If you had told me but a few years ago that I would love to see a good pipe colour I would not have believed you. But that is certainly a 'banjo pipe' (there I am agreeing with Bill again) and its really developing some character now.
Thing I like about banjo is that he never goes for the bland/boring. Same reason I prefer old Danish freehands, Lovats, & somewhat lesser-known but still "name" artisans.