NG Bird-watcher's Bible

Description

A lighthearted and broadly cultural and visual approach to learning everything there is to know about birds, bird-watching, birds in history and the arts, and life on the wing. Short narrative pieces are interspersed with sidebars, quotes, top-ten lists, and how-to instructions. Illustrated with photographs, contemporary and archival art, maps, and diagrams, the book has lots of cross-references and riches to find on every page. Chapters include- . The Birds in your World lively introduction featuring the joys of birds and bird-watching, how birds are everywhere you look, why people enjoy and appreciate them, why they are so amazing and so beloved, and why they have been important to every culture throughout history. I. The Anatomy of a Bird lyrical dissection of the parts of a bird, including digressions on feathers, color, beaks, wings, talons. Size and shape variations and how they respond to environment and evolution. What birds eat and how they eat it. II. Birds Through the Ages irds in ancient and native cultures. Bird myths, legends, and superstitions. Bird gods and goddesses. Famous birds in history such as Caesar's death foretold, St. Francis's Sermon to the Bir

JONATHAN ALDERFER, writer, editor, and illustrator, contributed extensively to several editions of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America and co-authored the sixth edition with John L. Dunn, as well as contributing 60 new illustrations to it. He has served on the Maryland/District of Columbia Bird Records Committee and as associate editor of the American Birding Association's magazine Birding. He is a frequent speaker on radio and in workshops on birding and bird illustration. The author lives in Washington, D.C..

"The book is worth the price of admission for purely visual reasons, though readers will find the text equally rewarding" -Publisher's Weekly starred review "This book is a treasure trove of colorful paintings and photographs, interesting sidebars, top-ten lists... worth its considerable price for the artwork alone. A browser's delight... This book should have wide appeal for all birders and bird enthusiasts. Highly recommended." -Library Journal "Captivating photographs with art, fantastic bits of trivia and history, anatomy lessons, tips on becoming a birder..." -Denver Post "It easily ranks with the top three or four bird books published in 2012." -Minneapolis Star Tribune "Bird fanciers will find much to like and learn about in this beautiful book." -The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA) "A pictorial feast...clear, witty prose...if one were looking for a single volume to serve as a basic reference, Bird Watcher's Bible would be it." -Examiner.com "Beautifully illustrated and full of fascinating facts." -Book News "Even for nonbirders... surprisingly readable... interesting bird facts, how-to hints, folklore and history. The beautiful illustrations are a treat." -Metro.US.com "...in the upper echelons of aesthetic appeal." -10000 Birds blog "Everything that is great about National Geographic jumps out at you...Filled with jaw-dropping visuals...one of the most beautiful and informative bird books out there." -Bird Freak blog "This book is a great addition to any birder's collection and would make a very nice Christmas present!" -Nutty Birder blog "The breadth of topics covered is staggering...This is a very attractive book, which makes it all the more pleasurable to pore over." -The Birder's Library "Belongs in every bird watcher's library." -Laura's Birding Blog