My Take on The Crossley ID Guide

Can I just say I flat-out love this book? Far too heavy to carry in the field in my opinion, but oh what value this book has to birders of all skill levels.

In the very front of the book little bird pictures representing each bird family type gives you a real close look on SIZE, one of the critical elements in bird identification. I LOVE this. The extremely informative introduction is worth digging into. It tells you how to use the book, how to be a better birder by sharing ways of improving your skills, and where to focus your learning. The Bird topography section covers the various types of birds and their individual and collective layout.

I also really enjoy the way the book is laid out. Waterbirds are divided into three categories;
Swimming, Flying and Walking.

Landbirds are divided into:
Upland Gamebirds, Raptors, Miscellaneous Larger Landbirds, Aerial Landbirds and Songbirds.

Something unique to any of the field guides I know is a section on decoding the "four letter words" or Alpha Codes that can be used to record birds. A complete list is in the back. Sweet!

Hmm. Let's see am I forgetting something?? Oh Yeah! The plates! Wowee Zowee, I have spent far too much time gazing at the plates for each bird. Absolutely fantastic. I love how Richard has blended the different plumage types, distances from the birds, size of the birds and also the habitat. This really gives you an idea where you might find them! Just studying this book is going to give any birder a leg up on bird ID in the field.

Over 10,000 something pictures were used in this book. You get views up close, in flight, silhouette, distance, in habitat. Odd bits views that are typical of what we see in the field.

I'm impressed, Richard, when's the Western Version coming out??

Princeton U Press New Facebook Page Giveaways

Princeton University Press is celebrating their new Facebook page for birds and all other things in nature by giving away posters and signed copies of The Crossley ID Guide.

Richard Crossley has now spoken at well over 20 societies and groups, but if you missed your chance to get a signed copy at one of those events, this is a great opportunity.

On Halloween, they will give away two different prizes – first up is an autographed copy of the book with a poster of the kestrel plate; the second is a poster of the Black-throated Blue Warbler plate. Both posters are professionally printed and gorgeous. They would be a treat for any birder to hang in their den or office.

All you have to do to be entered in the giveaway is to become a fan on the Princeton Birds & Natural History facebook site.

My guess is that we’ll see additional giveaways for other bird and nature books in the future, so if you become a fan you will be eligible for those too. They'll also be posting bird & nature specific material there so it’s a great way to keep up to date on what’s coming up in their natural history books.

Check it out!

Ptarm Again

Being able to find Ptarmigan and spend time with them is marvelous. As far as I could tell, this was the Big Daddy of the group I found. He was not the least concerned with my presence, but I didn't push my luck either.He kept in pretty constant contact with two of the three youngsters I found.
And his feathering was incredible. Click on the photo to see it closer and look at the diversity of his feathering. Astonishing. He and his flock napped and quietly clucked back and forth to each other for the couple of hours I hung around. It was morning siesta time.
Momma on the other hand after the short nap, noted in the previous post, got busy eating.
She got very busy eating:

November 19th Bird Walk Social, Loveland, CO.

Hey folks,

My November bird walk in Loveland is going to be at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch!

We will meet at the Hilltop parking lot - across the river and up the hill on the right - at 8:30 a.m. (If you need more directions, please google Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch) We will split into two or three groups, each with their own leader depending on how many people we have. After a couple hour bird walk, we will meet back at the Hilltop for a campfire, visiting, and hot chocolate or cider.

I am not limiting the number of people, but I AM requiring you sign up ahead of time. There will be a $12 fee per person for this event, which all goes to the Ranch. You will also have to fill out the normal ranch liability waiver.

Please pass the word and bring a friend.

Remember you MUST RSVP for this walk.

Thanks!

Connie

My Favorite Post on The Big Year Movie

Enjoy:

Birds, Birders, and Birding in The Big Year: What We Noticed

Ptarmigan Time

Living less than an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park is an extreme privilege. Living 75 minutes from high mountain tundra is freakin' amazing, and I try to partake as often as I can. I've always preferred wide open spaces and solitude, and I can certainly find it at the top of this park.

Well, maybe not complete solitude.

Medicine Bow Curve is one of my favorite haunts. I've spent many a day there looking for the elusive White-tailed Ptarmigan. Found my first one in the park last June, while with my sister, and friends Becca and Kathleen. What fun.It can be hard to find birds that look so much like their habitat. See it?
Oh! There you are!
Can you see the bird in the picture below? They are over halfway through their winter plumage molt. If you look closely you can see these birds are all banded.
This beauty was not the slightest bit concerned. I was actively looking and nearly stepped on her. She forgave me quickly with a sharp little cluck, and nearly crawled in my lap after I sat down to watch her eat.Then it was nap time. We hung out for quite some time in the welcoming sunshine.She dozed. Peeking and clucking softly now and then. I was captivated, sitting about 10 feet away, I could almost hear her breathe.

Are YOU Ready For Winter?

This gal is.