it's technically outside of the Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park?
#PublicLands