wizzard wrote:
>
> mark wrote:
> >
> > I too am wrong then , But to be a beginner is to have wide eyed views,
> > optimism and open to new ideas. I never want to lose the zeal and plan to
> > stay open to opinion even how unorthodox. I was wrong about experts too, Dr.
> > Harry Lee , R. Tucker Abbott and several others are definite experts and
> > many others are great sources of information. It was Tuckers books that
> > brought me to shelling and i wish i would have had the opportunity to meet
> > him. As for common names, i remember that he used them when conducting
> > interviews as i read many .
> > Bobby, as for remembering  shells and where you found them i believe that
> > these small packages of beauty we find imprint upon us the place , time ,
> > weather, smells in the air and other sensory data at the time of discovery
> > as i can still pick up many in my collection and by just holding them i can
> > take myself back to that place where they were found. mark
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Bobbi Cordy <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> > Date: Wednesday, April 29, 1998 9:56 PM
> > Subject: Re: Aren't we all beginners?
> >
> > >mark wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Bobby you wrote:
> > >> "Common names are fine for children and beginners..."
> > >>  I must reply that we are all beginners, who amongst us can consider
> > >> themselves an expert. I do know many who claim this but it's a fool who
> > >> would boast "I know it all"...
> > >> The wisest man once replied "I don't know, teach me "
> > >> Please don't take this as an insult , I 'm just stating that we all have
> > >> much to learn and if using common names along with Latin names helps when
> > >> communicating with others then this is beneficial to all concerned.My
> > wife
> > >> says that she considers herself a beginner as she learns something new
> > >> everyday. mark
> > >
> > >
> > >I am saying after several years of collecting (over 30) we do not
> > >consider ourselves beginners...we are at least advanced collectors.  I
> > >do realize we will never know it all...and neither will anyone else.
> > >But our goal in our club and as mentors to many beginning collectors is
> > >to teach them.
> > >
> > >I have to admit my husand is a wiz.  In our collection of over 7,000
> > >species he can not only call them all by their latin names...but can
> > >usually tell them where they came from and the author and date...we
> > >could never have done that 25 years ago!
> > >
> > >No...sorry I don't think we are ALL beginners.   A beginner is just
> > >starting to learn...like a beginner swimmer.  After a certain amount of
> > >time he becomes an intermediate and then advanced. We consider ourselves
> > >advanced...but again that doesn't mean we are not STILL learning because
> > >that is something we expect all our lives is to continue to learn...or
> > >become stagnant.
> > >--
> > >Jim & Bobbi Cordy
> > >Specializing in Self-Collected
> > >Caribbean & Florida Shells
> > >
> Nice reply Mark, I asked about possibly using common names on conch-l
> with latin references, a few months ago and was lambasted!  I too
> remember and cherish that great feeling of finding and observing a
> beautiful shell.  I recall the wonderful feeling of trudging through mud
> near St. Petersburg with my wife and dear friends, finding shells,
> learning, and freezing my *##* off, but having the time of my life. At
> Peanut Island recently I saw many beautiful baby Queen and Hawkwing
> Conchs (I did not keep them!) while the wind was cool and sun was warm.
> I remember the thrill of finding shells on a little island of coral and
> rock surrounded by bluegreen water in what seemed like and was the
> middle of nowhere, on a cool December morning while the sun was rising
> in the most beautiful way.  This makes it all worthwhile and keeps me
> and my wife young!  So go with the common names and the Latin references
> and let's make sure all those interested in conchology feel welcome!  On
> a final note, those who use the latin references in the company of
> neophytes, without trying to help the newbie understand, come off as
> pompus bores and do intimidate people. I'll get off my soap box and go
> to bed. A big thanks to those with the scientific knowledge who
> understand and help the newcomer learn to appreciate and enjoy the
> shelling experience.  Ciao..Michael Huggins
Sorry, nice and informative reply from Bobbie too. Michael