After a crash course in local yellow-flowered plants, I have come to the conclusion that these are not Rabbitbush, but actually Alkali Goldenbush. Much thanks to my Inaturalist pals.

Some late season #butterflies taking advantage of the recent desert rains. Bagged me three new species today, almost four. I know what it was but it flew by too fast for a picture. All these and more hanging out in the Rubber Rabbitbush and its yellow blossoms.

Let’s talk about the crap from #AI #DataCenters that’s wedging its way into our worlds right now. I manage a website, and for years we’ve been getting metrics on who visits the site from where. Now the hosting service has bought into some AI bullshit and wants to pass that cost on to me.
This was their choice to replace a free service with a more elaborate fee-based product that to me is about as welcome as Argentinian beef products. I will likely be shopping for a new hosting service. But still, trying to jam AI down an existing customer’s throat, while participating in ruining rural landscape with these damned data centers seems pretty effed up.

The writer has one opinion. I personally think he got into this mess he can’t get out of because he thinks like a grifter. It’s why he can’t solve any mess, because deep down, he loves chaos. Chaos is where grifters make their money. https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-iran-war-military-gas

#flock comes to #Carlsbad on the freeway pointing both directions

If the world’s future depends on humans being kind, then why isn’t kindness a universal requirement to learn and demonstrate? Very clearly the billionaires were never taught this.

Outstanding day for #butterflies today at Cuyamaca Lake near Julian, Ca. Clear, slight breeze, temps near 90. The Melissa Blues were out.

My one disappointment was one Melissa female
was really friendly and landed on my hand. I scrambled to get the phone cam into focus only to discover once it finally flew off that my video
wasn’t running.

I’ll remind everyone how the “Toonces the driving cat” skit ends.

Shirley in happier times. #caturday #InternationalCatDay

Fourteen years ago, in a different house far away. #CatsOfMastodon

Well, we lost Shirley today. She started a steep downhill decline over the last couple of days. Lost her appetite and was having real trouble breathing. The vet said she was having severe fluid buildup and none of the reasons were good. After nursing her through a variety of health issues over the last 18 months it was time to say goodbye. Fourteen and a half, and she leaves behind her littermate brother, Sebastian. #CatsOfMastodon

South Park should have fun with this one. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/29/xai-sues-minnesota-nudification-technology?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

If you can, please make regular donations to your local food banks. These are hard times but it’s harder on the kids.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/25/food-stamps-children-trump?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other