Jen Shepherd
LightNews LightNews
jenshep.bsky.social
Jen Shepherd
@jenshep.bsky.social
170 followers 220 following 51 posts
Things I’m into: conservation and habitat restoration • animals, plants, and fungi • board games • reading • volunteering • dataviz • allyship 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ • gardening
Posts Replies Media Videos
jenshep.bsky.social
Hey @wiscobirder.bsky.social look what I found in the October issue of The Isthmus! Very cool that copies of your birding book will be given out. 👏👏 🪶
A clipping from a local Madison, Wisconsin newspaper featuring three speakers at events in late October. There’s a small photo of each speaker and a short blurb about their talk. Dexter Patterson is one of the speakers, talking about his new bird field guide on October 26th.
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Okra flowers are so pretty. 😍Apparently they’re very attractive to and bountiful for bumblebees too. This little bee friend I found this morning is absolutely covered in okra pollen! 🌱
Close up of an open okra flower with a bumblebee deep inside the pale yellow flower cone. There are many grains of pollen all over the bee’s legs and bod. They contrast vividly against the darker color of the bee and magenta color of the inner flower. A few green okra plants with several open flowers. The flowers are cone shaped with several layers of petals making up the cone. Those large petals are a pale yellow. Deep inside the cones is a deep magenta band on each inner petal, which together form a hexagon shape surrounding the stamen.
September 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Any biologists or entomologists out there recognize these shiny tracks and this curious insect on these poplar leaves? I saw three of the insects, each a different color than the others. So interesting! #insects #plants #nature
A poplar tree sprout with several green leaves. One of the leaves has a silvery, winding pattern on the top that sort of resembles an acid etching. The leaf underneath the pattern is still intact. A close up of a beautiful silvery track on a green poplar leaf. A very odd looking insect resting on the top of a green leaf. It is primarily brown and shaped like a worm with an arch in its body like an inchworm, although it is not moving. There are spiny growths on the body and a thick white coating wrapped around a small section. Two yellow bumps are sticking out of the insect’s back and it has two antenna facing downward towards the leaf. A poplar sapling with many green leaves. Two of the leaves have a silvery pattern on them. One of those leaves also has a bright green worm-like insect. The worm has two yellow bumps sticking out of its back.
August 21, 2025 at 3:32 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
I was fortunate to see this cool hummingbird moth feed on the monarda (bee balm) directly in front of me yesterday. So plump yet agile!
Four light purple bee balm plants in full bloom with some green grasses among them. A large moth that is shaped very similarly to a hummingbird is hovering near one of the flower heads, preparing to feed from the flower. The moth has an orange colored abdomen, rust colored wings, and dark brown head, shoulders, and rear. Its body is very plump and arched as it flys nearly vertically.
July 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Very disappointed to open the box of this gorgeous puzzle I bought at Goodwill yesterday and discover it is essentially unusable. They folded it in sheets! PSA: please don’t apply puzzle preserver then donate it for an unsuspecting victim if you changed your mind about keeping it forever.
A jigsaw puzzle picturing an owl on a branch sits on a wooden table. The lid of the box looks perfect but inside the base of the box, the puzzle was previously assembled and put away by folding sections over each other to fit in the box. A clear glossy preservative was applied to the front of the puzzle, making the pieces stick together and the tips rip off when the pieces are separated.
July 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Foraged wild strawberries, ate my fill of mulberries, then enjoyed wine on my back porch in the fading light as the crickets chirped, the fireflies flashed, and the bats hunted silently. A perfect solstice evening in the midwest!
A blue colander with two handfuls of tiny red wild strawberries, with a few dark purple mulberries mixed in. The branch of a mulberry tree with glossy green leaves, laden with unripe red berries and ripe deep purple berries. A midwestern prairie with two tall silver maple trees in the mid ground, many trees in the far corner, grass and a potted basil plant in the foreground. The sky is still light pink even though the photo was taken after 9 pm.
June 21, 2025 at 2:49 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Art + Science + Advocacy. I love this cool merch, especially the posters!
A four-pack of posters with images on them of plants and animals, a microscope, and catchy slogans to accompany each image. The slogans are: 1- protecting wildlife begins with you. 2- funding science saves lives. 3- will our oceans thrive or nosedive, the choice is yours. 4- biology is bigger than binary. Each poster also has a QR Code on it to learn more.
May 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
I was working on a jigsaw puzzle last night while eating pretzels and apparently forgot which item I had in my hand. I bet you can guess where this is going…
A pink puzzle piece resting in my hand, with a tiny bit of green on one foot of the piece and small dent marks across the surface. Yes, the dents are from my teeth. The completed puzzle, a tie-died swirl pattern with yellow, purple, orange, pink, green, and blue streaks spiraling around each other to the center. It is very colorful and beautiful.
April 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Such energy at the Madison, WI #HandsOff rally today! Thousands of us peacefully protested in the hopes that our elected representatives take notice and fight too. At the very least, we can inspire and support each other.
A group of friends, including me, poses in the foreground smiling and holding “hands off” posters. Many more people with flags and posters are visible in the background. This was taken at the UW campus end of State Street after we marched down the street from the state capitol building. A large crowd is gathered in front of the state capitol building. Many protesters are holding signs, some have flags including the man carrying an upside down American flag walking up the street. A view of the protest crowd from halfway up the stairs to the capitol building. Many signs are visible including “protect trans kids” and “Fire Trump, Deport Musk.”
April 6, 2025 at 3:08 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
These two goofy goats are mother and son. I took a few pics in a row and didn’t realize her tongue was out in this one until I looked at the pictures later. I hope your day improved!
Two Nigerian Dwarf goats are standing on the other side of a metal gate from the photographer. Both goats are wearing jackets and scarves and there is snow on the ground. The goat on the left is looking straight at the camera with perky ears and an expression of interest. His face is brown along the sides, including his ears, with a wide white swath from the top of his head down the front. The goat on the right has a white face and head with some dark splotches. Her head is turned towards the other goat and her pink tongue is out to lick the other goat’s scarf. The tip of her tongue is on the scarf.
April 4, 2025 at 4:09 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
I didn’t need any extra encouragement to vote for Crawford for WI Supreme Court next week, but it was surprisingly touching to receive this hand-written postcard about her - especially the NY postmark. We *can* be a community who looks out for each other if we want to be. ❤️ #election
One side of a hand-written postcard that reads: What? Spring election. When? April 1. Who? Judge Susan Crawford. For? Supreme Court. Why? The court majority, fair maps, freedoms, and choice are at stake! How? Be a voter! Thank you! The message is written neatly in four different colors of colored pencil so it stands out among the glossy printed brochures and flyers we receive by mail daily about the election. The top of the other side of the postcard. It is addressed to Valued Voter and was postmarked in New York, New York. There is an image if a waving American flag.
March 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
I don’t know if Musk’s funding is behind this particular flyer we received, but it wouldn’t surprise me. 🙄
The front of a mailed flyer for the WI Supreme Court election. It barely mentions the candidate, focusing mostly on references to Trump and his agenda. Even the headline says “President Donald Trump needs your vote.” There’s a small picture of candidate Schimel but a larger picture of Trump and 2 bodyguards. Trump has streaks of blood on one side of his face and has one fist in the air. The back of a mailed flyer for the WI Supreme Court election. It does not mention the candidate, focusing mostly on references to Trump and his agenda, with some statements about the democratic candidate. There’s headline, “Susan Crawford & Wisconsin Liberals could stop Trump’s agenda” is very appealing to this liberal.
March 3, 2025 at 3:59 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Petition to replace “we can kill two birds with one stone” (violent, horrible, difficult) with “we can catch two kittens with one wand” (playful, adorable, easy)
A human hand holds out a long plastic stick with a long fleece ribbon on the end. One tabby kitten is holding the stick while another tabby kitten plays with the ribbon. Both are happy and having fun! A human hand holds out a long plastic stick with a long fleece ribbon on the end. One tabby kitten is biting the stick while another tabby kitten attacks the ribbon. Both are happy and having fun!
December 17, 2024 at 12:12 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Happy #caturday from my foster kitten cuties! Hard to believe these two brothers were scared and hissy just over a week ago.
Two nine-week old brown tabby kittens lay on a towel-covered lap. One is on its back in the foreground, looking straight at the camera with its front white paws raised and curved downward. There are also white patches on its belly. The other kitten is further back, and turned right-side up. He does not have any white markings and is a little smaller than his brother. Both are very cute.
December 15, 2024 at 2:47 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
I love this idea! This little teapot I saw at the Mingei in San Diego is perhaps not smol enough to qualify but I absolutely love it.
A small round teapot with a donut hole in the center. It has tiny peg feet, a thin circle tail as a handle, and a ram’s head with a pursed mouth as the pour spout. The base color is beige with big orange and yellow flowers and blue leaves painted on it. The tail and horns are similarly decorated. The overall effect is very whimsical and adorable.
December 12, 2024 at 2:51 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Went for a walk around the property today and happened to be in the right spot at the right time to catch this cool moon-contrail alignment.
Several wooden posts in a row with grape vines slumbering on the wire beneath them, and thick grasses sprouting up from the ground. In the bright blue sky above, the wispy white contrail from a jet runs diagonally up from the horizon, perfectly overlapping the visible half-moon in the sky so that it looks like the moon is on a visible path.
December 9, 2024 at 12:32 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Watching my beloved senior kitty sleeping so sweetly this morning after successful arthritis medication administration (gabapentin) is bringing me peace. May you feel comfort and peace today too. #caturday
A small gray tabby cat with curved white whiskers is curled up asleep on a beige blanket. Her feet are all tucked under her and her head is resting on her tail. She is curled towards the camera so her face and one ear can be seen clearly.
November 16, 2024 at 3:16 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Amazing aurora experience tonight! I took these photos and many more from my back patio, about 20 miles south of Madison.
Aurora borealis, pink on top with green below and three tree tops at the bottom Aurora borealis, pink on top with stars showing through, green below just above the three visible tree tops Three large trees at night with brilliant green aurora behind them and bright pink above A streak of green aurora running through a wider patch of pink in the night sky. A large tree and the top of a house are underneath
October 11, 2024 at 2:48 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Love! Seafancy.com has some fantastic retro style swimwear. I bought two of their suits, including this one
A lovely female model wearing a modern dark green one-piece 1950s style swimsuit with large peach flowers and light green leaves on it. The suit ties around her neck and has a boy-short style bottom yet is very flattering.
September 1, 2024 at 12:05 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Accidentally created a humane mouse trap in the cabin we’re renting. This adorable lil fren is back outside now. I left the mini pie box in the trashcan just in case there are more in here. (I hope there are no more mice in here)
A small gray mouse with big round ears, glossy black eyes, tiny pink feet, and a white belly sits on top of a discarded mini pie package at the bottom of an otherwise empty trash can.
August 11, 2024 at 2:59 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Finally got some big wooden spools for the goats! And what do the goats think of this exciting new development? Nah.
A brown goat lying on a picnic table between two wooden spools and a white goat standing next to one of the spools. No goats are on top of the spools. A white goat lying in the grass on the ground right next to a wooden spool rather than on top of the spool.
July 18, 2024 at 11:00 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
This adorable baby goat was so very tuckered out
A very young and small brown baby goat with some black markings on the face, shoulders, and rump is laying on its belly, with its neck extended, sound asleep. It is laying on a narrow ledge in the birthing pen and one of its hindlegs is dangling down off the ledge. It is wearing a pink collar with its name on it to differentiate from all the other babies at the petting farm.
July 10, 2024 at 6:19 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
Purple irises with bumblebee friend from my gallery #GardenBlueSky
Close up photo of a bumblebee feeding inside a purple iris, with tall grasses in the background
June 14, 2024 at 4:53 AM
jenshep.bsky.social
Stunning sun dogs on this bitterly cold morning in Wisconsin
A ring and side flares around the sun, which is peeking through a walnut tree. The sky is blue and the ground is covered in snow
January 14, 2024 at 3:46 PM
jenshep.bsky.social
This puzzle was more challenging than usual due to all the muted tones and similar pieces, so very satisfying to complete!
Completed 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle of The Museum at Le Havre by Monet. The entire puzzle is in shades of blue, beige, and gray with very few splashes of occasional green, yellow, and orange.
December 23, 2023 at 12:14 AM