New Books

I was checking out Amazon.com the other day looking at different field guides that would look great on my book shelf when I noticed a title that intrigued me.

Now who doesn’t like hawks? And yes they can be a challenge when trying to identify from whatever angle you see them at. I can always use a little more help anyway I can get it, so this book looked like something I would like. Now if you’ve ever shopped on Amazon before you know how they’ll show you selections of other books that are along the same subject matter. This could be a good thing, or a bad thing depending on how weak you are. I’m a weak person because they showed me a copy of the authors other book he wrote.

Well I just had to buy both of them because if I didn’t they were going to make me pay for shipping. Now we wouldn’t want that, would we? I don’t expect myself to become the authority on raptors, just become more comfortable with my decision making ability when I’m looking through my bins at “that really bird bird”. They will be added to the library section with a short summary in about a week.

Library

After several days of copying pictures and writing text about the books presented, I’m happy to say that the library is now open for all visitors. As with any page for a blog, this is a living page that will change as new books are added. As new books are bought they will first be shown on the home page before being shelved in the library. So enjoy the beginning of what I hope will be as a complete library as possible. And if want to recommend any title that you don’t see, just drop me a line. I love books.

Library

We’re adding a new page at “A Birder’s Notebook”. So if you look at the home page you’ll notice along the top where you see pages relating to topics such as “My Gear” and “Life List”, you will also see “Library”. So right now it’s in its infancy, and when I figure out how to format the page so it will make sense, you’ll be the first to know. So stay tuned for more excitement than you can handle as we add a new page to this blog.

New Book

Just a few days ago Kathy and myself were finishing up some gift purchasing for my nephews 2 little girls when we found ourselves at our local Half Price Book Store again. This store for me is like offering a drink to a alcoholic, a bad idea. So to resist temptation I tried to stay in the front of the store and check out their music CD’s, but to no avail, I was drawn to the “Nature Section” like the “One Ring” to Sauron.

I caved! But for only $5.98 I think I did pretty well on this book. Plus it’s a hard bound book.

I’ve not yet delved too deeply into this book, but it’s a subject that I need to have a better understanding of if I’m to improve as a birder. Plus how could I pass up a great deal like this.

The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds

I’m a sucker for a good book when it’s related to birds. And I’m also a sucker when it comes to a good deal on a book. Even my daughter is a perfect example for finding a great deals on books. So when I noticed the above mentioned book in a local Half Price Book Store I couldn’t let it sit there without a loving home to go to.

This massive, 7 lb. behemoth is the 1991 edition was a great find and quickly found a place on honor right next to my desk. And like the title suggests, it’s an encyclopedia with all kinds of great information, not just about bird species, but about EVERYTHING!

So you might be asking yourself what did I pay for this book? When you look into the book on the jacket cover, in the corner, it says it was originally published for $ 75.00. However I picked this book up for,

How’s that for a GREAT deal!

New Field Guide

For all those bird bibliophiles out there, and you know who you are, a new National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 6th edition has hit the book stores. And for you on-line shoppers Amazon has it for $18.26, which would make a great stocking stuffer for any old or new birder.

As for myself I’m not sure whether I’ll pick it up or not. Already owning a 1st and 4th edition I think I’ll wait, or better yet take a peek at it at my local Barnes and Nobel and see if it’s worth while or not. However if your a birder who doesn’t own a copy of a National Geographic Field guide, I would highly recommend that you buy one. And what better time than now with the holiday season in full swing and I’m sure all you birders have been extra good this year.                  Santa watches you know!