Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
Marine mammal paleontologist, artist, snorkeler, beachcomber, tidepool enthusiast. Blog: www.coastalpaleo.blogspot.com
Pinned
New #watercolor - the skull that launched a thousand papers - Aetiocetus weltoni, the ~25 myo toothed baleen whale that likely had teeth and baleen - from the Oligocene of Oregon. I started this last winter and only finally finished it yesterday. 🐡 🦖🐬 #sciart #whaleontology #whalewednesday #art
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
This scale image of Westlothiana makes me laugh - looks like the tetrapod is about to get splatted 😄
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This scale image of Westlothiana makes me laugh - looks like the tetrapod is about to get splatted 😄
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
The age of keeping whales and dolphins in captivity must finally come to an end
Research shows it is not possible for captive cetaceans to thrive in concrete pools
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
The geology department at the University of Leicester, where myself and countless others did our palaeontology PhDs, is at serious risk of closure
Please show your support by signing the below!
c.org/KtYyZB8dHk
Please show your support by signing the below!
c.org/KtYyZB8dHk
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
c.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The geology department at the University of Leicester, where myself and countless others did our palaeontology PhDs, is at serious risk of closure
Please show your support by signing the below!
c.org/KtYyZB8dHk
Please show your support by signing the below!
c.org/KtYyZB8dHk
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
University of Leicester's Geology & Palaeontology staff & facilities are at risk. Show your support
c.org/62xyDQSX7X
c.org/62xyDQSX7X
Sign the Petition
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
c.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 AM
University of Leicester's Geology & Palaeontology staff & facilities are at risk. Show your support
c.org/62xyDQSX7X
c.org/62xyDQSX7X
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Our ancestors slept on cave floors and I need a pillow for my head, a pillow for my body, zero light, a white noise machine, and one leg out of my covers before I can even close my eyes
November 19, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Our ancestors slept on cave floors and I need a pillow for my head, a pillow for my body, zero light, a white noise machine, and one leg out of my covers before I can even close my eyes
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
A Magnificent Spyhop. Read the full story here: buff.ly/0c2MouI
Photos by Roos
This is an encounter from 2025
#WhaleTales #orca
Photos by Roos
This is an encounter from 2025
#WhaleTales #orca
November 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A Magnificent Spyhop. Read the full story here: buff.ly/0c2MouI
Photos by Roos
This is an encounter from 2025
#WhaleTales #orca
Photos by Roos
This is an encounter from 2025
#WhaleTales #orca
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
This was pretty amazing.. insanely busy day.. but happened to walk dog at lucky time to stumble into this. Only noticed because starring at all the sediment deposited by the San Lorenzo River from the rain.
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 AM
This was pretty amazing.. insanely busy day.. but happened to walk dog at lucky time to stumble into this. Only noticed because starring at all the sediment deposited by the San Lorenzo River from the rain.
I love my cats dearly but I always try to store my photography gear in cupboards
Cats and photography are totally incompatible, unless you like seeing your gear destroyed or filthy with cat hair.
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I love my cats dearly but I always try to store my photography gear in cupboards
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
New at Tetrapod Zoology .... The Life Appearance of Glyptodonts, a remarkable group of giant and anatomically amazing group of extinct armadillos tetzoo.com/blog/2025/11... #mammals
The Life Appearance of Glyptodonts — Tetrapod Zoology
For some time now I’ve been interested in what the glyptodonts – a group of highly modified, large or gigantic armadillos – looked like when alive….
tetzoo.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
New at Tetrapod Zoology .... The Life Appearance of Glyptodonts, a remarkable group of giant and anatomically amazing group of extinct armadillos tetzoo.com/blog/2025/11... #mammals
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Have you completed or commissioned a piece of palaeoart in the last year? Nominations are now open for The Marsh Palaeoart Award! 🎨🦕🌿🐌🐟🎨
You can self-nominate, or nominate an artist you think deserves recognition. Check out our website for more details - palaeosoc.org/grants-prize...
You can self-nominate, or nominate an artist you think deserves recognition. Check out our website for more details - palaeosoc.org/grants-prize...
October 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Have you completed or commissioned a piece of palaeoart in the last year? Nominations are now open for The Marsh Palaeoart Award! 🎨🦕🌿🐌🐟🎨
You can self-nominate, or nominate an artist you think deserves recognition. Check out our website for more details - palaeosoc.org/grants-prize...
You can self-nominate, or nominate an artist you think deserves recognition. Check out our website for more details - palaeosoc.org/grants-prize...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
It's the end of the #2025SVP UK dinos field trip. We finished with a visit to Dewars Farm dinosaur track site (muddy), and the Oxford Uni Museum, where we were lucky enough to get a tour of the Buckland archives and collections. Home for sleep...
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
It's the end of the #2025SVP UK dinos field trip. We finished with a visit to Dewars Farm dinosaur track site (muddy), and the Oxford Uni Museum, where we were lucky enough to get a tour of the Buckland archives and collections. Home for sleep...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Oh hey, I found the war on christmas
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Oh hey, I found the war on christmas
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
AI slop gracing the cover of Royal Society B. Not only in AI yellow but scientifically nonsensical. Come on. I'm certain human photographs and artworks were ignored to platform ... this.
November 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
AI slop gracing the cover of Royal Society B. Not only in AI yellow but scientifically nonsensical. Come on. I'm certain human photographs and artworks were ignored to platform ... this.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
It’s baby octopus season 🐙🦑
Saw this little guy last night with the Salish Sea School in Anacortes, WA as part of their free community dock walk I volunteer as an interpreter for.
We can tell it is a giant pacific octopus from the single line of chromatophores on each arm.
Saw this little guy last night with the Salish Sea School in Anacortes, WA as part of their free community dock walk I volunteer as an interpreter for.
We can tell it is a giant pacific octopus from the single line of chromatophores on each arm.
November 15, 2025 at 9:32 PM
It’s baby octopus season 🐙🦑
Saw this little guy last night with the Salish Sea School in Anacortes, WA as part of their free community dock walk I volunteer as an interpreter for.
We can tell it is a giant pacific octopus from the single line of chromatophores on each arm.
Saw this little guy last night with the Salish Sea School in Anacortes, WA as part of their free community dock walk I volunteer as an interpreter for.
We can tell it is a giant pacific octopus from the single line of chromatophores on each arm.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
In our most recent blog post, Harry Jones, GCG assistant blog editor and palaeontological researcher, reflects on how working with museum collections has shaped his career 🦖
Give it a read here: geocollnews.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/f...
Give it a read here: geocollnews.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/f...
Fun with Fossils: Using Museum Collections in the 21st Century
Posted on by geocurators Written by Harry T. Jones, who is a GCG assistant blog editor and palaeontological researcher. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you have …
geocollnews.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
In our most recent blog post, Harry Jones, GCG assistant blog editor and palaeontological researcher, reflects on how working with museum collections has shaped his career 🦖
Give it a read here: geocollnews.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/f...
Give it a read here: geocollnews.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/f...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Man I’m so glad I don’t have to do calculus for literally any reason anymore. Thank GOD.
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Man I’m so glad I don’t have to do calculus for literally any reason anymore. Thank GOD.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
POV: you are a young woman celebrating a recent academic success
November 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
POV: you are a young woman celebrating a recent academic success
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
The south was a chattel slave empire until the 1860s and a de facto ethnic authoritarian state for the following century, which is well in living memory. I don't think we need to pretend that that hasn't left a distinctive cultural mark.
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The south was a chattel slave empire until the 1860s and a de facto ethnic authoritarian state for the following century, which is well in living memory. I don't think we need to pretend that that hasn't left a distinctive cultural mark.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
I'll start: @ravenscimaven.bsky.social should share about PRI's need for donations before the end of the year because it is a center of science communication, teacher education, and science outreach, especially for Earth and climate science, and they are based in NY www.priweb.org/learn-and-te...
Learn & Teach — Paleontological Research Institution
www.priweb.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I'll start: @ravenscimaven.bsky.social should share about PRI's need for donations before the end of the year because it is a center of science communication, teacher education, and science outreach, especially for Earth and climate science, and they are based in NY www.priweb.org/learn-and-te...
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Well it seems it is going to be to late for @lastweektonight.com to help with their hiatus. Any suggestions for a big sci com/science interested news account I should play with to help save PRI?
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
November 17, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Well it seems it is going to be to late for @lastweektonight.com to help with their hiatus. Any suggestions for a big sci com/science interested news account I should play with to help save PRI?
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Please, if you've ever wanted to help me financially, help PRI. They're an independent museum in Ithaca at immediate risk of foreclosure. I would be so crushed if they didn't make it.
Well it seems it is going to be to late for @lastweektonight.com to help with their hiatus. Any suggestions for a big sci com/science interested news account I should play with to help save PRI?
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Please, if you've ever wanted to help me financially, help PRI. They're an independent museum in Ithaca at immediate risk of foreclosure. I would be so crushed if they didn't make it.
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
I finally finished my Opah for today's #SundayFishSketch 🐡
November 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I finally finished my Opah for today's #SundayFishSketch 🐡
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Here comes an angry fish to brighten your Monday
Xiphactinus
Copic Marker and colored pencil on Fabriano paper
8.3″ x 5.9″ (21 x 15 cm)
#paleoart #paleoillustration #animalart #fishart #SciFi
Xiphactinus
Copic Marker and colored pencil on Fabriano paper
8.3″ x 5.9″ (21 x 15 cm)
#paleoart #paleoillustration #animalart #fishart #SciFi
December 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Here comes an angry fish to brighten your Monday
Xiphactinus
Copic Marker and colored pencil on Fabriano paper
8.3″ x 5.9″ (21 x 15 cm)
#paleoart #paleoillustration #animalart #fishart #SciFi
Xiphactinus
Copic Marker and colored pencil on Fabriano paper
8.3″ x 5.9″ (21 x 15 cm)
#paleoart #paleoillustration #animalart #fishart #SciFi
Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
#MolluscMonday The L.F. Spath collection at the NHM in London includes numerous thin sections through the early growth stages of ammonoids. This crudely photographed example is of a Cretaceous ammonite.
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 AM
#MolluscMonday The L.F. Spath collection at the NHM in London includes numerous thin sections through the early growth stages of ammonoids. This crudely photographed example is of a Cretaceous ammonite.