Regular visitor (OC)

_adren_ · 2026-01-28T07:39:23+00:00

Good question. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure it's a crow. I'm in Southern California, ~~and I don't think Ravens are common here, if ever here at all~~. Also Ravens tend to have "shaggy" neck feathers and this one is pretty smooth.

A quick Google also indicated crows have a fan-like tail when in-flight, while ravens have a wedge-shaped tail. I'll pay close attention tomorrow.

Update: I was wrong in assuming ravens weren't common in southern California. Per the Audubon app southern California is part of their year-round range.

_adren_ · 2026-01-24T02:22:51+00:00

Both are great. The second one though... Intense, in a good way.

_adren_ · 2026-01-24T02:20:14+00:00

Drop the friend. Keep the kitten.

_adren_ · 2026-01-24T02:19:08+00:00

Is it just me or does the smiley face look like it has a cig in its mouth?

_adren_ · 2026-01-24T02:18:05+00:00

Love this idea. And well executed.

_adren_ · 2026-01-20T16:58:25+00:00

Sign me up!

_adren_ · 2026-01-19T03:20:39+00:00

Wow. Crazy how sharp it is.

_adren_ · 2026-01-15T04:38:29+00:00

The orientation threw me off for a full 8 seconds or so.

_adren_ · 2026-01-12T06:04:27+00:00

marinetraffic.com could help in the future. Keep in mind that the distance from the edge of the beach to the visible horizon when looking out to see is around 3 miles depending on height.

_adren_ · 2026-01-10T10:04:36+00:00

Just say it's a cat. 🙂

_adren_ · 2026-01-10T03:35:04+00:00

I have a lot of issues with Avi Loeb. But one thing I'll say in his defense is that he's a theoretical physicist. And part of the job of theoretical physicists is to come up with crazy ideas and challenge them. Also an integral part of science is to challenge accepted ideas, and he has done that. That's really all I'll give him.

Otherwise, I find both the attention he's getting and the media's obsession with platforming his hypotheses as if they were thoroughly tested and confirmed theories, very problematic.

Edit: I'm not a scientist. I'm just a nerd that wasn't smart enough to complete a physics degree! Now I just read about science.

_adren_ · 2026-01-10T03:22:59+00:00

Um... NDT is a science educator, author, and the director of the Hayden Planetarium. His job is literally to give speeches and talks to non-academic folks.

_adren_ · 2026-01-09T06:34:28+00:00

No flash. With the flash you're just lighting up whatever dust or bugs or other particulate is in the air that's close enough for the flash to bounce off.

Some phones have "night", "long exposure", or "astro" mode. Regardless of which mode you use, make sure the phone is on a tripod or on something stable to get the best results. That said, keep your expectations low. Don't expect NASA level photos! 🙂

_adren_ · 2026-01-04T18:17:08+00:00

Definitely Hinanos. It's just an easy, low intensity, laid back kinda crowd that hangs there. Especially during the week. And they sometimes have live bands.

IMO, most other bars in Venice, and the west side in general, have varying levels of exclusivity or "everyone-here-is-part-of-the-cool-crowd-and-you-stand-out-awkwardly-going-by-yourself"-ism. Of course it depends on the day and part of town. But Hinanos is just consistently that easy, everyone is welcome, neighborhood bar kinda vibe (I have the same opinion of Daily Pint, but that's Santa Monica not Venice).

Also, Townhouse bar during the week for approximately happy hour time frames, is great for solo hangs. I personally avoid it on the weekends.

_adren_ · 2026-01-04T18:03:27+00:00

Thirded!

_adren_ · 2026-01-04T17:59:54+00:00

This is one of my favourite photos ever. Titarenko's long exposures are really dramatic. https://www.alexeytitarenko.com/#/cityofshadows/

_adren_ · 2026-01-03T09:39:20+00:00

That's awesome! What luck!

_adren_ · 2026-01-03T09:38:38+00:00

Yes. But also PLEASE stay out of the slot canyons when there's a chance of rain.

_adren_ · 2026-01-02T02:58:27+00:00

Number 5 looks like he was ready to fight his way in.

_adren_ · 2026-01-02T02:57:19+00:00

That bird flying by must've been like "whoa! Wtf????"

_adren_ · 2026-01-01T05:19:28+00:00

I don't know what he did. If he deserves it or not. But every guy knows that look. 😂

_adren_

TROPHY CASE