Watching Nature A Beginner's Field Guide

by Russo, Monica; Byron, Kevin

• ISBN13: 9781402701306
• ISBN10: 1402701306
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Sterling

Summary

"Chock-full of tips on how to spot and identify, by sight or by sound, animals, insects and plants in various seasons and habitats, how to create a backyard sanctuary and how to record observations, Russo's text is enhanced by Kevin Byron's photographs, most in color.... Impressive!"-

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 5
Introduction	p. 6
Wildlife Watching	p. 7
How Do They Do It?	p. 7
Field Marks on Birds	p. 7
The Shape of Things	p. 8
Measuring Up	p. 8
The Right Moves	p. 9
Butterflies, Moths, Beetles, and Other Insects	p. 9
Reptiles and Amphibians	p. 10
You Do It All the Time	p. 11
Special Effects	p. 11
On the Move	p. 11
Starting Small	p. 12
Have a Seat!	p. 13
Three's a Crowd	p. 13
What's Going on Here?	p. 14
Is This Really Happening?	p. 14
It's Professional	p. 15
Landmarks and Highlights	p. 16
Trailside Landmarks	p. 16
Smaller Clues	p. 17
Among Rocks	p. 18
Diggers and Dusters	p. 18
Holes and Hideaways	p. 19
Tracks	p. 20
Cocoon and Chrysalis Hunt	p. 20
Feathers on the Ground	p. 22
Insect Wings	p. 23
Flowers, Trees and Lichens	p. 24
Food and Shelter	p. 24
Just Read the Label!	p. 25
Out on Your Own	p. 26
Create Your Own Image	p. 27
Looking at Leaves	p. 27
Just Trees	p. 30
Ornamental and Exotic Trees	p. 31
Not Just Leaves	p. 32
Looking at Lichens	p. 32
Try This!	p. 33
Sounds of Summer	p. 34
A Natural Background	p. 34
Bird Songs	p. 34
Start Listening Right Now	p. 35
Draw Your Own Sonogram!	p. 36
Don't Be Fooled	p. 37
Insect Sounds	p. 37
Other Insect Noisemakers	p. 38
Frogs and Toads	p. 40
Patience and Stealth Needed	p. 41
Wetland Walks	p. 41
Waterways and Seashores	p. 42
Swamps, Bogs, and Ponds	p. 42
Wetland Wildflowers	p. 43
Small Wonders	p. 43
Life on the Edge	p. 44
Keep an Eye on the Sky	p. 45
Look Down at This!	p. 45
Beachside Botany: The Shore and Coast	p. 46
Not Just Dune Grass	p. 46
Walking the Line	p. 46
Be Careful!	p. 47
Watching Water Birds	p. 47
Look at Those Legs	p. 48
The Shorebird Migration	p. 49
Go on a Whale-Watch Cruise	p. 49
Be on the Alert!	p. 51
Winter Wonders	p. 52
Observing Mammals	p. 52
Detective Work	p. 53
The Right Track	p. 54
Try It Yourself	p. 54
As Clean As Snow?	p. 55
Construction Sites	p. 55
Winter Birds	p. 56
Starting a Feeding Station	p. 57
Be Patient	p. 58
Trees in Winter	p. 58
No Snow at All?	p. 60
Backyard Sanctuary	p. 61
Water Works	p. 61
Flowers Are Food	p. 62
Try This!	p. 62
A Note of Caution	p. 64
Building a Brush Pile	p. 64
Nesting Boxes for Birds	p. 65
Butterfly Roosts, Bat Houses, and Bee Boxes	p. 65
Backyard Surprises	p. 66
Don't Get Distracted	p. 68
A Bird's-Eye View	p. 69
The Naturalist's Notebook	p. 70
Making Memories	p. 70
Field Notes	p. 70
Getting Started	p. 72
Pens and Pencils	p. 73
Wired?	p. 73
Just the Facts	p. 73
Symbols and Signs	p. 75
Be Objective	p. 75
Tools of the Trade	p. 76
Binoculars	p. 76
Closer and Closer	p. 78
How to Use Magnifiers	p. 78
Take a Look!	p. 79
Field Bags	p. 80
Field Guides	p. 80
Trail Guides and Maps	p. 80
You Are Not Alone	p. 81
Special Events	p. 81
On Alert!	p. 82
Country Comforts	p. 83
Get Comfortable!	p. 83
Pay Attention to Your Feet	p. 83
Special Needs	p. 84
Handling Heat and Cold	p. 85
Safety First!	p. 86
Refreshment Time	p. 86
The Battle Against Bugs	p. 86
Don't Get Stung!	p. 87
Tips on Ticks	p. 88
Weather Conditions	p. 88
A Separate Sport	p. 88
Saving It	p. 89
Keeping Memories on Paper	p. 89
Outdoor Photography	p. 90
Seashells by the Seashore	p. 93
Collecting Leaves	p. 94
Legal Souvenirs?	p. 95
Index	p. 96
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