Stephen Urquhart

@urk

Chem prof & synchrotron maven. Associate Editor J. El. Spectrosc. Rel. Phen. Staff to 3 🐈 I chase wild protein and forage tasty 🍄‍🟫 & 🫐 in Saskatchewan. Board member, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Canada VE5URQ

2.704 Folgt1.089 Follower733 Posts

Bluesky

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir urk.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Stephen Urquhart@urk· 14d

Good morning, Saskatchewan!

A picture of half an English muffin, toasted, topped with chanterelle mushrooms cooked in enough butter to make someone from France say C'est un peu exagéré.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· 14d

This SWEET BASTARD CAT has the nerve to enjoy deep REM sleep on the couch next to me and @varnam.bsky.social … while disturbing my sleep in the middle of most nights. He interprets my middle of the night motion as an opportunity to demand PETS and LOVE.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· 29d

Important AI instructions.

Claude instructions - ‘do not trim Heated Rivalry discussion from meeting summaries’

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jul 11

SETTLE DOWN

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jul 1

From a gentle afternoon walk. Not pictured: skunk, fox, grey partridge, sound of grouse, deer and moose beds. Oh, also ticks.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jun 7

Melvyn Rudd's memorial survived last spring's fire.

A broken wooden cross memorial for Melvyn Rudd, who was killed by a bear in Narrow Hills Provincial Park in 1983.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jun 5

Iykyk

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jun 2

A graphic of grandpa Simpson yelling at a rainbow, with the label ‘happy “bigots yep at rainbows” month’

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Jun 1

My friend @grrrl.bsky.social is now Doctor Rebekah, having done an amazing thesis on teaching and values!

A very meta picture of DOCTOR Rebekah Bennetch and her supervisor, Debbie Pushor, being photographed at @usask convocation

Stephen Urquhart@urk· May 12

Melvin Rudd’s memorial, near the fishing hole where he died. This area burnt last April, and I have not gotten back in to see if the memorial survived. It was located in a damp area near McDougall Creek that survived the 1977 Fishing Laks fire.

Memorial to Melvyn Rudd, who was killed by a bear in Narrow Hills Provincial Park in 1983.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· May 7

Boreal forest therapy.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· May 6

Environment Canada is replacing its emergency weather radio … with this.

The famous Smeaton Weather station. A picture of a rock, next to a sign that reads ‘if the rock is wet … it’s raining’

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 17

Go home, SaskParks. You're drunk

Screen capture of the temporary annual permit ... where the bar code does not appear. But it won't be replaced!

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 16

Why I am still in bed.

A picture that shows the partial face of the poster, and the faces of two boy cats who just turned five.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 12

I had plans!

an elderly cat curled up on my lap, purring

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 10

From the last time

Painted 'Apollo capsule' markers on the side of a helicopter on the USS Midway - as a museum ship in San Diego, CA,

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 10

I take a 5 minute break from exam writing and this happens.

A photograph of the poster, sitting on a couch, being glommed aggressively by three cars. An elderly calico cat sits on their lap, and two Turkish Van boy cats sit to their right.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 8

There’s always a risk when you swap the skis for wheels on the luggage.

A picture of a snowy parking lot, where my luggage plowed a path behind me.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 5

I found Henri, le chat noir.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Apr 1

I feel attacked.

Study finds academics’ jokes at conferences mostly fall flat
A recently published study explored academics’ attempts at humour during research conferences. The study—based on 531 talks at 14 biology conferences—found that 58% of all talks included at least one attempt at humour. However, 66% of attempts were determined to have low effectiveness as they were met with reactions such as “polite chuckles.” The study authors noted that the mild reactions may have stemmed from the social dynamics and environment of conferences, as well as the fact that many jokes were made during glitches or technical issues. The study authors noted that humour is a skill worth developing for scientists, as well-delivered humour “can turn a forgettable talk into one people actually remember—and perhaps even enjoy.”

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 29

Sound up!

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 28

In ‘climate change’ news, I’m designing and 3D printing a frame that will hold a HEPA filter mesh over a camper window, so we can safely hide out inside the camper l when the winds shift and the skies turn orange again this summer.

Smoky sky last August - Narrows Marina, PANP.

Pictured here of Canada geese at the edge of the board walk at the edge of the water. On the otherwise of the narrow straight are boreal forest trees - jack pine and black spruce. The sky is full of smoke, and the photographer is pissed off at the inaction of politicians.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 22

The small town park in Eastend was a comfy place to stay when we went last summer to see Scotty. It was also really special to see the bison at Old Man on His Back. We then drove on to Dinosaur Province Park.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 22

I had to pause Shorsey to bring you this.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 21

The use of the word ‘alleged’ is a choice, CBC.

Screen capture of a CBC news story: ‘Robert mueller, 9/11-era FBI chief who later probed alleged Trump-Russia ties, dead at 81’

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 14

It’s not hard to keep gluten free for pi day!

Bacon pie.
Crust: bacon
Filling: potato, cheese and caramelized onions.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 13

Turn. Up. The. Volume.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 10

I just laid down for a minute. And now I can’t move!

Picture of three cats who are currently suffocating one of their humans.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Mar 8

I met some friends this weekend. I don’t think any of these is compatible with an 18 year old cat, but I think that the hunting bird is by far the worst choice.

Adorable Picardy Spaniel.

Fur. Earl Grey. Hot.

Stephen Urquhart@urk· Feb 20

LOOK AT THIS 18 YEAR OLD SWEET CAT