Calvin Univ professor + alum // anatomist + marine mammal paleontologist // birder + amateur photographer // science + faith speaker // Univ of Michigan alum // fan of St Louis Cardinals + Star Wars + other nerdy things // surname pronounced "BB"https://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mvps3veb5k2gRuby-crowned kinglet (Corthylio calendula) – From the Instagram archive… A frenetic little bird that is always tricky to get in focus! www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography17 Sep 2026 13:46 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvps3veb5k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mvnfcrqaoc2sRuddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) – One of the more striking shorebirds that can show up along Lake Michigan during migration. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography16 Sep 2026 14:52 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvnfcrqaoc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mvkjqhtes22lCedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) – From the Instagram archive… I will never tire of seeing these sleek songbirds. One of my all-time favorites for sure. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography15 Sep 2026 11:33 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkjqhtes22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mvi3ntu7sc2xLeConte's sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii) – Is it autumn yet? Here's a sharp little pumpkin-faced sparrow to celebrate the coming of my favorite season. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography #sparrowappreciationsociety14 Sep 2026 12:16 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvi3ntu7sc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mvaglvf3ys2oRed-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) – After a relative dearth of these birds in recent years near my house, it was nice to see a good influx of them this past winter. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography11 Sep 2026 11:11 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvaglvf3ys2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mv5yxzeztk2rRed-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) – From the Instagram archive… Such a striking bird. Not super common where I'm at in West Michigan, but there are a handful of reliable locations. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography10 Sep 2026 12:01 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv5yxzeztk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mv3i47vtik2eNorthern parula (Setophaga americana) – Here's a sharp little parula for #WarblerWednesday. I describe their song as sounding a bit like a zipper being zipped up. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography09 Sep 2026 11:54 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3i47vtik2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3muzsq56ncs2eLava heron (Butorides sundevalli) – From the Instagram archive… This bird was long considered a subspecies of the striated heron, but new data suggest that it is its own species endemic to the Galápagos. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography08 Sep 2026 19:59 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3muzsq56ncs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3muoxopzoxk2iNorthern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) + tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) – Just a couple of swallow species sitting together on a branch, with one definitely looking like a borb. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography04 Sep 2026 12:28 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3muoxopzoxk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mume47caec2cSolitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) – From the Instagram archive… This sandpiper was enjoying an afternoon snack when I spotted it through my lens a couple springs ago. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography03 Sep 2026 11:33 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mume47caec2chttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mujwtg63ts2kYellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata) – Fall migration is underway, but I've been too busy to get out much. So here's a scrumptious little butterbutt from a previous autumn. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography02 Sep 2026 12:30 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mujwtg63ts2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3muhonlglek2yOvenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) – From the Instagram archive… One of my favorite warblers singing its little heart out. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography01 Sep 2026 14:58 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhonlglek2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3muerpax6ps23Yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons) – I had a lot of fun watching this bright little bird forage in a blossoming eastern redbud tree a couple springs ago. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography31 Aug 2026 11:15 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3muerpax6ps23https://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mu5ag25t4s2zWhite-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) – I was floored by the gorgeous iridescent plumage of this ibis when I encountered it foraging this summer. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography28 Aug 2026 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5ag25t4s2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mu2rix46vs2yScarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) – From the Instagram archive… One of my spark birds. DNA demonstrates that these birds are not true tanagers—they're actually more closely related to cardinals! www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography27 Aug 2026 11:45 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2rix46vs2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtyh3howdc2fPalm warbler (Setophaga palmarum) – It's a glorious #WarblerWednesday, so here's a curious little palm warbler for your viewing pleasure. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography26 Aug 2026 13:33 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyh3howdc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtvpvuhlqs2uTufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) – Happy #TitmouseTuesday! This species is undoubtedly one of my favorite year-round residents in West Michigan. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography25 Aug 2026 11:33 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvpvuhlqs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mttzdnjjl22qRing-necked duck (Aythya collaris, 10 Apr 2024) – From the Instagram archive… An absolutely gorgeous duck on a pond that was as smooth as glass. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography24 Aug 2026 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttzdnjjl22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtlthztccs27American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) – As summer wanes, I found myself recalling a run-in with two avocets in 2024 that helped me win a local photo contest. Here are a few shots from that encounter. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography21 Aug 2026 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlthztccs27https://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtjmn4hc5k2rLouisiana waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) – From the Instagram archive… The specific epithet of its scientific name means tail-wagger, which is pretty appropriate given its frequent sashay. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography20 Aug 2026 16:02 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjmn4hc5k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtgvphdy6k2nHooded warbler (Setophaga citrina) – For #WarblerWednesday, here's a glimpse of this lemon-colored moth-eater hiding behind a spiderweb. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography19 Aug 2026 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgvphdy6k2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mteetyk3pk2bWhite-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) – From the Instagram archive… Could this be the bird to make you join the #SparrowAppreciationSociety? www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography18 Aug 2026 14:00 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mteetyk3pk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3mtbtjzq7is2rNorthern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) – This will always and forever be one of my favorite birds. Whenever I see one, it makes my think of my dearly departed mom and her parents. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography17 Aug 2026 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbtjzq7is2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msyajczxac2pTree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) – From the Instagram archive… A few summers back, I found a whole bunch of young swallows side-by-side on a power line. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography13 Aug 2026 18:10 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msyajczxac2phttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msw3bwizzc2zBlackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata) – This spring I finally got some decent shots of this striped moth-eater and its dapper orange legs. Have a great #WarblerWednesday! www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography12 Aug 2026 21:31 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msw3bwizzc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msr3cu65wk2dCommon muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) – It’s #MammalMonday! Given my scholarly research on early whale evolution, I have a serious soft spot for all semiaquatic mammals. So I love seeing little muskrats do their thing. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography #wildlifephotography #mammals10 Aug 2026 21:48 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msr3cu65wk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msilwyfhj22uField sparrow (Spizella pusilla) – Last summer I spied this tiny little finch eating its breakfast. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography07 Aug 2026 12:52 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msilwyfhj22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msdt2alvq224Blue-winged warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) – If you're on a hike & hear that distinctive "BEE-buzz," then turn your eyes to the trees to find this blue-winged worm-eater. Have a great #WarblerWednesday! www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography05 Aug 2026 15:16 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdt2alvq224https://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3msb3dtupnc2tBlack-throated blue warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) – From the Instagram archive… It's always a good day when I hear a buzzy song and spot one of these bluish moth-eaters. One of my favorite warblers. www.instagram.com/ryan.bebej.photography 🪶 #birds #birding #birdoftheday #wildlifephotography04 Aug 2026 13:06 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3msb3dtupnc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ryanbebej.bsky.social/post/3ms7ubaawn2hw#ArchaeocetesAreAwesome [contains quote post or other embedded content]04 Aug 2026 01:27 +0000at://did:plc:46kw2vuxioiv5ip2ope5pmvm/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms7ubaawn2hw