Re: Wildlife November 2009

[mark smyth]

Gwen I think it's because birds, and us, find orange and red fruit more attractive

[Maggi Young]

Ian's theory, given last Sunday on the radio, as it happens, is that the larger, white berries, such as Sorbus cashmeriana, take longer to ripen and so are only eaten later, when ripe and so squashable to ber chomped......

[Lesley Cox]

Anthony and John, if you know some more Beecham quotations, please send them to me by PM. Did you know that Tony Hall (Mr Juno) at Kew played as a soloist under (with, I mean, before someone says something silly) Sir Thomas? Recordings too, I believe.

[Lesley Cox]

Ian's theory is probably right Maggi. Certainly birds don't ignore them. A few years back some S. cashmiriana near the mud brick pub at Dansey's pass had a wonderful crop of white fruit. I went back there a couple of weeks later to pick some and every berry was gone. Nothing on the ground either. No way could they fallen and rotted away in that time.

[Lesley Cox]

Hedgehogs are sprinting for the deep hedgebottoms   

What a mental picture that brings! 

A lovely picture Anne. In fact hedgehogs can sprint along jolly fast when they feel the need. And the funnienst thing I ever saw was a well-grown hedgehog on three fully extended legs scratching himself with the fourth. He kept falling over.

[mark smyth]

Anyone see 'Life' tonight? Amazing amazing amazing! From the male hummer who can hardly fly because of his tail decorations, pelican populations booming because of a change of diet, Tropic birds being chased by frigates .......

[johnw]

Anthony and John, if you know some more Beecham quotations, please send them to me by PM. Did you know that Tony Hall (Mr Juno) at Kew played as a soloist under (with, I mean, before someone says something silly) Sir Thomas? Recordings too, I believe.

"I've just been round the world and have a very low opinion of it."


johnw

[ranunculus]

Lesley, please try this link ...

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/sir_thomas_beecham/

[Anthony Darby]

This may be apocryphal?

The orchestra were about halfway through rehearsing a phrase in the overture, when Beecham stopped conducting.  "Third Horn, you're flat!" The orchestra played the phrase again..."Third Horn, you're still flat!". A musician raised his hand. "But, Sir Thomas...the third Horn hasn't arrived yet?".  A pause, then Beecham replied, "Well, when he does arrive, tell him he's flat!"

[Anthony Darby]

I like this one:

Beecham was once visited in his dressing room after a concert by an attractive young lady admirer. "Sir Thomas" she asked, "I've been a fan of yours for years. I wonder — would you be so kind as to consider being the godfather of my child".

"Madam" he replied, "I'd be delighted. But... why bring God into it?"

[Anthony Darby]

Radio presenters too have their moments. Anyone remember this on Radio 1?

Dave Lee Travis's snooker-style quiz is a treasure. DLT asks the contestant: "Which instrument does the leader of a symphony orchestra play?" Without missing a beat, the answer comes: "A baton." At which point DLT is overcome with laughter to the point where he is unable to carry on with the show. He fights helplessly to gain control and nearly gets there, as he tells the contestant: "When I write my book this is going to be in there. The answer is a violin." DLT then manages to start asking the next contestant a question before losing it completely and calling for Mick the producer to come out of the booth and take over. Mick's panic is audible as he asks: "Are we on air?"

[Anthony Darby]

Anyone see 'Life' tonight? Amazing amazing amazing! From the male hummer who can hardly fly because of his tail decorations, pelican populations booming because of a change of diet, Tropic birds being chased by frigates .......

Watching those tropic birds reminds me of the 'Far Away Look' programmes with Peter Scott. Ah, and they say "nostalgia isn't what it used to be"?

[johnw]

And my favourite just might be:

Upon being asked if he'd ever conducted any Stockhausen: "No, but I once trod in some."

johnw

[Lesley Cox]

John, Anthony, Cliff - thanks so much. What a lot I've been missing in my sheltered life.

[Anthony Darby]

I don't agree with Beecham's description of a harpsichord: two skeletons 'up to something' on a tin roof!