Catoblepas

Remember to wear sunscreen and cover up, northern hemisphere people!

While walking outside I saw a white-breasted nuthatch doing an interesting behavior I’d never seen before: it was perched on the palm tree in the photo, and was repeatedly spreading its wings wide and swaying from side to side, almost snakelike:

When I got home I checked a reference guide, which mentioned this is a behavior that white-breasted nuthatches will do to deter nest predators. I couldn’t figure out exactly why it was doing it when I was there in person, because I didn’t see any snakes or other birds. But I did see a clue in the OP photo, and my reference even specifically mentioned this animal as a nest predator of nuthatches.

So, did everyone else see it immediately and I’m just slow? 😁

My grudge against the HRC that dates back to 2007 is slightly reduced by this image.

This is stunning in person, and had an entire room devoted only to it. If it’s not obvious from the photo, this is suspended fairly high in the air, maybe 10-15 feet. The beading of the words “We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident” continues around the entirety of the punching bag, but this was the only photo I got that I was satisfied with. This is the accompanying text:

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, 2024

Glass beads, plastic beads, nylon thread, acrylic felt, found punching bag

Gibson's series of beaded punching bags frequently contain texts that address structures of power. Drawing on Indigenous craft and clothing traditions, he transforms a symbol of physical aggression into a pathway to empowerment. Gibson adorns the bag here with beadwork and fringe evoking powwow regalia, especially in bead-and-jingle-adorned dresses worn by women. The beadwork features the first words of the US Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident." Unwritten but implied is the rest of the sentence: "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The viewer is left to hold that statement with the often-conflicting actions of the nation in the two centuries since its writing, especially toward Indigenous people, people of color, and other marginalized groups.

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, he has a special exhibit going on at The Broad right now that’s fantastic! And it’s free on Thursdays if you can’t afford the ticket.

Alt text: a simple doodle in white and blue of a mischievous smiling round guy

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/hotpaper.bsky.social/post/3lpffdw42ck2v

Last Thursday, 21-year-old Augusta Clara, her three-month-old baby, and Clara’s 17-year-old sister had just begun driving away from their home when they were stopped by ICE agents. The three of them and Ferreira de Oliveira, who entered the United States in 2022, are part of a Brazilian immigrant family who live together in the greater Boston area. (The family members do not all share the same immigration status.)

Ferreira de Oliveira, who is 40 years old, was still at their nearby home when she received a phone call from one of her daughters, who said ICE had pulled them over and were threatening to arrest Clara.

Ferreira de Oliveira’s frightened daughter told her mother that she needed to leave the home now and come meet them on the street, because ICE was telling them that if they arrested Clara, they weren’t allowed to leave the baby in the hands of a minor. So, the feds insisted, grandma needed to rush over to take custody of the baby.