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JennGM
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| Posted: June 01 2012 at 8:16am | IP Logged
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Good book review in the Wall Street Journal: Knowing a Hawk from a Handsaw by Laura Jacobs
It's been awhile since we discussed favorite field guides. I have multiple ones, but none suggested here (although I almost picked up a few last weekend for cheap. Should have done it.)
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Jennifer G. Miller
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: June 01 2012 at 11:27am | IP Logged
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My son just picked up 3 bird guides with a gift certificate he had: Birds of Michigan, Birds of Indiana, and Peterson's Guide to Birds in the Eastern United States.
He loves them all! But he's not had others to compare. He uses them all the time - and yes, he's been caught sleeping with one in his arm!
I personally like the Peterson's best, but they are all good suppliers of information thus far.
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Garden of Francis
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 01 2012 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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That's so sweet!
We have quite a few that I've mainly bought used. I have Golden, Peterson, National Geographic and Audubon larger guides, then smaller First guides by various.
I have be interested in Sibley and Stokes for a while, but still haven't gotten one. I find I use multiple for various images when trying to type a bird.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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ShannonJ
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| Posted: June 01 2012 at 9:35pm | IP Logged
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I happened to come across a little gem a few weeks ago that would be an excellent supplement to bird studies. Although not a guide in itself, Wild Bird Neighbors by Alvin M. Peterson, has a wonderful recording of his personal encounters with 35 birds of North America, describing features, habits, songs, and nests and is a very enjoyable read!
I was also able to grab The Bird Watcher's Anthology that also has some wonderful stories and observations from various naturalists as well as commentary from Peterson, but is quite a bit heftier than Wild Bird Neighbors.
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MaryM
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| Posted: June 02 2012 at 12:24am | IP Logged
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It was an interesting article, Jenn. Is till stick with my preferences from the old thread. I still like Sibley the best. We have Peterson's, too. So use both. LIke having more than one to compare.
I am intrigued by Crossley from reading the article, though not sure if I'll like it being photographic. I like illustrations but maybe could be swayed. I would like to see it, so I just requested it from our library. Problem is, it is only an Eastern guide currently, so really not a help to me for practical use. But want to see it. And maybe there is a Western guide coming (amazon comments indicate maybe soon).
Did anyone notice in the comments section of the article there was a lot of discussion about electronic guides for the various e-devices. Some commenting are sounding the death knoll for paper guides. How do you all feel about that? Have you tried e-guides? We love the e-guides for the night sky.
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Mary M. in Denver
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 06 2012 at 12:04am | IP Logged
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Sort of fits this topic and wasn't sure where to share it. I just read the new picture book biography of Roger Tory Peterson. It is a very interesting read and helps students to understand how a field guide works - and how Peterson revolutionized the field guide for the common folk. The illustrations are gorgeous - look almost photograph-like.
For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson (Peggy Thomas)
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Mary M. in Denver
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knowloveserve
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I love the Petersen's Bird App! Best $1.99 (it was on sale) of the year I spent. We love how we can hear the bird's call on it especially... and it has a built-in checklist of birds you spot.
Otherwise, I'd put in a good word for the state by state series done by Stan Tekiela. They are organized by the bird's dominant color which makes this especially great for young children who are just getting into birding and can't figure out species or family types yet. It's not as comprehensive as some of the other guides but gives you the gist of what you need and is so user friendly. We gave it to one of my sons on his 6th birthday and it was perfect.
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MaryM
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| Posted: Oct 06 2012 at 12:29pm | IP Logged
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knowloveserve wrote:
| I love the Petersen's Bird App! Best $1.99 (it was on sale) of the year I spent. We love how we can hear the bird's call on it especially... and it has a built-in checklist of birds you spot. |
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Thanks, Ellie. That hasn't been mentioned int any of the app threads, has it? I'll watch - maybe we can get it on a sale, too. It sounds like a great tool to have when you are out and about.
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Mary M. in Denver
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knowloveserve
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MaryM wrote:
knowloveserve wrote:
| I love the Peterson's Bird App! Best $1.99 (it was on sale) of the year I spent. We love how we can hear the bird's call on it especially... and it has a built-in checklist of birds you spot. |
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Thanks, Ellie. That hasn't been mentioned int any of the app threads, has it? I'll watch - maybe we can get it on a sale, too. It sounds like a great tool to have when you are out and about. |
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No I haven't seen it on here yet, which is surprising because it is so, so great. I think I like it more than my Sibley's field guide.  Right now, it's on sale for $6.99 (regularly $15).
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Ellie
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MaryM
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That's good to know, Ellie. I was comparing it to your great price of $1.99 and feeling it wasn't much or a deal, but if regular price is $15 that is a good deal.
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Mary M. in Denver
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MaryM
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knowloveserve wrote:
| No I haven't seen it on here yet, which is surprising because it is so, so great. I think I like it more than my Sibley's field guide. Right now, it's on sale for $6.99 (regularly $15). |
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I've been watchign and hoping to catch it lower. It was free in Nov. after the elections to "celebrate" - ugghhh...anyway I found out about that too late to get it. Right now it is down to $4.99 - I guess I should bite the bullet and get it.
AndI wanted to recommend a book -Tea with Lady Sapphire
It is a photographic picture book that ends up serving as a lovely field guide to ID 20 birds through the story and includes a picture ID in the back as well. The photography is stunning. Describes a family watching from their window waiting for all the different birds to join them for their "tea party" (that they are having inside). Many different birds fly up to the different feeders - the chatting of the family identifies the birds and shares things about their behaviors, habitats, and feeding preferences. It is really sweet and informative. Especially good field guide for the preschool set as it is so simple and covers the birds you are likely to see at a feeder in winter. Photography is beautiful.
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Mary M. in Denver
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Discussion of Bird Field Guides
