Field Guide To Owls Of California And The West

"Hans Peeters has done it again. His stellar Field Guide to Owls of California and the West is a fitting companion to his recent, acclaimed Raptors of California. Owls is not only an excellent field guide, but also an amazing primer on owl biology and behavior. It sets a new standard and, what's more, is both a visual treat and a captivating read."--Clay Sutton, coauthor of How to Spot an Owl and other books "An enjoyable and wonderfully illustrated companion to Raptors of California. Treating the relatively familiar Great Horned Owl and obliging Burrowing Owl with the same skill as those ghostly forest species that are rarely more than disembodied voices for most of us, this book provides keen insights on the natural history of our most mysterious group of birds and sheds light on the complex conservation issues that face many owl species."--Kimball L. Garrett, Ornithology Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County "This is the owl book I've been waiting for. Peeters has delivered an exquisitely illustrated, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written guide that will be as valuable to young students as it will be to seasoned biologists."--Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

Most owls are almost perfectly adapted to life in the dark. Their vaguely humanoid faces reflect the spectacular evolution of their hearing and vision, which has made flight, romance, and predation possible in the near absence of light. This accessible guide, full of intriguing anecdotes, covers all 19 species of owls occurring in North America. More than an identification guide, Field Guide to Owls of California and the West describes the biology and behavior of owls to make finding and identifying them easier and watching them more enjoyable. The guide also explores the conservation challenges that owls face and tells how owls provide insights to scientists working in fields from technology to health. * Color plates illustrate each species * Range maps show the western distribution of North America's owls, 14 of which occur in California * Offers tips for finding and watching owls * Gives information on how to design, place, and maintain nest boxes * Describes human attitudes toward owls through history, including in Native American cultures of the West

"Although written for California, this book will be prized by raptor watchers from around the US for its insightful and descriptive notes on behavior and ecology and its gorgeous and accurate paintings."—Allen Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory "This is actually two books for the price of one; the introductory chapters stand-alone as an excellent natural history of North America raptors, and the species accounts and spectacular plates make this one of the best state raptor books available."—Lloyd Kiff, Science Director, The Peregrine Fund

Identify Birds with California’s Best-Selling Bird Guide! Make bird-watching in California even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous bird guide, field identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This handy book features 176 species of California birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes. Inside you’ll find: 176 species: Only California birds! Simple color guide: See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning images This second edition includes six new species, updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Birds of California Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.

An introduction to the behavior and natural history of California's birds, organized by their habitats.

Learn about 320 species of Northern California birds in fascinating detail. Descriptions, illustrations and range maps help you identify birds and understand their habits. A checklist helps you keep a list of your birding accomplishments. Perfect for beginner birders and beyond.

"This book brings to life one of the most creative (and necessary) human endeavors and makes understandable the incredible complexity of California agriculture, one of the world's most daring experiments in feeding itself. A valuable resource that should be read by everyone—not just those of us who farm, but all of us who depend on farms."—Michael Ableman, farmer, photographer, and author of From the Good Earth, On Good Land, and Fields of Plenty. "No understanding of this state is possible without an understanding of its agriculture; that's how important this subject is."—Gerald Haslam, author of Workin' Man Blues: Country Music in California "A fascinating, intriguing, and sometimes even humorous exploration of California's agriculture, from broccoli to marijuana and beyond. At long last, a book everyday people can read to understand the state's biggest industry."—Louis Warren, University of California, Davis

Ideal for birders, hikers, and foragers, the Timber Press Field Guides are the perfect tools for loving where you live. Birds of the Pacific Northwest is a comprehensive field guide to commonly found birds in the region, including common favorites and rare curiosities. This full-color guide includes precise descriptions of voices, behaviors, and habitats and details the top birding sites across the Pacific Northwest. Range maps for each species provide valuable information for identification. Covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia Describes and illustrates nearly 400 bird species 870 spectacular photographs of relevant plumages and birds in flight Individual range maps, showing seasonal and migratory patterns Easy to use for beginners and experts alike

"The Birder’s Bible" for more than 60 years, Roger Tory Peterson’s classic Field Guide to Western Birds includes all species found in North America west of the 100th meridian and north of Mexico. Featuring the unique Peterson Identification System, Western Birds contains 165 full-color paintings that show more than 1,000 birds from 700 species. Summer and winter ranges, breeding grounds, and other special range data are shown on easy-to-read range maps.

"Relevant, timely, and approachable, California Indians and Their Environment is an instant classic that should be invaluable for anyone interested in California's diverse natural and cultural landscapes and the future sustainability of the state."--Torben Rick, author of Human Impacts on Ancient Marine Ecosystems: A Global Perspective "California Indians and Their Environment stands respectfully on the shoulders of scholarly giants and demonstrates the cumulative power of cultural, historical, and scientific research. It is a remarkably inclusive and relevant text that is both highly informative of past indigenous life ways and identities and strikingly insightful into current environmental crises that confront us all."--Seth Mallios, author of The Deadly Politics of Giving: Exchange and Violence at Ajacan, Roanoke, and Jamestown "In this highly readable and insightful book, Lightfoot and Parrish show how the natural diversity of California not only influenced the contours of Indian lifeways, but was indeed augmented by burning and other practices, that were used to sustain indigenous economies. The ingenuity and skill with which California Indians managed and used natural resources underscores the need to infuse modern land-use policy with the knowledge of people whose ecological experiences in North America eclipse those of Euroamericans by a factor of forty."--Kenneth E. Sassaman, author of People of the Shoals: Stallings Culture of the Savannah River Valley "This book is a deeply informative and fascinating examination of California Indians' rich and complex relationship with the ecological landscape. Lightfoot and Parrish have thoroughly updated the classic book, The Natural World of the California Indians, with critical analysis of anthropological theory and methods and incorporation of indigenous knowledge and practices. It is a lucid, accessible book that tells an intriguing story for our modern times."--Melissa K. Nelson, San Francisco State University and President of The Cultural Conservancy "At once scholarly and accessible, this book is destined to be a classic. Framed around pressing environmental issues of concern to a broad range of Californians today, Lightfoot and Parrish provide an historical ecology of California's amazingly diverse environments, its biological resources, and the Native peoples who both adapted to and actively managed them."--Jon M. Erlandson, author of Early Hunter-Gatherers of the California Coast "California Indians and Their Environment fills a significant gap in our understanding of the first peoples of California. Lightfoot and Parrish take on the daunting task of synthesizing and expanding on our knowledge of indigenous land-management practices, sustainable economies, and the use of natural resources for food, medicine, and technological needs. This innovative and thought-provoking book is highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about the diverse traditions of California Indians."--Lynn Gamble, author of The Chumash World at European Contact "This innovative book moves understanding of the Native Peoples of California from the past to the future. The authors' insight into Native Californians as fire managers is an eye-opener to interpreting the ecological and cultural uniqueness of the region. Lightfoot and Parrish have provided the best introduction to Native California while at the same time advancing the best scholarship with an original synthesis. A rare feat!"--William Simmons, Brown University