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Andy Birkey

@andybirkey.com
2.5K followers 1.2K following 875 posts

Writer of History, but with Bugs | Cultural entomologist | Bugs × history × horror × culture | Field biologist | Artist/photographer | Queer | Denver

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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 01/10/2026
The La Junta, Colorado, Tarantula Festival was good fun. There was a pet parade, another parade, the education pavilion, a makers market. This town both celebrates and protects the Texas Brown Tarantula, and has a good time doing it. And it's a charming town.
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Prof. Jeff Ollerton @jeffollerton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Want to conserve #birds, #mammals and other vertebrates? Then don’t forget their #insects. Our new Nature Reviews Biodiversity paper explores the many ways vertebrates depend on insects — for food, shelter, protection and much more. I’ve written about it here: jeffollerton.co.uk/2026/09/30/w...
jeffollerton.co.uk
Want to conserve birds and mammals? Then conserve their insects – our new paper in Nature Reviews Biodiversity sets out the details
It’s sometimes easy to forget quite how much of the living world depends upon insects. That might seem an odd thing for someone who has spent much of his career studying insects and their relations…
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/09/2026
Male Texas brown tarantulas spend September and October wandering southeastern Colorado looking for mates. We went looking for them and found so much more: grand views, archaeology and paleontology, a quaint small town celebrating their tarantula neighbors, and new friends. More pics to come!
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daviss @daviss.org · 28/09/2026
President Obama on Minneapolis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iUP...
youtube.com
'They set a moral example': Obama hails Minneapolis residents amid ICE surge | Immigration crackdown
YouTube video by The Economic Times
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN VIEWS @rockymountviews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Map of possible tracks for Hurricane Polo showing it heading up thru New Mexico and then stalling as it hits a cold front. Could caused flooding in NM, TX and SE Colorado. youtu.be/cd1NYGojGZ8
Map of possible tracks for Hurricane Polo showing it heading up thru New Mexico and then stalling as it hits a cold front.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 24/09/2026
The Grizzly Rose sounds familiar. Isn't that the place that hosts the anti-vax singles mixers? You know, the ones for people who refuse to date vaccinated people? The mixer that nobody else in town would host? Basically, a venue that's a petri dish for diseases? Yeah, that's the one.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/09/2026
Trying out the near-infra red photography at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
A huge white cloud hovers over a lone tree on a hill in this black and white photoA row of trees at the top of a hill with fluffy clouds behindA lone tree on a hill with fluffy cloudsBright white could frame a mountain range with a trail leading into the distance.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/09/2026
Some bugs from the weekend at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. I love that place! The ant trapped in sunflower sap reminded me of insects trapped in amber. Just surreal.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/09/2026
I love that the City of Aurora's water conservation specialist is named Adam Waters. It's like he was born for it (and he's also really good at it!)
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Entomological Society of America @entsocamerica.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Most U.S. insects and arachnids remain unassessed for conservation risk, and even many known at-risk species lack legal protection. A study quantifying this lag in arthropod conservation reveals a major blind spot in efforts to save vulnerable wildlife.
entomologytoday.org
Arthropods Lag Far Behind Other Animals in Conservation Assessment and Protection, Study Shows
Most U.S. insects and arachnids remain unassessed for conservation risk, and even many known at-risk species lack legal protection—a major blind spot in efforts to save vulnerable wildlife.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 18/09/2026
That seems like my only option at this point. Sad but true.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 16/09/2026
Sea otters were a common, delightful sight as we moved through Alaska's passages. Look at this guy smiling for the camera! I mean, he was probably yawning or something, but... Still, it's fun to see. They were chomping on everything: starfish, fish, crustaceans. One of my favorite moments!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 16/09/2026
One of things I've been doing in this current hellscape of concentration camps across the country is writing to queer and trans folks in immigration detention through a group called Casa de Paz here in Aurora. Anyone can do it anywhere. You don't have to be in Aurora.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/09/2026
Glacier Bay National Park. It's a hard one to check off the bucket list since it's closed much of the year for ice or wildlife protection. We made it to the John Hopkins Glacier. In the third photo, you can see the tiny kayakers at the glacier's base. It really gives a sense of scale.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 13/09/2026
Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks on Friday night. Dolly Parton covers. Duets. Radiohead covers. Alanis covers (Alanis joined her ON STAGE last night!) All her hits. Requests from the audience. Pure Brandi charisma. I need to go all three nights next year. THE most talented performer I've ever seen live.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 13/09/2026
These two women are INCREDIBLE. I saw Brandi Carlile on Friday night for the Dolly Parton/Radiohead/Alanis covers. Also incredible! Kinda kicking myself for not going all three nights, but I'm also not a wealthy man. Can't wait for next year!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 12/09/2026
Juneau, Alaska, was a great first stop. I hiked the Gold Flume Trail, an old rail line turned into a boardwalk through the rainforest. Between the stunning views, the accessible hiking, the indigenous culture, and gorgeous views, I'm almost ready to move to Juneau! Almost. haha
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John Wiswell @wiswell.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I was into my thirties before I realized most of this. It should be commonsense, but it isn't. Maybe take a moment to read Naomi's thread?
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 05/09/2026
Internet has been spotty but I’m in Alaska! So far Juneau hasn’t disappointed.
A small waterfall in the woodsJuneau at dusk. City lights with harbor in the foreground and mountain in the background Ocean view with mountains and pine treesOcean view with snow capped mountains and pine trees
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Ainsley S @americanbeetles.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
gosh what if these jabronies paid for three teams of researchers to travel to their jungle/arctic/desert field sites and document the planet's dwindling biodiversity instead
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/08/2026
From Survivor to Fear Factor to The Traitors, reality TV loves to use bugs for shock value, but at what cost? Here's my latest cultural entomology piece.
patreon.com
Roaches, Grubs, and Mealworms: Great Reality TV, Poor Conservation | Andy Birkey
On June 7, 2000, Survivor: Borneo became the first American reality television show to disgust viewers and contestants with bugs. The second
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/08/2026
I've been experimenting with near-infrared photography this summer, and hoping to bring it to an upcoming trip to Alaska. In high school, I did a lot of IR film photography, which doesn't really exist anymore. But the digital version isn't bad! Black skies and white trees kinda work.
A black and white surreal photo of a walkway with railingA black and white surreal photo of a storm over a tree-lined lakeA black and white surreal photo of a walkway with benches and railingA black and white surreal photo of prairie with scattered tree and a storm on the horizon
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 27/08/2026
Glamour shots for this little guy. It visited my moth light this morning, which really just means I set up a praying mantis buffet by bringing all the bugs to him. I believe it's our native Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina)
A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 25/08/2026
People will have much more beautiful things to say about her, but Dolly was a staple of my life since I was old enough to recognize music. She made the world a better place to be, and I'm going to carry that forward in any way I can.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 21/08/2026
Moths! We set up a moth light in the Rawah wilderness and found some cool critters. My best guesses on species in the alt text.
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Katie @katiestp.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Guys I volunteered to donate skymiles to get folks home after they’re released from detention. My first person got home last night and I am just over here like 🥹😭 One way flights are often under 50k miles. They don’t need to be skymiles either. Please consider. www.standwithminnesota.com/skymiles
standwithminnesota.com
Donate Your Miles — Stand With Minnesota
Donate your Delta Skymiles to get people home from Texas
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 20/08/2026
Why are so many of our alien creatures in horror shaped like bugs? Xenomorphs have exoskeletons, lay eggs, and are parasitic, like a praying mantis hybridized with a parasitic wasp. They have a long history in science fiction. Here's why: www.patreon.com/AndyBirkey/p...
patreon.com
From bug-eyed monsters to xenomorphs: The aliens that terrify us look like bugs | Andy Birkey
When you picture an alien, chances are it doesn’t have the cute face of a raccoon, the muzzle of a golden retriever, or the adorable fluffy
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AFL-CIO @aflcio.org · 19/08/2026
Target has refused to stand up for Minneapolis and other communities impacted by ICE. As students and educators head back to school, America’s unions stand with @aft.org and urge workers to not shop at Target for school supplies. Shop smart, not Target! www.shopsmart.aft.org
New year. New gear. No target. Put your back-to-school dollars behind businesses that stand with our communities | AFT
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 19/08/2026
Pete is my bestie and a fellow nature queerdo. The universe has thrown him a rough time over the last few years, and if you'd like to help him out a bit so he can get some dental work done, I know he'll pay it forward when he can. He's just that kinda guy www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-th...
gofundme.com
Donate to Help Me Thrive After Overcoming Trauma, organized by Peter Quaresima
About a year ago, I ran from a toxic marriage after being discarded with the … Peter Quaresima needs your support for Help Me Thrive After Overcoming Trauma
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Stan Pham @thisisspiffy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Your first look at the #Murderbot season 2 cast. Aka, what I did on my summer non-vacation. #PremiumQualityEntertainment
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Mutable Joe @mutablejoe.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
matt damon is the only person in the world who is generation x and also generation z because he was born in the 70s and also bourne in the 2000s
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Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 18/08/2026
Nearly 45 million acres of national forest land could be opened to logging and development.
montanafreepress.org
Trump administration moves to allow logging and road building across all national forests
The Forest Service has advanced a policy change to remove protections for road building and logging across 6 million Montana acres.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/08/2026
I have not seen this much rain the entire 5 years I've lived here. The storm is just sitting on top of us dumping right now. My tomatoes are going to split :(
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 14/08/2026
There is so much wrong with all of this. Unnecessary violence and hate. People in cars can be assholes. People on bikes can be assholes. WE DON'T SHOOT ASSHOLES. We ignore them.
metroweekly.com
Colorado Man Charged in Anti-Gay Road-Rage Shooting
A gay man remains in critical condition after being shot in the head as he and his husband returned to their apartment complex.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 14/08/2026
A family of Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) came up to say hi on our morning walk while camping in the Rawah wilderness. An amazing trip! So many creatures all around.
A gray chicken-like bird sitting on a logA gray chicken-like bird sitting on a logA gray chicken-like bird walking through grass with yellow flowers. A baby dusky grouse with mottled brown feathers walking through gravel and pinecones.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 14/08/2026
Introduce yourself as what almost killed you: "Hi, I'm the drunk driver who missed that stop sign off the I94 ramp to 11th Ave and T-boned your truck at 50 MPH on Oct. 11, 2008. The impact left my bumper and attached license plate in the street when I ran off, so I was easily prosecuted."
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 13/08/2026
My latest cultural entomology piece traces the history of lady beetles in popular culture, starting with their on-stage debut in the 1830s!
patreon.com
Ladybugs were once the stars of the stage in Victorian Britain | Andy Birkey
If you had walked into London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket on a cold December evening in 1860, expecting a harmless Christmas pantomime, you wo
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Minnesota Reformer @minnesotareformer.com · 12/08/2026
Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, would make history as the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate if elected. Her name in Ojibwe is Gizhiiwewidamikwe — “speaks in a loud and clear voice woman.” minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/11/p...
minnesotareformer.com
Peggy Flanagan wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota in victory for progressive flank • Minnesota Reformer
Progressive Democrats notched another major victory over the moderate wing of the party in Minnesota Tuesday night, when Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in what’s believed to be...
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 11/08/2026
Wilderness camping in Colorado means sometimes a moose comes lumbering through your camp. There were two of these guys. I grabbed my phone in time to catch the second one. Scary and amazing and wonderful all at the same time. Rawah Wilderness Area.
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Paul McAuley @unlikelyworlds.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
‘If their ranges shift this dramatically, it signals profound changes across ecosystems.’ #anthropocene
theguardian.com
Butterflies around the world are changing habitats – and experts say it’s ‘signalling a warning’
New research shows early-warning species is on the move, expanding or contracting geographic range and changing altitude
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The Sentinel in Aurora @sentinelcolorado.com · 29/07/2026
'Tuberculosis is not a disease that can be managed with public relations statements and bureaucratic evasions' sentinelcolorado.com/opinion/edit... #AuroraCO #ICE #Tuberculosis
sentinelcolorado.com
EDITORIAL: The time to get answers about the Aurora GEO ICE jail TB infection is now - Sentinel Colorado
"Tuberculosis is not a disease that can be managed with public relations statements and bureaucratic evasions"
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 26/07/2026
Buried in Denver. Maybe worth a visit with some flowers to say thank you for being a good human.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 24/07/2026
Wtf! Boulder police stopped to pray with the protesters one of whom publicly threatened the clinic with violence
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 24/07/2026
This is so unnecessary. The sooner he leaves, the better
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Patrick Armijo @patrickarmijo.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Bike stolen. South Minneapolis. Blue Norco Fat Tire. Kicked in garage door and cut lock. Call police if you see it. #bikemn #bikempls. Please share project529.com/handlebar-be...
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Medicinal Colorado @medicolorado.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2026/07/22/d...
canoncitydailyrecord.com
‘Help us! ICE is here!’: Video shows woman detained at Denver airport while boarding Southwest flight
A video circulating on social media Wednesday shows a woman being removed from a Southwest Airlines jetway at DIA by federal agents, then led out a door onto the tarmac as onlookers shout, “Help us! I...
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 21/07/2026
Maybe selling municipal water to a for profit company in a place with frequent drought is a bad idea.
9news.com
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 19/07/2026
No sooner had I written this piece about the Black Witch Moth (Ascalapha odorata) than one showed up in the backyard. I'm honored by the visit! It trekked thousands of miles from Central America and ended up on my porch. It was awe-inspiring to see the creature that has inspired so much mythology.
patreon.com
Be on the lookout for the Black Witch Moth or the Butterfly of Death | Andy Birkey
If you are on Colorado’s Front Range this summer, be sure to check under outdoor lights for one of the largest moths found in the region, an
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snackerü @snackeru.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
My son is in Denver. This is the kind of service Minnesotans should expect wherever we go.
Just walked into a bar in
Denver (Sputnik).
Bartender sees I'm wearing a Twins hat, changes the song that's playing to "Waitress in the Sky" and then gives me The Nod.
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Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
NEW: Aurora Police say an ICE detention center employee shot a protester last night. She is expected to survive. 42-year-old Brandon Booth, who works for the ICE contractor GEO Group, is being held on suspicion of attempted second degree murder and other charges.
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