The guide features 853 North American bird species and more than 3,400 stunning color photographs. And yet it's portable enough to fit in your pocket! The photographs cover all significant plumages, including male, female, summer, winter, immature, morphs, important subspecies, and birds in flight. Also included: The newest scientific and common names and phylogenetic order Special help for identifying birds in flight through important clues of behavior, plumage, and shape Detailed descriptions of songs and calls Important behavioral information Key habitat preferences of each species The newest range maps, detailing species' winter, summer, year-round ranges, and migration routes A special downloadable CD with more than 600 bird sounds (from Lang Elliott and Kevin Colver) and 150 photographs of common North American species.

    This book is a must-have for nature lovers of all ages and skill levels.Covers Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, northern California, Idaho, and western MontanaMore than 180 species described in detailMore than 460 color photographs shot in the wildSilhouettes and track keys for quick identificationMore than 200 original scale drawings of tracks and track patterns92 range mapsClear color-coded layout

    500-page reference detailing 1,600 animals with 2,000 photographs and descriptive text is not only the most comprehensive visual field guide to marine invertebrate life inhabiting the waters from Thailand to Tahiti

    Identification is made to the family level, sometimes to the genus or species. It's an invaluable guide for wildlife professionals, naturalists, students, and insect specialists.Beetles, spiders, ants, flies, butterflies, mayflies, dragonflies, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, snails, earthworms, lacewings, wasps, damselflies, slugs, and alderflies

    It covers the diverse natural community thrives in the milkweed growing along our highways and woodland edges; in our open fields, fragmented prairies and vacant lots; and in our lovingly tended gardens. Several kinds of insects depend on milkweed as a food source. The best known of these are the monarch butterflies whose late summer generation graduates from milkweed nurseries all over North America to join in an impressive migration. Some fly as far as 4800 kilometers (3000 miles) from the northern United States and Canada to the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico. That incredible accomplishment by such a small, seemingly delicate creature has captured our imaginations and awakened many of us to the milkweed community. We invite you to explore the milkweed growing in your neighborhood for a fascinating glimpse into the complex interdependence of life on our planet. In the six years since the publication of the first edition, Milkweed, Monarchs and More has found its way into classrooms, homes, and nature centers. The larger type and pictures in Milkweed, Monarchs and More, The Enlarged and Updated Second Edition are in response to requests for a larger format-­­­­more classroom friendly for student reports and easier on older eyes. We've also updated many of the sections, and added more information on milkweed. We hope you enjoy it!

    North America alone is home to thousands of species—and the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide celebrates that wide diversity in grand fashion. From Acanthaceae to Zygophyllaceaei, this beautiful, portable volume provides the common and scientific names for each flower family; information on the flowering season; leaf, stalk, and blossom descriptions, with measurements; and color range maps of more than 700 species for both native and introduced types. There’s no better guide to take along while camping, hiking, or enjoying a nature walk.- More than 2,200 species of- More than 2,200 species of wildflowers in a single, portable volume- 4,019 stunning color photographs by leading nature photographers- Wildflowers arranged by genus and include genus descriptions and range maps- Captions highlight important field marks- Information on season and habitat for each species- Fruit illustrations included for several plant families- Range map shows U.S. distribution- Separate section on species introduced into North America- Quick-identification key arranged by color and shape- Detailed, illustrated visual glossary of flower parts and leaf types- Essays on wildflower habitats and conservation- Waterproof cover for use in the field

    Some have even dived to the depths of the ocean. But most of us are not familiar with the biological origin of shells, their role in explaining evolutionary history, and the incredible variety of forms in which they come.Shells are the external skeletons of mollusks, an ancient and diverse phylum of invertebrates that are in the earliest fossil record of multicellular life over 500 million years ago. There are over 100,000 kinds of recorded mollusks, and some estimate that there are over a million more that have yet to be discovered. Some breathe air, others live in fresh water, but most live in the ocean. They range in size from a grain of sand to a beach ball and in weight from a few grams to several hundred pounds. And in this lavishly illustrated volume, they finally get their full due.The Book of Shells offers a visually stunning and scientifically engaging guide to six hundred of the most intriguing mollusk shells, each chosen to convey the range of shapes and sizes that occur across a range of species. Each shell is reproduced here at its actual size, in full color, and is accompanied by an explanation of the shell’s range, distribution, abundance, habitat, and operculum—the piece that protects the mollusk when it’s in the shell. Brief scientific and historical accounts of each shell and related species include fun-filled facts and anecdotes that broaden its portrait.The Matchless Cone, for instance, or Conus cedonulli, was one of the rarest shells collected during the eighteenth century. So much so, in fact, that a specimen in 1796 was sold for more than six times as much as a painting by Vermeer at the same auction. But since the advent of scuba diving, this shell has become far more accessible to collectors—though not without certain risks. Some species of Conus produce venom that has caused more than thirty known human deaths.The Zebra Nerite, the Heart Cockle, the Indian Babylon, the Junonia, the Atlantic Thorny Oyster—shells from habitats spanning the poles and the tropics, from the highest mountains to the ocean’s deepest recesses, are all on display in this definitive work.

    Organized for efficient use, the book offers fact-filled information that's accessible for beginners but informative for more experienced birders. Stunning photos, naturalist information, interesting gee-whiz facts and a Quick-Compare section help to make watching raptors more enjoyable, informative and productive.

    With the Birds of Brazil field guide series, the Wildlife Conservation Society brings together a top international team to do justice to the incredible diversity of Brazil's avifauna. This first guide of the planned five-volume series features the 743 bird species of the Pantanal and Cerrado regions of Central Brazil.The sprawling Pantanal plain, one of the world's most famed birding sites, is a seasonally flooded wetland boasting both impressive concentrations of large waterbirds and species such as the Toco Toucan, Hyacinth Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, and endemic Blaze-winged Parakeets. The Cerrado is a distinctive Brazilian habitat that is the planet's biologically richest savanna.This compact modern field guide's unparalleled color artwork throughout, identification points, and range map for each species enable easy identification of all the birds normally found in these vibrant and critically important areas of Brazil. With 116 threatened species encompassing 25 percent of South America's threatened birds, Brazil has an imperative to conserve its birds and unique habitats that begins with their appreciation and identification. Thus, the species accounts are coupled with an introductory chapter on the region's unique environments and pressing conservation challenges. This practical and portable guide is an indispensable companion to those visiting Brazil's glorious natural areas of the Pantanal and Cerrado.

    In the feather identification section, more than 400 color photographs show feather samples from 379 bird species from all over North America. Along with the wing type of the species and a map showing its range, several types of feathers are included for each bird; each feather is labeled with its type and its size.

    This book features: Over 300 pages packed with details of natural history. Identification, venom toxicity, and more! Over 200 breathtaking photographs, maps, and images. Detailed accounts and range maps for each species and subspecies found in the US and Canada.

    Mitchell and Gibbons enumerate the distinguishing characteristics of salamanders, including how they are different from other amphibians and from reptiles, especially lizards. Also discussed are distribution, habitat, behavior and activity, reproduction, food and feeding, predators and defense, conservation, and taxonomy. Accompanying each account are photographs illustrating typical adults and variations and distribution maps for the Southeast and the United States. Given that 17 percent of the world’s species of salamanders live in the Southeast and the scientific and popular concern for the worldwide decline in amphibian populations in general, Salamanders of the Southeast will appeal to people of all ages and levels of knowledge interested in natural history and conservation. The guide will help foster the growing interest in salamanders as well as cultivate a desire to protect and conserve these fascinating amphibians and their habitats. Features:Conservation-oriented approach More than 400 color photographs 77 distribution maps Clear descriptions and photographs of each species Sections on biology, worldwide diversity, identification, taxonomy, habitats, and conservation “Did You Know?” sidebars of interesting facts

    A complete guide to Australian butterflies, beautifully illustrated in typical habitats as we see them in everyday life, accompanied by their earlier life stages.

    A must-have for outdoor lovers, mushroom enthusiasts and cooks, the book features color photographs and detailed descriptions of 102 species. Written by Maxine Stone, past president of the Missouri Mycological Society and edited by Barbara Bassett, former Conservation Department naturalist, the book includes tips for finding, gathering, preparing and preserving wild mushrooms. An easy visual key aids identification, and clear guidelines help you distinguish edible mushrooms from poisonous ones. As a bonus, chanterelle quiche and 23 other simple and elegant recipes will awaken your foraging instincts!

    Special sections present catching tips for anglers and commercial fishermen; location hints for divers, beachcombers and pleasure boaters; and cooking ideas for seafood gourmets. The information included in these sections provides a brief but detailed description of each fish's habitat, physical characteristics and behaviour--everything that a fisherman or an amateur naturalist needs to know!

    With 1,400 color photographs and its authoritative text, this is a magnificent reference for anyone who loves the Australian bush. In a handy portable format, Native Plants of the Sydney Region is the ideal companion for anyone who wants to put names to the plants they see in the bush.Covering an area from Newcastle to Nowra, and westwards to the Great Dividing Range, Native Plants of the Sydney Region contains plant species from remote areas as well as those common in remnant suburban bushland. Many of the species described are also found along the whole of Australia's east coast and west to the slopes and plains. This book is based on the authors' earlier editions of Native Plants of the Sydney District, which became the standard reference for bushwalkers, gardeners, bush care workers, environmentalists, botanists, landscape architects, and students. It has been completely rewritten with descriptions of nearly 1,400 plant species, some only recently discovered, as well as many new color photographs and revised names in an up-to-date taxonomy.

    A diver of many years' experience, Rick Harbo presents a brilliant guide to the most notable specimens found in local waters. This durable, water-resistant 8-fold pamphlet identifies more than 50 of the most common species from California to Alaska and is an ideal companion on visits to the sea as well as a beautiful addition to the home library.

    This Guide will be useful for experienced nature enthusiasts, students doing aquatic field projects, and anglers looking for the best fish bait, lure, or fly. Color photographs and art, as well as the broad geographic coverage, set this guide apart.

    Perfect for pack or pocket, this book breaks down its subject into the essential topics, providing practical and portable information useful in the field.

    In Texas alone, nearly 100,000 hunters take to the field each fall and winter to pursue wild bobwhite quail. Texas is arguably the last remaining state with sufficient habitat to provide quail-hunting opportunities on a grand scale, and Texas ranchers with good bobwhite habitat often generate a greater proportion of their income from fees paid by quail hunters than from livestock production. Managing and expanding bobwhite habitat makes good sense economically, and it benefits the environment as well. The rangelands and woodlands of Texas that produce quail also support scores of other species of wildlife. Texas Bobwhites is a field guide to the seeds commonly eaten by northern bobwhites, as well as a handbook for conserving and improving northern bobwhite habitat. It provides identifying characteristics for the seeds of 91 species of grasses, forbs, woody plants, and succulents. Each seed description includes a close-up and a scale photo of the seed and the plant that produces it, along with a range map. Using this information, hunters can readily identify concentrations of plants that are most likely to attract quail. Landowners and rangeland managers will greatly benefit from the book’s state-of-the-art guidance for habitat management and restoration, including improving habitat dominated by invasive and nonnative grasses.

    Since the publication of the second edition, many new species have been recorded in Ireland while others have now been afforded full species status. The Complete Field Guide to Ireland's Birds reflects these most recent changes to Ireland's birdlife. It contains a large number of new plates, maps and an updated text, together with other new features. It fully describes and illustrates almost 370 species, detailing key identification features, voice and diet, habitat and status in Ireland, and the latest distribution maps for each. In addition, over 100 of Ireland's rarest species are also described. Presented in a new, smaller format, it can be easily fitted into a pocket or a rucksack and is ideal for use in the field.