Winter Nature : Common Mammals, Birds, Trees and Shrubs of the Maritimes

by Gibson, Merritt; Bondrup-Nielsen, Soren; Robar-Decoste, Twila

• ISBN13: 9781554470594
• ISBN10: 1554470595
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-03
• Publisher: Gaspereau Pr

Summary

Though often associated with hibernation for bears and humans alike winter can in fact be a time of observationand discovery in the outdoors. Winter Nature provides the interested walker, skieror snowshoer with a guide to the mammals, birds, trees and shrubs found in the Maritime provinces during the winter months.With an overview on temperature, sunlight, snowfall and seasonal adaptations,notes toward identification, and tips for differentiating between similar species, biologists and nature enthusiasts Merritt Gibson and Soren Bondrup-Nielsen sharetheir passion for the outdoors and the biodiversity of the Maritime region.With a section on mammal tracks, suggestions for creating and stocking birdfeeders,and an introduction to plant structure, Winter Nature combines Maritime natural history, environmental awareness and outdoor education. The book also includes suggestions for winter activities, as well as a list of reference guides and an index foreasy navigation of each species group. Each species entry is accompanied by an originalink drawing by Nova Scotia artist Twila Robar-DeCoste."During the winter of 1998 I lived in a cabin near the Hardanger Glacier in Norway,"says Bondrup-Nielsen. "Every day I would go skiing and then write. I wrote about winter ecology and about my ownadventures and encounters with winter primarily in northern Canada. The account of these adventures became myfirst book, Winter on Diamond."Gibson adds: "I was an enthusiastic cross-country skier, going skiing many eveningsafter work and taking much longertrips on weekends. I published the first edition of Winter Nature Notes (Lancelot Press)in 1980 as a guide for use by cross-country skiers in Nova Scotia. The book waswell received."A few years ago the two met on Gibsonrs"s daily walk past Bondrup-Nielsenrs"s house. Gibson mentioned that he wantedto revise Winter Nature Notes and that perhapsBondrup-Nielsen could work on the mammal section and add some new information on winter ecology as introductory material to the various sections. Over thenext while the two worked on revising and adding material to the original book, with additional information on the interestingadaptations by animals and plants for surviving winter. This new edition is intended for use by all Maritimers who enjoy theoutdoors in winter.