Austin Hess
@austinhnaturalist.bsky.social
32 year old naturalist
Colorado born & raised, now living in the Ozarks
Polynesian ❤️
Progressive as hell
Nature
Wildlife
Travel
Animals
Photography
Archaeology
Paleontology
Paleoanthropology
Indigenous Culture & Rights
LGBTQ+ ally
Colorado born & raised, now living in the Ozarks
Polynesian ❤️
Progressive as hell
Nature
Wildlife
Travel
Animals
Photography
Archaeology
Paleontology
Paleoanthropology
Indigenous Culture & Rights
LGBTQ+ ally
Pinned
Here are my interests/hobbies, always looking to connect with similar peeps! 😊
🐺 #Wildlife
⛰️ #Nature
🦉 #Birding
🐍 #Herping
🐛 #Bugs
🌍 #Travel
🤠 #Archaeology
🧕 #Anthropology
🦖 #Paleontology
🌌 #Astronomy
🏰 #History
🦍 #HumanOrigins
📷 #WildlifePhotography
💚 #Conservation
✊ #IndigenousRights
#PromoSky
🐺 #Wildlife
⛰️ #Nature
🦉 #Birding
🐍 #Herping
🐛 #Bugs
🌍 #Travel
🤠 #Archaeology
🧕 #Anthropology
🦖 #Paleontology
🌌 #Astronomy
🏰 #History
🦍 #HumanOrigins
📷 #WildlifePhotography
💚 #Conservation
✊ #IndigenousRights
#PromoSky
😭 I've been waiting a long time for this trailer.
#BluePlanet3 #LongLiveSirDavidAttenborough #BBCEarth
youtu.be/LvjlkoWkaWA?...
#BluePlanet3 #LongLiveSirDavidAttenborough #BBCEarth
youtu.be/LvjlkoWkaWA?...
Blue Planet III First Look Trailer | Featuring JADE & Hans Zimmer | BBC Earth
YouTube video by BBC Earth
youtu.be
October 6, 2026 at 6:16 PM
😭 I've been waiting a long time for this trailer.
#BluePlanet3 #LongLiveSirDavidAttenborough #BBCEarth
youtu.be/LvjlkoWkaWA?...
#BluePlanet3 #LongLiveSirDavidAttenborough #BBCEarth
youtu.be/LvjlkoWkaWA?...
😭 Just SOBBED watching the first episode of NatGeo Africa: Earth's Wild Home. From an absurdly impressive Cheetah hunt to hilarious Rain Frogs and a Green Sea Turtle ending that had me in tears
With phenomenally diverse life and landscapes, Wild Africa footage has NEVER looked this spectacular! 🌍
With phenomenally diverse life and landscapes, Wild Africa footage has NEVER looked this spectacular! 🌍
October 4, 2026 at 1:30 AM
😭 Just SOBBED watching the first episode of NatGeo Africa: Earth's Wild Home. From an absurdly impressive Cheetah hunt to hilarious Rain Frogs and a Green Sea Turtle ending that had me in tears
With phenomenally diverse life and landscapes, Wild Africa footage has NEVER looked this spectacular! 🌍
With phenomenally diverse life and landscapes, Wild Africa footage has NEVER looked this spectacular! 🌍
I was set to go on an 8 day birding tour to Brazil (Atlantic Forest region) in a little over month now with 4 friends, but earlier this year I found out the timing conflicted with a major family event and I was forced to cancel 💔
Been daydreaming about another international adventure opportunity.
Been daydreaming about another international adventure opportunity.
October 1, 2026 at 1:28 AM
I was set to go on an 8 day birding tour to Brazil (Atlantic Forest region) in a little over month now with 4 friends, but earlier this year I found out the timing conflicted with a major family event and I was forced to cancel 💔
Been daydreaming about another international adventure opportunity.
Been daydreaming about another international adventure opportunity.
So heartbroken and angry over all these damn budget cuts that are effecting science across the board, and now the Sternberg Museum of Natural History needs help before the end of this year if it wants to continue to exist. 😞 Here's their donation link...
foundation.fhsu.edu/save-sternbe...
foundation.fhsu.edu/save-sternbe...
October 1, 2026 at 1:12 AM
So heartbroken and angry over all these damn budget cuts that are effecting science across the board, and now the Sternberg Museum of Natural History needs help before the end of this year if it wants to continue to exist. 😞 Here's their donation link...
foundation.fhsu.edu/save-sternbe...
foundation.fhsu.edu/save-sternbe...
Ooooooooo this sounds like a good book.
October 1, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Ooooooooo this sounds like a good book.
I thought it was always known that it wasn't actually a Cheetah and more closely related to Mountain Lions, but still one of the absolute coolest mammals from the Pleistocene.
October 1, 2026 at 1:05 AM
I thought it was always known that it wasn't actually a Cheetah and more closely related to Mountain Lions, but still one of the absolute coolest mammals from the Pleistocene.
👏
Pakistan's endangered Indus River dolphin population has grown to nearly 2,000 individuals, prompting the creation of a new 400-km protected corridor.
Safeguarding the species long-term will require modified barrage operations and community-led sustainable fishing.
Fellow Muhammad Talal reports.
Safeguarding the species long-term will require modified barrage operations and community-led sustainable fishing.
Fellow Muhammad Talal reports.
Pakistan expands protected habitat for Indus River dolphin as recovery offers hope
Between 11 million and 16 million years ago, during the high sea levels of the middle Miocene period, the ancestors of the Indus River dolphin entered the muddy waters of what is the Indus Basin today...
mongabay.cc
October 1, 2026 at 1:03 AM
👏
Black-throated Blue Warbler from St. Louis, Missouri yesterday 9/21/26
My 310th species I've seen in the state, and a difficult and rare one here that is almost always a one day wonder during migration!
#Birding #Twitcher #Warbler #Naturalist #Wildlife #BirdPhotography #FallMigration
My 310th species I've seen in the state, and a difficult and rare one here that is almost always a one day wonder during migration!
#Birding #Twitcher #Warbler #Naturalist #Wildlife #BirdPhotography #FallMigration
September 23, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Black-throated Blue Warbler from St. Louis, Missouri yesterday 9/21/26
My 310th species I've seen in the state, and a difficult and rare one here that is almost always a one day wonder during migration!
#Birding #Twitcher #Warbler #Naturalist #Wildlife #BirdPhotography #FallMigration
My 310th species I've seen in the state, and a difficult and rare one here that is almost always a one day wonder during migration!
#Birding #Twitcher #Warbler #Naturalist #Wildlife #BirdPhotography #FallMigration
Smaller than a house cat and found in the Bolivian cloud forests, it's the first new species of cat described in over 100 years. The natural world has much left to teach us.
#Biodiversity #Wildlife #Discovery
#Biodiversity #Wildlife #Discovery
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERES A NEW SPECIES OF CAT AND ITS ADORABLE?!
September 18, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Smaller than a house cat and found in the Bolivian cloud forests, it's the first new species of cat described in over 100 years. The natural world has much left to teach us.
#Biodiversity #Wildlife #Discovery
#Biodiversity #Wildlife #Discovery
Black-and-yellow Lichen Moth (Lycomorpha pholus) on my front porch here in the Ozarks
My first time ever seeing one of these! Beautiful!
#Naturalist #Entomology #OzarkNature
My first time ever seeing one of these! Beautiful!
#Naturalist #Entomology #OzarkNature
September 16, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Black-and-yellow Lichen Moth (Lycomorpha pholus) on my front porch here in the Ozarks
My first time ever seeing one of these! Beautiful!
#Naturalist #Entomology #OzarkNature
My first time ever seeing one of these! Beautiful!
#Naturalist #Entomology #OzarkNature
This would be so much fun!!!
www.instagram.com/reels/DbN950...
www.instagram.com/reels/DbN950...
jeana butler on Instagram: "just another reason why i love the florida keys so much 🦈✨🐢
•
•
•
#ocean #oceanlife #floridakeys #shark #turtle"
26K likes, 200 comments - jeanambutler on July 25, 2026: "just another reason why i love the florida keys so much 🦈✨🐢
•
•
•
#ocean #oceanlife #floridakeys #shark #turtle".
www.instagram.com
September 12, 2026 at 11:16 PM
This would be so much fun!!!
www.instagram.com/reels/DbN950...
www.instagram.com/reels/DbN950...
I love historic inscriptions, and this is one of the coolest ones I've ever seen. "Frank Miller" from 1874! Photographed it under a rock bridge in Central Missouri a couple years ago.
#History #Inscription #1800s
#History #Inscription #1800s
September 12, 2026 at 11:14 PM
I love historic inscriptions, and this is one of the coolest ones I've ever seen. "Frank Miller" from 1874! Photographed it under a rock bridge in Central Missouri a couple years ago.
#History #Inscription #1800s
#History #Inscription #1800s
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) from Southwestern Kansas many many moons ago. Remains the only one I have ever seen.
Herping in Kansas rocks.
#Naturalist #Wildlife #Herping
Herping in Kansas rocks.
#Naturalist #Wildlife #Herping
September 12, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) from Southwestern Kansas many many moons ago. Remains the only one I have ever seen.
Herping in Kansas rocks.
#Naturalist #Wildlife #Herping
Herping in Kansas rocks.
#Naturalist #Wildlife #Herping
This looks absolutely STUNNING! I will be seated.
#NationalGeographic #TheNaturalWorld #Wildlife
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6v...
#NationalGeographic #TheNaturalWorld #Wildlife
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6v...
Africa Earth’s Wild Home | Official Trailer | National Geographic
YouTube video by National Geographic
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2026 at 11:06 PM
This looks absolutely STUNNING! I will be seated.
#NationalGeographic #TheNaturalWorld #Wildlife
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6v...
#NationalGeographic #TheNaturalWorld #Wildlife
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6v...
September 12, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Really really wish I was in SoCal right now. They're seeing an influx of tropical marine wildlife due to the Super El Niño
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK5...
Whale shark caught on video off SoCal coast
YouTube video by KTLA 5
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Really really wish I was in SoCal right now. They're seeing an influx of tropical marine wildlife due to the Super El Niño
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK5...
Been daydreaming about Borneo a lot lately....
Probably my most desired exotic destination. A naturalist's dreamland....
Probably my most desired exotic destination. A naturalist's dreamland....
September 12, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Been daydreaming about Borneo a lot lately....
Probably my most desired exotic destination. A naturalist's dreamland....
Probably my most desired exotic destination. A naturalist's dreamland....
OMFG!!!!! Summer officially made! 😍 Found this GORGEOUS Western Pygmy Rattlesnake just yards from my property while walking my dog! Used my snake stick to move it off the road, and not a single strike. As expected, INCREDIBLY docile. SO THRILLED! 🐍💚
#Herping #OzarkNature #Wildlife
#Herping #OzarkNature #Wildlife
September 3, 2026 at 12:58 AM
OMFG!!!!! Summer officially made! 😍 Found this GORGEOUS Western Pygmy Rattlesnake just yards from my property while walking my dog! Used my snake stick to move it off the road, and not a single strike. As expected, INCREDIBLY docile. SO THRILLED! 🐍💚
#Herping #OzarkNature #Wildlife
#Herping #OzarkNature #Wildlife
One of the more wild bird photos I've ever captured....
3 of the Colorado Egret species (Snowy, Cattle, and Great) lined up facing the same direction with their beaks open. 😳
Taken in Weld County, CO in the summer of 2014
#Birding #Wildlife #Naturalist
3 of the Colorado Egret species (Snowy, Cattle, and Great) lined up facing the same direction with their beaks open. 😳
Taken in Weld County, CO in the summer of 2014
#Birding #Wildlife #Naturalist
August 30, 2026 at 8:21 PM
One of the more wild bird photos I've ever captured....
3 of the Colorado Egret species (Snowy, Cattle, and Great) lined up facing the same direction with their beaks open. 😳
Taken in Weld County, CO in the summer of 2014
#Birding #Wildlife #Naturalist
3 of the Colorado Egret species (Snowy, Cattle, and Great) lined up facing the same direction with their beaks open. 😳
Taken in Weld County, CO in the summer of 2014
#Birding #Wildlife #Naturalist
Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) from my bottom deck last night. NEAT!
#OzarkNature #Arachnid #Entomology #Arthropod #Naturalist #Spider
#OzarkNature #Arachnid #Entomology #Arthropod #Naturalist #Spider
August 30, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) from my bottom deck last night. NEAT!
#OzarkNature #Arachnid #Entomology #Arthropod #Naturalist #Spider
#OzarkNature #Arachnid #Entomology #Arthropod #Naturalist #Spider
A small patch of pines at Busch Conservation Area in Eastern Missouri had a flock of migrating Warblers a couple days ago, including a stunning adult male Blackburnian Warbler 😍
Wonderful to get out in nature again. It's been a rough and way too hot summer.
#Birding
Wonderful to get out in nature again. It's been a rough and way too hot summer.
#Birding
August 30, 2026 at 8:16 PM
A small patch of pines at Busch Conservation Area in Eastern Missouri had a flock of migrating Warblers a couple days ago, including a stunning adult male Blackburnian Warbler 😍
Wonderful to get out in nature again. It's been a rough and way too hot summer.
#Birding
Wonderful to get out in nature again. It's been a rough and way too hot summer.
#Birding
From a Sir David Attenborough documentary I was watching with Dwarf Minke Whales that gather seasonally at the Great Barrier Reef, seemingly fascinated by humans. Some travel from Sub-Antarctic waters, and scientists have recorded unique vocalizations. Precious animals! 😍💙🐋
August 19, 2026 at 2:17 AM
From a Sir David Attenborough documentary I was watching with Dwarf Minke Whales that gather seasonally at the Great Barrier Reef, seemingly fascinated by humans. Some travel from Sub-Antarctic waters, and scientists have recorded unique vocalizations. Precious animals! 😍💙🐋
Eastern Colorado back when I explored it quite a bit had an impressive North American Porcupine population. I saw 5 individuals over several years
This one is cute, you can kinda see its orange buck teeth
Sadly, Porcupines are declining across the West🥺
#Wildlife #MammalWatching #Naturalist
This one is cute, you can kinda see its orange buck teeth
Sadly, Porcupines are declining across the West🥺
#Wildlife #MammalWatching #Naturalist
August 17, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Eastern Colorado back when I explored it quite a bit had an impressive North American Porcupine population. I saw 5 individuals over several years
This one is cute, you can kinda see its orange buck teeth
Sadly, Porcupines are declining across the West🥺
#Wildlife #MammalWatching #Naturalist
This one is cute, you can kinda see its orange buck teeth
Sadly, Porcupines are declining across the West🥺
#Wildlife #MammalWatching #Naturalist
If a birding meme was me...😭
August 16, 2026 at 9:39 PM
If a birding meme was me...😭