Book Review – #43

WILDLIFE OF THE ARCTIC

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Author: Richard Sale & Per Michelsen

Publisher: Princeton University Press

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Review:

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“This pocket guide that I’m supposed to review,  really surprised me because, honestly, I never expected the Arctic to have such a variety of different wildlife species. I decided to try a little test with several people I’m friends with. I asked to tell me, how many species of any kind live in the Arctic?. The answers were limited at no more than six species per person. Then I showed them the guide written by authors Richard Sale and Per Michelsen and the general reaction was: Wow! (Same as mine)

• 335 pages total
• 800 color photographs
• Over 250 bird species
• 60 land mammals
• 30 seals and whales
• Information on fish, insects, plants and lichens

Not very long ago, information about its wildlife was limited. The advance of modern Technology through the years, has given us the tools to reach, explore, study and increase our knowledge. The Arctic is actually vibrant and filled with wildlife. This guide explains in detail all about them in comprehensive and clear manner. It does satisfy our curiosity of Nature in so remotely a location in the world.”

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Reviewed by:

H.J. Ruiz – avian101.wordpress.com – Aprill 26th, 2018

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© HJ Ruiz

Book Review # 42

GULLS OF THE WORLD – A Photographic Guide

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Author: Klaus Malling Olsen

Publisher: Princeton University Press

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Review:

“By my own experience,  when I photographed birds from many locations in the world. The most difficult part for me was to get the correct ID when it came to gulls.

Because their plumages change patterns according to respective period of age. The odds increase the possibilities of error. Well, this Photographic Guide simplify the process to get the right names of the photographed gulls, from any location in the world.

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There are over 600 great quality photos to compare with yours. These photos are accompanied with pertinent information about descriptions, locations, habitats, migration maps, etc. A total of 368 pages!

Reading this well written and structured Guide, immediately encouraged me to revisit my photo archives, verify and correct any wrongly named gulls. For me, I admit that this guide has advanced me to the point when, if I shoot a scene of gulls mixed together in a migration flock, I’ll be able to ID each of the gull species easily. Klaus Malling Olsen has done a great job with “Gulls of the World” I’d love that!

Reviewed by:

H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – April 17th, 2018

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© HJ Ruiz

Book Review # 41

Birds of Kruger National Park

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Authors: Keith Barnes and Ken Behrens

Publisher: Princeton University Press

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Review:

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This interesting book is entirely dedicated to depict birds that you most likely find when you visit the renown Kruger National Park in South Africa. With 224 pages of up to 259  species of birds, each described with the most noted characteristics and accompanied by over 500 color photographs, simply make the identifying of birds an easy game.

The book size is very convenient for putting inside your coat pocket or you backpack.

The authors of this book are both highly experienced professionals involved in Ornithology as well as Photography, Birdwatching studies and book writing.  The point is made through this book by simplifying the birder’s common question similar to: “Is that bird a Long-billed Crombec or a Willow Warbler?” Looking at the book you’d know the answer immediately!”

Reviewed by: H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – July 18th, 2017

Book Review # 40

Wildlife of Ecuador –  A Photographic Field Guide to Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians

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Authors: Andres Vasquez Noboa, Photography by Pablo Cervantes Daza

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Review:

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“I’ve just finished reading the field guide Wildlife of Ecuador by Andres Vasquez Noboa and photographer Pablo Cervantes Daza…I was deeply interested on seeing so many species photographed for this guide I have seen in person when visiting some of the locations in Ecuador and Peru. This guide has pertaining information and color photos of 350 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. In a total of over 400 photographs.

When I got to the pages showing Hummingbirds of Ecuador I was immediately elated by the beautiful birds, such beauty, they are amazingly stunning! Of course that’s me as a bird “maniac”. The other species described are also very interesting, most likely to be seen if visiting the Ecuador’s wildlife protected areas, wildlife refuges, wildlife reserves, etc. I believe this guide will help any visitor to the locales, whether they are tourists, amateur wildlife watchers or professional photographers.”

Reviewed by: H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – July 11th, 2017

Publisher: Princeton University Press 

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Book Review # 39

THE AUSTRALIAN BIRD GUIDE

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Authors: Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack and Kim Franklin

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Review

“This bird guide is a straight forward book carefully planned with one thing in mind: Help the enthusiast birder or professional ornithologist, photographer, identify the species  and obtain clear and precise information pertinent to 900 species.

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The  560 pages guide has been artist illustrated in high quality accuracy with detail and color for each of the species.

The authors have been smartly thorough to create a no nonsense guide to answer the problematic confusion that other guides incur when adding to much extra unnecessary information about the species. After all, guides are not text books to study, they are rather tools to help identify species in the most efficient way possible.”

Reviewed by:

H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – May 29th, 2017

Publisher: Princeton University Press on June 14th, 2017

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Book Review # 38

A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

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Authors:  Bikram Erewal, Sumit Sen, Sarwandeep Singh, Nikhil Devasar & Garima Bhatia

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Review

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“I can actually say, and very sure of myself, this Photographic Field Guide is simply terrific! It’s a “heavy weight” contender versus other guides which are heavy on the text and light on the photos. One thing about birds, you may describe them in many ways but still will not compare to a color photograph of great quality. It’s my opinion of course being a bird photographer myself. Now, imagine 1375 species and subspecies over 4000 beautiful photographs, 3000 maps…did I mention the Photographic Field Guide is 792 pages in all!

Don’t get me wrong, there are accurate descriptions as well as important information about their plumage, habitat, range, and maps indicating distribution and population density.

I’m very delighted with the photo work, sharpness, color and high quality presentation. It’s a well structured guide that should be in every birder’s library. I recommend it!”

Reviewed by:  H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – May 15th, 2017

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Publisher:  Princeton University Press