Featherdust - Nambroth

Wildlife and fantasy artist, bird nerd, native plants are good, touching some moss. Non-binary, they/them

[nambroth]

well that was a bummer

I deleted my art from here. I don't know what to say... it's depressing. Even though I "opted out", the AI integration gave me the final shove. I know it's kinda everywhere now, which doesn't make this any easier. Places you can still find my art, which I do keep updated: Featherdust Studio - My personal website and gallery. Updated infrequently but I share most of my finished art here. Bluesky *- I use this site regularly, at least for now. (I'm wary) Furaffinity *- (SFW gallery) I try to update here frequently as I'm able. Discord - I share finished work here regularly. This is an art only feed, no discussion (I just don't have the time to mod). Patreon - Please note this is not intended to be a paywall- I share everything but my unfinished art/sketches to other sites listed above as well. * Apologies, you'll need an account to see my page on these sites I know there's nowhere safe from this. I could stop sharing my art entirely, but that only hurts me and anyone else that would like to see it. I'm not important or skilled in other ways, and sharing my art online has the only way I've been able to eke out a living for the last 20 years.

[the-aila-test]

Native owned businesses to buy from. Taken from the North American Indian Association of Detroit.

https://www.sweetgrasstradingco.com

https://nativeharvest.com

https://byellowtail.com

https://trickstercompany.com

https://www.salishstyle.com

https://hutxh.com

https://furandhide.com

https://www.wapatobeads.com

https://www.cultureshockjewelry.com

https://aylelum.com

https://shop.dancingbearindiantrader.com

http://mohawklacrosse.net

https://www.thentvs.com

https://bisonstarnaturals.com

https://cheekbonebeauty.ca

https://www.indigecos.com

https://www.quwutsunmade.com

https://sistersky.com

https://urbannativeera.com

http://lnukclothingco.com

https://www.oxdxclothing.com

https://sequoiasoaps.com

https://www.blackbelteaglescout.com

https://birchbarkbooks.com

https://redplanetbooksncomics.com

https://kotahbear.com

https://bedrechocolates.com

https://redlakenationfoods.com

https://shop.tankabar.com

https://thunderislandcoffee.com

https://www.indianpueblostore.com

https://www.totemdesignhouse.com

https://www.shenative.com

https://www.manitobah.com

https://www.gourdjewels.com

https://ginewusa.com

https://etkie.com

https://www.aconav.com

[iworkatapetstore]

[raptorsandpoultry]

My job for the last three summers in a (very awesome and cool) nutshell.

So many people (certain university professors included) are unaware of the fact that chickens can be “clicker-trained”, or trained using operant conditioning, let alone be taught all of these fairly complex tasks. Not only is it a great and easy enrichment activity you can do with your pet chickens if you have any, but it’s used by research laboratories all over the world to try and make important discoveries in areas like animal behaviour and neuroscience.

I’ve done/currently do both - I train my pet chickens to provide them with some physical and mental exercise, and I train laboratory chickens and turkeys for studies that try to solve pressing concerns about the welfare of farmed poultry. In my first summer, I compared the learning abilities of egg-laying hens fed diets with different nutrient levels to see if commercial diets impair brain function in these chickens. The next summer, I trained laying hens to peck a green light for a reward, while also teaching them to ignore a red light - exactly as shown in this video - to determine whether an “impulsive” personality was one of the factors contributing to aggressive feather-pecking behaviour on farms (no post about that one yet, as the results still need to be published)! And that’s just me. There are other animal behaviour & welfare labs at my university, and at universities across many countries, that use operant conditioning as a technique to objectively ask animals about their feelings, preferences, etc. The same goes for other farm animals, zoo animals, and basically any other animal used by humans - there is always scientific research going on to figure out what is best for them.

[nambroth]

Where to find me around the interbutts

Hey folks I know some real stupid shenanigans are going down here on Tumblr. I never post anything that’s not family friendly (aside from some swear words), but sometimes I get flagged anyway (especially my chickens?!). I am not sure what my plan is just yet for this site, but for those that are jumping ship, or just want to know in case accounts get messed up, etc, here is where you can find me other than Tumblr, if you are interested in my nonsense: • Website: http://featherdust.com/ • Web Shop: http://featherdust.storenvy.com/ • Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/nambroth • Ko-Fi: http://ko-fi.com/nambroth • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nambroth • DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/nambroth • West End Gallery: http://www.westendgallery.net/  (I'm under "Artists")  

[lizzywhimsy]

Jurassic Park with Chickens… Gallus Park? 

Let’s be honest, if chickens were huge, we’d all be screwed. 

[tealdearest]

@gallusrostromegalus it’s beautiful

[gallusrostromegalus]

See this is why people who think feathered dinosaurs aren’t scary are WRONG.

[nambroth]

G O O D

[nambroth]

ohhh i found your fantasy art when i was like 10/11 and it was SO inspiring to me, particularly your gryphons. it was so surprising and amazing to find your blog on here!! your art is so wonderful and i'm so glad you're still going strong with it!

Oh gosh thank you so so SO much for the kind note!! WOW! How has so much time gone by?! I still love gryphons and will be making more art of them soon. Thank you for sticking with me all these years!

[rah-bop]

Hey check it out! It’s a video of my costume in action!

I’ve heard some people saying “if only it blinked!” But actually, it DOES blink. (It just didn’t make it into the video.)

If you have questions, check out my costume FAQ! You can also see more photos of it here.

Please check me out on Patreon!

[nambroth]

For your consideration: A fantastic and eloquent Rah-Bop, wearing their aMAZING HOME MADE KENKU COSTUME, during a D&D interview. Feast your eyes upon the incredible craftsmanship and movements in this wonderful video. Then, once you are properly inspired, check out the links in their caption to the FAQ, which includes free tutorials. This entire post is a FEAST for my art heart and bird nerd

[nambroth]

These four nerds are still around (as of 12/11/17) if you’re looking for a friend or a gift for the bird nerd in your life! http://featherdust.storenvy.com/collections/602554-bird-critters

[typhlonectes]

In Defense of Plants:  The Tallest Moss

For all the attributes we apply to the world of bryophytes, height is usually not one of them. That is, unless you are talking about the genus Dawsonia. Within this taxonomic grouping exists the tallest mosses in the world.

Topping out around 60 cm (24 inches), Dawsonia superba enjoys heights normally reserved for vascular plants. Although this may not seem like much to those who are more familiar with robust forbs and towering trees, height is not a trait that comes easy to mosses. To find out why, we must take a look at the interior workings of these lowly plants.

Mosses as a whole lack the vascularization of more derived plants. In other words, they do not have the internal plumbing that can carry water to various tissues. Coupled with the lack of a cuticle, this means that mosses are quite sensitive to water loss. For most mosses, this anatomical feature relegates them to humid environments and/or a small stature. This is not the case for Dawsonia. Thanks to a curious case of convergent evolution, this genus breaks this physiological glass ceiling and reaches for the sky…

[hookteeth]

@nambroth

[nambroth]

Yes, thank you Slee for acknowledging this. I am indeed The Tallest Moss.

[nambroth]

Not so much an ask... but I just wanted to let you know that in the 15 years since discovering your work, I still think of your art every time the sky does something soft and beautiful. Thank you for all that you do!

O-oh, wow... what, really?? I’m so honored you think so! Aaaaa oh my gosh. Thank you!!

[becausebirds]

If 2016 was a bird.

[rah-bizzle]

True facts: this conflagrant beast visited @nambroth on Sept 20, 2014 and never left. It cannot be beheld directly by most mortals; however, if you stare deeply into Nambroth’s eyes you will see its reflection burning there. It is truly haunting. 

[nambroth]

@rah-bizzle knows the truth.

[nambroth]

My new jam. (if you like this sort of thing, the other covers in this person’s channel are incredible)

[chickenhugs]

Shout-out to @nambroth for designing this epic chicken galaxy shirt! The pic here doesn’t do it justice.

Seriously though this shirt gives me *strength.* 

[nambroth]

DON’T STOP BELIEVING No but really thank you so much!

[typhlonectes]

Why You Should Never Feed Bread To Ducks

It seems harmless enough, feeding bread to the ducks in your local park; we enjoy it, the ducks get some food, and everyone’s happy. In fact, in England and Wales alone, we feed six million loaves of bread to ducks every year – but this is definitely doing them more harm than good...

[nambroth]

If you are very keen on interacting with tame, residental waterfowl at parks, there are some alternative options, such as fresh or (thawed) frozen peas. Canned peas often have too much sodium. Wanting to interact with and appreciate animals is not wrong, but please do it responsibly and bear in mind that many situations involve respectful observation and nothing more. :)

[iseultsdream]

Feb 7, 2016 - Nancy Luce’s grave, in the West Tisbury Village Cemetery, with some of the chickens, and other things that have been left on it -taken on Oct 30, 2013

Nancy’s one wish was to be buried next to the graves of her beloved chickens on the family farm, but the town didn’t allow it, so over time, stone, porcelin and plastic chickens in particular, have been left on her grave, somewhat mysteriously left though since no one has ever witnessed anyone leaving anything on her grave.

[nambroth]

Guys, when I go, you know what to do

[becausebirds]

Deep in the forests of Central Java, towering above the surrounding trees, lies an abandoned, crumbling church in the shape of a giant chicken with its beak open mid-squawk. Locals have dubbed it the “chicken church.” 🐔 [video of the church]

[nambroth]

@vantid your minecraft creation is real