Happy New Year to all, and thanks for looking in.
We got 2025 underway with a short business meeting then took a flying start to the years photographic calendar. Michael Cox is Vice President at Falkirk C.C. He is also one of the most knowledgeable people on ornithology that most of us are likely to meet. He began by explaining that there have been 3 mass extinctions in the history of our planet. The first being caused by asteroid, the second by volcanic activity, and the third ? Well, that’s caused by us. Human Beings and it’s underway now.
Michael travels extensively and the beginning of this presentation took us to the islands of the Galapagos. Famous for Tortoise and Iguana in addition to bird species exclusive to the locale, Michael explained how these islands emerge from the depths of the Pacific Ocean as a result of volcanic activity and, this bit is fascinating, move from their point of formation. He showed photographs of a recently emerged island, no more than a very large area of barren rock surrounded by ocean. We then moved to islands where vegetation had started to form, which bird and sea life are starting to explore and where human beings do not yet venture so as not to disrupt the natural process.
Moving through the Galapagos and over to the Ecuadorian region of South America, Michael detailed the various areas of landmass from sea level to mountains. What followed was quite fascinating. He had photographed a wide variety of bird life occupying those regions, and for each species discussed the shape and type of bill, the shape of the body, the shape and type of wing, and the plumage. From that analysis he indicated it’s feeding preferences, lifestyle and habitat. From the tiny physique of a Hummingbird ( the Sword Bill Hummingbird was particularly interesting ) to the massive 3.5mtr wingspan of an Albatross ( which Michael replicated on the dais of Trinity Church ), the range and variety of species was captivating.
Both from a photographic perspective, and a natural history perspective, this was a truly excellent start to 2025.
Next Week
Next week we welcome Campbell Skinner from Greenock C.C. An accomplished photographer at rock concerts and sports events this promises to be a lively evening.