Hello and welcome to this, the 100th post on Stripy Tapir. Did I ever think I’d get this far? Eventually, I think, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to crack open the gin and make merry. Having a wildlife blog is a bit of a weird one- there are an awful lot of unknowns that will influence whether you’ll have anything to post about. You’re entirely reliant on the wildlife to show up and to be in a position where you’ll get not just one, but several decent photos of it. For every post that makes it onto here there are many, many times when I’ve been or seen something fantastic but haven’t come back with the material to make a blog post. It’s a blessing in a way, gently reminding me that nature should not only be experienced through a lens.
But I do still love blogging. I love that it helps me relive all those trips and experiences, that it provides a platform on which to try to make a difference, and that through writing it I’ve become a better naturalist (and probably a better writer, though the jury may still be out on that one). So to celebrate this milestone, let’s take a little tour around Stripy Tapir’s finest moments. I’ve crunched the numbers to see what the three most popular posts have been (in short, it seems you guys love a good rant) and have spent an inordinate amount of time picking my three favourite posts, as well as my three favourite travel posts (basically I couldn’t narrow it down to just three so kept inventing categories). Clicking on the title or on the pictures will get you through to the original. Here goes:
MOST POPULAR
(1) 10 BITS OF PhD ADVICE (FROM SOMEONE WHO’S JUST FINISHED ONE)
By far the most popular post on here. I wrote ‘10 bits‘ on a long, cathartic train ride from Manchester to Norwich quite soon after I’d finished my PhD. It was a way of looking back on four years of some pretty amazing highs but also one of hardest things I’ve ever done. It remains, of course, just one person’s thoughts, and I know that everyone’s experience of doing a PhD is different. But I’m glad it’s out there to help in any small way that it can.
Not what I expected to come second. I guess the surprising revelation that your tea bags most likely contain plastic is the reason this post was so popular. It remains a relevant read, particularly because it looks like some of the companies that are now claiming they’re plastic-free actually may not be (see here). Spoiler alert here, but the best approach still appears to be buying loose-leaf in bulk. You’ll have heard me wax lyrical about the beautiful Wilkinson‘s of Norwich, who will happily fill my own containers; and now that zero waste shops are becoming more widespread, it’s quite likely that there will be a place stocking loose near you. Honestly- once you’ve tasted loose leaf tea, you may never want to go back.
(3) LITTLE WAYS TO SAVE THE WORLD
Ah, my first foray into anti-plastic pontification. I’m glad Little Ways to Save the World gets to be on here, because it gives some background on why I write these things. The swaps in it are still some of the easiest waste-reducing swaps out there- ideal if, like me at the time, you’re new to this kind of thing.
MORE RANTS?
A PLASTIC FREE BATHROOM – A ZERO WASTE TRAVEL KIT – PLASTIC FREE PERIODS –
5 WAYS TO BE RID OF THINGS WITHOUT THROWING THEM AWAY
MOST FAVOURITE – TRAVEL
Travel continues to set my heart a-flutter, and Stripy Tapir now features posts from 12 (!) different countries. It was very difficult to pick three favourites from them and if you ask me next week I’d probably tell you something completely different. But today, at least, the following three made the cut:
The fact that we went to Japan still feels pretty surreal to me. We had so many cool wildlife experiences – macaques in the outskirts of Kyoto, huge orb-weavers on the Izu peninsula. But oh my, Nara was like something straight out of a Miyazaki film. Strange and beautiful in equal measure.
Because I couldn’t not have a post from these hallowed islands. The Galapagos were everything I dreamed they would be and more. Each island was spectacular in its own way, but I think Isabela was my favourite – bursting with flamingoes, marine iguanas and sharks, with a white sandy beach to watch the sun go down. I was head over heels in love.
I’ve run out of superlatives for Marwick Head and Orkney as a place in general, so you’re best off just heading to the post. Seabirds, sea thrift, salty air, and some of my favourite pictures of all time.
MORE TRAVEL?
MONKEYS IN COLOMBIA – FLUFFY CHICKS IN ECUADOR – COATIS IN GUATEMALA –
DUSTY SHELVES IN DUBLIN – WILDFLOWERS IN SPAIN
MOST FAVOURITE – HOME
Because you can travel to the most exotic locations in the world, but to ignore the treasures we have here on our doorstep would be inexcusable.
I’m 99% sure that bogbean mistakenly stumbled into our world from the land of Faerie. Yes to everything about this otherworldly flower.
I can already see my friend Emma’s eyes rolling upon the inclusion of this post, but I’m shamelessly leaning into it. Lud’s Church is an ethereally beautiful place that is a joy to photograph. My favourite place in the Peak District.
Because I fail to see how anyone can visit the beach at Horsey on a cold December’s day and deny that we don’t have wildlife spectacles here to rival anything you’ll see on Planet Earth II. It’s coming up to that time of year again, and I can’t wait to get down there and see this year’s crop of fluffy white pinnipeds.
MORE HOME-GROWN WONDERS?
BURROWERS – BLUEBELL WOOD – IN THE COW PARSLEY –
FOLLOW THE SPIDERS – BEAUTY IN THE BEAST
And that’s it! Hope you’ve enjoyed the brief tour. I have no clear plans about what’s next, but I’m excited to see what the next 100 posts will bring. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s come on this journey with me so far. And to the wildlife I suppose, for never failing to be wonderful. Till next time, friends.
I loved this post and share your dilemma choosing from the many. I am delighted that you chose a picture from our valley of the vultures as the entry photo, it brings me back to the first time we visited when you and Marta were not much taller than the adult vultures.
Congratulations on the 100th post, I am looking forward to the next 100. Kept amazing me with your photos and prose!