Phil Torres

I like bugs. I really do. Biologist on TV and off.

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Starfish mouths looks like dozens of tiny ghostly hands in rubber gloves.

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Over these last few days, I've been hanging out with this butterfly on snapchat: phil_torres I found its caterpillar cousins in a rough state and brought them to some food across town, and took this one in as s chrysalis and waited patiently for it to join us in winged splendor. After taking some close up photos of it (see previous post), I let him fly away this morning.

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Off to the boat and the sea grass bed of Tomales Bay. Spent yesterday with an oyster farmer and a scientist, interviewing them about the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on our marine life and sea food industries for @ajtechknow. Bottom line, oysters are having a harder and harder time growing- they sometimes even dissolve- due to the increased CO2 output by humans which is making our oceans more acidic. #oceanacidification #oysters #tomalesbay 📷: @siljadanielsen

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#tbt That time I stood at the bottom of the Panama Canal last month for @aljazeeraamerica. While I was there, I interviewed engineers and scientists involved with the expansion of one of the greatest engineering feats man has ever accomplished. Many were proud, but others concerned that our changing climate may pit the people vs the ships in a battle over Panama's most valuable resource: water. Airs Saturday on @ajtechknow, search for TechKnow on your DVR and record it to watch the adventure. Also: an adorable sloth makes a guest appearance, so you don't want to miss it. #Panama #panamacanal #engineering #canal #water #science (at Panama Canal)

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Musk Ox are regal AF.

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In case you were wondering what our galaxy looked like last week, I got you covered.

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Because sometimes you feel like taking a selfie with the entire galaxy.

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That time a photographed the Milky Way and a nesting sea turtle at the same time. Last night was a good night at La Flor Sea Turtle Refuge in Nicaragua.

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#WildlifeWednesday My first time as a hired scientist on an expedition took me to the remote Darkhad region of Mongolia at the age of 20. An unbelievable land we explored and documented to find new species of insects. The Bactrian camels roaming the steppe represented how wild this area was, I remember seeing this group with the mountain in the back and yelling to pull our caravan over and get the shot.

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One of these ingredients is not like the other. Made cricket flour banana pancakes this morning with #siljafromscratch. Seriously delicious, not to mention healthier and better for the environment.

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One of these ingredients is not like the other. Made cricket flour banana pancakes this morning with the help of #siljafromscratch. They taste good, are healthier, and better for the environment, what's not I like? End result: yum. 🐛🐜🐞🍴

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CHALLENGE: Click through these three harbor seal photos in order and don’t laugh out loud.

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#tbt That time a baby goat thought my beard was edible. It is not, baby goat, but thanks for the trim. (at Santa Monica Farmers Market)

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A barn swallow for your Saturday morning. Also filed under: a miracle this bird stayed still long enough for a photo.

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El Matador. (at El Matador State Beach)

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The sea lion stretch. (at Old Fisherman's Wharf)

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This January I trekked through the Amazon, climbed up to the canopy, and tagged along with some researchers studying macaws and saving these species. This awkward looking little fella is a juvenile just starting to grow his primary feathers. Monday, see it all go down on @aljazeeraamerica, search for TechKnow and set your DVRs! #WildWednesday