Finally met one of my mentors!
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 3:42 pm
Dr. John Hyatt has, over they years, developed into a friend. He's been a supporter, a mentor, a sounding board, a collaborator. And while the wonders of the internet forums allow us to develop virtual relationships, I had not, over all the years, met John face-to-face.
Part of the problem is that Dr. Hyatt lives, purportedly on purpose, in the middle of nowhere; hours from any respectable center of commerce. It's not like he's a hermit in a cabin, just that my travels never get me within a five hour drive of him.
But the stars aligned! I was on work assignment that was close enough to the Society of Kentucky Lepidopterists annual meeting, where I was able to both drop off a bunch of specimens for genetic study, as well as meet Mr. Hyatt! And while I couldn't stay long, it was great to have finally met John.
Above, I with a bunch of specimens that were re-homed, and Dr. Hyatt with a bunch of unidentified micro moths.
Now, I must also say that John is a humble giant of knowledge; a true southern gentleman. For several months (maybe a year?) we've been hoping to cross paths. John knew well that I'd been deeply involved in the study of the Papilio glaucus / Tiger complex, so offered me a specimen of appalachiensis. Every time the topic came up, John made sure to emphasize that it wasn't a bauble-grade specimen.
Of course, I'm not interested in perfect specimens, but a voucher specimen is of great quick reference for morphological comparisons. Particularly because of a frustration that the images of Appy don't always fit the description of the morphological differentiators identified in the original description of the species, but also because I'm having the same problem with the Mid Summer Tiger. Given that this specimen is from the Type location, there should be zero question that it's Appy.
Now as I said John went to some effort to ensure I understood that the specimen he'd set aside for me wasn't perfect. What he'd not said that it was but one of four he's caught. Appy are a hard won capture, and John's low count of specimens in his reference collection reflect that. But what really demonstrates John's friendship is that he was willing to part with one of his very few.
There's still a lot of people on my list that I'd like to meet face-to-face. But I'm glad to have finally taken Dr. Hyatt off that list!
Part of the problem is that Dr. Hyatt lives, purportedly on purpose, in the middle of nowhere; hours from any respectable center of commerce. It's not like he's a hermit in a cabin, just that my travels never get me within a five hour drive of him.
But the stars aligned! I was on work assignment that was close enough to the Society of Kentucky Lepidopterists annual meeting, where I was able to both drop off a bunch of specimens for genetic study, as well as meet Mr. Hyatt! And while I couldn't stay long, it was great to have finally met John.
Above, I with a bunch of specimens that were re-homed, and Dr. Hyatt with a bunch of unidentified micro moths.
Now, I must also say that John is a humble giant of knowledge; a true southern gentleman. For several months (maybe a year?) we've been hoping to cross paths. John knew well that I'd been deeply involved in the study of the Papilio glaucus / Tiger complex, so offered me a specimen of appalachiensis. Every time the topic came up, John made sure to emphasize that it wasn't a bauble-grade specimen.
Of course, I'm not interested in perfect specimens, but a voucher specimen is of great quick reference for morphological comparisons. Particularly because of a frustration that the images of Appy don't always fit the description of the morphological differentiators identified in the original description of the species, but also because I'm having the same problem with the Mid Summer Tiger. Given that this specimen is from the Type location, there should be zero question that it's Appy.
Now as I said John went to some effort to ensure I understood that the specimen he'd set aside for me wasn't perfect. What he'd not said that it was but one of four he's caught. Appy are a hard won capture, and John's low count of specimens in his reference collection reflect that. But what really demonstrates John's friendship is that he was willing to part with one of his very few.
There's still a lot of people on my list that I'd like to meet face-to-face. But I'm glad to have finally taken Dr. Hyatt off that list!