Andy Burke
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andyburke.bsky.social
Andy Burke
@andyburke.bsky.social
250 followers 580 following 73 posts
Ex-clinical trials project manager, father of 2, amateur photographer, would-be writer, musician & geek. Opinions are my own etc. He/him.
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andyburke.bsky.social
Seems to have been compulsory to take a photo of the Cold #Moon last night, and we had lovely clear skies.

I think this is the first time I’ve pointed my X-T5 at the moon and quite impressed with the handheld performance. Taken using the XF70-300 lens+teleextender, so 420mm, at ISO 125 & 1/1000 s
An image of the moon against a black sky. A December full moon is named the Cold Moon.
December 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
andyburke.bsky.social
From a chilly #Stunday walk this afternoon. The moon and a red kite made an appearance.
A scene from a winter walk. Fields surround some fenced off trees that have the last few leaves still clinging to them. In the wintry blue sky are a few clouds with a red kite flying over and the moon above.
November 30, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
marcdavenant.bsky.social
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
A plea for a meaningful intervention - Adelphi tent encampment London Dear Paula, Bob and Matthew I wanted to thank you again for facilitating the display of my Outsiders exhibition on homelessness inside Parliament last year. The touring exhibition has now had over 120,000 visitors and continues to tour. Matthew I really valued our conversation about homelessness in the exhibition space - it was clear to me then that you really understood the issues and were determined to do something meaningful to address the problems. Dear Adam and Sadia You don't know me, but I am a documentary photographer who works with marginalised communities and uses photography to highlight social inequality. You can see something about the Outsiders project on homelessness and substandard housing here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnOdqk4req0o Dear All Five of the participants in Outsiders have now died while experiencing homelessness. Since I stopped the photography in 2022 the situation has become exponentially worse both in London and in the other cities which I covered during the project. One of the most noticeable changes has been the development of tent encampments and I am writing to all of you about the encampment which is currently behind the Adelphi in London. I believe plans are being drawn up to get an injunction to clear the encampment without any meaningrut Intervention to address the problems laced by the community there. It seems to me that it is an extraordinary situation that in the wealthiest borough, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, these people are struggling to survive against all the odds and not receiving the support needed to transition them out of homelessness and help them become productive members of society. As a society we are defined by how we treat the poor. Regardless of the legal position I believe that we all have a moral and ethical responsibility towards those who have fallen through the gaps and ended up experiencing homelessness. The people in this encampment are vulnerable and marginalised. The women have all been sexually assaulted or subjected to violence while sleeping rough in London. They rely on the men in the encampment for their safety and if the camp is simply cleared, they will end up back on the street with no safety net, likely being subjected to ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation. People in the camp have both mental and physical health needs which need to be addressed. One has diabetes, has open sores on his legs and is likely to suffer amputations, blindness and possibly death via diabetic coma unless this is addressed. There are mental nean ana suostance abuse chauenges as wel. However overa nis is a close knit communit wrich nas become ponded togeter ov the power of a shared experience. Disbanding the camp with no plans for transitioning the occupants into a stable home would be cruel and irresponsible. The people in the camp also rely on their dogs to provide emotional support. One of the worst things about sleeping rough is being ignored and treated like something less than human. Having something to love and which will love you back unconditionally can be the difference between life and death for someone in their situation. All of them have been told they will have to give up their dogs to get support. I believe that to be an inhumane and unreasonable position to take. There is a desperate need for a multidisciplinary intervention with this camp. If you bulldoze it you will break the bonds within the community ana simply move the problem somewnere else. It isn t a solution to what nas become a nuge problem tor society and is a test for your humanity as the people with the power to change things. Collectively you control billions in spending, control the public policy on homelessness and housing and do have the power to intervene and ensure a positive outcome for the people in this camp. I have attached some portraits taken yesterday and would urge you to look at them and consider how you would feel if they were members of your family who had fallen on hard times. I know that with a sweep of a pen you can simply have them moved on but would ask you to consider whether there is a different approach and who gains from simply sweeone unese oroolems under ine caroet. Experience has taught me to have very low expectations when it comes to asking for support like this in a society which knows the price or everything ana the value or little, but i belleve that you are all good people who came Into public service with the best of Intentions and hope you can find it in your hearts to help. Thank you all for reading this and I hope something can be done. Best Marc Davenant
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
andyburke.bsky.social
Excellent performance by @katherinepriddy.bsky.social and George Boomsma at the Royal Albert Hall.

Next up Suzanne Vega.
Katherine Priddy and George Boomsma on stage at the Royal Albert Hall
November 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
A magpie inkcap stands guard by fallen comrade. Love these striking little guys.

#FungiFriends #FungiFriday
A black and white mushroom among the brown leaves of autumn and the green shoots of the woodland floor. A second mushroom lies fallen to the side.
October 31, 2025 at 3:35 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
For #stunday here’s an impressionist #icm view of a local woodland in full autumnal beauty.
An impressionist image of autumnal woodland created using a 2 second exposure and slight vertical camera motion. There are trees left and right of a central winding path. Greens, browns, oranges and yellows dominate.
October 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by Andy Burke
ottoenglish.bsky.social
It's that moment again for National Trust members to vote to keep the entryists out.

Quick and easy to vote and please do so by 31st of October

Quick Vote link keeps the AstroTurfers out.

Then share. Thank you.

secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
andyburke.bsky.social
My app tells me these are amethyst deceivers, and who am I to doubt them.

#FungiFriends #FungiFriday #fungi
Two purple mushrooms poke up among green, yellow and brown leaves.
October 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
For #BlueSkyArtShow a #vertical #icm of winter trees from early this year.
A photo of group of winter (leafless) trees captured using a 2 second exposure with vertical motion of the camera to emphasise the trunks and ghost the branches. The trunks are side lit with winter light so they are light on one side and dark on the other.
October 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
It’s #FungiFriday again and here are some mica caps growing locally.

#FungiFriends #Fungi
A photo of mica cap mushrooms growing on a woodland floor. The conical mushrooms are darker reddish brown on top, paler yellower brown at the edges, with light speckles over the caps. The foreground has four mushrooms in focus with others around and behind.
October 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
#BlueSkyArtShow #Glow
A 3 second icm exposure of a London street at night. The motion of the camera makes the city lights jiggle.
October 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
A bunch of sulphur tuft mushrooms for #FungiFriday #FungiFriends
A bunch of yellowish mushrooms growing on a tree stump among some green moss.
October 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
andyburke.bsky.social
It’s the season for #fungi. Seem to be honey mushrooms everywhere in the local woods.

#fungifriends #stunday
Honey mushrooms from ground level. Four in a line, with a few behind. Honey coloured with darker caps. Around them are some brown leaves and twigs. Some green plants in foreground and background.
October 5, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Andy Burke
cassetteboy.bsky.social
New! Cassetteboy vs Keir Starmer.

This took absolutely ages, so if you'd like to buy us a coffee at ko-fi.com/cassetteboy we'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
September 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Andy Burke
eddavey.libdems.org.uk
Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday.

I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.

Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.
September 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by Andy Burke
marcdavenant.bsky.social
When the leader of a political party sets out plans to build concentration camps, and proposes sending people back to oppressive countries in the knowledge they will be tortured or executed, you would have thought his political opponents would at the very least attack the moral basis of those plans.
marcdavenant.bsky.social Davenant 📸 @marcdavenant.bsky.social · Aug 26
Farage would like nothing more than to have his plan for mass deportation blocked by a judge. It would provide an excuse for not delivering on his unworkable promises and open the door to a full blown assault on the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Farage’s plan to deport thousands of asylum seekers draws scorn from legal experts
August 27, 2025 at 6:51 AM
andyburke.bsky.social
Here’s a tree for #WorldPhotographyDay from a walk yesterday.

I haven’t done much monochrome photography for a while, think I might do more.
A tree on the edge of Kelly Hall Tarn in the Lake District. A monochrome image shows the tree in silhouette against the sky with hints of reflection in the foreground water and hills in the background.
August 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
naomiaklein.bsky.social
Pls stop what you are doing and read this entire report on Israel's murder of journalist Anas al-Sharif and five colleagues in Gaza City.

"He characterized Israel’s threats as 'Silence or Death,' and he vowed not to be silent."

It ends with his final message. www.dropsitenews.com/p/anas-al-sh...
The Israeli Assassination of Journalist Anas al-Sharif and Five Colleagues in Gaza City
“We understand these are our last days.”
www.dropsitenews.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
sailorrooscout.bsky.social
Hey, so, TOTALLY not suggesting that RFK Jr. BACKS DOWN when we PUSH BACK, BUT if you’d like to call…

HHS Toll-Free: 1-877-696-6775

HHS Direct Line: 202-690-7000

PLEASE share and consider calling your senators and representatives as well.

NONE of this is okay.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
RFK Jr’s health department to halt $500m in mRNA vaccine research
Agency to end 22 federal contracts, questioning safety of technology credited with helping end Covid pandemic
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
lizziegibney.bsky.social
This year quantum physics turns 100, so @nature.com decided to conduct the biggest ever survey of what lies behind it. Do physicists really believe in multiple universes? Can influences happen instantaneously? Is the Copenhagen interpretation all it's cut out to be? ⚛️🧪 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Physicists disagree wildly on what quantum mechanics says about reality, Nature survey shows
First major attempt to chart researchers’ views finds interpretations in conflict.
www.nature.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
Not sure whether to count this as skyscape, riverscape or cityscape but it’s certainly a #scape #Belfast
An image of the river Lagan in Belfast. A long exposure used to smooth the water. Stormy clouds in the sky, it started to rain shortly after this
July 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
chrischirp.bsky.social
🧵Introducing the Trump Action Tracker website!

Today I’m launching www.trumpactiontracker.info - a live, searchable list of authoritarian‑style actions from Trump’s second term (over 740 actions so far). 1/14
July 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Andy Burke
marcdavenant.bsky.social
A woman weeps over the genocide in Gaza as she waits to be arrested as a terrorist for holding up a piece of cardboard. Parliament Square today.
Weeping woman with a placard, the contents of which cannot be replicated here due to the risk of prosecution
July 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
I don’t often use my Lensbaby Velvet lens but it makes this wild garlic flower glow for #stunday
A soft image of a white wild garlic flower on a green background.
June 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
andyburke.bsky.social
An #icm #scape of the #Chilterns.
A scene of the Chiltern Hills in the UK. A green landscape of fields, hedges and hills under light grey clouds. All blurred slightly by intentional camera movement.
June 6, 2025 at 12:42 PM