Nice shot, Jack.
Watch out for the deluge tomorrow. I expect Mull to be +10c by 6pm Friday and no doubt that hoar frost will have been obliterated.
Jack Harrison
Re: Jack Harrison
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
Now I’m not a religious person: far from it. But this is surely “God’s own country”?
I think it was Sussex Kipper (Neil Hulme) who described the west of Scotland as the “finest place on the planet in May” (or words to that effect). Not just May Neil. This was Calgary Bay at sunset mid-December, home of Eagles and perhaps Corncrakes (and surely Graylings?) in season.
Jack
I think it was Sussex Kipper (Neil Hulme) who described the west of Scotland as the “finest place on the planet in May” (or words to that effect). Not just May Neil. This was Calgary Bay at sunset mid-December, home of Eagles and perhaps Corncrakes (and surely Graylings?) in season.
Jack
Last edited by Jack Harrison on Tue Dec 18, 2012 3:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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dave brown
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Re: Jack Harrison
Jack,
All I can is Stunning. The sort of view in real life you can sit and watch for hours.
All I can is Stunning. The sort of view in real life you can sit and watch for hours.
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Re: Jack Harrison
Looks wonderful, Jack. Pleased to know that are enjoying it.
I assume sunset is about 10mins after dawn at your latitude?
Mike
I assume sunset is about 10mins after dawn at your latitude?
Mike
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
Indeed, sunset is pretty soon after sunrise - about seven hours at this time of year.
Jack
Jack
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Re: Jack Harrison
Very evocative, Jack. Keep'em coming.
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Jack Harrison
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E.B. Ford
In E. B. Ford’s classic “Butterflies” (New Naturalists 1945), he hinted at a rumour of Large Blue in a totally different habitat/locality to the grassland of SW England. Ford didn’t claim this necessarily to be the case, but dropped some tantalizing clues as to the locality.
It later became apparent that he was referring to the Isle of Rum.
Wiki: For much of the 20th century the name became Rhum, a spelling invented by the former owner, Sir George Bullough, because he did not relish the idea of having the title "Laird of Rum".
Anyway, the butterfly rumour was not of course substantiated and it was widely surmised that a large and impressive race of Common Blue was the source of the story.
Can anyone throw light on this lovely tale?
I recalled this story yesterday while looking from Mull across to Rum (large mountains at left). In the far distance (right) are the snow-covered Cuillins of Skye. The other islands are the splendidly named Muck (foreground left) and Eigg (middle distance right). The CalMac ferry Clansman is on its way back from Tiree to Oban.
Jack
It later became apparent that he was referring to the Isle of Rum.
Wiki: For much of the 20th century the name became Rhum, a spelling invented by the former owner, Sir George Bullough, because he did not relish the idea of having the title "Laird of Rum".
Anyway, the butterfly rumour was not of course substantiated and it was widely surmised that a large and impressive race of Common Blue was the source of the story.
Can anyone throw light on this lovely tale?
I recalled this story yesterday while looking from Mull across to Rum (large mountains at left). In the far distance (right) are the snow-covered Cuillins of Skye. The other islands are the splendidly named Muck (foreground left) and Eigg (middle distance right). The CalMac ferry Clansman is on its way back from Tiree to Oban.
Jack
Last edited by Jack Harrison on Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Padfield
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Re: E.B. Ford
The large blue record is referred to in passing here (A RUM AFFAIR: How Botany's "Piltdown Man" was Unmasked):Jack Harrison wrote:Can anyone throw light on this lovely tale?
http://naturalscience.com/ns/books/book08.html
Guy
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Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
Thanks Guy.
Jack
Jack
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Re: Jack Harrison
Funnily enough a friend reported seeing a number of large and brightly-marked Common Blues on Mull a few years back. Is it a form known from the island?
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Jack Harrison
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Christmas Round Robin
Jack Harrison’s Christmas Round Robin 2012
Peter’s talks at the gardening club have been well received. Especially popular was the one–and–a–quarter-hour session on: “Growing dark blue delphiniums in the shade on heavy clay soils”. His gift at the end of the talk of a packet of his own-grown seeds to the three people who attended was well received and the audience left promptly to be able to sow them.
Julia hopes to resume her Bible Classes in the New Year. Although they were much appreciated, one-by-one her students unexpectedly had other commitments and after a few weeks, Julia decided to postpone her Bible Classes for a while.
Algernon was a very good fairy in the school production of “Snow White and the Seven Little People”. Jemima has shown great promise as a scrum-half.
We have all received Round Robins like that. (Did he get his children muddled up?) I will tell the truth in my Christmas Missive – straight up, like! Yea! Know what I mean?
My wife divorced me in the summer. The reasons for this are obscure but might have had something to do with the fact that I had set up home with another lady. 27 years of marriage and a little thing like that?.......I'm still confused. *Not quite the truth – it takes two for a marriage to fail*
New home is a long way away from the rest of the world – the Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. A very common phrase used by the natives here is “No Problem”. SNP has nothing to do with politics: it stands for “[I’m] Scottish - No Problem”. There are many attractions of the island: scenery, wildlife, lack of crime, cheap travel. But Scotland still doesn’t yet seem to have discovered DECENT BEER. I am obliged to drink John Smith’s Froth (out of the can), Cava Fizz and other such beverages. Clearly the Campaign for Real Ale hasn’t doesn’t have a Scottish Branch. However, one brand of lager “Reaches the Parts Other Beers Cannot Reach”.
Family details (and in particular health) are always of great interest to others.
I have:
Arthritic spine
Other mobility issues
Hypertension
Both eyes – glaucoma
Left eye - Age Related Macular Degeneration
Anno Domini
Difficulty remembering where I left my bus pass
Moreover, there are on-going issues with my left knee: it seems to be worn out. It has been libellously suggested (watch for the High Court Action) that the extra wear-and-tear could be that I am overweight. More likely - and I am prepared to accept the suggestion - it is a result of Pigritia (see: http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/Pigritia), a much mis-understood syndrome.
However on the plus side, a daily walk back from the shops in Tobermory carrying my newspaper involves a 40 metre (130 feet) climb. After several weeks practising, I can now do it WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP FOR A BREATHER ON THE WAY. The climb became easier when I started getting the “i” newspaper, the 20 pence cheapo instead of the much heavier full size version of the Independent (£1.20)
My children have not changed their attitudes since divorce – they remain as reluctant as ever to communicate. I think senior son is training to be an airline pilot. Younger son is training to be a....? Lay-about, job-seeker expert??? Daughter is at university studying politics – a qualification guaranteed NOT to offer many job opportunities after graduation. Still, she will be able to hold an intelligent conversation with customers on the other side of the bar (or at the table).
As for my partner Stella.... fit-as a-fiddle, always-exercising, shuns-junk-food, slim 68 year old. She has an irritatingly healthy lifestyle.
Stella is learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. (Thank goodness she didn’t try the violin). I’ll be quite glad when the learning stops and the music begins. I have countered with a harmonica. I can play “Colonel Bogey” with great aplomb (but not much else – give me time!)
The two cats deserve a mention – Fluff and Minnie (part of the package that came with Stella). They kept trying to break the night-time curfew and were determined to wreck the cat flap in their efforts to get out. A bit of lateral thinking and the problem was solved. See link : http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85 ... 5a3d2d.jpg
Oh, what the hell. I have outlived both my parents....and a few of my former colleagues. Actually, life is pretty good at age 74.
Jack
Peter’s talks at the gardening club have been well received. Especially popular was the one–and–a–quarter-hour session on: “Growing dark blue delphiniums in the shade on heavy clay soils”. His gift at the end of the talk of a packet of his own-grown seeds to the three people who attended was well received and the audience left promptly to be able to sow them.
Julia hopes to resume her Bible Classes in the New Year. Although they were much appreciated, one-by-one her students unexpectedly had other commitments and after a few weeks, Julia decided to postpone her Bible Classes for a while.
Algernon was a very good fairy in the school production of “Snow White and the Seven Little People”. Jemima has shown great promise as a scrum-half.
We have all received Round Robins like that. (Did he get his children muddled up?) I will tell the truth in my Christmas Missive – straight up, like! Yea! Know what I mean?
My wife divorced me in the summer. The reasons for this are obscure but might have had something to do with the fact that I had set up home with another lady. 27 years of marriage and a little thing like that?.......I'm still confused. *Not quite the truth – it takes two for a marriage to fail*
New home is a long way away from the rest of the world – the Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. A very common phrase used by the natives here is “No Problem”. SNP has nothing to do with politics: it stands for “[I’m] Scottish - No Problem”. There are many attractions of the island: scenery, wildlife, lack of crime, cheap travel. But Scotland still doesn’t yet seem to have discovered DECENT BEER. I am obliged to drink John Smith’s Froth (out of the can), Cava Fizz and other such beverages. Clearly the Campaign for Real Ale hasn’t doesn’t have a Scottish Branch. However, one brand of lager “Reaches the Parts Other Beers Cannot Reach”.
Family details (and in particular health) are always of great interest to others.
I have:
Arthritic spine
Other mobility issues
Hypertension
Both eyes – glaucoma
Left eye - Age Related Macular Degeneration
Anno Domini
Difficulty remembering where I left my bus pass
Moreover, there are on-going issues with my left knee: it seems to be worn out. It has been libellously suggested (watch for the High Court Action) that the extra wear-and-tear could be that I am overweight. More likely - and I am prepared to accept the suggestion - it is a result of Pigritia (see: http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/Pigritia), a much mis-understood syndrome.
However on the plus side, a daily walk back from the shops in Tobermory carrying my newspaper involves a 40 metre (130 feet) climb. After several weeks practising, I can now do it WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP FOR A BREATHER ON THE WAY. The climb became easier when I started getting the “i” newspaper, the 20 pence cheapo instead of the much heavier full size version of the Independent (£1.20)
My children have not changed their attitudes since divorce – they remain as reluctant as ever to communicate. I think senior son is training to be an airline pilot. Younger son is training to be a....? Lay-about, job-seeker expert??? Daughter is at university studying politics – a qualification guaranteed NOT to offer many job opportunities after graduation. Still, she will be able to hold an intelligent conversation with customers on the other side of the bar (or at the table).
As for my partner Stella.... fit-as a-fiddle, always-exercising, shuns-junk-food, slim 68 year old. She has an irritatingly healthy lifestyle.
Stella is learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. Learning to play the flute. (Thank goodness she didn’t try the violin). I’ll be quite glad when the learning stops and the music begins. I have countered with a harmonica. I can play “Colonel Bogey” with great aplomb (but not much else – give me time!)
The two cats deserve a mention – Fluff and Minnie (part of the package that came with Stella). They kept trying to break the night-time curfew and were determined to wreck the cat flap in their efforts to get out. A bit of lateral thinking and the problem was solved. See link : http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac85 ... 5a3d2d.jpg
Oh, what the hell. I have outlived both my parents....and a few of my former colleagues. Actually, life is pretty good at age 74.
Jack
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Jack Harrison
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Celandine
But very mild (11C), although dull, so had to use flash.
Spring is nearly here
In spite of 24 mms rain today, the Tobermory River is still a wee (note: I am learning the language) trickle
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
Many of us have become side-tracked during the non-butterfly season. I enjoy the “off topic” comments. Let me add my own.
We were sitting in a pub in Oban today overlooking the harbour. An amazingly observant naturalist at the adjacent table insisted on telling me: “There are a lot of seagulls”. Wow!
And to think I had never anticipated seagulls at the seaside!
Jack
We were sitting in a pub in Oban today overlooking the harbour. An amazingly observant naturalist at the adjacent table insisted on telling me: “There are a lot of seagulls”. Wow!
And to think I had never anticipated seagulls at the seaside!
Jack
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
I quite shamlessly admit to attempting to rival Guy's Alpine scenery. Here was the view on Mull today, 19th January.
Saw two Pheasants today, quite a rarity in these parts.
Jack
Saw two Pheasants today, quite a rarity in these parts.
Jack
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Re: Jack Harrison
Absolutely stunning, Jack.Jack Harrison wrote:I quite shamlessly admit to attempting to rival Guy's Alpine scenery. Here was the view on Mull today, 19th January.
There can't be many places in the UK where the scenery can compete with what you've got on your doorstep.
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Re: Jack Harrison
Not just great scenery but I believe you have a distillery near the end of your road - perfection
Mike
Mike
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Pete Eeles
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Re: Jack Harrison
That's quite a view, Jack, of one of my favourite parts of the world!
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
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Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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dave brown
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Re: Jack Harrison
Jack, I am with Pete on this one. This is a most wonderful part of the world and we have enjoyed every visit to the area. Not only do you have some good butterflies to look forward to but also dragonflies and Minke Whales. Keep the photos coming please.
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Jack Harrison
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Re: Jack Harrison
This would be the perfect place to live from many persepctives, but is perhaps a little TOO distant from shops.
I think it's for sale.
Jack
I think it's for sale.
Jack
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Roy Ledgerton
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Re: Jack Harrison
Your photographs remind me what a splendid place Mull is. Looking forward to my next visit this June.
Roy
Roy
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