www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I would like to wish all UK Butterfly members (friends old and new and those I haven't yet met) a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Me too. Let's hope everyone enjoys an exceptional 2011.

and from me. having seen Sussex kippers pics i've even treated myself to a Z38 so fingers crossed i'll be able to put some pics up for critique during the season.
Best wishes to all for 2011
Chris

Same from me. Happy New Year to all and I hope you all manage to get out and see all the butterflies you are thinking of during these cold winter months.

Kipper better watch out then, he's got some photographic competition, Chris!

Happy New Year from sunny (but cold) Switzerland!



Guy

I am wearing my “grumpy old man” hat here.

I have never understood what is so special about New Year. It’s an artificial concept and has no basis in astronomy. New Year isn’t even the same the world over being “celebrated” over a 24 hour period. (I think with some areas using daylight saving, it’s actually a 25 hour period.)

As far as I am concerned a far more significant moment to celebrate is the winter solstice. That is a natural event and is the same the world over.
The most recent winter solstice was 21st December 2010 at 23:38 GMT.

So may I belatedly (11 days late) wish you all the pleasures of longer days.

End of grump.

Jack

Well Jack, as you put it so nicely, a belated Happy Winter Solstice to you as well.

The Chatham Islands, off New Zealand, are GMT + 13h 45m on Jan 1st. But because of the way the date line weaves around, I'm not sure if there's anywhere in the northern hemisphere where the time is GMT - 12, unfortunately.

But surely the New Year isn't about astronomy anyway! It's about starting again - new diaries with blank pages, new hopes and promises, forgiveness, expectation... I think it's a good idea to celebrate it once a year, whatever day you choose.

So I wish you, personally, a wonderful 2011, Jack, and at least another 12 New Years on top of that!

Guy

I guess New Year is intended to celebrate the beginning of the calendar year, rather than the astronomical one.

Must admit though, the older I get the less inclined I am to indulge in the festivities. For me, the 'new year' begins when I see my first butterfly.

Jack
If 1st January is an artificial construct - so is 7th of December, which you chastened us all for missing last year!

Anyway - Happy whatever you wish for the next 13 or so Lunar cycles.

For those who forgot last time 7th December is my birthday. So thank you Roger for reminding everyone about 7th December. It will be the same date this year

But I don't think that date is an "artificial construct" as you put it. I was a naturally conceived honeymoon baby - nothing artificial about me. I was assured by my parents that I was a much wanted, much loved child. (Well, initially I was much wanted and much loved but for some reason, that wore off).

Jack

Wishing all at UKB a happy non-astronomical, artificial concept-type celebration and hopefully lots of new butterflies (or just more pictures of old ones).

Having to settle for ones of snow just lately.
Vince

Jack Harrison wrote:I am wearing my “grumpy old man” hat here.

I have never understood what is so special about New Year. It’s an artificial concept and has no basis in astronomy. New Year isn’t even the same the world over being “celebrated” over a 24 hour period. (I think with some areas using daylight saving, it’s actually a 25 hour period.)

As far as I am concerned a far more significant moment to celebrate is the winter solstice. That is a natural event and is the same the world over.
The most recent winter solstice was 21st December 2010 at 23:38 GMT.

So may I belatedly (11 days late) wish you all the pleasures of longer days.

End of grump.

Jack

I love New Year's Day, if for no other reason than that over hyped Christmas nonsence is all over and spring is a bit nearer!! And I celebrate the solstice too, in fact, I celebrate just about everything if I can. Any excuse for a party!

Hope that everyone has enjoyed the festive season...
hopefully the extremely cold weather will be a boon for next season's butterflies


Charles



PS here is a quiz to stimulate your leetle grey cells

That's a gorgeous photo, Charles.

I enjoyed a glass of cider watching one of our great English traditions. A fabulous way to see in the new year and look forward to the summer ahead!

Happy New Year to you all from me too I hope we all have a butterfly filled 2011.

Denise

Susie wrote:That's a gorgeous photo, Charles.

thanks Susie !! is that you sitting on the left ?

Charles

I repeat everyone in wishing all members a Happy New Year, and here's a picture I took in my back garden. Let's not forget the birds they need feeding this time of year Goldie M

Charles Nicol wrote:

Susie wrote:That's a gorgeous photo, Charles.

thanks Susie !! is that you sitting on the left ?

Charles

Next to the bin? Nope, that's not me.

That's a lovely photo of a thrush, Goldie.

I aways wonder how anything manages to survive the snow and ice in countries like Switzerland; your photo is breathtaking, Guy.