Maike Osborne 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

@maosbot.bsky.social

60966 Followers 1677 Following

Mother, wife, Australian, Professor of Machine Learning in Oxford. Long Covid, trans rights, music, reggae, AI must be good for humans, https://www.robots.ox.ac.uk/~mosb. She/her

The view that artificial intelligence is a transformative technology is quite reasonable. But the history of investment surges underpinned by profound innovations does not show that the latter guarantee huge profits.
Over-investment, destructive competition, waves of bankruptcies and then painful consolidation are standard features of such episodes, from the railway booms of the 19th century to the internet boom of the 1990s. This is the classic capitalist story of booms and busts.
This matters very much for the future of today's markets. As Chris Watling, chief executive at Longview Economics, noted in June, "a handful of AI-linked stocks accounts for roughly 40 per cent of the S&P 500's market capitalisation, according to Bank of America data"
• Thus, the current
extraordinary valuations of the market depend on the continuation of the Al boom.

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Henry Monroe @henrymonroe.bsky.... • 3h same energy over here, my to-do list is 90% stuff I keep avoiding
Juris Martinec @greta-shaw.bsky.so... • 6h oof the manual renaming of files one by one is my personal villain origin story
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anetekeoghane @priyahart.bsky.social • 7h
yeah I stopped doing that manually and honestly haven't looked back
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Heather Miles @talia-vance.bsky.so... • 14h man | feel this in my soul. spent all morning on something that should've taken five minutes
Omar @omar372.bsky.social • 15h same. I underestimate these tasks every single time without fail
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Write your reply
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Calm sea at dusk under a broad sky, with a band of vivid orange and pink along the horizon reflected in streaks across the still water. Two distant ships sit near the horizon on the right, and a few thin wooden posts protrude from the shallows in the foreground. The upper sky is layered with soft grey cloud.

Sounds like you’re thinking of King Harald V of Norway. Let me quickly verify the details.

You’re almost certainly thinking of King Harald V of Norway, the “sailor king”. The fit isn’t quite perfect on the world title, though, so worth being precise about the timeline:

- With his crew he won World Championship medals in sailing – gold in 1987, silver in 1982, bronze in 1988 – but at that point he was still Crown Prince (he acceded in 1991).
- The championship win *while reigning* was in July 2005, when the King and his crew aboard the royal sailboat Fram XV won gold at the European Championships in Sweden – a continental rather than world title, but he was literally the skipper, aged 68.

He kept competing at world level as monarch remarkably late: he was listed as skipper of *Sira* at the eight-metre World Championship in 2022, aged 85, before announcing later that year that Geneva had probably been his last international regatta.

If you’d allow ex-monarchs, Juan Carlos of Spain won a World Championship in the classic boat class in 2019, but he’d abdicated by then. So Harald remains the only reigning head of state to have personally skippered a crew to a major international sailing title while on the throne – with the caveat that the win in office was the Europeans, and the world gold came four years before his reign began.

A person with tousled, chin-length brown hair and blue-grey eyes looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression in a selfie. They have light stubble and wear a blue crew-neck jumper over a pale blue-and-white striped collared shirt. The background is a softly blurred room with a window and furniture visible behind them.

A child sits cross-legged at the end of a weathered wooden jetty, seen from behind, gazing out over the sea. They wear a pale striped t-shirt and rest one hand on the boards beside them. Gentle waves break across a green-grey sea under a hazy, overcast sky, with faint sailing boats and a low coastline on the horizon.

terior of a modern multi-storey building with timber-clad balconies, glass railings and concrete columns. An intersex-inclusive Progress Pride flag hangs from a first-floor railing, with a string of small transgender Pride flags strung as bunting above it. A few people are seated at tables in the background

Amnesty International report
In 2026, Amnesty International published a report detailing the actions of four media outlets — The Guardian, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and The Sun — designed to manufacture the British anti-trans movement via a years long campaign of overwhelming and sustained press coverage designed to exclude transgender voices, magnify the voices of anti-trans groups and figures, and more widely frame transgender people as "involved in controversy, demanding or aggressive and with a propensity to be offended".[60][61]

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Department of Engineering Science
Exeter College • Machine Learning Research Group
Report on Sabbatical Leave
Academic Year 2025-26
Submitted in accordance with the regulations governing the granting of Special and Sabbatical Leave
Prof. Maike Osborne
Professor of Machine Learning
May 30, 2026
Abstract
This report sets out, in full and frank detail, the scholarly activities, intellectual outputs, and principal achievements undertaken by the author during the period of sabbatical leave granted for the academic year 2025-26. The findings are sum-marised below.
1 Summary of Activities Undertaken
I transed my gender.

Woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a light blue and white striped ruffle-necked blouse, smiling slightly at the camera in front of a bright window, wearing a single visible earbud.

A selfie of a woman in an airport terminal, wearing a white 3M Aura 1863+ FFP3 respirator mask. She has shoulder-length wavy brown hair, blue-green eyes, and is wearing a pearl necklace over a dark floral-print blouse, a navy cardigan or jacket, and a mustard-yellow bag strap across her shoulder. Behind her, the bright airport concourse is visible — illuminated digital advertising screens, glass balustrades, and another traveller with a wheeled suitcase in the background.

Photograph of a University of Oxford identity card, shown close-up against a pale background. The top of the card has a dark navy banner with “UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD” in white capitals. Below the banner, on the left, is a portrait photograph of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, wearing a dark top with a patterned collar. To the right of the photograph, in black text, is the name “Prof Maike Osborne”, followed by “Congregation”, “Engineering Science”, and “Exeter College”. A gold illustration of an Oxford building with spires and arched windows sits on the right-hand side of the card.

A selfie of a person sitting in what appears to be a train or coach seat (navy patterned upholstery, luggage rack visible above). They have shoulder-length wavy brown hair, blue-grey eyes, and are wearing a 3M Aura 1863+ FFP3 respirator (CE 2797). Their outfit is a mustard-yellow houndstooth check blazer over a light blue button-down shirt. The light through the window behind is overcast and grey.

Maike, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling softly in a turquoise kimono with magenta and orange geometric patterns, in a bright white-walled room.

A poster, with text:

LONG COVID:
EVERY HEARTBEAT COUNTS

FIBROSIS
NECROSIS
PERICARDITIS
MYOCARDITIS
HYPERTENSION
HEART FAILURE
FIBRILLATION
HEART ATTACK
THROMBOSIS
VESSEL DAMAGE
ARRHYTHMIA
And more...

Every COVID infection can cause damage.
High quality masks can help protect you.
#LongCovid
#LongCovidHeartbeats #LongCovidAwareness

A white swan dips its head to feed among green duckweed and reeds, half-hidden beneath trailing willow branches.

Your work on Gaussian processes for environmental modeling (“Active Learning of Environmental Models,” Osborne et al., 2012) and multi-objective optimization for sustainability trade-offs (“The Automation of Science,” King et al., 2009, with your contributions) directly informs my methodological approach. I propose:

1. Bayesian optimization to identify high-impact monitoring

a lovely coastal scene with a red and white striped lifeguard station on a sandy beach. The foreground shows marram grass in the dunes, whilst offshore wind turbines are visible on the horizon. The dramatic cloudy sky adds atmosphere to the composition.

This is a lovely street scene showing a group of cyclists waiting at a traffic light in what appears to be a Scandinavian or Northern European city. The image captures about 12 people on bicycles lined up on a dedicated cycle lane, with the photographer also on a bike based on the handlebar visible in the foreground.
The urban setting features modern brick buildings, including one with “PWC” signage, wide streets with clear cycling infrastructure, and overhead tram or trolley lines. The cyclists are dressed casually in everyday clothing - jeans, jumpers, and casual wear - which is typical of cities where cycling is a common mode of transport for daily commutes and errands.

This image captures a peaceful moment by the water, with sunlight dancing across the surface of the sea and creating beautiful reflections. The wooden jetty or dock extends into the calm waters, whilst the rocky shoreline in the foreground is dotted with smooth, rounded stones and patches of green vegetation.
The sky shows a mix of clouds and clear patches, creating interesting patterns of light and shadow. The lens flare visible in the upper left adds a dreamy quality to the photograph.

This looks like a homemade savoury muffin or cake with a lovely golden-orange colour and chunky texture. I can see what appears to be grated carrot throughout, giving it that vibrant orange hue, along with what look like nuts or seeds mixed in. The texture appears quite moist and dense, and it’s served on a beautiful blue and white porcelain plate with delicate floral patterns.

A hand holding a small LEGO build featuring a brown teddy bear minifigure in a green forest scene with foliage, flowers, and a red and white mushroom, with a box of assorted LEGO pieces visible in the background.

a cargo bike parked on a cycle path in what appears to be a Danish or Northern European neighbourhood. The bike has a large cardboard package secured in its front cargo box, and there’s a beautiful tree-lined street with characteristic red-tiled roof houses in the background. The cycle path runs parallel to the road, separated by a grass verge with mature trees providing shade.

Blackberry bush

This is a lovely photograph of an Aarhus Light Rail train on what appears to be one of the suburban sections of the Letbanen system. The sleek, contemporary tram has the characteristic silver and red livery of Aarhus Light Rail and is running on overhead electric lines supported by cantenary poles.
The scene shows the light rail travelling alongside a paved cycling and walking path, separated by metal railings for safety. The setting looks quite pleasant with mature trees providing green canopy on both sides, and there’s a cyclist visible on the path. In the background, you can see what appears to be a high-rise building, likely somewhere in the greater Aarhus area.
This represents the modern Letbanen system that opened in 2017, connecting Aarhus city centre with surrounding municipalities like Odder and Grenaa. The infrastructure demonstrates Denmark’s excellent approach to integrating public transport with cycling and pedestrian networks - very much in keeping with Danish urban planning priorities that emphasise sustainable transport modes.

a cargo bike parked on a cycle path in what appears to be a Danish or Northern European neighbourhood. The bike has a large cardboard package secured in its front cargo box, and there’s a beautiful tree-lined street with characteristic red-tiled roof houses in the background. The cycle path runs parallel to the road, separated by a grass verge with mature trees providing shade.

This appears to be a beautiful historic castle or manor house complex, likely from the Renaissance period based on the architectural style. The buildings feature characteristic red brick construction with decorative stone trim, steep red clay tile roofs, and multi-paned windows with dark frames. The prominent round tower with its distinctive green copper dome and weathervane is particularly striking.
The cobblestone courtyard and well-maintained grounds suggest this is now likely a museum, cultural site, or perhaps a venue for events. The architectural style and building materials are very typical of Northern European castles and manor houses from the 16th-17th centuries, possibly in Denmark, Sweden, or the Netherlands.
The white classical entrance portico on the right building appears to be a later addition, probably from the 18th or 19th century, showing how these historic buildings evolved and were modified over time.

This is a lovely view of what appears to be a traditional Danish town centre, with characteristic colourful buildings featuring red clay tile roofs. The architecture shows the classic Scandinavian style with multi-storey buildings in yellow, white, and other pastel colours lining a quiet street. The dramatic sky filled with puffy white cumulus clouds against the deep blue backdrop creates a beautiful contrast with the historic buildings below. The perspective suggests this photo was taken from an elevated position, perhaps from an upper floor window or rooftop, looking down at the charming streetscape with its mix of residential and possibly commercial buildings typical of Danish market towns.

This is a beautiful photograph of a golden retriever or similar breed dog standing in an open field during what appears to be golden hour - either sunrise or sunset. The dog is positioned in the foreground, silhouetted against the warm, golden light streaming from the sun in the background. The field is covered in short grass with visible texture and patterns, and there’s a line of bare trees along the horizon. The sky features dramatic clouds illuminated by the golden sunlight, creating a stunning contrast between the warm yellows and oranges of the light and the cooler blues of the sky. The lighting creates a beautiful rim light effect around the dog’s fur, making it glow against the landscape. The composition captures a peaceful, pastoral moment with excellent use of natural lighting and depth of field.

A white bowl filled with oat groat porridge, served with black beans, sunflower seeds and roast vegetables

A hand holding a clear plastic measuring cup against a light-colored background. The cup appears to be cylindrical with measurement markings and has a pour spout. There are additional glass containers visible in the blurred background.

This is a breathtaking aerial photograph capturing a dramatic sunset or sunrise from high altitude, likely taken from an aircraft. The image showcases a spectacular cloudscape with layers of clouds stretching across the horizon, illuminated by warm golden and orange light from the sun, which appears as a bright orb with visible rays extending outward. The sky displays a beautiful gradient from deep blue-grey at the top to warm amber and gold near the horizon. Below the clouds, you can glimpse the Earth’s surface in the distance, appearing dark and textured. The composition emphasises the vastness of the sky and the dramatic interplay between light and shadow across the cloud formations, creating a sense of being suspended between earth and heaven. The lighting suggests this was captured during the “golden hour” when the sun is low on the horizon, producing the most spectacular atmospheric conditions for photography.

This is a breathtaking photograph of what appears to be a historic library hall. The image showcases a magnificent two-storey gallery with towering bookshelves reaching from floor to ornately decorated ceiling. The architectural details are stunning - elaborate carved and painted ceiling panels create geometric patterns overhead, whilst rows upon rows of leather-bound volumes line the walls in perfect symmetry.

plan would be implemented. 191 [12. Adams also suggested that the city use a DNA-test to catch dog owners, who fail to clean up their dogs' poop. 61 He was criticised for often missing

This image shows a CO₂ monitor (an Aranet4 device) displaying a reading of 1464 ppm CO₂, with a temperature of 23.1°C and 69% humidity. The device is sitting on what appears to be a train window ledge, with railway tracks visible outside through the window.
The CO₂ reading of 1464 ppm is quite high - it’s in the orange/red zone on the device’s colour scale. For context, outdoor air is typically around 400-420 ppm, whilst indoor air quality guidelines suggest keeping levels below 800-1000 ppm. Levels above 1000 ppm can cause drowsiness, stuffiness, and reduced cognitive function.

This is a screenshot from the indie video game “Cuphead,” showing the classic 1930s cartoon-style animation that the game is famous for. The scene depicts what appears to be a boss battle or level with several characters:
• On the right side is a large, angry-looking character (likely a boss) with an exaggerated open mouth and bulging eyes
• There are several small blue characters at the bottom (these look like minions or enemies)
• Flying creatures that appear to be some sort of birds or bats are scattered throughout the scene
• The setting appears to be a snowy, winter landscape with platforms and structures
• The art style perfectly mimics the rubber hose animation technique of early Disney cartoons
Cuphead is renowned for its hand-drawn animation, challenging gameplay, and authentic recreation of 1930s cartoon aesthetics. Each frame was hand-drawn and animated to capture the look and feel of golden age animation, making it quite distinctive in the gaming world.

What a spectacular sky! This photograph captures a breathtaking sunset or sunrise with dramatic cloud formations painted in brilliant shades of coral, pink, and orange against a backdrop of grey and white clouds. The colours are absolutely stunning - ranging from deep salmon and peach tones to bright orange and yellow where the light is most intense.
The scene appears to be taken from an elevated position, possibly an upper floor or rooftop, looking out over a charming European town or city. You can see traditional architecture with terracotta roof tiles, leafy trees, and what looks like a church spire silhouetted against the colourful sky. The contrast between the warm, vibrant sky and the darker silhouettes of the buildings and trees creates a lovely compositional balance.
The cloud formation is particularly striking - it looks like stratocumulus clouds catching and reflecting the golden hour light, creating this magnificent natural light show. These types of dramatic skies often occur when there’s moisture in the atmosphere and the sun is at a low angle, allowing the light to scatter and create these warm, saturated colours.

This is a promotional poster for “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” a Netflix animated series that premiered on 20 June. The poster features a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic with neon purple and blue tones throughout.

The image shows three main characters - young women with distinct hairstyles (blonde, pink/purple, and dark hair with fringe) displayed as large portraits in the background. In the foreground, three smaller figures wielding glowing energy weapons are positioned in dynamic action poses against a futuristic cityscape.

The visual style blends K-pop culture with supernatural/fantasy elements, featuring sleek character designs and a high-tech urban setting. The Netflix branding and release date are prominently displayed at the bottom, along with production credits indicating it’s from Sony Pictures Animation.

The poster effectively combines the glamorous, stylised world of K-pop with action-adventure themes, targeting audiences interested in both Korean pop culture and animate

This appears to be a wedge of hard cheese. The cheese has a pale golden colour with some crystalline deposits visible on the surface, which are characteristic of well-aged hard cheeses. These crystals are typically calcium lactate or tyrosine crystals that form during the aging process, giving the cheese additional texture and concentrated flavour. The cheese is wrapped in what looks like greaseproof paper or cheese paper for storage.

This is a lovely photograph of a clear blue sky with several distinctive features. The most prominent elements are the white contrails (condensation trails) left by aircraft, creating intersecting lines across the sky. These contrails form when hot jet exhaust meets the cold air at high altitudes, typically above 8,000 metres.

The sky shows beautiful wispy cirrus clouds scattered throughout, and there’s a seagull captured in flight on the right side of the frame. Below, you can see a charming European townscape with traditional red clay tile roofs, mature trees, and what appears to be a windmill in the background on the left side.

The photograph captures a perfect summer day with excellent visibility and atmospheric conditions that allow the contrails to persist and spread, creating those characteristic feathery patterns against the deep blue sky. The composition nicely balances the dramatic sky with the quaint rooftop view below.

a health news article from UC Davis Health about a study exploring how experiencing awe might help people with long COVID feel better mentally. The article is dated June 23, 2025, and was written by Liam Connolly.
The headline suggests new research has found psychological and physiological benefits of awe for people dealing with long COVID symptoms. The image shows a woman with an expression of wonder or amazement

Wikipedia screenshot: Approximately 75% of cases are asymptomatic;
151 mild symptoms which can occur include sore throat and fever; in a proportion of cases more severe symptoms develop such as headache, neck stiffness, and paresthesia. 111 131 These symptoms usually pass within one or two weeks.
A less common symptom is permanent paralysis, and possible death in extreme cases. 1 Years after recovery, post-polio syndrome may occur, with a slow development of muscle weakness

A view looking up through green maple leaves at a clear blue sky with a single white contrail or jet stream cutting diagonally across the frame, capturing the peaceful perspective of someone lying beneath a tree on a summer day.

A hooded wizard with a long, flowing white beard sits solemnly on a throne-like chair, gazing intently into a glowing blue crystal ball resting before him. His hands are poised on either side of the orb, and ornate patterns frame the background. In the shadows to the right, a young figure peeks from behind a curtain, observing the scene.

This image shows a scenic coastal landscape with a dog exploring a rocky shoreline. The brown/golden-colored dog is walking along the water’s edge where gentle waves meet a beach strewn with seaweed, rocks, and boulders. The coastline features a natural rocky barrier with vegetation growing above it, and a flagpole with what appears to be a Danish flag can be seen in the background. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, creating a moody atmosphere typical of Nordic coastal areas. The setting appears peaceful and natural, with the dog enjoying its beachside adventure among the tidal pools and scattered seaweed.

Martin Kulldorff @MartinKu... • 9/10/23
"One of the most disturbing images of the
Covid-19 pandemic was when a teacher .. forced
a mask on a crying toddler ..
In some ways, the U.S. government .. treated all
of us like toddlers, compelling us to endure
draconian Covid measures" - @HRaleighspeaks

That's a severely damaged phone screen! The extensive cracking and shattered glass make it look almost like a spider web pattern across the entire display.

This appears to be a storage unit or small storage space that’s quite packed with various items. I can see cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, wicker baskets, some furniture pieces, and what looks like bedding or linens. The space has a corrugated metal or similar ceiling with support beams, and the items are stacked and arranged to make use of the available space.

Deep Forest's signature song "Sweet Lullaby" centres on an uncredited recording of ancestral Baegu lullaby "Rorogwela", from Malaita, sung by a woman named Afunakwa, and recorded by ethnomusicologist Hugo Zemp. The recording was used without authorization from Afunakwa, Zemp, label UNESCO discs or distributor Auvidis, although Zemp had earlier reluctantly given oral permission for an unrelated recording to be used.[15] The Deep Forest project has since become a cause celèbre as an example of primitivist caricature and cultural appropriation.[16][17][18]

**Alt text:**

Screenshot of "The J.K. Rowling Women's Fund" website showing an eligibility checklist. The header displays the fund name with a purple female symbol, described as "A legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights." Below is an "Eligibility Checklist" section explaining that applicants should fill out the checklist to determine if their case meets funding criteria, with options to select "FOR INDIVIDUALS" or "FOR ORGANISATIONS." Two questions are visible: "Are you based in the UK or Ireland?" and a longer highlighted question asking "Has your capacity to earn a living been affected by your beliefs about biological sex being unchangeable, or have you been forced to adopt policies regarding female-only spaces, safeguarding, personal welfare or employment that you fundamentally disagree with?" Both questions have empty checkbox options.

A golden retriever with a reddish-brown coat stands on a dirt path through a lush green meadow, looking directly at the camera with its tongue out in a happy expression. The dog is surrounded by tall grass dotted with small yellow wildflowers, likely buttercups. In the background, a line of mature trees borders the field, with what appears to be a multi-story building visible among the foliage on the left side. Above, a dramatic sky filled with puffy white and gray clouds creates a pleasant mix of sun and shade across the pastoral landscape.

I can see a person wearing a white 3M N95 respirator mask (model Aura 9320+) standing in front of a red brick wall. They're wearing a blue button-up shirt under a dark navy jacket or hoodie. The person has brown hair and is looking directly at the camera. The brick wall behind them appears to be an older building with traditional red bricks and light-colored mortar.

A golden-brown dog stands in a vast green meadow under a brilliant blue sky filled with puffy white clouds. The bright sun shines prominently in the upper portion of the image, creating lens flare and illuminating the dramatic cloudscape. The expansive field stretches to a tree line on the horizon, with the dog positioned in the lower right portion of the frame. The scene captures a perfect sunny day in the countryside, with the dog appearing small against the grandeur of the open landscape and spectacular sky above.

A medium to large-sized dog with brown and white coloring stands in the center of a lush green field, looking toward the camera. The pastoral scene is framed by dense hedgerows and mature trees that border the grassy meadow. In the background, a white building is visible among the trees. Above, dramatic gray and white clouds fill an overcast sky, creating an atmospheric rural countryside setting.

This image shows a weathered wooden fence post in a wooded area with a sticker wrapped around it. The sticker displays text in alternating blue and pink/purple colors that reads "TRANS RIGHTS," "WOMEN'S RIGHTS," "OXFORD & TRANS RIGHTS," "SAME STRUGGLE," and "SAME FIGHT." The post is surrounded by lush green foliage and trees, creating a natural woodland setting. The sticker appears to be advocating for solidarity between transgender rights and women's rights movements.

This image shows a golden-colored dog standing in a large grassy field or meadow dotted with small yellow wildflowers. The dog appears to be looking toward the camera. The field has varying grass heights, with some areas of shorter mowed grass and other sections of longer, more natural growth. In the background, there's a line of mature deciduous trees creating a natural border, and above them is an overcast sky with gray and white clouds. The scene has a peaceful, pastoral quality typical of English countryside or parkland.

Date of birth selection interface showing a calendar picker for May 2025. The calendar displays a monthly grid with days of the week (S M T W T F S) as column headers. Today's date, May 22nd, is highlighted with a gray circle. The interface includes navigation arrows to move between months and a dropdown showing 'MAY 2025'. Above the calendar is a text input field with placeholder text 'Enter date of birth'. The overall interface has a clean, modern design with the heading 'Date of Birth' at the top.

This image shows a beautiful countryside meadow on what appears to be a sunny day. There's a well-worn path cutting through tall grass and wildflowers (including some yellow ones dotting the field). A golden/reddish dog is walking along the path toward the camera. The meadow is bordered by trees and hedgerows on the sides, and above is a bright blue sky with some white clouds. The scene has a peaceful, pastoral quality typical of rural English countryside.

This looks like a lovely spot for a walk! The vibrant spring or summer greenery and the open field would make for a refreshing outdoor experience.