When it comes to field guides, Princeton University Press has long held a position of honor and respect among both professional and amateur naturalists for consistently providing exceptional levels of accuracy and attention to detail. With its new and updated illustrations, revised identification information, and the addition of twenty recently recognized species to its contents, [...]
Lee Welles, author of the award winning Gaia Girls novels, recently provided her readers with a sneak preview of the long-awaited third volume in the series. Ms. Welles read from the first chapters of the forthcoming book, titled Air Apparent, during the December 31, 2009 “Blue Moon Special” webcast of her Blog Talk Radio program. [...]
One of the true joys of both reading and bird study is the practice of simply doing it for unapologetic personal pleasure. In the world of books, the trend toward “utilitarian books,” those intended to impart to the reader some great secret that will improve their business, romantic life, or cholesterol levels has largely displaced [...]
Prior to reading Richard Fortey’s Dry Storeroom No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum, I honestly cannot recall audibly exclaiming “Bravo!” upon completing a reading of any book. Such is the effect of Professor Fortey’s prose – it wraps one up in a continuous flow of fascinating scientific insights, superbly wrought historical [...]
Let’s face it – natural history enthusiasts can sometimes be a tough lot for whom to buy gifts; especially if you don’t personally share, or even know much about, their particular interests. Alternatively, even if you do share a common interest with the gift-worthy person or people in your life, you might be at a [...]
In an effort to bring the continued plight of book reviewing as well as the changes occurring in book retailing to the attention of the wider general public, I took up the subject of the announced closing of Kirkus Reviews in my most recent “From Under My Hat” editorial column.
In addition to true love’s kiss, praise of one’s native land, and longing for one’s absent beloved, birds have long been the one of the most popular subjects for poetry. From Catullus’ sparrow through Poe’s raven, birds have been admired, envied, questioned, debated, tasked, consulted, and meditated upon in verse for centuries. The reasons for [...]
More bad news from the world of professional book reviewing: Publisher’s Weekly is reporting that Nielsen Business Media has announced that it will close the highly influential book review publication Kirkus Reviews as well as Editor & Publisher magazine. In publication since 1933, Kirkus Reviews publishes roughly 5,000 book reviews annually covering a wide variety [...]
Erythemis collocata (female) 1 on Flickr.
Erythemis collocata (Common: Western Pondhawk), female. July 9, 2011, Sauvie Island, Oregon.
Birdwatching With Your Eyes Closed
With the publication of Birdwatching With Your Eyes Closed; An Introduction to Birdsong, Simon Barnes brings his unique combination of professional experience and amateur enthusiasm to a very wide potential readership; one that includes not only bird watchers of all levels of experience but those who don’t necessarily even consider themselves bird watchers as well.
Birds of Europe, Second Edition
The new (second) edition of the Birds of Europe is a must have guide for anyone interested in the birdlife of this geographic area.
Well-read Naturalist Book and Optic Reviews in New Bird Watcher’s Digest
The November / December 2011 edition of Bird Watcher’s Digest is now available and contains not one but two Well-read Naturalist produced book reviews as well as a “Well-equipped Birder” review.
The Peregrine, The Hill of Summer, and Diaries
Should you wish to identify a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) you would most certainly consult a field guide. Should you wish to know a bit more about what ornithologists have discovered concerning this species, a life history or ornithological monograph about them would be your best bet. However if you wish to discover what makes [...]
“Delightful!” That was the very first word I uttered upon closing the back cover of Patrick Barkham’s The Butterfly Isles; A Summer in Search of Our Emperors and Admirals.
Leupold Katmai Binocular to be Discontinued
Perhaps the most unfortunate news discovered at the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada was that of the discontinuation of the Katmai binocular by the American optical firm Leupold.
New Discovery: Minox Pocket Tripod
As an enthusiastic user and proponent of the Minox MS 8×25 Makroskop since its introduction, I have long maintained that it doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as it deserves by the vast majority of bird watching, hunting, or general outdoor journalists.
FLASH! Filson / Le Chameau Wellies to be Produced
Well-informed hunters, bird watchers, and all others who pursue an activity requiring prolonged plodding over wet or muddy terrain know the value of a well-designed, soundly-constructed Wellington boot.
Meopta MeoPix iScoping Adapter Demonstrated at 2012 SHOT Show
While news of the Meopta MeoPix iScoping Adapter for the iPhone 4 and 4S has already been published in The Well-read Naturalist, actual images recorded through the scope have not yet been – until now.
FLASH! New Nikon EDG VR Fieldscope Unveiled
Nikon has unveiled its latest addition to both its spotting scope line-up as well as its premium-level EDG product family: The EDG VR 85 Fieldscope.
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