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Frank Ashwood

@frankashwood.bsky.social

Soil ecologist & macrophotographer | He/Him | Author of 'The World Beneath Our Feet', publishing in Aug/Sep '26! www.frankashwood.com

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Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 4w ago

IT’S PUBLICATION DAY! (UK) I’m so excited to see this labour of love finally out in the world! How better to spend today than at an earthworm research conference 🪱 🧪 If you’re in the UK, THE WORLD BENEATH OUR FEET is in bookshops now! Coming soon to North America and EU. @hodderbooks.bsky.social

A photograph of my hand holding my book up in front of a conference theatre.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · last mo.

Six years ago, I first gave macrophotography a try. I had no idea how much it would change my life. I'm currently in the location where it all started, so I thought why not take some new photos to compare with my early shots! What differences do you see, except the species? #Macrophotography 🧪

A panel showing four photographs, with the labels 'then' and 'now'. The top two photographs are of a springtail and mite, and are of poorer quality compositionally and in clarity, than the bottom two images of similar creatures.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Less than 3 weeks to go until the UK release of my debut book THE WORLD BENEATH OUR FEET! And only a month later, it'll hit bookshops all across the US and Canada 🥰 Reserve your copy today, and come join me on an awe-inspiring journey into the mysterious world of soil! 🪱🧪 #TheWorldBeneathOurFeet

A photograph of the hardcover copy of my book 'the world beneath our feet' laying on some brown autumn leaves on the ground.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The European mole (Talpa europaea) has a toxin in its saliva which paralyses earthworms, their favourite food. The moles can then store the paralysed earthworms in special 'larder' chambers within their burrows, where they are kept alive and fresh until later consumption! #TheWorldBeneathOurFeet 🧪🪱

A photograph of a European mole, a stocky, brown-furred mammal with large front paws evolved for digging.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Thanks to Nerd Nite Christchurch for inviting me to talk about the weird and wonderful ways soil animals have adapted to the challenges of life belowground (and, for tardigrades, on the moon!). I strongly recommend going to your local Nerd Nite, the vibes are excellent! Science + Beer = Fun! 🧪

A photograph of me, a bald white male, standing on a stage in a pub, speaking to an audience. On a projector screen behind me are images of oribatid mites with heavy armour plating and elaborate defensive spines.A photograph of me, a bald white male, standing on a stage in a pub, speaking to an audience. On a projector screen behind me are images of tardigrades, some are on the moon, another has been quantum entangled between two qubits, and another has been tattooed using nanotechnology.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Turn over a rotting log anywhere in the world, and you might find these beautiful structures, known as the common coral slime (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa). The species was first described in 1729 by Pier Antonio Micheli, the 'founding father' of mycology — the branch of biology concerning fungi. 🧪🍄

A photograph of several branching white slime molds, radiating upwards from the surface of a decaying log. The slime molds are semi-transparent, and closely resemble marine corals.
Frank Ashwood@frankashwood.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Adventures of a tiny white jelly baby. When you're a springtail this smol, microfungi are perfect drinking vessels. I've not been out with my camera much lately; with parenthood, work and book edits taking up my time. But I hope to get back on with macrophotography very soon! #Macrophotography 🧪

A photograph of a colourless, soft-bodied springtail crawling on the surface of a log. Tiny cup-shaped white mushrooms cover the log, and the springtail appears to be drinking from one of them A photograph of a colourless, soft-bodied springtail crawling on the surface of a log. Tall brown slime mold fruiting bodied just out from the log surface like miniature trees.