Book Description

In the most exquisitely photographed, informative, and comprehensive book yet published on the subject, author and herpetologist Chris Mattison provides details and descriptions of snakes rarely available to lay readers. Magnificent color photographs accompany a well-organized, readable text containing rare material culled from scientific journals and herpetology society publications from around the world. Encyclopedia of Snakes encompasses the complete array of snake shapes, patterns, sizes, and behaviorall presented with an evolutionary perspective fittingly applied to this mysterious species. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

encyclopedia of snakes
I am not reviewing this book just can find no where to write a review of the site. in the memory you use to put the larger photos on you could put the table of contents and samples in the book. i see no virtual review of the book, nothing about it, no number of pages, no table of contents nothing. so therefore i will not buy from this site. i dont buy what i cant see or have no clue what the contents of the book is. this book is only a book of snakes not sure if it contains what i want or not. all i have a title that is all. titles dont sale books unless one is looking for a specific title.

The Encyclopedia of Snakes
This is a great book. Instaed of the usual individual synopsis of each species, it has a more general approach. The sections on taxonomy and classification were especially useful to me.

Excellent general introduction to herpetology
This books provides great info for snakes and their physiology, as well as taxonomy/classification. The main thing I found lacking was information on specific species; though it cover family/genus info fairly well, I felt it forsook the "trees for the forest." But overall very good.

Useful for the amateur to intermediate
Although not quite a good reference work for the true professional, The Encyclopedia of Snakes covers a wide array of topics and goes through the classification of the snakes in a comprehensible family by family format. The quality of the photographs is quite excellent, and, coupled with the extensive tidbits on habits, anatomy, classification, and range makes a wonderful and compelling read.

Great book for beginning herpers
I loved this book. It provided some natural history, but the meat of the book was the snakes' habits and lifestyles which is what most people starting in herpetology want. All in all it is a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

Birds of Southern Africa is the best and most authoritative guide to the birds of one of the world's most fertile birding regions. Two hundred color plates comprising over 4,000 expert illustrations help birders to distinguish all of southern Africa's approximately 950 bird species. The illustrations have labels highlighting diagnostic features, and many birds are depicted in flight as well as still. Special attention is given to plumage variation by age, sex, and season.

The informative text, written by eminent ornithologists, is fully integrated with the color plates to facilitate use in the field. Detailed species accounts emphasize the essential characteristics of each bird, including information on behavior, calls, and habitat preferences.

All species names and divisions are in line with the latest recommendations of the International Ornithological Committee, while well-known and local common names are also included. Both beginners and advanced birders will appreciate the regional checklist, quick reference guides, and excellent family summaries. Up-to-date distribution maps feature dual shading to indicate areas of low and high abundance, while cross-referencing is made easy with color coding and a simple numbering system.

Absolutely up-to-date and both beautifully and comprehensively illustrated, this field guide is a terrific reference as well as a superb visual record of the rich variety of a region that is home to one-tenth of all bird species.

... Read more

Book Description

Slim and affordable, FEEDER BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA features Roger Tory Peterson's classic art in a larger format designed especially for the eighty million North Americans who watch and feed birds. This easy-to-use, at-a-glance guide simplifies identification by including only the birds that frequent feeders. And to make it even more convenient, the most commonly seen birds come first, followed by those that are harder to identify or that rarely visit feeders. Range maps, descriptions of birds and foods that attract them, and illustrations are on facing pages, so identification is fast and easy. The brand-new introduction covers important bird-feeding topics, including types of feeders and where to place them, birdbaths, kinds of food and when to feed, plantings that attract birds, and solutions to problems with squirrels and cats. A handy quick-reference list tells what kind of food each species prefers, and a feeder checklist provides a record of birds as they are seen. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Feeder birds without page turning
This is more or less a rehash of the peterson field guide. It has the same (enlarged) pictures that are in the original guide. In addition, it has the type of food that each bird is likely to eat as well as the range map next to the description. I suppose it's a little convenient to have all the feeder birds grouped together, but , other than that, I felt disappointed with the book. There was some (but not enough) information on actually attracting birds and setting up feeding stations. Personally, I found the Stoke's guide to attracting, identifying and understanding feeder birds to be more helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey often present challenging identification problems for the bird enthusiast. Variable plumage, color morphs, and unique individual characteristics are just some of the factors bird watchers must consider when identifying the different species. In this authoritative reference, two of the world's top experts on raptors provide an essential guide to the variations in the species, allowing for easier recognition of key identification points. All the distinguishing marks described have been exhaustively tested in a wide range of field conditions by the authors as well as the colleagues and students who have learned from them.

Key Features:

*

The only complete photographic guide to North American diurnal birds of prey
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Includes all species, common and rare
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Written by well-known experts
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Contains 365 photographs, each with an explanatory caption and supporting text describing all 43 species of diurnal raptors found in North America
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Features 14 discussions of specific problems in practical identification
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Complete set showing every plumage
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Raptor I.D. problem section showing similar species side by side

Species List:
Turkey Vulture. Black Vulture. California Condor. Osprey. Hook-billed Kite. Swallow-tailed Kite. White-tailed Kite. Snail Kite. Mississippi Kite. Bald Eagle. North Harrier. Sharp-skinned Hawk. Cooper's Hawk. Northern Goshark. Common Black Hawk. Harris' Hawk. Gray Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk. Broad-winged Hawk. Short-tailed Hawk. Swainson's Hawk. White-tailed Hawk. Zone-tailed Hawk. Red-tailed Hawk. Ferruginous Hawk. Rough-legged Hawk. Golden Eagle. Crested Caracara. American Kestrel. Merlin. Aplomado Falcon. Gyrfalcon. Peregrine. Prairie Falcon. Crane Hawk. Roadside Hawk. Hawaiian Hawk. Red-backed Hawk. Steller's Sea Eagle. White-tailed Eagle. Collared Forest Falcon. Northern Hobby. Common Kestrel. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors
This is the best photographic guide to north american raptors available. The photos are very clear so you can see details on plumage. It also includes multiple photos of the species that have morphs, which is very helpful in the field. This is not a book I would recommend if you are using it for written reference. But I give it 5 stars for a field reference guide!

Useful field guide, shows variability of morphs
This is simply the best field guide for North American diurnal raptors that I have seen. Unlike some other photgraphic guides, it provides several images of each species in poses that one is likely to see in the field: perched and soaring from above and the side (showing field marks of top of wing and tail). It shows several examples of different morphs and ages for most birds. This is critical in understanding the variability in markings within a species. In addition, it has a section on field identification problems, detailing differences between similar looking birds. To my knowledge, there is no substitute.

However, the paperback version is somewhat cheaply produced. The publisher should improve the binding and the quality of paper for this book. Try not to get it wet.

Great place to start with raptor identification.
A good book to start your field and in hand bird identification specialty book shelf.

The pictures of birds flying over head are much improved over the paperback Peterson series book "Hawks" by Clark and Wheeler. ... Read more

Book Description

A new method for the practical identification and recognition of trees -- and an important supplement to existing botanical methods.

The book is in two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details which look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group -- the family or genus.

Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities. The details of the Oak trees on this plate are an example of the system.

All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.

Reviews (12)

Tree Identification Book
As a land surveyor, back in the early '80s, I used a copy of this book for the year-round tree identification needs associated with my work (all seasons - with or without leaves). At some point my copy of the book disappeared, but job advancement placed me in the office, so I did without.

Recently, a return to performing occasional, outside survey work revived my need to identify trees. After scanning all the books available for this purpose off-the-shelf in a large book store, I lamented the loss of this book, for I found none as useful to me as this book. I assumed it was no longer in print. But, to my delight, I surfed the web and discovered it is still in print and readily available. While its photos are B&W, and not of the highest quality (little if any apparent change in the book in two decades), the book remains a standard, in my opinion, as a tool aptly suited to its name.

Not first choice
Taking this book in hand I am inclined to see the negative first. The black and white photographs look rather depressing, in particular those of the bark don't look very useful. This is not a book which looks good on the bookshelf! Also its size and soft cover make it somewhat unhandy for carrying it about: it is far from field guide size.

As a tree book I very much prefer John Laird Farrar's "Trees in Canada" / "Trees of the Northern United States and Canada" which is a handy size, is handsomely bound, has excellent color photographs of trunks, flowers and fruits and stunning line drawings of habit, leafs, leaf scars and flower details, not to mention distribution maps.

Of course the two books have only a limited overlap in area treated and in species selection and the book by Symonds certainly has the subjects for the photographs carefully chosen. Perhaps I will yet come to apppreciate it?

It Really Works
I bought a house without knowing what the 5 trees in front of it were. Using this book I guessed Apple and Cherry. The next year my spouse was surprised to find out I was right! The book gave me enough information to figure it out! And I knew nothing about trees!

easy to use!
I use this book a lot. I find the black and white pictures are easy to use and the size of the book is just right. I wasn't looking for a pocket guide - (have some of those) I was looking for a guide that would really help me id the trees and this one does. I go for walks in our woods and carry this with me to id various things I see. Its great to have on hand

Student Tree ID
The Ag Department at the high school that I work used this book. It's a good source for tree ID, but it could have stood to be a little bigger with more trees. But, the trees that it ID's, are thoughly ID'ed. I would have also liked to see it in color. I really liked the scale used for sizing the leaves, blooms and fruit. Very much worth the money spent. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Slither into DK's Snake and you'll find yourself tantalized. Or is that terrorized? Either way, snake aficionados, and those looking to increase their appreciation of snakes, should not miss this gorgeous, full-color guide to the legless reptiles. Chris Mattison, a herpetologist and wildlife photographer, has gathered a concise compendium of facts, myths, and unbelievable images, with familiar as well as little-known species highlighted. While not zoologically comprehensive, Snake does provide a good sense of the diversity of these lovely and misunderstood animals. From the intricate patterns of the harmless checkered garter snake to the sheer magnificence of the deadly, 11.5-foot-long black mamba, each snake is presented with its best scale forward. Snake is full of great herpetological trivia, and the photos are sharply detailed close-ups. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Wonderful beginning book
This is a stunningly visual book with fantastic general information on snakes. I have a number of books by Chris Mattison, and this is his best! Well worth the price.

Very educational
I'm a college student and I work in a Science Center with several snakes from Texas; I'm always interested in learing more about snakes in the world. This book is amazing! It covers all topics related to snake's evolution, envirnoment, size and shape, scales, anatomy and movement, reproduction, classification of snakes, among other contents! With a gallery of beautiful and large pictures of these fenomenal creatures; the only problem is that it covers only 61 species that were chosen to be in the gallery to show readers the diversity of size, color, shape, and behavior, that is excellent! But I would've liked to see more variety of snakes. As a conclusion, this book is a MUST for people interested in learning more about snakes.

Best Snake Book !!
This book probably the BEST snake book I owned. Large of photo (I mean: really BIG photo!!, double pages). This book give you a very comprehensive section about the anatomy, how they hunt, habitats,and senses ...
It written in a very short informative way ....
I really love this book !! This book is "A MUST" for all snake lovers ...

Stunning!
This is a wonderful book, full of captivating pictures and beautifully written explanatory chapters. A serpent enthusiast myself, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its excellent visuals guide you through the first few chapters which discuss several aspects of snakes themselves. The majority of the rest of the book looks at many different types of snakes..a page or two devoted to a certain individual species. I was impressed at the variety it covered, from boas to pythons to colubreds to venomous species. I applaud the author...this book will entertain beginners to professionals. This is a must for anyone who is interested in these amazing legless creatures.
--Lauren

Excellent for everyone
This book starts out by giving a very comprehensive section about the anatomy, hunting, evolution, habitats,and senses of the snake. Each of these topics were given two pages, of which were filled with interesting information. I keep snakes, but I still found myself learning things. After this, the book goes into a section that tells about many interesting species of snakes in a great format including color pictures. While the book doesn't feature as many species as I would have liked to have seen, the ones it does show are well chosen(for the most part). After this section, the book goes into a huge directory of genuses and species of almost all the snakes in the world(including some rare subspecies). This section of the book is invaluable for a herpitoligest or just someone looking up the latin name of a snake. Overall the book is great for average person and person who knows alot about snakes alike. I think the book could have been better if he had featured more species of snakes, but the book is fine as it is. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

locally good
I have used this book in two places: the Columbia Basin sagebrushcountry just east of the Washington cascades, and in south-central Idaho. For the Columbia Basin this book is very good. Anything that catches your eye is likely to be included, despite the book's slimness. In central Idaho the coverage is not so good, and you will end up wondering if what you're looking at is in the book. Just remember, as with all small, easy to use plant guides, there are probably five times as many plant species on the ground, even in the Columbia basin, as there are in the book.

The natural history coverage is reliable but not terribly extensive.

In Washington I have found it's nice to have this in combination with the authoritative but unfriendly and jargon-ridden Hitcock and Cronquist flora. Taylor will get it for you if it's a reasonably common plant, or give you a good starting point for wading around in H&C, if there's any doubt.

A Great Field Guide and Reference
This book is useful in many ways: as a field guide, reference, habitat identifier,uses of plants such as food or medicine (e.g. by local Native Americans), soil types, animals present, etc. It opens up the tremendous beauty of the steppe-shrub-sagebrush deserts of the West. Lovely photos. This so-called "barren land" is teeming with amazing diversity and color. It is also helpful for those of us attempting native plant (indigeous) gardens. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is an accessible, informative, and highly illustrated book that offers a fresh view of butterflies in the East Coast states, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Appalachians. In addition to providing a wealth of facts and photos, the book is the first to furnish detailed and up-to-date photo-illustrated information on the host plants favored by particular species. With 234 full-page species accounts and accompanying range maps, plus more than 950 large-size color photos, it is an essential reference work for field observers, gardeners, educators, and conservation managers--or anyone interested in appreciating the lepidopteran world close at hand.

The introductory chapters detail the subtle ecology of the East Coast region, establishing a consistent ecological framework that enriches the individual species accounts. There is also an overview of current scientific literature and observational findings to help readers better interpret complex butterfly behaviors in the field, including seasonal movements, host plant and diapause strategies, defensive chemistry, and more.

The book is written by Rick Cech, a seasoned field observer who has spent years studying and photographing East Coast butterflies. His substantial first-hand experience with both the common and rare species in the region adds much depth and new insight to the commentary.

* 234 full-page species accounts and accompanying range maps
* 950 large-size color photos
* 215 photos of individual host plants and habitats
* 735 high-quality photos of butterflies and caterpillars
* Introductory chapters detailing the subtle ecology of the East Coast region
* An overview of current scientific literature and observational findings
* Descriptions of diapause and host plant strategies and defensive chemistry
* User-friendly with clear, concise text

... Read more

Book Description

In Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich, award - winning naturalist, finds himself dreaming of ravens and decides he must get to the truth about this animal reputed to be so intelligent.

Much like a sleuth, Heinrich involves us in his quest, letting one clue lead to the next. But as animals can only be spied on by getting quite close Heinrich adopts ravens, thereby becoming a "raven father," as well as observing them in their natural habitat, studying their daily routines, and in the process painting a vivid picture of the world as lived by the ravens. At the heart of this book are Heinrich's love and respect for these complex and engaging creatures, and through his keen observation andanalysis, we become their intimates too.

Throughout history there has existed an extraordinary relationship between humans and ravens. Ravens, like early humans, are scavengers on the kills of great carnivores. As scavengers, ravens were associated with hunters they found in the north: wolves and, later, men. The trinity of wolf, man, and raven in the hunt is an extremely ancient one. In considering the appeal of the raven, Bernd Heinrich suspects that a meeting of the minds might reside in that hunting trinity.

Heinrich's passion for ravens has led him around the world in his research. Mind of the Raven takes you on an exotic journey--from New England to Germany, Montana to Baffin Island in the high Arctic--offering dazzling accounts of how science works in the field, filtered through the eyes of a passionate observer of nature.

Heinrich has a true gift; through his stories, his beautiful writing, illustrations, and photography, the ravens come alive. Each new discovery and insight into their behavior is thrilling to read. just as the title promises, the reader is given a rare glimpse into the mind of these wonderful creatures.

Reviews (19)

Mind of the Raven" is thought-provoking, comfortable reading
To compare this book to Heinrich's "A Year in the Maine Woods", is to compare apples to oranges. "Mind of the Raven" is more, a continuation of the thought-provoking analysis the author began in his earlier work, "Ravens in Winter". "Mind of the Raven" carries us many steps farther in understanding, as an intriguing account of the on-going evaluation of these impressive birds' mental agility and singular place in nature. Heinrich takes us not only to the woods of Maine, but to Germany, California, the Artic, and Yellowstone Park, while he examines those qualities which define Ravens as a unique but adaptive species in a changing environment. Heinrich shares with us the scientific and personal experiences which reveal Ravens both as individuals, and as members of a complex but flexible social order scientists are only begining to understand. "Mind of the Raven" is not a dry, technical journal, and while not "light" reading, it is certainly comfortable reading. Heinrich's writing style is refreshingly "open". The book is, in the end, as revealing about the process of scientific fieldwork, success and failure, and the perserverance of an inquisitive mind as it is about Ravens. I would recommend "Mind of the Raven" to anyone interested in the continuing studies of animal intellect and behavior. Additionally, I heartily recommend it to mature young adults with an exceptional interest in these study areas. Heinrich's book reveals that while travel, and many hours of observation in "tight places" may be required to answer particular questions within a given field of science, a great deal may also be learned in our own backyards, with patience and an eye for detail.

an artful piece on the science of ravens
Heinrich has managed a comprehensive and entertaining book on the behavior, biology and indeed, mind of the raven.

His book expresses his struggles as a scientist to have what evidence he has abt the behaviour of these "wolf birds", accepted by the scientific community which continues to be conservative.

Expect to learn all and more you ever dared to ask about ravens. Heinrich's studies of ravens are long term and an accumulation of information fed from individuals who are simply curious about the birds to those who've spent their academic lives researching them the world over.

Additionally, Mind of the Raven allows a personal take and comment on the birds, some with names, others named in realtion to their tags. Otherwise, you will find that Henrich has very beautifully incorporated a reflection of the human behaviour and the misgivings of our existing scientific community whilst studying his feathered subjects.

I've never had contact with a raven. Heinrich's book is certainly motivating me to meet one soon. You'd want to read this whether or not you're into birds.

Intriguing Investigations into the Lives and Minds of Ravens
In "Mind of the Raven", biologist Bernd Heinrich delves into the behavior of ravens as individuals who might have a conscious choice, as opposed to taking a strictly behavioral ecologist perspective of those behaviors as being simply the results of evolutionary necessity. Heinrich strives to share the insight into the world of ravens which he gained over the course of nearly a decade of studying and interacting with ravens, both wild and captive, at his Vermont and Maine homes. "Mind of the Raven" isn't confined to the birds' intelligence or consciousness, although chapters on these fascinating and controversial subjects are included. The "mind" of the book's title encompasses all behavior and experience in these birds' lives. Heinrich details innumerable observations and experiments which he conducted on the subjects of raven feeding and educating their young, cooperation, hunting, adoption, dominance, sensory perception, individual recognition, communication, fears, interaction with other animals, caching, deception, play, intelligence, and emotions. Heinrich seems to possess an insatiable -and infectious- curiosity about these magnificent birds, which is demonstrated in his exhausting and endlessly inventive experiments. Heinrich's studies are as controlled and straightforward as possible. And although they sometimes raise more questions than they answer, they never fail to entertain or to impress the reader with the complexity and variety of raven personalities. It's nice to read a book by a scientist who has such an enthusiasm for his field of study, as well as genuine affection for his subjects. "Mind of the Raven" is a very readable broad account of the lives and minds of these large, clever corvids that have so populated human folklore and experience for thousands of years. I recommend it to any bird-lover, and those who have occasion to observe ravens will find Bernd Heinrich's insights especially interesting.

Fascinating insights into the life and mind of ravens
This is an amazing book. It's not an exaggeration to say that this is the most fascinating book I've ever read. I've always marveled at the idiosyncratic behavior of ravens, the sense of play that seems to pervade so much of what they do, and at their inventiveness. Reading this book takes me back the times I've sat in the mountains watching ravens. What an easy way to travel so far. And finally, after reading this book, I feel that I have at least a little insight into these incredible birds. I can't recommend this book too highly.

Corvid capers
Why do they hang from one foot, cavorting with a stick? Why are Maine ravens hesitant with a carcass while their western cousins gorge without fear beside wolves, coyotes or even eagles? Do they actually warn humans about predators, or are they opportunists awaiting the kill they hope to share? These mysterious birds, appearing in myths, legends, and, of course, Poe's lasting image, are Corvus corax - the Common Raven. Heinrich, who has studied these enigmatic avians for many years, shares his thoughts, achievements, frustrations and observations in this compelling narrative. In a series of invaluable accounts, crossing many countries and meeting many people, he shows us how much we have learned and need to study about these fascinating birds. No matter how strange reported raven behaviour may sound, he reminds us, "some raven, somewhere, actually did that".

Heinrich combines studies in the field with "experiments" performed in large aviaries. Although an avid runner, he loathes climbing trees. Of course, that's where ravens roost and nest. He climbs. He photographs. He steals eggs [to record parental response before restoring the eggs to the nest]. All of which provide him with more information on how ravens live. And think. Universally acknowledged as the most intelligent birds, ravens have demonstrated to Heinrich how little we understand that cognitive ability. This book's title is indicative of their behavioural variety. Chapter titles, ""Social Webs", "Vocal Communications", "Prestige", "Morality, Tolerance and cooperation" and "Play" [yes, ravens play, apparently for their own entertainment] speak volumes about how much has been learned about these amazing creatures. The text within them reveals we've only begun the quest for understanding. Whatever else may be derived from this informative book, Heinrich's plea for more studies is earnest and compelling. He is open with his admiration for the talents of his student assistants, but, clearly, there aren't enough of them.

Heinrich's study area reaches from Maine to anywhere. If you've ever watched a raven tearing at a trash bin, you'll understand Heinrich's hesitation at visiting "Jakob's" home in Germany. He was amazed to enter a neat, well-kept apartment instead of a scene of chaos. Jakob was as fastidious as his doctor owner. He even restricted his paper diet to junk mail. Among the wealth of accounts in this book, the most intriguing remains the relationship of ravens and wolves. It seems logical that ravens have learned to follow wolves. Evolution has taught them the advantages of following an effective predator. Heinrich, however, proposes this interaction works two ways with ravens guiding wolves to prey. He suggests that early humans, still killing quietly, may have cooperated with ravens in a similar way.

Offsetting Heinrich's wealth of information is the style he uses to present it. While no-one should object to his highly personalised account of his research and interests, some of the details might have been shaded or omitted. It's fascinating to accompany his waiting for local ravens to descend on his prepared bait [a quarter of a dead calf or road kill groundhogs]. That the sequence began at 05:29 on the morning of 08 May is less compelling. Especially when that type of detail is repeated frequently. This lapse of interest-garnering is wholly overshadowed by the variety of experiences in many places Heinrich recounts. Additionally, his photographs and drawings illuminate further what he relates in the text. With an excellent bibliography to further anyone's reading, this is a treasure of a book.
[stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada] ... Read more

Book Description

The winning photo-encyclopedic formula of the DK Handbook series, which have sold over five million copies, is taken to new heights in these comprehensive guides to the birds of North America. Created in association with one of America's leading learning institutions, the Smithsonian, Birds of North America are an absolute staple for any birder or ornithologist. Containing a superior visual format with more information than any other bird guides on the market, these books feature more than 700 species in the United States and Canada, each one receiving its own full-page profile along with a precise description and annotated photographs to highlight chief characteristics and other points of interest. An introductory overview for each species is followed by six important sections that no competitor to these books covers in full. With over 1,000 total photographs and a range map for each entry, these remarkable guides will have bird-lovers soaring! The 100th Parallel of Longitude is the dividing line between the Eastern and Western volumes. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Gorgeous !!!1
While looking for a gift for an elderly relative who likes to watch birds but is not an avid birder, I happened upon this gorgeous book and was so impressed with it.

It is beautifully organized and illustrated. Birds are described by song, breeding habits, nesting, behavior, migration, population, flight pattern, conservation, as well as by the more obvious characteristics used for identification such as size, head, plummage, tail, markings, trill, and behavior.

Each page is laid out so nicely and with great clarity, and has space for notes on where and when the bird was sighted.

The silhouettes of the birds in flight was an interesting addition to the identification process.

The author(s) also included the variations within each species (variations due to sex, juvenile status, seasonal characteristics, and genetic differences).

One section contained the anatomy of a bird and another the orthinological terms, illustrated. Both were most interesting and added to making birds easier to identify.

Not really a field guide, not really a natural history guide
Once upon a time, people who wished to identify and learn about birds found few books from which to choose. Today, however, there are many, and the competition between them for birders' purchasing dollars is keen. I tend to buy just about any book that bills itself as a "guide to the birds of North America," however, so I recently picked up Fred J. Alsop III's new Smithsonian Handbook. There is much to appreciate and enjoy here, and I can recommend the book as a welcome supplement to anyone's basic bird guide collection (especially people living the western states). However, by itself it is adequate neither as a guide to bird identification nor as a supplemental source of information about bird habits and natural history.

This book is long (752 pages) and definitely hefty. No one but a true masochist would consider carrying it into the field. Consequently, in terms of helping with bird identification, this guide at best can serve as a supplement to other current field guides. In this capacity, the book will indeed be useful with respect to many birds. Each full-page treatment of a species includes lots of useful information, including key field marks, range, vocalizations, distinctive behavioral habits, nesting habits, and even flight patterns.

The key to whether or not this works for particular types of birds lies in Alsop's approach to bird illustration. Here, he relies mainly upon high-quality photographs. For most birds, particularly songbirds, this works adequately. However, as is just about always the case with bird guides illustrated with photos, the results are uneven. Some of the photos are spectacular, but a few are so-so. What's more important, however, is that Alsop's reliance upon a single large photo for each bird precludes adequate illustration of species for which inclusion of more than one picture is essential. This mainly includes species for which flight patterns are important, including gulls, terns, pelagics, hawks, shorebirds, waterfowl, swifts and swallows, and nightjars. This adds up to a lot of species.

Traditional field guides also provide additional illustrations to show immature or fall plumages. Alsop does try to include additional illustrations for some of these plumages, but these extra drawings mostly are so tiny as to be virtually useless. For some species, at least, he would have done better to limit some of the verbal information to accommodate more space for these additional illustrations.

One of the strengths of the book is Alsop's obvious commitment to providing the reader with information pertaining to each bird's behavior, nesting habits, and population/conservation. Because the author is combining this effort with identification material, however, the book doesn't measure up to certain others in terms of being a complete "natural history guide."

To his credit, Alsop includes some extra materials that are welcome and well-done. There is a section on extinct species (including the Ivory-billed woodpecker, which apparently may not be extinct after all), and also some "how to's" on birding as a pastime.

Overall, however, I can recommend this book mainly to people who really enjoy owning lots of bird books. A good strategy for birders generally is to purchase one (or more) good field guides for identification purposes, and then to supplement these with another good book that provides natural historical information. This volume certainly has its uses and contains lots of excellent information, but in trying to be both identification guide and natural history guide, it doesn't truly succeed in either function.

A true all inclusive guide...
This is a wonderful book; each page has a single bird on it with all related information to the bird i.e. migrations (map showing in color what time of year the bird is found where), feeders, identifacation with clear pictures, song of the bird, behavior, breeding, nesting, population, conservation, size, wingspan, family, species, nest identification tips and chart, and habitat locations. In my opinion this book would be classified as a "must have" for a lover of birds and especially for a novice just getting into birds it is a excellent identification tool.

Apparently still a secret
As a 40+ year novice birdwatcher, and incurable lover of books, I have acquired numerous field guides over the years. Raised on Peterson, in recent years I have enjoyed the Audubon guides by Farrand. Looking for something newer, I was assured that "The Sibley Guide to Birds" was now the king of the hill. Next to Sibley on my dealer's bookshelf was this Alsop. I already knew the publisher-Dorling Kindersley. They have perfected the art of visual teaching. This same teaching technique works very well for a nature field guide. There is a single page devoted to each species. The page is well laid out but packed with the information you want. The illustrations are superb-better than the Sibley. This book is a masterpiece, and I think will become a well-loved legend. It far surpasses Sibley, Peterson, and other field guides at this general, comprehensive level. Despite its breadth, it would be perfect for a beginning birdwatcher of any age. It must be new-I can't find it reviewed anywhere! ... Read more

Book Description

Butterflies are among the natural world's most colorful and intriguing creatures, so what could be more useful than a handy field guide with more than 1,000 photographs of all the butterflies of North America north of Mexico, including all true butterflies, the most common skippers, and many migrants and strays. The color plates are visually arranged by shape and color, and thumb-tab silhouettes provide a convenient index to identification of butterflies in the field. The species account for each butterfly provides measurements, descriptions of each stage of the life cycle, and information on coloring or distinguishing markings, flight period, habitat, and range. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

As good as the Kaufman Guide! (The ultimate best.)
The Audubon Guide to Butterflies equals the completely perfect Kaufman Guide to Butterflies in every way. First, there are countless numbers of species listed, which is essential to identify a particular specimen. It is also very detailed in the description of the species in the back of the book. It is perfect for beginner naturalists and experts!
So, why is it so underrated? For one reason, many are too lazy to quickly flip to the back of the book and read the description. Anyone stating that this is for the very beginning amateur must have the wrong field guide altogether! Saying that the Golden Guides are for beginners is understandable, but saying that about an Audubon Guide is not.
This a "stonewall" entry in the long list of Audubon Guides, and may very well be one of the best!

Terrific Book!
I love this book. It has every catapillar & butterfly you can imagine in it. Nicely detailed & full of information. This was a great addittion to our other National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds.

all right ,I agree.
this is a wonderfull book with all that i need.

in the other books the butterflies shown are dead, and i dont like that. I mean, Iam a butterfly lover. I hate that.

This is a beatyfull book and i love it.

Nat. Audubon Soc. Field guide o North American butterflies
I could not identify all the butterfly caterpillars. I have many different kinds of caterpillars in my garden and would like to know what they will turn into. I recommend that each butterfly picture have on the same page a picture of the caterpillar. This would make identification of a butterfly to be much easier.

The book was not concise.

Up to the usual Audubon Society high standards
I use both Audubon Society and Petersons small wildlife identification guides and find that are quite good with their own plus and minuses. Petersons is better for taking into the field for things that move (animals and insects) due to the layout which allows for quicker identification. Audubon is better for things that can't get away (plants) and with animals and insects, for obtaining data about the creature's habitat. This guide is as good as any other in their series, which is to say that it is very good. ... Read more

Book Description

The tropical forest of Panama's Barro Colorado Island is a luxuriant community of plants and animals, pulsating with life and offering an astonishing view of nature's myriad processes. What does the forest look like? How do the activities of this forest's plants and animals create a community? Now, in A Magic Web, photographer Christian Ziegler and ecologist Egbert Leigh invite readers to enter the marvelous world of Barro Colorado Island. This book provides a unique combination of the spectacular photography of a picture-book and clear, authoritative text written by an active scientist who has spent half a lifetime trying to understand tropical forests. The photographs provide views of the forest and its spectacular diversity of inhabitants, and show many of the activities that give the forest its character and lend structure to its community. Drawing on decades of work on Barro Colorado Island, Egbert Leigh explains how the forest works. The photographs and text reveal the many ways its plants and animals compete with but also depend on each other: the contrasts between solitary cats and intricately organized armies of ants; the different ways plants struggle for a place in the sun, and the ways these plants attract, or domesticate, animals to pollinate their flowers. Finally, the authors show why this, and by implication all other, tropical forests matter to the people who live near them and to the world at large, what we can learn from these forests, and how they differ from temperate-zone forests.Full of gorgeous full-color photographs accompanied by clear and accessible text, A Magic Web is a must for anyone planning to visit a tropical forest, and for all those who only wish they could. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Six Stars would be Better
The pictures are really extrodinary and the text is very readable and understandable. I don't tire of looking at the photos over and over. ... Read more

Book Description

A detailed overview of what is presently know about the behavior and ecology of reef fishes inhabiting the waters of Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas. The enjoyable fact-filled text is lavishly illustrated with 475 marine life photos, many capturing spectacular fish behaviors never before documented. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Scuba Instructor reviews
My Name is Steve Fox, I am a scuba instructor in Utila, Bay Islands,Honduras I would like to say that in my dive shop and resort we use the whole Paul Humann set of books, they are fantastic, after every dive we sit with customers and go though all the fish,creatures and coral we have seen, they are the divers bible.

Steve
www.DeepBlueUtila.com

This is a real "must-read!"
I'm a scuba instructor at a resort in the Caribbean, and this is the book I rely on most heavily (yes, even more than Snyderman's Marine Life & Humann's Reef Fish ID!) in explaining what's going on. It's also the book I recommend to everybody who comes to the Lodge, and the one they enjoy the most. So, whether you're a snorkeler or a marine biologist, you'll gain a lot from having this one in your collection!

Knowing What Your're Looking At Underwater
RFB ablely illustrates and explains the fish actions commonly observed by divers and snorkelers. This volume will increase the novice's understanding and enjoyment of the acquatic environment. The pictures are excellent and the author nicely translates scientific jargon to readability. The binding is sturdy but flexible so it is easy to pack into your dive bag. However, I expect that most dive destinations will have a well thumbed copy on hand soon. My only criticism-- Ned doesn't deal with my favorite box fish. This is a great book. I expect to carry it with me on every dive trip.

Excellent Book
This is a wonderful synopsis of behaviors that I didn't know existed. It is well written with great pictures showing the enormous amount of time underwater that it must have taken to compile them. It has made me look at the reef in a whole new way. ... Read more

Book Description

Sedimentology studies the properties, origins, and historical interpretation of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Such materials are formed by physical, chemical, and biological processes, at temperatures ranging from below freezing to about 150-200 degrees C.

More than 75% of the earth's land surface is covered by sediments and sedimentary rocks. Near-surface sediments constitute the reservoirs for almost all groundwater, and are vitally important substrates for soils, wetlands, and shallow marine environments, while more deeply buried sediments provide most of the world's reserves of fossil fuels. The study and understanding of sediments and sedimentary rocks is therefore strongly multidisciplinary, and forms part of several academic disciplines (such as geology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and civil engineering).

This encyclopedia, which constitutes a wide ranging and authoritative collection of academic articles, covers the sedimentological aspects of sediments and sedimentary rocks. As such the encyclopedia provides a comprehensive, one-volume reference work for students and faculty in universities, and for professionals in geology and allied disciplines (geography, engineering, environmental studies), as well as informed lay readers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This one is a keeper (pun intended).
In the past year I have borrowed from the library all the books I could find about beekeeping . This is one I plan to add to my personal library.

Excellent, very informative, a must have reference
Cover the subject in detail for good managemen ... Read more

Book Description

Guide to identifying native (and some widely introduced) trees of U.S. and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. Organized as a dichotomous key, the book leads the user through a series of simple questions about the shape or appearance of different parts of a tree. Includes 161 species. Illustrated with line drawings. The small (6" by 4") format fits in pocket or pack to take along on a hike. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Identifying trees by leaves
This is about the best I've seen. It is compact for carrying with you and easy to use. It is a logical key that you can follow from the tree down to its identification by its leaves. It covers the eastern US so there is not a lot of extraneous material to wade through. I have been looking for exactly this kind of book since I started being interested in trees.I recommend it very highly especially to the beginner.

Easy to use
This is the easiest tree finder book out there. Not only are the pictures very clear, but the questions that allow you to narrow down the tree type are very clear. This book is also small, so it's easy to bring with you when hiking so you can just whip it out when you see an interesting tree. This is the book that led to my profound curiosity and love of trees. Too bad I lent my copy to someone who took it back with her to Korea!

Great book for child learning to identify by leaves
My 7 yr old loves to look through this book while we go on nature hikes...yes in NJ! As a prior reviewer stated there are no illustrations of the whole tree - just the leaves. For my child's age and curiosity it works very well.

Only leaf illustrations in this one
Neat book if you need to know what the leaves of a particular tree look like, but that's it. There's no photos, only illustrations, and no illustrations of the shape of the tree or its height, just the leaves themselves. It's a cute illustration job, but unless you need to know about the leaves, I would pass this one by, and even if you think you've narrowed down which tree it is by the leaves, how can be sure that it's the same tree if there are no illustrations of the trees themselves? Probably a good book to sell in a gift shop to give a curious kid.

The title says it all
I took a class about tree identification several years ago at Morton's Arboretum near Chicago and this book was used as part of the class. I really love this little book. I have several of the fancier (and more expensive) books with color plates and photos, but for identifying trees this one is the best. Based on the tree's leaves it very clearly walks you through the identifation process step by step.

If you want to read more about the tree once you have identified it, the other guides are great. But for purposes of tree identification, this is the best I have seen. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Blends gardening and wild animal management and observation
Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds To Your Backyard deserves ongoing mention as an outstanding survey of how gardens can attract desired wild birds and butterflies. From determining how native plants interact in the environment and help attract native visitors to understanding how to maintain a healthy environment, Attracting Butterflies & Hummingbirds To Your Backyard comes packed with tips which blend gardening and wild animal management and observation. ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive guide to rocks and minerals, completely updated for the fifth edition, includes 385 color photographs showing rocks, minerals, and geologic formations. Hundreds of minerals are described, with details such as geographic formations.Hundreds of minerals are described, with details such as geographic distribution, physical properties, chemical composition, and crystalline structures. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a great handbook but a cheap binding
This is the definitive handbook for the rockhound. Nicely updated with more and better pictures to help in identification of rocks and minerals. Too bad that Peterson's decided to save a nickel on the binding -- my copy of "Rocks and Minerals" was splitting out within a week.

I've had other Peterson's Field Guides which were softcover but HARD bound. These are useful handbooks that will last a lifetime.

If you buy a cheap paperback to read once, the binding isn't of much concern. A "field guide" deserves better.

The "Cambridge Guide to Minerals Rocks and Fossils" is just about as good, is about the same price, and has sewn in pages.

Excellent book for serious rock hounds & geology students
This book is arranged according to the mineral classifications, which is good if you know your minerals. The mineral testing section (flame tests, bead tests, etc.) is not found in very many field guides. As a professional Geologist, I would recommend this to other geologists, not to rock hounds. The National Audubon Society's field guide is better for rock hounds; there are more photos and they are arranged by color. The Audubon's minerals are still by classification, but the testing information is not included.

A classic useful to beginners and experts alike.
This Field Guide has been, and still is, The classic and useful Field Guide. Despite its title, this is mainly oriented toward minerals. Well organized and interestingly written, this is one of the few mineralogy texts which is both readable for enjoyment, and useful to both the beginner and the expert.

Part I includes an introduction on the philosophy and adjuncts of the collecting and study of minerals, briefly reviews geology and its rocks, discusses the physical properties of minerals (such as may be used to help distinguish the various species), introduces crystallography, a chemical classification of minerals written for the layman, and finally Tests, Techniques, and Tips, with many useful down-to-earth hints.

Part II is Mineral Descriptions, each one with name, formula, crystal system, and visual aids in the plates which include both diagrams and photographs. Several headings in each description are in boldface: Environment, Crystal description, Physical properties, Composition, Tests, Distinguishing characteristics, Occurrence, and Interesting Facts.

Also includes glossary, bibliography, index. Well organized and accurate, this little book has been used by some amateur mineralogists who, although using several more technical books during years of study, still find this one useful. Although another well-known text is the most commonly used one for college mineralogy courses, I have recommended that students also get a copy of the Field Guide. For the amateur exercising a bit of Emersonian self-reliance in the testing of his own specimens, this Field Guide is one of the very few remaining guides including good Tests (which have actually been tried before including them) under each species. Appeals to collectors to first try a few tests on extra material before turning specimens over to others such as over-burdened professionals. Also appeals to study some phase of the subject for ones' own edification and enjoyment, as one will get as much out of it as he or she puts into it. This Field Guide shows you how. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first paperback version of the second edition of the popular A Guide to the Birds of Panama. In the second edition, published in 1989, the authors expanded information on the birds of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras: approximately 200 new species were added to the material in the 1976 edition. Over 300 additional species, some of them Panamanian, were illustrated. Sixteen new plates were added, and three of the original plates were replaced by improved versions. Throughout the book changes were made to accommodate the explosion in knowledge of the birds of Panama and nearby areas and of neotropical birds in general. The basic sequence and systematics of the AOU 1983 Check-list were adopted. Also included in the revised edition was expanded and updated information on birdfinding in Panama, prepared with the assistance of two of Panama's best resident birders. The book also contains a special section outlining developments in Panama ornithology and conservation. "A sophisticated treatment of one of the world's richest avifaunas."--The Quarterly Review of Biology ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best available field guide to the birds of Panama
Ridgely's guide is the best - and really the only - available field guide covering all the species of birds in the nation of Panama. While it is useful and serves most purposes, it has been over a decade since the second edition was released, and it is more than due for an overhaul and expansion. The most necessary would be the addition of range maps, that would make the book infinitely more useful in planning a trip. At the very least, there should be a single, detailed map of Panama, indicating the locations mentioned in the range descriptions! Also, it would be better to limit the scope of the book entirely to Panama, as Costa Rica and other areas to the north are covered by other guides, and the pertinent information for those areas in this book are scant, at best. Then, the isolated plates in the back need to be intergrated, as do the plates of Darien specialties, etc. Many species have been recently added to the Panama list, or split, etc, and those species need to be added. But, all this aside, this book should enable the identification of most Panama birds, and remains an indispensible resource for any birder traveling to that country.

No other choice
The major drawback is that the drawings of the birds described in the book are poor so that it is often difficult to use them for identification. The text is fine. However, it is the only book available, so you have no choice.

Bird guide
A nicely done guide. Well-illustrated, easy to use. Worked for me in Costa Rica...

A Review of "Birds of Panama: with Costa Rica, Nicaragua,...
This is a good, standard guidebook with beautiful bird plates. It is, however, somewhat awkward to have the plates divided into two groups at different places in the book. Three chapters ("Migration and Local Movements", Recent Developments...", and "Finding Birds in Panama") were especially interesting and helpful. The chapter "Finding Birds in Panama" was very accurate and useful to me. I wish I had purchased this guidebook before my earlier birding trips to Costa Rica. It is an important book for the entire region.

Beautiful and extensive text and color plates
A wonderful book, with full descriptions and habitats of birds, and excellent color plates. Also includes a checkoff table for birdwatchers. ... Read more

Book Description

From glittering gemstones to fascinating minerals and fossils, Rock and Gem is an incredible celebration of the Earth's buried treasures. Including specially commissioned photographs o