Just an unexciting update on the ETA of the 2 new bat detectors.
I've been watching them closely, anxiously awaiting their arrival.
It looks like they will both be arriving sometime before the end of this week. So, it took about 2 weeks for them to arrive. All good things to those who wait, and all that...
Now, I would like to share some useful tidbits of information (chiefly for anyone ordering either one of these units):
- If you live on the East coast of North America, you can expect the delivery to take approximately 8-14 business days (without counting Sundays).
- If you live in Europe, you'll only wait a fraction of that time - Probably about 3 days, would be my guess (mostly likely as short as 1-2 days!).
So, I can't really do much more than to share a couple of random updates:
- The post just prior to this, was a brief review of a book (I was interested in it for a while) titled 'Is That a Bat?' By Neil Middleton. An awesome book, anyway you slice it. It would be especially enjoyed by anyone recording bats in the field; as well as those involved with wildlife sound recording in general.
- I'm also happy to report that I will be reviewing another book on bats here, in the near future. It is titled 'A Miscellany of Bats' by M. Brock Fenton, and Jens Rydell.
- This is also a good time to point out a new book which is scheduled to come out early next year, written by Nils Boulliard. It's title is 'Big Bat Year'
Thinking about these books again, just served to remind me: Pelagic Publishing happens to publish the most desirable books on bats (in the English language) to be found anywhere!
...Ahh...I feel compelled to go on a bit of a tangent here: Okay, there was a time (long ago) when I became very keen on the subject of Falconry. In the very beginning I did have intentions of becoming fully involved with the sport. As I began to learn a lot more, about everything that is involved, etc. - My enthusiasm with respect to the actual hunting waned.
This was not before having read several good books, and purchasing more than one (VHS tape!) on the subject. Naturally, as with all things which interest me, the tapes were from The UK.
However, studying/following the ancient history of the sport, which goes back thousands of years, is undeniably fascinating.
Since we're already off the path here, let's go just a bit further - As I'm fond of mentioning (to anyone who will listen): All of my favorite avocations happen to have a rich history (and large following) in the British isles:
- Fly fishing / Fly tying
- Birding
- Bat detecting
- Wildlife Sound Recording
- Microscopy
Okay, we will find our way out of this little rabbit hole, in just a moment...
The interesting point that I wanted to bring up, has to do with would-be/beginning falconers: Apprentice Level (where one begins).
Falconry as a sport is steeped in tradition. And by far the most important factor to establish, when considering a new member, was their commitment to this unique sport.
Candidates were sometimes (often) "judged" by how many books they'd read on the subject.
In other words Master Falconers, those who would take you under their wing 😀 Could potentially gauge how serious and committed you were, by how many books you owned on the subject.
This was a "barometer" to your level of seriousness and dedication. I also distinctly remember reading about (more than one) enthusiastic, potential falconer who owned 250 books! More than enough to secure his entry into the guild I'd say!
And I just couldn't help but think: imagine if we gauged the dedication and commitment of potential Bat Workers by how many books they owned on bats??
😀 I'm just trying to be funny of course! But, if someone wanted to jump start their collection of books, on the analysis of bat calls: They would do well to buy up the collection of offerings now featured at Pelagic Publishing.
As for me...the very latest update (checking status online) is that both detectors The SSF BAT3 and The Teensybat kit/parts, are "out for delivery" today. Yay!
Very exciting news!
•Update: I'm happy to report that both detectors arrived today, as expected. Both have arrived safe and sound, without any damage...... They went through quite a lot on their journey from Europe to the US.
Next post will be some brief 1st impressions!
Until next time, Happy bat detecting!
Waiting on parcels….. Almost nothing worse than that, and the tracking systems do not help a bit. Information updates are slow and not very clear leaving you stressed thinking the parcel is lost or held up somewhere. Usually it is better to order and forget about it until it is in the mailbox, but that is impossible nearly when you are excited about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment :) Yes, indeed - I guess I can't complain, I've been very lucky: I've never had a package held up anywhere. Just the usual Customs stuff, etc. I've read some "horror stories" from other people though.
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