Posted by Peter H on February 25, 2009 at 16:44:40 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Photos as evidence (was Black swans in England? posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on February 25, 2009 at 12:56:00:
supporting documentation, for example Captain Flint's log of the Sea Bear
But Dick’s photo would not be dated, so how would they link it conclusively with the log entry?
As to AR not worrying too much about the details, I suspect Adam is right, but surely this particular detail is an important one? The whole plot of GN? hinges on it. If Dick had not wished to take the photo, the Sea Bear would have been returned to Mac a lot earlier, and – no island adventure.
the Powers that Be would presumably go into full Loch Garten Osprey mode
Yes, but isn’t that just what Dick would not want? And the ‘Powers’ would not get much of a welcome from the McGinty. They might find themselves locked up in that barn. Anyway, it doesn’t look as if Dick ever disclosed his secret. In my Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds (Fitter & Richardson) 1966 Revision, it says, in the GN Diver section: “summers fairly regularly in N Scotland and the Isles, without breeding”. Maybe Dick told only Edmund Sandars? You are the expert on him, Adam!