Who am I?

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An individual, of no great importance, who is unable to see the natural world as a place for competition. I catch fish, watch birds, derive immense pleasure from simply looking at butterflies, moths, bumble-bees, etc - without the need for rules! I am Dylan and this is my blog - if my opinions offend? Don't bother logging on again - simple!

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Tuesday 31 December 2019

All creatures

I was really scratching around to find something to write about, thus ensuring December didn't finish as a thirteen post month. Can't help myself - superstition is built in. Two magpies while I'm fishing is always a good sign, although if a black cat ran in front of the van I'd loose no sleep if it ended up in the gutter - not that it's ever happened I hasten to add; just don't like domestic cats!
So as I was out in the back garden, earlier this morning, still trying to get a decent image of the Raven (which remains in the vicinity) I started to think about the enjoyment I derive from the simple pleasure of looking. I would imagine that this may have been a subconscious effect of a recent thread by Steve Gale about the futility of "listing"? Please feel free to click the link, if you've not already seen it, but don't just read Steve's post continue onto the comments as they contain opinions that are of equal merit.



I frequently find myself distracted whilst sitting behind motionless rods, yet it's when I'm on holiday that I really go out of my way to look at creatures, even plants, which are way beyond my normal encounters. I can honestly say that my enjoyment is in no way diminished because of an inability to put a name to what it is I'm looking at. Very occasionally I might follow up a sighting with a bit of casual research but, for the most part, I'm glad I looked, now move on!



I completely accept that this mentality is totally alien to others for whom correct id is everything. All I can say is it works for me and, as such, is of no concern to anyone else. It's a simple pleasure for a simple man - end of!


I am not alone in my outlook and one of the outstanding memories from Kefalonia 2019 was the look of delight and excitement, in equal measure, as Craig set eyes upon some wild terrapins in the wetlands beyond Argostoli. We always make an effort to see the Loggerhead Turtles in the harbour, but this was a new creature for us both, although neither of us cares what its' called?




4 comments:

  1. Simple but happy memories Dylan and I agree, names aren't everything. Blue butterflies are like that with me, they're either Holly or Common, I wouldn't have a clue about the others.

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    1. Natural history is an adventure, not my job. Quite how those sad souls justify killing "token specimens" in order to add another tick to very sad collection of pointless, ego driven, numbers is a mystery? How can killing wild creatures for this pathetic self aggrandisement be consistent with promoting interest in our natural world and its' conservation? Nope, not for me thank-you; I'm happy to keep being amazed at what is on offer when you make the time to open your eyes and look! Don't know what it's called - so what?

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  2. And of course, not one thing we name is aware of it.

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    1. Exactly - which in my case ensures a level playing field!

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