In honor of the University of Oregon Ducks playing the Ohio State Buckeyes in the inaugural college football championship, I thought it might be fun to extend the friendly rivalry into the sphere of natural history books.
Therefore, for the inaugural Natural History Book Bowl, it’s Guy Baldassarre’s two volume set of Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America from Johns Hopkins University Press against Princeton University Press’ Trees of Eastern North America (on page 634 of which can be found the profile of the Ohio Buckeye, Aesculus glabra) by Gil Nelson, Christopher J. Earle & Richard Spellenberg.
Whether it’s on behalf of the book itself, the team playing in the game, or just to express your preference between waterfowl and soapberry trees, leave a comment below noting which side you’re supporting in this (admittedly a bit tongue-in-cheek) contest.
And just to make it a little more fun, one person leaving a comment below in favor of the book symbolically representing the side that wins the actual football game between the U of O and OSU on Monday, 12 January will be chosen at random to receive the copy of Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America or both Trees of Eastern North America AND Trees of Western North America courtesy of those respective books’ publishers.
Just as in the football championship, both of these books are – in my opinion, at least – the very best in their respective categories from 2014’s long list of high quality natural history books. Unlike the football game, however, where only one team will be declared the winner, both these books are worthy of the designation of champion and both deserve all the praise that comes with such a pinnacle of achievement.
(To keep things fair, comments left after 5:30 PM PST on 12 January 2015 – the beginning of the football game – will not be considered for the final drawing for the books.)
John Anderson
January 9, 2015 @ 16:41
Well John, as you may know, I follow sports the way summer follows winter. It does, but at a considerable distance. I first watched the Ducks in the “Civil War” game (U of O vs OSU). Being an Oregon State University graduate I was inclined to side with the Fightin’ Beavers. However I too, influenced by the embarrasingly infatuated sportscasters, became enamored with Marcus Mariotta. In watching him and the Ducks play since that game I have developed a sense of loyalty. Beyond that, I enjoy the many ducks, geese, grebes, coots and swans that visit the Pacific Northwest. I understand the Buckeye one tree in the group known as horse chestnut. I’ve admired these trees since I was a kid, but would definitely NOT want to rake up after one. I’ve never had it’s timber on my bench so I can’t speak to it’s character.
So, I guess I’m squarely coming down on the Duck’s side here, as an Oregonian, as a birder, as a casual sports fan.
Vincent Burke
January 9, 2015 @ 17:40
Ducks, Geese, & Swans! It’s a masterpiece and Oregon’s going to win too!
Paddy Durkin
January 9, 2015 @ 20:22
Trees of Eastern North America, and Ohio State, have my support!
Anna Wiker
January 9, 2015 @ 20:43
I love ducks (as birds) but in this case GO BUCKS!
MJ Adams
January 9, 2015 @ 20:51
Oregon Ducks and Ducks, Geese, and Swans!
Kathy Degner
January 9, 2015 @ 21:07
Ducks! Ducks! Ducks! As an avid college football fan and a Pac-12 girl, I have to #BackthePac and support the Ducks. They’re one of my favorite subjects to photograph, so I’m pretty sure I could use those books. Quack!
Bill Dodd
January 10, 2015 @ 04:53
Great idea for a contest John. Both books are winners. I’m going to have to go for the Ducks for the win!
Eileen Baldassarre
January 10, 2015 @ 05:30
i’m clearly biased but GO DUCKS!!
Felicia Martinez
January 10, 2015 @ 05:50
I would love to have both! Though my heart is in the trees. Trees of Eastern North America it is!
Kat
January 10, 2015 @ 05:59
Ducks, forever and a day. Plus, Ducks, Geese and Swans looks spectacular!
William Kerrigan
January 10, 2015 @ 06:56
This Wolverine PhD who has lived and worked in Buckeye Country for the last eighteen years feels a bit torn. Do I root for or against my school’s traditional rival, even though, after so many years living in this state, I have come to know so many otherwise good and decent people whose primary flaw is rooting for a team named for a poisonous nut from a tree pioneers called “the Stinking Buckeye?”
This contest decided it for me. As trees are one of my primary research interests, the thought of winning the Natural History of American Trees set pushes me into the Buckeye camp. Go Bucks!
Clink
January 10, 2015 @ 08:19
Ducks! Ducks! Not that I have anything against Ravens….
Erin
January 10, 2015 @ 08:55
As a SUNY ESF graduate with a B.S. in Natural History and Interpretation along with my adoration for Guy & Eileen, I absolutely have to go with Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America. GOOOOO DUCKS!
Josh A.
January 10, 2015 @ 09:03
As a University of Oregon alumnus… GO DUCKS!!
Larry Lucas
January 10, 2015 @ 09:08
Although I am not a dedicated television sports person, I am, however, a Beaver’s fan due to my Master Gardener training received from OSU. That being said, I’m in support of the Ducks at the National Championship and therefore Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America. I will also admit that I know not the difference between, say, a Goldeneye and a Bufflehead so my overall knowledge of waterfowl is pretty much limited to “Hey! He’s cool looking!”
Dan Baldassarre
January 10, 2015 @ 09:09
Quack quack! Ducks all the way!
Deborah Turner
January 10, 2015 @ 09:12
What a great site! I vote for Ducks … don’t know nuttin about football but we’ll always vote for Guy Baldassarre in this house!
Gavin Leighton
January 10, 2015 @ 09:20
Ducks, no doubt.
Jason Sardell
January 10, 2015 @ 09:37
Ducks will fly circles around the Bucks, and you can’t win a football game by standing still. Birds for the win!
Desiree Narango
January 10, 2015 @ 09:49
DUCKS! I’m a buckeye alum and study trees but I’m voting for Baldassarre’s outstanding book although the tree books look great too.
Desiree Narango
January 10, 2015 @ 09:50
DUCKS! I’m an OSU buckeye alum and study trees but I’m voting for Baldassarre’s outstanding book although the tree books look great too.
Mik Oyler
January 10, 2015 @ 10:21
The ducks will fowl the bucks!
Winter Beckles
January 10, 2015 @ 11:33
Ducks ducks ducks!
Mary Haley
January 10, 2015 @ 13:12
Ducks of course!
AJ
January 10, 2015 @ 13:21
That’s quacktastic
Dawn Thomsens
January 10, 2015 @ 13:25
Do Buckeye’s quack?? Nooooo……Go Ducks!!!!
Hanna
January 10, 2015 @ 13:53
I vote for DUCKS!
Ian Daly
January 10, 2015 @ 14:21
Ducks ducks ducks!
alexi kimiatek
January 10, 2015 @ 14:23
Ducks! Sports!
Adam Baldassarre
January 10, 2015 @ 14:51
Quack quack! Ducks all the way!
Marcus mindell
January 10, 2015 @ 15:49
quack quack! Lets go ducks! I wish I had gotten into waterfowl earlier in life Guy. Cant imagine the knowledge you could have dropped on me!
Margo Liszka
January 10, 2015 @ 16:19
As a current Oregonian, ESF alum and friend of Guy’s, it’s clearly an easy choice for me. Ducks it is!
Bryan Davenport
January 10, 2015 @ 17:40
Do Ducks eat Buckeyes? Go Ducks!
Shannon Marcum
January 10, 2015 @ 17:56
Sir,
I’m an Oregonian stationed in Ohio. Every day has been interesting, especially with the same unoriginal joke OSU has for Uof O ‘It’s Duck hunting season’. Every time someone notices Im a Duck fan that horrible joke has to be repeated… Just shoot me now lol!!!
DUCKS ALL THE WAY SIR!!!!
Jenn Ma
January 10, 2015 @ 19:29
Ducks, geese and swans all the way! I love all aspects of natural history and the trees of North America series are great, but Guy’s books are well put together with amazing illustrations.
Chris Lang
January 10, 2015 @ 19:35
Quack…. quack… quack… quack.. quack quack quack GOOOOO DUCKS GEESE AND SWANS!
Pamela Baldassarre
January 10, 2015 @ 19:36
Go ducks!
Letitia Reichart
January 10, 2015 @ 19:49
GO DUCKS!!!!! We all need more quacking!!!
Mark Ruane
January 10, 2015 @ 20:36
Being a Birder from Ohio…… GO BUCKS!
Michele Bollinger
January 11, 2015 @ 08:35
Go Ducks!
Bill Shields
January 11, 2015 @ 09:11
First, I am a graduate of The Ohio State University but I am an ornithologist (study birds) too. Marcus Mariotta seems to be an Italian, so was Guy Baldassarre. I work at a Forestry School. Oregon is the epitome of doing things fast and faster, I went to high school in the City (NYC) so I like fast. Saturdays during Buckeye games in Columbus meant I couldn’t go to work. Guy was my best friend. I guess I have to root for the Ducks and Guy’s book.
Mike Webster
January 11, 2015 @ 09:12
Ducks all the way!
Mary-Anne Baldassarre
January 11, 2015 @ 09:25
Ducks!!!
Kathy Richardson
January 11, 2015 @ 09:58
I definitely like both, but as ducks seem a bit more charismatic (I know, it’s shallow), I shall root for the Ducks!
Katie Randall
January 11, 2015 @ 11:00
Love the tree field guides….but most importantly…LOVE MY BUCKEYES! Go Bucks. Dinner Monday night: duck a la orange – flattened, with the grease squeezed out. Thank you.
John E. Riutta
January 13, 2015 @ 19:42
Congratulations Katie! Check your e-mail for a message from me regarding your set of Trees of Eastern north America and Trees of Western North America.
Kathy Anderson
January 11, 2015 @ 12:47
Don’t do waterfowl at all! I’m for the trees, specifically the BUCKEYE!!
Anne Lombard
January 12, 2015 @ 11:09
I’m a proud member of the ESF community and I have the pleasure of working with Eileen Baldassarre. Go Ducks Go!! Quack quack!
Emily Quackenbush
January 12, 2015 @ 11:09
My last name might make it obvious, but my vote wholeheartedly goes to Ducks, Geese and Swans 🙂 It was a tough choice…as trees can be equally fascinating!
Laura Crandall
January 12, 2015 @ 11:33
Quack, Quack! Ducks all the way! Love the Baldassarre Family!
Mario Pineda
January 12, 2015 @ 15:41
Ducks, Geese and Swan…Ducks will win!