Frank Ashwood / is on Nostr

Soil biodiversity researcher, macrophotographer and SciCommer. Particularly fond of soil invertebrates🪱 Rock flipper. Probably has ADHD.

Last Notes

2024-05-24 10:08:02

I can finally announce it... I'm writing a book!!
Buckle in for a safari through the soil - meeting all the wondrous creatures that keep our world ticking over.
I can't believe how lucky I am to be working with such an amazing editorial team, it's so exciting!
Link here: https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hodders-48-hour-pre-empt-for-soil-ecologist
#soilbiodiversity #soilecology
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/495/508/228/917/555/original/d84ea46a9db8880d.png

2024-05-19 07:35:30

Do you love #SpringtailSaturday, but feel it's always over too soon?
Dry your eyes, my friend.
They said it couldn't be done.
They said that dedicating more than one day a week to springtails was impossible, merely the arrogant pipe-dream of a madman.
But, guess what?
It's #SpringtailSunday.
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/466/274/497/955/120/original/6e9b5052de1fb767.jpeg

2024-05-15 07:27:45

Why I love soil ecology - where else on Earth would you find something so bizarre as this?
Ptyctimous mites like this are the ultimate tanks of the mite world, capable of retracting their legs back into their heavily-armoured body, so there's nothing exposed for predators to nibble!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #SoilEcology #Acarology
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/443/892/279/469/312/original/5a2502348f12da66.jpeg

2024-05-13 10:21:56

What's this?
Wrong answers only!
#SoilBiodiversity #MacroPhotography #SoilEcology #Acarology #Acari
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/433/260/152/329/328/original/dbb5327ec02a2dc3.jpeg

2024-05-12 21:41:48

Send help, my brain is still playing Rim Tim Tagi Dim on repeat… 🐈
#Eurovision

2024-04-30 08:27:05

Mmmm forbidden candy floss...
#SlimeMold #Macrophotography #Fungi
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/359/208/149/550/933/original/3424a376eb2ce7cb.jpeg

2024-04-27 08:56:34

My favourite personal observation so far in the #CityNatureChallenge is this White Banded House Jumper (Maratus griseus) from University of Canterbury campus yesterday.
I didn't know that New Zealand has an introduced species of Peacock spider! Gorgeous wee thing!🕷️
#Arachnology #Spider #Macrophotoraphy
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/342/047/275/930/288/original/63b54112d74aa6ae.jpeg

2024-04-10 08:43:03

If New Zealand's 'giant' springtails (Holacanthella sp.) were REALLY giant in size (i.e. not 1 cm long), they'd be the perfect kaiju.
Imagine one of these as tall as a skyscraper, battling Godzilla... what monster name would you give it?
#Entomology #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/246/022/283/626/440/original/15aba6eae416382e.jpeg

2024-04-06 04:07:38

I’ve been in NZ for 8 months, patiently waiting for feijoa season to see what the fuss is about…
This is going to lose me followers, but feijoas can absolutely get in the bin.
Who decided that fairy washing up liquid would be a good flavour for a fruit?

2024-03-24 17:15:49

I'm getting #MiteMonday in early today, with this predatory 'snout' mite (family Bdellidae).
At only 2 mm in size, it's astonishing just how intricate the details can be on these creatures. I've not seen such scale-like armour and piercing red eyes in these before, it's very striking!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Acari
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/151/753/415/804/618/original/b1716e922e3b3759.jpeg