Canada and net waving

[Chris Raper]

On 25 Jul 2000 23:11:42 -0700, janature at compusmart.ab.ca (John Acorn)
wrote:

>my television show "Acorn The Nature Nut" has been on the air across Canada
>for five years now (and since I appear twice with a net while the theme song
>is playing),

Out of interest John, for those of us over the other side of the
'pond', what kind of show is it?

I like the sound of good publicity for nets - I find over here in the
UK there has been so much anti-net publicity that many people feel
awkward carrying them in front of strangers. Of course, anyone
interested in serious invertebrate recording should be carrying one -
if only to bring the critter near enough to see. 

I was stopped only the other week by a very well meaning chap. The
conversation went something like:

Him: "You do know you are on a nature reserve don't you? I hope you're
not killing things" (pointing at my net)

Me: (in a calm & friendly manner) "Yes - I know I'm on a reserve and
Yes I am killing things. In fact I am on the reserve with the
permission of the owners for just that reason because I am surveying
the local invertebrates."

Him: "Oh ... OK ... just checking... never can be too sure..."
(looking a bit embarrased)

I then went on to explain I catch/release butterflies and only kill
other insects (parasitic flies & wasps mainly) because they have to be
examined under a microscope. I didn't have the heart to tell him how
many my Malaise trap was killing only 100m away down the path! ;-)

Best wishes,
Chris R.