A Surprise Arrival

Life can be downright strange at times, full of odd coincidences and weird synchronicities. Well early this morning I was revamping one of my spider pages on this site which happened to be Platnickina tincta, and then a couple of hours later there was a knock on the door and a delivery driver with a parcel in his hand was stood before me. I thought, Have I ordered anything from Amazon recently? I don’t think I have? Then I started thinking he got the wrong address, but my name and address was on the label. My mind racing a bit, still wondering whether I had ordered anything, or ordered anything by mistake, because there is no signing anymore due to Covid-19, the guy placed the parcel on my door threshold and photographed it as evidence of delivery. Anyway, I opened the parcel and low and behold it was a book on spiders which I hadn’t ordered? Then the penny finally dropped! It was the second edition of Britain’s Spiders, a comprehensive revised guide covering all of Brtain’s 38 spider families, 404 species, with over 900 photos. And one of my photos was in there, after one of the authors, a professor, contacted me through this blog back in May, asking for permission to use it, and this was a complimentary copy. And you may have guessed it already, but the spider in question was Platnickina tincta which I took back in 2018. This is the 2nd time I have had one of my photos printed in a book, so you can imagine how excited I am 🙂

Platnickina tincta
Britain's Spiders

61 thoughts on “A Surprise Arrival”

  2. Vicki
    Reply

    Congratulations, Pete. How exciting. I can well imagine your thrill, especially in such a major nature publication.

    The book looks to be a marvellous resource for identifying spiders – really great photos and superb detail.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Mike Powell
    Reply

    Congratulations, Pete. It is definitely cool when someone asks to use one of our photos, especially when it is in printed book. It was a nice gesture for them to send you a copy of the book. I have yet to have one of my images in a book, though I have had a few photos used in a local newspaper.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you, Mike 🙂 It is really cool, and gives you an extra boost, although, like with your good self, the passion is always running high 🙂

      Like

      • Mike Powell

        Recognition is always nice, but I don’t think that either of us so zealously pursues our shared passion out of a desire for fame and fortune. That’s a good thing, because it would be tough to become famous and rich taking the kind of photos that we do. Our motivations, I suspect, are mostly internally driven, without any real expectation of external rewards.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Peter Hillman

        You are so right, Mike. It’s a great hobby for me, and to be outdoors amongst nature has to be the best tonic anyone could wish for, especially during these crazy days.

        Like

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you, Rebecca 🙂 It was not due out until December because of delays from Covid-19, so came as quite an unexpected surprise, and it was good they remembered me 🙂

      Like

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you very much, Linda 🙂 I was amazed that this professor discovered the photo in the first place. When inputting the spider’s name into Google and clicking on ‘images’ mine was 3rd in the row 🙂

      Like

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you very much, Sandra 🙂 It’s a nice thought that some of my images may help to educate others and show how wonderful nature is in all its forms, and how it should be preserved and respected 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sandra

        That really is wonderful! To have your work support education and ultimately conservation. Your images are perfect for this purpose. Congrats again!

        Liked by 1 person

  20. krikitarts
    Reply

    Congratulations, Pete, and though you could theoretically rest on your laurels, I expect that you will continue this passion of yours with renewed vigor and bring us more wee folk that are new to most of us. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Many thanks, Gary 🙂 I have been stiffled by illness all this year, so have been somewhat restricted in my activites, but yes, I will carry on as it is a passion that burns quite deeply with me 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Anita
    Reply

    Wow! That’s something very special. Congrats!! Very well deserved, you are a unique photographer sharing your amazing images of creatures we other even didn’t know excited.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      Thank you, Adele 🙂 I bought the 1st edition when it came out a few years ago and was really impressed with it. I agree with you regarding the use of keys. I do have several keys to species, but hese appear to be aimed at folk who dissect and use a microscope.

      Liked by 1 person

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