Being a California girl, this was granddaughter Bella's first opportunity to experience the quaint Eastern custom of raking leaves in her aunt's yard.
She also got to enjoy the fringe benefit of jumping in the leaf piles.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Cincinnati
Being a California girl, this was granddaughter Bella's first opportunity to experience the quaint Eastern custom of raking leaves in her aunt's yard.
She also got to enjoy the fringe benefit of jumping in the leaf piles.
Bald
I saw these two characters hanging out in a cottonwood near the South Platte while driving into work this morning. I wish I'd had my bigger telephoto lens with me.
Roy's Rules
Roy Chapman Andrews' Rules for his 1920 Mongolian expedition, according to Alan Nichols of the Explorer's Club:
- No cussing the weather.
- No grouching against the gasoline in the water.
- No profanity (except the picturesque variety).
- All male members must take share in pumping tires and other work not requiring hot air.
- If male members cannot supply fresh meat on any one day, they will not be allowed to smoke after dinner.
The Expedition and each member is required to:
- Have a thoroughly good time.
- Camp early and start late on general principle.
- Stop and investigate or leave the road and explore whenever desired.
- No cussing the weather.
- No grouching against the gasoline in the water.
- No profanity (except the picturesque variety).
- All male members must take share in pumping tires and other work not requiring hot air.
- If male members cannot supply fresh meat on any one day, they will not be allowed to smoke after dinner.
The Expedition and each member is required to:
- Have a thoroughly good time.
- Camp early and start late on general principle.
- Stop and investigate or leave the road and explore whenever desired.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Quote: Bring Up the Bodies
Hilary Mantel's trilogy on Henry VIII and his court, as seen through the eyes of courtier Thomas Cromwell, is one of the most harrowing fictional works I have ever read-- brilliant and acute, never pleasant. Am I the only reader who sees a similarity between Henry's court and that of the Red Czar? As with Stalin, the only thing worse than not being noticed by Henry was BEING noticed by him.
But the opening of the second book also has this harrowingly beautiful passage on falconry, as Cromwell flies his Peregrines, named after the dead women in his family. There is nothing like it; Mantel has seen the birds fly.
"His children are falling from the sky. He watches from horseback, acres of England stretching behind him; they drop, gilt-winged, each with a blood-filled gaze. Grace Cromwell hovers in thin air. She is silent when she takes her prey, silent as she glides to his fist. But the sounds she makes then, the rustle of feathers and the creak, the sigh and riffle of pinion, the small cluck-cluck from her throat, these are sounds of recognition, intimate, daughterly, almost disapproving. Her breast is gore-streaked and flesh clings to her claws....
"Tomorrow his wife and two sisters will go out. These dead women, their bones long sunk in London clay, are now transmigrated. Weightless, they glide on the upper currents of the air. They pity no one. They answer to no one. Their lives are simple. When they look down they see nothing but their prey, and the borrowed plumes of the hunters: they see a flittering, flinching universe, a universe filled with their dinner."
But the opening of the second book also has this harrowingly beautiful passage on falconry, as Cromwell flies his Peregrines, named after the dead women in his family. There is nothing like it; Mantel has seen the birds fly.
"His children are falling from the sky. He watches from horseback, acres of England stretching behind him; they drop, gilt-winged, each with a blood-filled gaze. Grace Cromwell hovers in thin air. She is silent when she takes her prey, silent as she glides to his fist. But the sounds she makes then, the rustle of feathers and the creak, the sigh and riffle of pinion, the small cluck-cluck from her throat, these are sounds of recognition, intimate, daughterly, almost disapproving. Her breast is gore-streaked and flesh clings to her claws....
"Tomorrow his wife and two sisters will go out. These dead women, their bones long sunk in London clay, are now transmigrated. Weightless, they glide on the upper currents of the air. They pity no one. They answer to no one. Their lives are simple. When they look down they see nothing but their prey, and the borrowed plumes of the hunters: they see a flittering, flinching universe, a universe filled with their dinner."
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving late- night early selections
Friends, family, guns, shooters new and old, art, food, conversation... and lots of wine. Best shot of the day other than Piet, always a serious master & coach, was cellist Joel Becktell, our only first timer--!
Model 21
We used to have a Thanksgiving bird hunt every year when I lived in Massachusetts. My father was the one who started this tradition, though he sadly abandoned it under the self- inflicted burden of his work and company. I think this duck hunting image was from one of these hunts. Notice the Model 21 Heavy Duck gun, which he later sold as "too heavy". They were not yet quite prohibitively expensive, though shot by the likes of Hemingway and Jack O'Connor; they are now. The specimen below, almost identical to Dad's, is going for $8995 at CSMC.
I can't help but think the apple didn't fall too far from the tree... having an artist- sportsman for a father creates some odd obsessions.
I can't help but think the apple didn't fall too far from the tree... having an artist- sportsman for a father creates some odd obsessions.
"Esta sim e espingarda!"
Or "THIS is a gun!", as Datus Proper's Lisbon gunsmith said to him when he first saw his Woodward.
William Richards of Liverpool 12 bore Best boxlock ejector, 28", 6 lbs 14 oz (feels like about 6-- barrels only 2 lbs 14), recent proof, Boss patent (I think) easy opener, all bells & whistles...
We will try it out at the Thanksgiving shoot at Dunhill, and then eat a suckling pig-- photo of an earlier smaller one to the same old Spanish recipe-- with our hosts, the Peculiars, Joel the cellist, Lib's boss Greg, more. Photos to come, and a little more gun wonkery, followed by many book reviews and such-- Rob Macfarlane, David Quammen, Tom Russell's art book from Bangtail, (he is on tour, and also playing on the stereo this minute), Karen Myers, and more; I can already say buy them all plus multiple copies of Tom McIntyre's Snow Leopard fable for your Christmas list! Malcolm, Darren, and Olivia all have new ones coming soon, Jonathan Kingdon publishes his masterwork on African mammals soon (I may have to sell a gun to afford it), and an astonishing bird art book with skeletons that looks heavily influenced by him just came in from Jessica at Princeton. Lauren and Rebecca arrive Saturday with tales of Asia and the road, to make the weekend complete. A heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to all and especially the bunch who wished us one, all of whom we would love to have here to eat and drink and shoot with us: Pluvi, Dr Hypercube, Darren, the Old Gunkie, Gerry, Stuart, Malcolm, Daniel, Karen and George and the nephews, and any inadvertently forgotten.
Piglet:
Pete & Jessica's (sheep) ranch:
William Richards of Liverpool 12 bore Best boxlock ejector, 28", 6 lbs 14 oz (feels like about 6-- barrels only 2 lbs 14), recent proof, Boss patent (I think) easy opener, all bells & whistles...
Piglet:
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Dog Pic of the Week: Perfect Tav
Mr Tavi is no longer a pup; this photo by Shiri makes him look like my Platonic ideal of a tazi.
Book Signing!
Dutch Salmon and I will be signing at an afternoon- long event in Deming, on Saturday 15 December, at the bookstore of "dog- in- laws" Dan and Margaret. Be there!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
A Few Images-- Fun And Teasers
Busy busy busy-- winterizing, trying to get in shape, jump start big projects... so some amusements.
A properly muscled saluki by Cellini, middle 1500's, courtesy of Sir Terence Clark. Many Asia list members have noted that he is so fit that show judges today would fault him for his muscle definition...
The Capital C Creation of the mystical capital S Saluki as slyly depicted by Jess:
Two of our favorite "salukoids", Jutta's Nhubia and taigan Taalai in Germany, get a YouTube:
Ron Peterson, the best gun dealer in the west and maybe in the US (certainly MY favorite, for the last 30 happy years) has a brand new website, mostly for antiques. I will have much to say about Ron, but here he is with me last week holding a very interesting gun, which may also appear here soon...
Most English boxlocks are built on the Scott spindle action; the William Richards above is, as is this nearly identically finished one, an Alexander Blair:
One more: where is this woman and what is she doing?
A properly muscled saluki by Cellini, middle 1500's, courtesy of Sir Terence Clark. Many Asia list members have noted that he is so fit that show judges today would fault him for his muscle definition...
The Capital C Creation of the mystical capital S Saluki as slyly depicted by Jess:
Two of our favorite "salukoids", Jutta's Nhubia and taigan Taalai in Germany, get a YouTube:
Ron Peterson, the best gun dealer in the west and maybe in the US (certainly MY favorite, for the last 30 happy years) has a brand new website, mostly for antiques. I will have much to say about Ron, but here he is with me last week holding a very interesting gun, which may also appear here soon...
Most English boxlocks are built on the Scott spindle action; the William Richards above is, as is this nearly identically finished one, an Alexander Blair:
One more: where is this woman and what is she doing?
Pilgrimage
I'll be travelling next week and part of the following one to Kingman, Arizona, to meet this guy, Harry McElroy, who has been a hero of mine for
almost 30 years.
Harry has taught and inspired at least two generations of falconers through his articles and books (4 titles and counting) and his willingness to engage in detailed correspondence with anyone who cares to reach him.
I spoke with Harry first in the early nineties by telephone, before I had email or anyone had a Facebook page or chat room to occupy. Having to speak up above his scant hearing, I nervously described the troubles I was having with an imprinted Cooper's hawk. Harry listened, and I think chuckled in parts (or maybe just cleared his throat), and then gently suggested several things I might do to improve my husbandry and hunting success with the hawk.
Through following years, as electronic communications became easier and finally ubiquitous, Harry helped with several other of my bird projects from the comfort of his den. He shared stories of his daily hunting---on horseback with Aplomado falcons, or with goshawks from the back of a mule---and many photos of the striking desert country he lives in and loves much.
When I wrote my own books, Harry read them and helped make them better. He recommended them, too, which goes a long way in our tiny market. A couple years ago he started sharing pieces of his latest book and shocked me with a request that I write the foreword. To accept was an act of stupendous hubris on my part, but I did so and counted one of greatest coups of my career: My name and words in a book by Harry McElroy.
The other was Steve Bodio's name and words in a book of mine.
I'll be posting pictures and stories from the trip, here and on my Facebook page. I'll be promoting my books (tactfully I hope); so buy one or several and help me turn this pricey junket into a business trip.
Before I get on the road, let me please nod with respect to our many adventurers who read and write at the Querencia blog. It is not a grand journey to reach Kingman, Arizona, on the world's best roads and with a credit card and hot coffee along for company. But it is in the spirit of adventure and of pilgrimage that I will travel, and in that spirit hope to make a trip to remember.
Just found this while looking for pictures of Harry to post. It's a short passage from Wendell Berry with a very McElroy vibe (reposted from an earlier blog):
Harry has taught and inspired at least two generations of falconers through his articles and books (4 titles and counting) and his willingness to engage in detailed correspondence with anyone who cares to reach him.
Through following years, as electronic communications became easier and finally ubiquitous, Harry helped with several other of my bird projects from the comfort of his den. He shared stories of his daily hunting---on horseback with Aplomado falcons, or with goshawks from the back of a mule---and many photos of the striking desert country he lives in and loves much.
When I wrote my own books, Harry read them and helped make them better. He recommended them, too, which goes a long way in our tiny market. A couple years ago he started sharing pieces of his latest book and shocked me with a request that I write the foreword. To accept was an act of stupendous hubris on my part, but I did so and counted one of greatest coups of my career: My name and words in a book by Harry McElroy.
The other was Steve Bodio's name and words in a book of mine.
I'll be posting pictures and stories from the trip, here and on my Facebook page. I'll be promoting my books (tactfully I hope); so buy one or several and help me turn this pricey junket into a business trip.
Before I get on the road, let me please nod with respect to our many adventurers who read and write at the Querencia blog. It is not a grand journey to reach Kingman, Arizona, on the world's best roads and with a credit card and hot coffee along for company. But it is in the spirit of adventure and of pilgrimage that I will travel, and in that spirit hope to make a trip to remember.
Just found this while looking for pictures of Harry to post. It's a short passage from Wendell Berry with a very McElroy vibe (reposted from an earlier blog):
"Above the hacienda, the drizzle turned to snow, whitening the ground. We passed a herd of twenty-five horses being driven up to pasture by two horsemen in ponchos, looking cold with the snow melting on their hats and shoulders. They were riding very smooth-gaited horses. Everywhere I saw them, the Andean horses were small, but extremely tough, capable of carying a grown man at a gallop over the mountainsides."
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Hot Links
The New York Times has an interesting piece on the discovery of a trove of artifacts from the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg.
I really enjoyed this article on the development of dendrochronology and bristlecone pines the oldest living things on the planet.
A team of Turkish, Australian, and New Zealand archaeologists has just completed its third field season of a survey of the World War I Gallipoli Battlefield.
In California, most elementary school curriculums include reading a famous children's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins. It is based on the true story of a young Indian woman who was stranded on San Nicolas Island off the California coast, and who lived there alone for 18 years. The real woman, Juana Maria, lived at the Santa Barbara Mission after her rescue and is buried in the cemetery there. I've seen the commemorative plaque placed there about her. San Nicolas Island is a Navy facility now, and after many years of searching, Navy archaeologists believe they have found the cave where Juana Maria lived.
Archaeologists excavating at a rockshelter in South Africa have discovered microliths, rather sophisticated stone artifacts made from heat-treated material, at the surprisingly old age of 71,000 BP.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
"Carrier" Pigeons and Pigeon Paraphernalia
So- called Carrier, ie messenger pigeons (sophisticated bird folks know they are Racing Homers, not the heavily wattled show bird of that name) have been in the news a lot lately.
Reid sent this article about a lost WW II messenger from the legendary Code and cryptography center Bletchley Park discovered in an English chimney; Tim Gallagher sent still another version. The "Weekend" Wall Street Journal reports on the French debate about maintaining a flock for disaster relief (I had thought the Swiss were the only recent European bird "employers"). Perhaps the fact that the Chinese fleet is large and expanding might give us a clue to their continuing relevance..
I have always fooled around with messenger pigeons and believe they are useful. The late great Grand Canyon guide Wesley Smith used to use them to carry film out of the Grand in the 70's and so discovered the resident Peregrine population before the ornithologists ("Takes three birds-- one for the falcon, one for the tiercel, and a good one for the film!") I also collect pigeon paraphernalia and tools from all over the world. Here are, first, a bunch of message containers, both WW II US and modern Swiss high tech versions with Red Cross markings given to me by (excellent) filmmaker Jim Jenner (Google him), including a "backpack" for heavier loads; some Indonesian tail whistles, and a melodious Chinese gourd flute beside a flute- bearing stuffed bird from the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. Finally, some bangles as worn by birds in Turkey and Arab countries and a flying dewlap by Sir Terence Clark, wearing earrings.
I continue to insist, with Darwin and David Quammen (see "Superdove on 46th Street"), that even "street" pigeons are among our most interesting commensals...
Reid sent this article about a lost WW II messenger from the legendary Code and cryptography center Bletchley Park discovered in an English chimney; Tim Gallagher sent still another version. The "Weekend" Wall Street Journal reports on the French debate about maintaining a flock for disaster relief (I had thought the Swiss were the only recent European bird "employers"). Perhaps the fact that the Chinese fleet is large and expanding might give us a clue to their continuing relevance..
I have always fooled around with messenger pigeons and believe they are useful. The late great Grand Canyon guide Wesley Smith used to use them to carry film out of the Grand in the 70's and so discovered the resident Peregrine population before the ornithologists ("Takes three birds-- one for the falcon, one for the tiercel, and a good one for the film!") I also collect pigeon paraphernalia and tools from all over the world. Here are, first, a bunch of message containers, both WW II US and modern Swiss high tech versions with Red Cross markings given to me by (excellent) filmmaker Jim Jenner (Google him), including a "backpack" for heavier loads; some Indonesian tail whistles, and a melodious Chinese gourd flute beside a flute- bearing stuffed bird from the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. Finally, some bangles as worn by birds in Turkey and Arab countries and a flying dewlap by Sir Terence Clark, wearing earrings.
I continue to insist, with Darwin and David Quammen (see "Superdove on 46th Street"), that even "street" pigeons are among our most interesting commensals...
Excuses for Missing Work
I THINK I got this from the WSJ last week but all I have is a clipping...
Dog was having a nervous breakdown
My dead grandmother was being exhumed.
Toe was stuck in toilet
Upset by watching Hunger Games
Sick from reading too much
Hair turned orange while trying to dye it another color
My sobriety cutoff wouldn't let me start my car.
Dog was having a nervous breakdown
My dead grandmother was being exhumed.
Toe was stuck in toilet
Upset by watching Hunger Games
Sick from reading too much
Hair turned orange while trying to dye it another color
My sobriety cutoff wouldn't let me start my car.
Friend's Adventures, Urban and Rural
Patrick Porter's survival kit for Sandy, in Natick, MA:
Cole Brooks, Malcolm's* son, takes his first elk in Montana:
"... kid drew a lottery cow elk tag for this week. Second day out at 3 in the afternoon we hiked up the side of a ridge where we'd spotted cows the evening before. I walked around a stand of trees and right into several dozen animals--maybe 50 total?--squinting into the sun behind my back. I hustled Cole into position, and with a downed tree as a rest he knocked this one down with my BRNO 7x57. 215 yards, and thank God for all that shooting practice the last six years. We spent all yesterday quartering and packing her out (including head and hide), about a mile to the truck, in wet, muddy, miserable weather...but we've got meat! Like I said to Cole at the end of it, we earned these ingredients..."
Strange to think I have lived in both environments...
* Malcolm has a book coming soon-- watch for it in this space and others...
Cole Brooks, Malcolm's* son, takes his first elk in Montana:
"... kid drew a lottery cow elk tag for this week. Second day out at 3 in the afternoon we hiked up the side of a ridge where we'd spotted cows the evening before. I walked around a stand of trees and right into several dozen animals--maybe 50 total?--squinting into the sun behind my back. I hustled Cole into position, and with a downed tree as a rest he knocked this one down with my BRNO 7x57. 215 yards, and thank God for all that shooting practice the last six years. We spent all yesterday quartering and packing her out (including head and hide), about a mile to the truck, in wet, muddy, miserable weather...but we've got meat! Like I said to Cole at the end of it, we earned these ingredients..."
Strange to think I have lived in both environments...
* Malcolm has a book coming soon-- watch for it in this space and others...
Links: Good and Bad News for Falcons
The tundra subspecies and other high- latitude migrating Peregrines are in very good shape.
Peregrines are one of those capital- C "Charismatic" species who always get press (whether the label "endangered", once attached in the popular collective mind, will ever be removed is matter for a long essay). Meanwhile, the obscure and beautiful little Amur falcon, like its sister species the Sooty, may be genuinely endangered because (A) it has a very long strange migration route, and B) therefore, one of the migration's concentration points supports an unsustainable and grotesque slaughter for no real reason at all (I am a supporter of sustainable traditional use, but this massacre sounds more like the unconscionable "tradition" of shooting everything that moves in Malta than any kind of aboriginal custom). The video is not for the faint of heart...
Peregrines are one of those capital- C "Charismatic" species who always get press (whether the label "endangered", once attached in the popular collective mind, will ever be removed is matter for a long essay). Meanwhile, the obscure and beautiful little Amur falcon, like its sister species the Sooty, may be genuinely endangered because (A) it has a very long strange migration route, and B) therefore, one of the migration's concentration points supports an unsustainable and grotesque slaughter for no real reason at all (I am a supporter of sustainable traditional use, but this massacre sounds more like the unconscionable "tradition" of shooting everything that moves in Malta than any kind of aboriginal custom). The video is not for the faint of heart...
Gun Books for Boys, Parents, and Girls...
Silvio Calabi and his team released the amazing Gun Book for Boys a couple of weeks ago. I opened it with interest; Silvio has been a fine editor and writer (last year's Hemingway's Guns, reviewed here, is a favorite) and good correspondent for years, and he was the somewhat unlikely advisor who recommended I take up yoga after I got PD-- not what you might expect of a Newton- raised coastal Maine- based shooting writer who loves double shotguns as much as I do.
I expected good but was nevertheless amazed at its breadth, depth, and good sense. It was the best primer I have ever seen. I wrote to him : "The Gun Book for Boys is the best gun book for beginners ever, whether for boys, girls, or adults. Even those who think with reason that they already know enough about guns will benefit from its organization and idiosyncratic detail not to mention its unfailing good sense-- I have written 1 1/2 gun books myself and countless articles and still enjoyed leafing through the pages... Libby swears it puts what she knows in context, historical and other, and she has been exposed to guns all her life. You may quote me!'
I then added; "...between us; strategically, was "boys" the best decision re title? As a word only,and I am utterly anti- pc, I would have preferred 'kids'..."
He must have laughed, because "strategically" he was 'way ahead of me. He responded: "Your comment about 'Boys' Book is spot- on; however this A) causes mild controversy, which is good, and B) opens the door for... The Gun Book for Girls.. which will follow The Gun Book For Parents." D'oh!
I now have my Parents which is even more practically useful, if perhaps not as full of historical nuggets, and can't wait to see Girls; the books have no repetetive filler at all, but are original from the ground up. Ten stars.
I should add that grandson Eli already has his copy (though more of an age to taste it than digest) as do my Graham nephews and their parents, and I would not be at all surprised to see remarks from Peculiar or sister Karen incoming...
I expected good but was nevertheless amazed at its breadth, depth, and good sense. It was the best primer I have ever seen. I wrote to him : "The Gun Book for Boys is the best gun book for beginners ever, whether for boys, girls, or adults. Even those who think with reason that they already know enough about guns will benefit from its organization and idiosyncratic detail not to mention its unfailing good sense-- I have written 1 1/2 gun books myself and countless articles and still enjoyed leafing through the pages... Libby swears it puts what she knows in context, historical and other, and she has been exposed to guns all her life. You may quote me!'
I then added; "...between us; strategically, was "boys" the best decision re title? As a word only,and I am utterly anti- pc, I would have preferred 'kids'..."
He must have laughed, because "strategically" he was 'way ahead of me. He responded: "Your comment about 'Boys' Book is spot- on; however this A) causes mild controversy, which is good, and B) opens the door for... The Gun Book for Girls.. which will follow The Gun Book For Parents." D'oh!
I now have my Parents which is even more practically useful, if perhaps not as full of historical nuggets, and can't wait to see Girls; the books have no repetetive filler at all, but are original from the ground up. Ten stars.
I should add that grandson Eli already has his copy (though more of an age to taste it than digest) as do my Graham nephews and their parents, and I would not be at all surprised to see remarks from Peculiar or sister Karen incoming...
Art, Science, Insect Hunting, and Nabokov
John Wilson's butterfly photos remind me of one of the great neglected stories of 20th century intellectual life; that Vladimir Nabokov was not just a writer and teacher but a great taxonomist, this despite being denigrated as a dilettante in his time.
Joseph Conrad is legitimately revered for becoming a great English novelist in his second language but the prickly and egotistical Nabokov is not always grated the same status. Yet he wrote as well in English as he did in Russian (and French) and will be remembered for everything from Lolita (one of the three great fifties "Road" books-- search earlier posts) to, at a minimum, the poignantly funny Pnin, the pioneeringly PoMo but accessible Pale Fire, The Gift (first written in Russian, with butterflies, unlike the others) and the autobiographical Speak, Memory. His sometimes perverse but minutely analytical lectures on writers Russian and not are IMAO priceless for other writers and students of literature. Not bad for a repeatedly exiled refugee...
He also collected and studied butterflies all his life. His studies of the widespread little "Blues", which he carried on at Harvard, were often dismissed during his lifetime. Using traditional taxonomic methods of close observation and measurement (he was particularly fascinated by the "lock and key" variations in butterfly genitalia*), he developed a theory suggesting that the Blues came over the Bering Straits to Alaska from Asia and spread south to the Andes, branching and diversifying as they went.
He was right, as recent DNA studies have shown. And here is a more "literary" treatment.
Two good books cover the whole background, though both came out before his vindication: Nabokov's Blues, which tells of his years of study, and the omnibus Nabokov's Butterflies.
And here are a couple of local blues from John Wilson, who started the ball rolling... the western pygmy blue, Brephidium exile, and the Acmon blue, Plebejus acmon
*This is not as unusual as one might think. A few summers ago I had a contract to collect hundreds of micro bees at the Sevilleta refuge and mount each one with extracted but attached genitalia displayed. I think it is safe to add this was BEFORE Parkinson's! Got many geek points for discussing such at parties with my boss, the lovely Karen (Wetherill) Wright, below in two guises after sample bee box and me as bee wrangler....
Joseph Conrad is legitimately revered for becoming a great English novelist in his second language but the prickly and egotistical Nabokov is not always grated the same status. Yet he wrote as well in English as he did in Russian (and French) and will be remembered for everything from Lolita (one of the three great fifties "Road" books-- search earlier posts) to, at a minimum, the poignantly funny Pnin, the pioneeringly PoMo but accessible Pale Fire, The Gift (first written in Russian, with butterflies, unlike the others) and the autobiographical Speak, Memory. His sometimes perverse but minutely analytical lectures on writers Russian and not are IMAO priceless for other writers and students of literature. Not bad for a repeatedly exiled refugee...
He also collected and studied butterflies all his life. His studies of the widespread little "Blues", which he carried on at Harvard, were often dismissed during his lifetime. Using traditional taxonomic methods of close observation and measurement (he was particularly fascinated by the "lock and key" variations in butterfly genitalia*), he developed a theory suggesting that the Blues came over the Bering Straits to Alaska from Asia and spread south to the Andes, branching and diversifying as they went.
He was right, as recent DNA studies have shown. And here is a more "literary" treatment.
Two good books cover the whole background, though both came out before his vindication: Nabokov's Blues, which tells of his years of study, and the omnibus Nabokov's Butterflies.
And here are a couple of local blues from John Wilson, who started the ball rolling... the western pygmy blue, Brephidium exile, and the Acmon blue, Plebejus acmon
*This is not as unusual as one might think. A few summers ago I had a contract to collect hundreds of micro bees at the Sevilleta refuge and mount each one with extracted but attached genitalia displayed. I think it is safe to add this was BEFORE Parkinson's! Got many geek points for discussing such at parties with my boss, the lovely Karen (Wetherill) Wright, below in two guises after sample bee box and me as bee wrangler....
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