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Post by yorky on Dec 29, 2021 11:34:11 GMT -8
I was thinking the other day about what it is about entomology that has brought me such joy over the years. At first it was being out in a fragrant field full of flowers in hot spring or summer sunshine chasing specimens to add to my collection. Next came books filled with pictures of butterflies that I could only dream of owning from far distant lands, huge birdwings, swallowtails, agrias and prepona whose beauty defied description.
Moving on from those very early years the pictures became reality when I discovered insect fairs. Here those pictures came to life and I actually saw many of these beauties in the flesh, I didn't have the money to buy them but I talked and dreamt about them for months afterwards, I did manage to buy some specimens that are rare in my country that I would never see in the wild.
Starting work meant that suddenly funds were available to buy better, more expensive specimens. Careful saving provided the means, once or twice a year to buy something special. That first birdwing, swallowtail, that first agrias lugens, prepona chromus, not expensive but stunning.
Next came the advent of the Internet which would open up a whole new world of buying specimens. Through saving and sacrifice those things that were once unobtainable became within reach. The excitement at finally receiving through the post that long sought after rarity, the nervousness at spreading it properly and getting it off the boards and safely into the drawer.
Finally are the friendships and contacts made over a lifetime in the hobby brought into my grasp things that most mortals can only dream of, rarities by famous collectors, specimens that would normally cost well into 4 figures, long extinct species.
All of these things bring me more lasting joy, family apart, than any money, status, gadgets etc can put together, I still enjoy being out in the field even though the naivety of youth has long gone, still love attending insect fairs as you never know what you will find, curating, labeling, setting/spreading, breeding, what a pleasure it has been. Now when I look at my thousands of specimens that I have acquired I marvel at what I've been able to build over the last 50 years.
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Post by exoticimports on Dec 29, 2021 12:06:23 GMT -8
Right with you on the initial field chases, the books full of unobtainable, then buying showy specimens.
Though remote jungle field work was astonishing. Being inundated with insects day and night- catching more in one night than I would at home in a year (which makes home seem kinda ho-hum).
Meeting the myriad of people at bug shows- the incredibly brilliant, the secretive shadow collectors, the lunatics, the filthy rich of Hollywood, and even some of the liars, cheats, and thieves at USFWS.
Changing Natural Resources leaders from suspicious and angry government types into field research assistants and trusted friends.
The friggin shenanigans of people like Andrew Rawlins, the dry humor of Tennent, collaboration (too often one-way) with JHyatt, the welcome of many such as Bandrow.
The support of wife & family- MV lights on the deck at night, bugs that get in the house, and stops along the way to everywhere so I can go poke around.
Now I just enjoy the outdoors and the minutiae. My collecting buddy pretty much quit after Ecuador in '98, and aside from a couple trips I'm always on my own. Having spent extensive time in the jungle, and seen those Ornithoptera ubiquitously common, I did that so those childhood dreams are satisfied. So I can go into the field, and focus on the smaller stuff, the less exciting...just not the Hesperidae.
Chuck
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Post by yorky on Dec 29, 2021 13:04:07 GMT -8
My son has been my constant companion in the field, he's 35 now, we have collected all over the British Isles together. He also loves insect fairs and can spot a bargain from a mile away, good for me as my eyesight is not what it was. He's also roughly the size of a barn door so any would be heroes who protest at our activities soon think better of it with one glare from him. I've really missed attending fairs due to covid ,it's been 2 years since I last went to one. Many of the best traders are getting on in years now, I often wonder what the hobby will be like in 20 years. Children these days, with a few exeptions,are not concerned in the slightest with the great outdoors and those that are have been so brainwashed by the anti collecting brigade that they can't see the advantages and sheer joy that assembling a collection of specimens can bring, the educational value, learning about geography and different habitats, patience (a much underestimated characteristic) in waiting to acquire a long awaited prize.
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Post by exoticimports on Dec 29, 2021 13:13:41 GMT -8
so brainwashed by the anti collecting brigade First they came for the ornithologists, and I did not speak out—because I did not collect birds. Then they came for the human skeletons, and I did not speak out— because I did not own human remains. Then they came for the collections of Colonialists, and I did not speak out—because I am better than Colonialists. Then they came for Entomologists—and there was no one left to speak for me. |
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Post by kevinkk on Dec 29, 2021 16:05:14 GMT -8
It has been a wonderful journey for me, begun many years ago in the distant past. Like many of us, I experienced the wonder,
the excitement and the help of others.
I've never had a collecting partner, save for the times we went as a family camping, or on vacations and would stop in the desert
(we went to Reno NV a lot) or went into the local mountains.
Most of my immediate family has become more aware of insects due to receiving displays as gifts.
I'm 57, and while it'd be nice to be younger, I see the changes in schooling, I very much doubt there is an advanced science
class at my old high school anymore.
The "anti people" will always be louder than you are, it's like some weird paradox that makes people who know nothing think they
know everything.
The internet did open up a lot, but it came at a price, change is inexorable, but I'm sure I was doing just fine beforehand. Now,
it'd be one of the last things many would want to give up.
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Post by eurytides on Dec 29, 2021 16:43:00 GMT -8
The "anti people" will always be louder than you are, it's like some weird paradox that makes people who know nothing think they know everything. The internet did open up a lot, but it came at a price, change is inexorable, but I'm sure I was doing just fine beforehand. Now, it'd be one of the last things many would want to give up. |
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Post by kevinkk on Dec 29, 2021 19:56:04 GMT -8
How about that. I "googled" the thing, wikipedia has my number and asks for a donation every time I would use it.
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Post by bandrow on Dec 30, 2021 7:37:23 GMT -8
Eurytides - I was reading Kevinkk's post and this is exactly what came to mind for me as well!! I first heard of this during a talk by an environmental consultant at work, and it finally put a name to a character flaw I have seen in innumerable folks. Simply put in the old saying "just smart enough to be dangerous"... Cheers! Bandrow
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Post by yorky on Dec 30, 2021 8:21:08 GMT -8
I'd rather the thread didn't concern itself entirely with the anti collecting brigade, it was just an observation, I would rather concentrate on the joy.
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Post by kevinkk on Dec 30, 2021 9:54:49 GMT -8
There is a lot of joy to be found, just recently I've changed my collecting habits. When my father was still with us, I'd go collecting
alone, either overnight or on day trips, now, Mom is going with me and really does enjoy getting out with a net. There is a learning curve
for her, like net technique, and making sure the collapsible cage is right side up before opening the side...
Last season was actually the first time I'd been out in the field since the summer of '18, I'm looking forward to the coming season,
and getting back out more often, I'm sure my favorite spots will be back open in'22, this last summer some were closed because of the
wildfires the year before, and we did find some new spots I want to revisit.
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Post by jshuey on Dec 30, 2021 10:36:24 GMT -8
I'd rather the thread didn't concern itself entirely with the anti collecting brigade, it was just an observation, I would rather concentrate on the joy. Indeed - gratitude! |
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Post by yorky on Dec 30, 2021 10:38:18 GMT -8
I like making new local discoveries, it's not difficult as there is only me looking properly, there is nothing nicer than getting a day off of work ( a rare occurance these days) and setting out with my dog and just having a look around. We have some very nice blue form female Polyommatus icarus where I live and I love selecting the very best. I like looking for wild occurring abberations as well, it's incredible what you can come across in your own back yard.  |
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