Best of
Field-Guides

2013

The Warbler Guide


Tom Stephenson - 2013
    They exhibit an array of seasonal plumages and have distinctive yet oft-confused calls and songs. "The Warbler Guide" enables you to quickly identify any of the 56 species of warblers in the United States and Canada. This groundbreaking guide features more than 1,000 stunning color photos, extensive species accounts with multiple viewing angles, and an entirely new system of vocalization analysis that helps you effectively learn songs and calls."The Warbler Guide" revolutionizes birdwatching, making warbler identification easier than ever before. Also look for the interactive companion apps for iPhone and iPad.Covers all 56 species of warblers in the United States and Canada Visual quick finders help you identify warblers from any angle Song and call finders make identification easy using a few simple questions Uses sonograms to teach a new system of song identification that makes it easier to understand and hear differences between similar species Detailed species accounts show multiple views with diagnostic points, direct comparisons of plumage and vocalizations with similar species, and complete aging and sexing descriptions New aids to identification include song mnemonics and icons for undertail pattern, color impression, habitat, and behavior Includes field exercises, flight shots, general identification strategies, and quizzes

The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region


Donald Stokes - 2013
    This easy-to-use guide features 545 North American bird species and more than 2,000 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. The guide includes: 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 and key habitat preferences. The newest range maps, detailing species' winter, summer, year-round ranges, and migration routes . Whether you are a novice or experienced birder, this new Stokes guide will take your birding to the next level.

Peterson Reference Guide to Seawatching: Eastern Waterbirds in Flight


Ken Behrens - 2013
    Since more than one hundred different species can fly past an observation point, often at great speed or in tightly packed, mixed-species flocks, identification of these distant shapes can be a mystery. The keys to the mystery—the subtle traits that unlock the identity of flying waterbirds, be it wingbeat cadence, individual structure, flock shape and behavior, or subtle flashes of color—are revealed in this guide.Though commonly called seawatching, this on-the-fly observation and identification method is by no means restricted to the coast. There are impressive waterbird migrations on the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, and many inland lakes and rivers. Nor is it restricted to migrating waterfowl, as the principles of flight identification apply as effectively to ducks flushed off a pond as to distant migrating flocks. Like Hawks in Flight and The Shorebird Guide, the Peterson Reference Guide to Seawatching breaks new ground, provides cutting-edge techniques, and pushes the envelope in bird identification even further.

The Crossley ID Guide: Britain and Ireland


Richard Crossley - 2013
    Aimed at beginner and intermediate birders, yet suitable for all levels, this new volume in the groundbreaking Crossley ID Guide series is the most user-friendly guide to the birds of Britain and Ireland. Following The Crossley ID Guides' award-winning design, this book looks at all regularly occurring species in Britain and Ireland, and shows readers how to identify birds in their natural habitats using size, structure, shape, probability, and behavior--just like the experts do! Stunning images are accompanied by the colorful and compelling text of Dominic Couzens, one of Britain's leading nature writers.This unique book treats more than 300 species--all the regularly occurring birds likely to be encountered by observers--and the guide's attractive pages provide a real-life approach to bird identification. Beautiful, in-focus scenes present birds in various plumages and in lifelike poses set in identifiable British and Irish habitats. The plates also illustrate how a bird's appearance changes with distance. Organizing images in cohesive, easy-to-understand plates rather than as separate photographs, this book also sets itself apart by containing more images that demonstrate flight, behavior, habitat, and plumages than any other volume available. Not only is this field guide a reference book, it is also a spectacular teaching resource that makes it easy for nature enthusiasts to see and appreciate the big picture of bird identification.The most user-friendly guide to the birds of Britain and IrelandA close look at more than 300 regularly occurring speciesAward-winning Crossley ID Guide designLifelike images of birds from near to farA celebration of the British and Irish countrysideA teaching and field guide and essential referenceConcise and compelling text by Dominic Couzens and Richard Crossley

Conifers of the Pacific Slope


Michael Edward Kauffmann - 2013
    Conifers survive within the West’s most spectacular environments—from the coastal temperate rainforests to the highest mountain summits.Educator, plant explorer, and author Michael Kauffmann introduces readers to the magic of the Pacific Slope's conifers through:-Color plates for identifying 65 species-Accurate and updated collection of range maps for all conifer along the Pacific Slope-Destinations for finding conifers in the field-Tantalizing photos from across the West-All conifer species found in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, southern British Columbia and northern Baja California

Tricholomas of North America: A Mushroom Field Guide


Alan E. Bessette - 2013
    Most are relatively large, showy mushrooms that grow on the ground near many species of temperate forest trees, both hardwoods and conifers. They typically fruit from late summer through early winter or even into spring in warmer areas. Some are fine edibles, including the matsutake. Others are inedible or even poisonous.Filling the gap between technical publications and the limited representation of Tricholomas in general mushroom field guides, this book is the first comprehensive guide to North American Tricholomas. It contains more than 170 of the best documentary photographs available, often with more than one image of a species to illustrate the dramatic variation exhibited by many Tricholomas. The species descriptions provide extensive identification information including scientific and common names, macroscopic and microscopic features, occurrence/habit, edibility, and a comment section that addresses such things as synonomy, comparisons with similar species, varietial differences, explanations of species' epithets, and other useful or interesting information. In addition, the authors provide a general introduction to Tricholomas that discusses identification features, ecology, simple chemical tests (for identification), and how to use the keys provided in this book.

The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Western Region


Donald Stokes - 2013
    This easy-to-use guide features 636 North American bird species and more than 2,000 stunning color photographs. And yet it's portable enough to fit in your pocket! The guide includes: 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 and key habitat preferences The newest range maps, detailing species' winter, summer, year-round ranges, and migration routes. Whether you are a novice or experienced birder, this new Stokes guide will take your birding to the next level.

Northeast Ferns: A Field Guide to the Ferns and Fern Relatives of the Northeastern United States


Steve W. Chadde - 2013
    Included are keys, descriptions and illustrations for over 130 of the region's species of ferns and fern relatives: - True Ferns in 19 families and 36 genera, including 'typical' ferns such as members of the Wood Fern, Sensitive Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Cliff Fern and Spleenwort Families, plus families now considered part of the true fern group - the Horsetail (Equisetum) and Adder's-tongue Families (moonworts, grapeferns). - Fern Relatives in 3 families and 8 genera, including members of the Clubmoss, Quillwort and Spike-moss Families.Features- Introduction to fern terminology, structure and life-cycle - Illustrated keys to each family, genus and species - Arranged alphabetically by family - Species fully described and illustrated with line drawings and b/w photographs to show the frond (leaf) and important reproductive parts such as the sorus and indusium, and other diagnostic details such as vascular bundles in the stipe (leaf stalk) and close-ups of the pinna (leaf divisions) - North American and northeast region distribution maps for each species.

Kentucky Agate: State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth


Roland L. McIntosh - 2013
    A striking rock that occurs in various shapes and sizes, with a vivid assortment of colors, agates are coveted by collectors and becoming rarer across the globe. Although the Bluegrass State is usually overlooked in the international study of agate, some of the most beautiful and colorful specimens in the world are hidden away in the rugged terrain of eastern Kentucky's scenic Knobs Region.Kentucky Agate is the first book to showcase the unique mineral, treasured for its fine grain and vibrant banks of deep, varied colors. Authors Roland L. McIntosh and Warren H. Anderson have collected hundreds of professional color photographs, revealing the beauty and diversity of this sought-after stone. With detailed maps of the region surrounding the city of Irvine, Kentucky, including parts of Estill, Powell, Jackson, Menifee, Madison, and Lee counties, Kentucky Agate reveals locations where agate may be found. Featuring full-color photographs showing aspects of the rock not visible to the naked eye, this book also provides detailed information on the history, geology, chemistry, and formation of the mineral, giving collectors and Kentucky nature enthusiasts a stunning look into the world of agate collection and the hidden story of the breathtaking formation of the official state rock.

Shrubs to Know in Pacific Northwest Forests


Edward C. Jensen - 2013
    

Rare Birds of North America


Steve N.G. Howell - 2013
    Featuring 275 stunning color plates, this book covers 262 species originating from three very different regions--the Old World, the New World tropics, and the world's oceans. It explains the causes of avian vagrancy and breaks down patterns of occurrence by region and season, enabling readers to see where, when, and why each species occurs in North America. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, taxonomy, age, sex, distribution, and status.Rare Birds of North America provides unparalleled insights into vagrancy and avian migration, and will enrich the birding experience of anyone interested in finding and observing rare birds.Covers 262 species of vagrant birds found in the United States and CanadaFeatures 275 stunning color plates that depict every speciesExplains patterns of occurrence by region and seasonProvides an invaluable overview of vagrancy patterns and migrationIncludes detailed species accounts and cutting-edge identification tips

Birdfinding in British Columbia


Russell Cannings - 2013
    Packed with descriptions of the natural history, ecosystems, and diverse landscapes of British Columbia and accompanied by numerous maps, this thorough guide is enhanced by Donald Gunn's charming line drawings and the authors' infectious~enthusiasm, making it a must-have for novice and expert birders alike.

The Pacific Northwest Berry Book, 2nd: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Berries throughout the Pacific Northwest


Bob Krumm - 2013
    A complete revised and updated guide to finding, harvesting, and preparing wild berries and fruits in the Pacific Northwest.