Mark Fields (he/him/his)
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mrikigai.bsky.social
Mark Fields (he/him/his)
@mrikigai.bsky.social
2.9K followers 2.3K following 3K posts
Birds, Politics, Science, Anti-Fascist, SF Giants #Resistance Friend to 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Vets 🎖️ I won’t follow back automatically. All photos taken by me unless I reposted. Canon R7 RF 200-800, RF 18-150, Sigma EF 150-600 or iPhone. (him/he)
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mrikigai.bsky.social
This 👇🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 😡 #Income #America #Rich #Poor #Inequality #Taxes
November 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
A couple of wild turkeys this afternoon. I love to see the white ones. #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #California

“A white wild turkey is extremely rare, with estimates suggesting an occurrence of about one in 100,000, though some genetic variations like the "smoke phase" are slightly more common”
A wild turkey walks across a vibrant green, grassy field. The turkey has dark, iridescent feathers with patterns of brown, black, and white. Its tail feathers are fanned out slightly, revealing distinct white bands at the tips. The bird's head is a pale blue-grey, and it has a small snood visible near its beak. Its long, scaly legs are a reddish-pink, and it appears to be in mid-stride. The background is a soft blur of more green grass, suggesting an outdoor, natural environment. A wild turkey with predominantly white and black patterned feathers walks across a bright green, grassy field. The turkey's head shows hints of red and blue skin, and its long, pinkish legs are visible as it takes a step. In the background, there are darker green patches of grass, some rocks, and the base of a tree trunk on the right side. The overall scene suggests the turkey is foraging in a natural, outdoor setting.
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
I took a couple other decent shots today. I took a bunch in more natural settings that I thought would be really good but didn’t get them in good focus ☹️ #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #Canon R7 with RF 200-800 lens #BirdPhotography
A close-up shot of a western scrub jay shows the bird perched on a suet feeder, looking up and to the right. Its striking blue, white, and gray plumage is clearly visible against the soft, green background. A vibrant blue and white scrub jay perches on a metal suet feeder, its gaze directed towards the seed block encased within the cage. The feeder hangs against a blurred background of green foliage. A small male house finch, with reddish-pink feathers on its head and chest, perches on the edge of a black, shallow bird feeder tray. The tray is filled with seed and a few small blades of sprouting grass. The background is a soft, bright green blur.
November 19, 2025 at 5:27 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Funny little male house finch visited today. Must be getting too cold for him so he puffed up. #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #California
House Finch from the Audubon Bird Guide https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/house-finch
A close-up shot captures a plump male house finch, its crimson head and breast feathers contrasting with its dark brown wings and back. The bird stands on a blue railing, with a hint of green foliage visible in the soft background. A plump male house finch with vibrant crimson feathers on its head and breast looks upwards, its beak pointing towards the sky. Its dark brown wings and back are slightly ruffled, and it perches on a blue railing with a soft green background of foliage.
November 19, 2025 at 3:07 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Damn, I suppose I should take down the feeders again 🤷🏼‍♂️ House Finch eye conjunctivitis again? #Birds #Nature #Sonoma Mycoplasmal #conjunctivitis, also known as finch conjunctivitis, is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/mycoplasmal-conjunctivitis
A close-up shot shows a small bird, likely a house finch, perched on a red bird feeder filled with seeds. The bird has reddish-pink feathers on its head and chest, which appear somewhat disheveled and possibly wet, contrasting with its streaky brown body feathers. Its eye appears cloudy or possibly injured, and there's a slight swelling around it, indicating a potential health issue such as avian conjunctivitis. In the background, a lush green lawn and trees are visible under an overcast sky, with a building partially seen on the right. A close-up, slightly low-angle shot features a small bird, likely a house finch, with prominent reddish-pink plumage on its head and upper chest, perched on a bright red bird feeder overflowing with seeds. The bird is looking directly towards the viewer with its beak slightly open, revealing the inside of its mouth. Its right eye appears completely closed and swollen, while the left eye is not clearly visible but also seems affected, indicating a severe eye infection such as avian conjunctivitis. The bird's feathers around the head appear somewhat ruffled. In the background, a green lawn, trees with visible sunlight, and part of a building are present under a clear sky.
November 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Downloaded a few nice shots off my camera yesterday. #Birds #Nature #Canon R7 with RF 200-800 lens #Sonoma #California Male and female Downy woodpeckers. Oak Titmouse, and two Lesser Goldfinches
This photo shows a close-up of a woodpecker clinging to a log suet feeder in a garden. The bird is a Downy Woodpecker, identifiable by its small size, black and white plumage, and the red patch on the back of its head (indicating it's a male). The feeder is a vertical log with several drilled-out holes filled with suet, designed to mimic a natural tree trunk. In the background, there are blurred green bushes and some grass. A small, black and white downy woodpecker clings to the side of a black wire bird feeder with a green top, looking upwards. The bird has a white belly and back, with black wings that have white spots. Its head is mostly white with a black cap and a black line extending from its eye. The background is a soft, out-of-focus green. This is a female downy woodpecker. You can tell because she lacks the small red patch on the back of her head that a male downy woodpecker would have. This photo shows a close-up of a Tufted Titmouse perched on a black metal hook, likely from a bird feeder or plant hanger. The bird is facing right, with its head slightly turned towards the viewer. Its plumage is soft gray on the back and wings, with a lighter, almost white belly. A distinguishing feature is the small crest of feathers on its head, characteristic of a Tufted Titmouse. The bird's eye is dark and beady, and its beak is small and pointed. The background is a soft blur of green, suggesting foliage. Based on the appearance, particularly the gray plumage and the presence of a crest, this is a Tufted Titmouse. It's difficult to determine the sex of a Tufted Titmouse from plumage alone, as males and females look very similar. Two Lesser goldfinches are perched on a tubular bird feeder filled with nyjer seeds. The bird on the left is a female, identifiable by her duller yellow plumage and less distinct markings. The bird on the right is also a female, showing similar muted coloration with olive-green feathers and dark wings with white bars. Both birds are looking in opposite directions, with a soft, out-of-focus green background.
November 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
I didn’t want to let Veterans Day go by without posting my appreciation for all #Vets and especially
my father Bill Fields in WWII my grandfather Sam Swanson in WW1, My GG Grandfathers Ananias Lantz & Preston Fields in the Civil War. Photos of my GG, my GGG grandfathers, and RIP 🙏🏻 Thank You Vets!
Alfred Swanson in France. Served in WWII Samuel Swanson Ananias Lantz. Served in US Civil War Tombstone of Jacob Lantz. Served in US Civil War
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
I named this California Towhee “chubby” in the bird camera app. I haven’t seen him for a little while, but he/she was back today. They are all along west coast of US and Mexico 🙂 #Birds #Sonoma #California

California Towhee from the Audubon Bird Guide www.audubon.org/field-guide/...
A close-up, low-angle shot captures a small bird with a plump, somewhat round body, covered in mottled brown and tan feathers, perched on a red feeder. The bird is facing directly towards the camera, showcasing its small, dark eyes and a pointed beak. Its dark, clawed feet are visible gripping the textured surface of the feeder, which also contains scattered seeds. In the blurred background, green grass and trees under an overcast sky are visible.
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Oak Titmouse has been visiting my camera nesting box the last few days. Pretty late in the year for them to be making a nest for breeding so 🤷🏼‍♂️ oh and also a rat 🤬 #Birds #Sonoma #Rat #Nature
A small, light brown bird with a slightly ruffled head is captured from above, looking upwards and to the right, inside a light-colored wooden birdhouse. The birdhouse has a rectangular opening at the back, allowing natural light to filter in, and two circular openings on the sides that are also brightly lit, suggesting an outdoor setting. The wood grain of the birdhouse is visible. A small, light brown bird with a slightly ruffled head is captured from above, looking upwards and to the right, inside a light-colored wooden birdhouse. The birdhouse has a rectangular opening at the back, allowing natural light to filter in, and two circular openings on the sides that are also brightly lit, suggesting an outdoor setting. The wood grain of the birdhouse is visible. A grayscale, high-angle shot shows the fluffy tail and rear end of a small animal, possibly a rodent, as it descends or moves within a narrow, wooden enclosure. The enclosure has two dark, circular openings on either side, and the overall lighting is dim. The animal's fur appears soft and somewhat blurred due to motion.
November 12, 2025 at 4:19 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Took a walk at Shollenberger Park yesterday in #Petaluma #Sonoma #California #Birds #Nature #Sunset
A wide shot of a sunset over a body of water, possibly a lake or a very calm ocean. The sky is painted with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and yellow near the horizon, blending into a soft blue and purple higher up. Silhouetted against the colorful sky are rolling hills, dotted with trees. In the foreground, the water reflects the brilliant colors of the sunset, creating a mirror image. A small flock of birds is visible on the surface of the water, and their reflections are also visible. The overall mood is serene and picturesque. A flock of birds, possibly gulls or terns, in various stages of flight against a soft, pastel-colored sky, likely at dawn or dusk. The sky shows subtle gradients of pink, orange, and pale blue. The birds are silhouetted, some with wings fully extended, others mid-flap, creating a dynamic sense of movement across the frame. In the very bottom of the image, a dark, muted landscape or body of water is visible, providing a subtle horizon line. The overall impression is one of freedom and natural beauty. Two ducks are swimming peacefully on a calm body of water, possibly a lake or pond, at either sunrise or sunset. The sky and the water are awash with soft, warm hues of pink, orange, and pale yellow, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. The ducks appear as dark silhouettes against the reflective water. In the foreground, tall grasses and reeds with subtle purple and brown tones frame the bottom of the image, adding depth and a natural touch to the scene. The overall impression is one of tranquility and natural beauty.
November 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Nice Mourning Dove posing for the camera today 🙂 #Birds #Nature #Doves #Sonoma #California
A Mourning Dove perched on a red and blue platform bird feeder, which is filled with mixed seeds, including sunflower seeds and peanuts. The bird has a rounded body, a small head, and is a soft brownish-tan color. The background shows a grassy yard with trees and a light-colored building with grey utility boxes. The four images show the dove from slightly different angles, including a side profile and a frontal view. A Mourning Dove perched on a red and blue platform bird feeder, which is filled with mixed seeds, including sunflower seeds and peanuts. The bird has a rounded body, a small head, and is a soft brownish-tan color. The background shows a grassy yard with trees and a light-colored building with grey utility boxes. The four images show the dove from slightly different angles, including a side profile and a frontal view. A Mourning Dove perched on a red and blue platform bird feeder, which is filled with mixed seeds, including sunflower seeds and peanuts. The bird has a rounded body, a small head, and is a soft brownish-tan color. The background shows a grassy yard with trees and a light-colored building with grey utility boxes. The four images show the dove from slightly different angles, including a side profile and a frontal view. A Mourning Dove perched on a red and blue platform bird feeder, which is filled with mixed seeds, including sunflower seeds and peanuts. The bird has a rounded body, a small head, and is a soft brownish-tan color. The background shows a grassy yard with trees and a light-colored building with grey utility boxes. The four images show the dove from slightly different angles, including a side profile and a frontal view.
November 9, 2025 at 12:59 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Yuki says hi on #Caturday. It’s also her 8th birthday today 🎂🥳
A grey cat with bright green eyes is lying on her back on a light-colored carpet, looking directly up at the camera. Its paws are curled up, revealing soft toe beans. A wooden object is partially visible on the right side of the image.
November 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Had to recharge the bird buddy feeder camera yesterday. Apparently it hasn’t gotten enough sun to charge it from its solar panel lately. Cloudy in #Sonoma. #Birds. Nice Towhee pic this morning. I’m shopping for some cellular trail cams if anybody has suggestions. 
A close-up, eye-level shot shows a plump, dark brown bird perched on a bright red bird feeder tray, its beak slightly open to reveal a seed. The bird has darker feathers on its back and head, with lighter, reddish-brown, streaky feathers on its chest and throat. Its black eye is visible on the right side of its head. Below the bird, the red tray is covered with a mix of birdseed and empty seed shells. In the background, out of focus, there's a lush green lawn, various trees, and a light-colored building with a dark roof under an overcast sky. The top of a blue structure is also visible on either side of the bird feeder in the foreground.
November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Anybody know what the downside of this type of plastic is? It is supposedly compostable. If it is why isn’t everybody using it? #plastics. #microplastics. #environment. #compost
A top-down shot shows a clear, square-shaped plastic container with rounded corners resting on a dark, speckled countertop. The container has a slight indentation in the center with text molded into the plastic. The text is difficult to read but appears to include "PLANT-BASED," "IN SOIL IN 120 D," "COMMERCIAL COMPOST," and "WORLD CENTRIC." The countertop is dark gray with lighter gray and white speckles, creating a granite-like appearance. Reflections of what appear to be windows are visible on the left and right edges of the container and the countertop, indicating a light source above and in front.
November 6, 2025 at 11:06 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Sad 😔 Well now I know why all the vultures are hanging around lately #Birds #Nature #Deer #Sonoma I hope this wasn’t a mountain lion kill.
A low-angle shot on a clear day shows a black vulture perched on a tree branch, looking directly at the camera. The bird's dark body contrasts with its reddish, featherless head. The tree has green leaves, and its branches frame the vulture against a bright blue sky. A low-angle shot on a clear, sunny day shows a black vulture perched atop a chimney on a brick house, with its wings spread wide. The roof of the house is visible in the bottom left, and the chimney is made of dark brick with an orange and black cap. Bare tree branches frame the top and right sides of the image against a bright blue sky. A high-angle shot on a sunny day shows a dead deer lying on its side at the base of a tree. The deer has antlers and is partially covered by dry leaves and dirt. Its mouth is open, revealing teeth. The background shows green grass, some brush, and a wooden fence, all under bright sunlight.
November 3, 2025 at 10:34 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Turkey vulture sunning himself and spreading his/her wings. My son in the background trying to get our cat to look at it. 🙂 #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #California #Sun
November 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Galls on an #oak tree leaf. #nature #Sonoma. #California.
“These growths are known as galls, and alarming as they may seem, they do not injure the plant. They are abnormal growths or swellings of plant tissue often caused by the attack of an insect.”
A hand gently holds a green, somewhat damaged leaf, displaying various small, light-colored growths or insects on its surface. The background is dark and out of focus, suggesting an outdoor setting with natural light illuminating the leaf.
November 3, 2025 at 8:53 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Turkey Vulture sunning himself this morning. Halloween bird if I ever saw one. My son said he’s pretty 🤷🏼‍♂️ #Birds #Nature #Sonoma.
Turkey Vulture from the Audubon Bird Guide www.audubon.org/field-guide/...
A close-up photograph of a black vulture (likely a Turkey Vulture due to the red, featherless head) standing against a bright, clear blue sky. The bird is dark, with black to dark brown feathers, and its head and neck appear pinkish-red and wrinkled. The vulture is looking toward the right side of the frame. A close-up photograph of a dark-feathered Turkey Vulture. The bird has a distinctive pinkish-red, featherless head and neck, and it is looking to the right against a clear, light blue sky.
November 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Lazy Sunny #Caturday greetings from Yuki. Why is her tail so big? Seems like it belongs on a larger cat.
A gray cat is curled up asleep on a cream-colored cat tree perch, with sunlight streaming in from a window behind it. The cat's tail hangs down over the edge of the perch.
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
One quick pass through the #Apple Orchard yesterday. I wish I could eat them all but too many calories. Hoping my son will make a apple crisp today. I’ve still got some from previous days. I wish IOS apps were better at identifying different varieties of apples. #Nature. #Sonoma #California.
October 30, 2025 at 10:42 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Fewer and fewer #hummingbirds around as it gets colder, but still a few. #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #California
October 30, 2025 at 10:05 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Nice plump little male house finch visited for some lunch on a sunny day. #Birds #Sonoma #California.
A small, reddish-brown bird with a dark beak perches on a bright red plastic surface. The bird is in the foreground, slightly to the left, and is facing left with its head slightly turned towards the viewer. Its chest and belly are a lighter brown with some streaking, while its head and back are a richer reddish-brown. In the background, there's a sunny outdoor scene with green grass, several trees with green foliage, and part of a light-colored building on the right. A dark grey trash can is visible further back on the left. The lighting suggests a clear day, with bright sunlight highlighting the bird and the foreground. A small, plump bird, likely a house finch, sits on a red plastic surface, facing directly towards the viewer. The bird has reddish-brown plumage on its head and chest, fading to a lighter brown on its belly. Its dark eyes are prominent, and its beak is open, with what appears to be a light-colored seed or object held within it. The bird's dark claws grip the red surface. In the background, a sunny outdoor scene unfolds with a lush green lawn, various trees, and a glimpse of a building on the right. A dark blue trash can is visible in the mid-ground to the left. The scene is brightly lit by natural sunlight.
October 30, 2025 at 9:55 PM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Lonely, Lesser Goldfinch at the Nyger feeder today #Birds #Nature #Sonoma #California
A small yellow and black bird, likely a goldfinch, perches on a copper-toned bird feeder filled with seeds. The bird feeder is a cylindrical clear tube with several feeding ports and perches. In the background, a swimming pool with bright blue water and a tiled edge is visible, along with light-colored outdoor patio furniture. A hint of green foliage from a plant hangs into the top right of the frame. The scene is well-lit by natural sunlight.
October 29, 2025 at 3:10 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
Beautiful fall day today in #Sonoma #California #Fall #Nature #Flower
Leaves on a tree during autumn are shown against a bright blue sky. The leaves are various shades of yellow, orange, and green, some with reddish tips, indicating the change of season. Small, spiky seed pods are visible among the leaves. The sunlight illuminates the leaves from above, creating highlights and shadows. The background features a clear sky, with a hint of other foliage in the distance. A dense cluster of bright red berries covers the branches of a green-leafed bush. The small, round berries are abundant, almost entirely obscuring the branches in some areas. The leaves of the bush are dark green and glossy, providing a strong contrast to the vibrant red of the berries. A clear blue sky is visible in small patches through the foliage. The lighting suggests a sunny day, with some berries and leaves catching the sunlight. A bush is densely covered with clusters of small, round, bright orange berries, nestled among dark green leaves. The berries are so numerous they almost completely fill the frame, creating a vibrant tapestry of orange and green. Some individual leaves are clearly visible, contrasting with the uniform color of the berries. The lighting suggests a sunny day, highlighting the texture of the berries and the glossiness of the leaves. A single purple and white daisy-like flower with a dark blue and yellow center is prominently featured in the middle of the frame. The petals are a gradient of light purple on the outer edges, transitioning to white closer to the center. The flower is surrounded by lush green foliage, with some dried leaves and twigs visible on the ground directly beneath it. The lighting is bright and natural, suggesting a sunny outdoor setting.
October 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
mrikigai.bsky.social
#Ghost #Bird #Halloween our camera feeder took this photo tonight. 👻
I didn’t change it at all, except cropping it. #Creepy #Birds #Nature 💀🎃
A top-down, slightly blurry shot of a small bird with dark, mottled feathers on its back and head, and lighter gray feathers on its breast. It's perched on a bright pink feeder, with its head bent down, appearing to peck at something on the surface. Its long, dark talons are visible, gripping the feeder. In the background, out of focus, is a lush green garden with trees, some garden decor including colorful hanging lights or ornaments, and a sunny sky.
October 28, 2025 at 3:56 AM