Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park

Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park
Average customer rating:

wonderful story

Birding in central Park

SHOULD BE RE-NAMED

Repeated Enjoyment

Purchased this book in protest against Pale Male's eviction

Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park
Marie Winn
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Nature - Pale Male

Birds of Central Park

A Wing in the Door: Life with a Red-Tailed Hawk (World As Home, The)

Pale Male

The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story

ASIN: 0679439978
Release Date: 1998-03-17

Amazon.com

The literature of bird watching is full of memoirs set in out-of-the-way, rural locales, but few are set in the heart of big cities such as New York, where Wall Street Journal ornithology columnist Marie Winn hangs her hat. In this delightful account, Winn tells of birding in Central Park with an unlikely band of fellow enthusiasts (including Mary Tyler Moore and Woody Allen). Among her objects of study were a pair of increasingly uncommon wood thrushes who set up their nest in the park's Ramble, treating city dwellers to their "penetrating, flutelike, heart-stoppingly beautiful song: Ee-oh-lee, ee-oh-loo-ee-lee, ee-lay-loo," and a pair of red-tail hawks who courted, mated, and produced offspring, thus quickening the spirits of Manhattanites. Both urbanites and those inclined to country matters will enjoy Winn's gracefully written story of observation and discovery.

Book Description

Marie Winn is our guide into a secret world, a true wilderness in the heart of a city. The scene is New York's Central Park, but the rich natural history that emerges here--the loons, raccoons, woodpeckers, owls, and hundreds of visiting songbirds--will appeal to wildlife lovers everywhere. At its heart is the saga of the Fifth Avenue hawks, which begins as a love story and develops into a full-fledged mystery.

At the outset of our journey we meet the Regulars, a small band of nature lovers who devote themselves to the park and its wildlife. As they watch Pale Male, a remarkable young red-tailed hawk, woo and win his first mate, they are soon transformed into addicted hawk-watchers. From a bench at the park's model-boat pond they observe the hawks building a nest in an astonishing spot--a high ledge of a Fifth Avenue building three floors above Mary Tyler Moore's apartment and across the street from Woody Allen's.

The drama of the Fifth Avenue hawks--hunting, courting, mating, and striving against great odds to raise a family in their unprecedented nest site--is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking. Red-Tails in Love will delight and inspire readers for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful story.......2007-02-12

I live in Portland Oregon, and have large populations of birds in my back yard, so this was a fun read. Perhaps i will visit NYC someday, and i will bring my glasses! What a nice book!

Birding in central Park.......2007-01-06

Although the star of this book is Pale Male, there are also wonderful stories of encounters with other birds. Marie Winn is a good writer and this is a very entertaining book for anyone interested in Pale Male or birding in Central Park.

SHOULD BE RE-NAMED.......2006-11-10

I was hoping for a more in depth article on Pale Male. This book had a more general theme to it pertaining to all the birds/wildlife in the park. It was okay, I am glad I didn't buy it, a friend let me read hers. I absolutely love, and purchased after watching it, Pale Male, the video produced by Nature, narrated by Joane Woodward.

Repeated Enjoyment.......2005-11-10

Every year goes by and this simple tale becomes more treasured and heartwarming. I have given dozens of copies of this book to friends, birders and non interested alike. Everyone is grateful for the inspiration that this unusual piece of nature brings.

We watch eagles return to a nest along a stretch of the Llano River that falls in line with a highly traveled highway and the human reaction is just the same as the thousands of New Yorkers. Scores and scores of strangers with craned necks and binoculars in raised and ready position, standing in the back of their truck beds only to get a little closer to the marvel of the eagles on the the back side of our very own ranch and river.

From fall to spring each year my weekend exploration includes a trip to see the eagles and I am always thinking through whom else I could share Red Tails In Love with...it is not hard.

Purchased this book in protest against Pale Male's eviction.......2004-12-16

As a New Yorker, I hadn't really paid much attention to Pale Male before this unfortunate state of affairs. There was something shockingly callous and arrogant in the way the board of 927 Fifth Avenue destroyed this magnificent bird's home. I hope the hawks will eventually get their nest back.

I would like to find out more about this star's history and family. My whole family is now crazy about him and Lola.

Hail Pale Male!

A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak

Average customer rating:

A Humming Bird in My House: The Story of Squeak
Enjoyable and heartwarming.
THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL JOURNEY
Absolutely beautiful photography and lovely story
Well worth buying

A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak
Arnette Heidcamp
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story
That Quail, Robert
The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds
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Stokes Hummingbird Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Hummingbirds

ASIN: 0517577291
Release Date: 1991-03-06

Book Description

Anyone who has fallen under the spell of the hummingbird will treasure this lovable true story of a young ruby-throated hummingbird who becomes part of someone's household and life. 57 full-color photographs; 10 black-and-white drawings.

Customer Reviews:

A Humming Bird in My House: The Story of Squeak.......2007-09-30

We were given this book that is filled with wonderful close up observations about one hummingbird. The author shares how she learned so much when a hummingbird over stayed his summer visit and how she helped "Squeak" until the following spring. The book was very enjoyable. We are hummingbird lovers and feed them.

Enjoyable and heartwarming........2007-08-04

A heart warming story and a great read. If you enjoy birds or wildlife you will like reading this book. The quick thinking and commitment by the author
saved this little hummers life.

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL JOURNEY.......2007-06-19

which the talented and admirable writer, Arnette Heidcamp, leads the reader through - namely, the first months of a Hummingbird's life, from the beginning of winter to the advent of spring.

Ms. Heidcamp has amazing expertise in both bird and plant life, and what one appreciates also is her great love of them both. One wants to thank her for this lovely book and for the precious photographs which accompany it.

Throughout the book, the reader gets to know Squeak more and more, to understand the habits and traits of this darling hummingbird, and to realize what an intelligence it has. Ms. Heidcamp is dedicated and devoted and, yes, the ending is sad. I have to admit I shed a tear or two as a reader saying goodby. I can only imagine what an emotional time Ms. Heidcamp had to go through, after fostering this hummingbird so carefully and intimately, when the time came to set Squeak free.

I have alredy got several of Ms. Heidcamp's other books lined up to read, and even signed up with Random House to get an e-mail notice when she has a new book published.

I can't praise this wonderful literary and photographic pursuit highly enough. Reading this book was a true joy!

Absolutely beautiful photography and lovely story.......2007-02-24

Very beautiful photography and a touching story of how the author was able to create a relationship with a very tiny and fragile creature who otherwise would not have survived the winter.

Well worth buying.......2006-11-05

If you have any interest in hummingbirds at all, you should read this book. It is a quick read, heart-warming, heart-breaking, packed full of beautiful photos and tons of information about hummingbird behavior.

Birds of New York Field Guide, Second Edition

Average customer rating:

excellent!
Great Pictures & Facts
The Best Bird Field Guide Available!!
as a beginner, this is great!
good for beginners

Birds of New York Field Guide, Second Edition
Stan Tekiela
Manufacturer: Adventure Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Birds of New York Audio CDs
New York Birds
Birds of New York State
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National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: New York (National Geographic Field Guide)

ASIN: 1591931088

Product Description

Learn about and identify birds using Stan Tekiela's state-by-state field guides. The full-page, color photos are incomparable and include insets of winter plumage, color morphs and more. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, you don't need to know a bird's name or classification in order to easily find it in the book. Using this field guide is a real pleasure. It's a great way for anyone to learn about the birds in your state.

Customer Reviews:

excellent!.......2007-07-31

We are having lots and lots of wild birds come to our deck to feed from our feeder. But we had no idea what they were, and we'd always wanted to learn their names. Just recently we purchased this book and the CD that goes with it, and yes, we are learning very quickly! Now we know the names of all the birds that come to our deck, and we know how they sing too!

The book is very easy to use, as it devides the birds by their colors. It tells you the size, male/female differences, what they eat, where they migrate, and their habits and all that. The amount of info is just right for us. If it had more, we would have been overwhelmed.

The CD is also excellent. Stan talks a little too fast, but he's clear enough. He explains different ways of the birds singing, chirping, calling, etc. Now we can recognize who's making all that noise in the morning around our house! We're also beginning to notice the different behaviors and how they act/react to certain things. It's just so much fun to observe them.

He has done a lot of work to put the book and CD together. I really appreciate his effort. The pictures are pretty clear, most of the birds come with male and female photos, some with juveniles, winter/summer colors, etc. My husband is carrying his Zune around all the time to listen to the recording. Listening to it makes you feel like living in a forest. The recording is very clear too, and with Stan's explanation, very easy to recognize the voices of the birds.

We're soooo glad that we got this book/CD!

Great Pictures & Facts.......2007-04-11

I recently became interested in birds and happened to come across this book at a local Barnes and Noble. After picking it up, I found that I really liked this book.

The first thing that I liked about this book were the pictures. Each picture of a bird is a real, close-up, full-page photograph of the bird. The pictures offer ample detail of each particular bird.

I also liked the facts that went along with each bird. There are basic facts given about each bird and the facts are also what I would consider to correlate with common questions one would have about a bird such as size, differences in appearances between genders, migration, and the type of food they eat along with other facts. This book is also categorized by colors of birds. Also, next to the name of each bird, there is a small picture of NY state indicating where the bird is seen and during what time. Overall, I think that this book is very informative and easy to use.

The Best Bird Field Guide Available!!.......2006-02-22

This is a wonderful book. It has beautiful, full PAGE, color PHOTOGRAPHS of each bird in the book. How can someone argue with a photograph? Photographs are so much easier to use in identifying birds than drawings. Drawings are always subject to the interpretation of the artist who drew and painted them, and I have found that the artist's interpretation in other bird field guides often do NOT match what I observe in the field.

This book also has the BEST layout of any bird field guide I have ever seen. The book is color coded and each color coded section represents the prominent colors of the bird. For example, a cardinal is in the "red" section of the book.

A previous reviewer had noted that this book doesn't contain all species of birds that may visit New York. While this may be true, I have ALWAYS been able to find the birds that I have seen in the wild in this book. Furthermore, if additional birds were added, it is likely that the field guide would no longer be small and portable.

The book also contains wonderful information for each bird, such as unusual habits, differences between the sexes, etc.

There is also an excellent audio CD which accompanies this book. Although it is hard to find, this CD is spectacular! It follows the book exactly, and the 2nd edition of the book actually notes the CD and track number for each bird. The CD provides examples of each of the various sounds that the birds make, for example, the chickadee makes several different calls. There is also a narrator on the CD who gives a brief, but informative introduction, to the bird's calls/songs.

If you live in New York and are a bird watcher, I highly recommend this book. I'll bet you'll find yourself using it more than any other field guide, I know I do!

as a beginner, this is great!.......2003-07-01

Great little book for somebody like me, who just started trying to figure out what those birds are at my feeders. It's just enough info for me to take in and make me want more. So far, with great pleasure, I've found everything I've seen in western New York in this book. And I love the oddball facts.

good for beginners.......2001-02-12

When I saw this book I thought it was really great. It has a few features I love but also a few things I hate.
The good: It features a very easy color coding method to look up birds. I think this is a great method for spotting birds quickly. Far better than other guides color coding. If you see a black bird, you go to the black tabbed area, and see all birds that are black, very easy.
I also like that it documents a state, New York, instead of a region. It makes the book into a nice novelty.
Well, thats really it for the good. So the bad?
The book only lists 120 birds out of over 450 that have been sited in New York! Thats a big gap of missing birds! It's not even half the birds. I feel the book should have documented at least 240 of them. But, at least the 120 birds listed are the most commonly seen -I suppose.
Some photos in the book are off. I think perhaps some of the birds are mounted and not live birds. The book lists only One bird as being a mounted bird, due to it's elusiveness. But if you look at the photo of the common pigeon (rock dove) you can clearly see the photo shows a purple colored pigeon? I have never in all my life in New York seen a purple pigeon?!?!?!
Other photos don't seem that far off, but still... if one photo is like that, it makes you wonder if you'll stumble upon others.
The book fails to record the birds wing spans, which is odd. As this is quite useful. But the other info provided is decent.
For the price however, this book doesn't offer much!
The "Audubon field guide to eastern birds" is a far better purchase. You get 508 different birds opposed to the skimpy 120 in this book. But my personal taste is for the "Stokes field guide: eastern region". It's better then the Audubon guide in my opinion, easier to find birds quickly, with information on each bird where it should be!

So, my thoughts: This books layout and color system are great! It's the best type of layout for identifying birds in the field. The drawback is it's poor photo depictions, which in some cases, make it hard to identify birds by their color (very ironic?). The number of birds listed for the high price of this book is "far" too expensive!

This book maybe useful to some leisure bird viewers, as I'm sure it's intended. Who watch birds in their own yard and neibourhood, but it is clearly not for anyone who goes out looking to identify birds. If anything, its a good coffee table book. But again, for approx. the same price, you can get a professional guide. "Stokes Field Guide to Birds", that features 449 birds with better photos, some spieces featuring multiple photos of alternate viewing angles of the same bird. With vastly more informative info!

A NOTE ABOUT ILLUSTRATED FIELD GUIDES

Illustrated guides are normally more useful for correct identifications due to the fact that Artists create an image of "the perfect bird". Photographic guides are great because they show an image of the actual bird. The added benefit is the photo may show the bird amongst it's natural habitat.
The down side a photographic guide is the accuracy of the photo. Being dependent on the ability of the photographer to capture an optimal image of the bird. A very difficult task since the bird is normally photographed with uncontrolled conditions. Lighting differences, weather variations, and capturing the proper angle of the bird, all effect the outcome of the photo. With no way to reproduce exact results from bird to bird.
Illustrated guides, like photographic their cousins, are likewise dependent on the skill of the artist. However, artists work under controlled conditions. Normally using plenty of reference to render each bird with the most discriminative details, in a consistent manner. Thus the images produced are of far more value for identification then photographic guides.
Thats why most serious bird watchers and ornithologists choose an illustrated guide as their definite reference. If they need one at all that is.

(EDIT Dec 2006: National Geographic just released their fifth edition of their illustrated "Field guide to birds of North America", I recommend it.)

Average customer rating:

Birds of the Adirondacks: A Field Guide
Alan Bessette , and William K. Chapman
Manufacturer: North Country Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Wildflowers of the Adirondacks
50 Hikes in the Adirondacks: Short Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks Throughout the Park, Fourth Edition

ASIN: 0932052940

Book Description

This latest addition to the North Country Books field guide series will be welcomed by avid fans of the Adirondacks. Descriptions of over 200 species of birds highlight the informative text. For ease of identification the birds are categorized into the eight basic groups. Special sections of feeding, attracting and photographing are included. There is also a checklist and room for field notes.

National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: New York (National Geographic Field Guide)

Average customer rating:

National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: New York (National Geographic Field Guide)
Jonathan Alderfer
Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Birds of New York Field Guide, Second Edition
New York Birds
New York State Trees & Wildflowers: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press)
Trees of New York Field Guide (Field Guides)
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition (National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America)

ASIN: 079225564X
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Book Description

Sized for backpack or pocket, each 272-page volume highlights a single state or two and covers 125 species (each with a photograph and range map), with local expertise provided by experienced birders.

Even novice birders will make quick and confident identifications thanks to the uncluttered, easy-to-use format. An introductory locator map pinpoints top birding sites, and customized range maps detail each species' winter, breeding, migration, and resident ranges.

New York boasts a rich mix of city and country birds, from Long Island waterfowl to Niagara's famous gulls and various high-latitude Adirondack species. Springtime hawk-watching makes Derby Hill Bird Observatory a favorite; at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in the Finger Lakes, seasonal migrations promise sightings galore, while New York City's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge shelters birds of interest all year.

Average customer rating:

This is NOT a book!

New York City Birds
James Kavanagh
Manufacturer: Waterford Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The New York City Audubon Society Guide to Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area (Comstock Book)
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New York City Trees
Tree Finder: A Manual for the Identification of Trees by Their Leaves (Nature Study Guides)
Birds of Central Park

ASIN: 1583550127

Book Description

New York City Birds, An Introduction to Familiar Species in the Metropolitan Area, is a must-have, reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're on a nature hike or in your own backyard, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The Pocket Naturalist series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map highlighting prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability.

Customer Reviews:

This is NOT a book!.......2006-04-22

I ordered this item to be able to reference the different types of birds throughout Manhattan and NYC. When I received this item I was quite surprised to find it was flat, just like a folded map. I guess I should have paid more attention to the description being a "fold out guide" and not a book, but it still really took me by surprise. Previously I had ordered a similar product on all the different NYC trees and I received an actual pocket book with many pages. I thought this would be something similar but it's really nothing more than a fold-out guide with pictures and extremely limited descriptions of the different types of birds you can find in the city.

When completely unfolded it measures 22" long by 8.25" high. In all honesty, this is something that could have been downloaded off the internet (save for the fact that it is laminated) and $6 seems a bit pricey for the actual product. This guide is okay if you just want to try to visually match up a particular bird you have seen, but other than that it really doesn't offer too much information.

Birding in Central & Western New York : Best Trails & Water Routes for Finding Birds

Average customer rating:

With tips on where to go to find specific species of birds

Birding in Central & Western New York : Best Trails & Water Routes for Finding Birds
Norman E. Wolfe
Manufacturer: Footprint Press (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Birds | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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Birding by Ear: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))

ASIN: 1930480008

Book Description

This guide shows when, where and how to find and enjoy birds that migrate through Central and Western New York as well as ones that take up year-round residence. There are maps and directions for travel on foot, by canoe or kayak, by bicycle and even a few where you don't have to leave your car.

In this guide, you will learn:
• Why Central & Western NY is a prime birdwatching area
• Where to go to find specific species of birds
• When is the best time to look for certain species
• Simple keys to bird identification
• History of bird development and how it affects where you're likely to find them today
• How to have fun outdoors with minimal environmental impact
• Recommendations for selecting binoculars
• Tips on photographing, video recording, and sound recording birds for added enjoyment
• How to keep a personal birding log

Birdwatching is a year-round activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. Join the flock with

Birding in Central and Western New York.

Customer Reviews:

With tips on where to go to find specific species of birds.......2003-09-18

Compiled and expertly written by dedicated ornithologist Norman E. Wolfe, Birding In Central And Western New York offers bird lovers an excellent and diverse variety of trails and water routes for seeing birds in the New York area. Maps, detailed instructions and landmarks, tips on where to go to find specific species of birds, basic keys for bird identification, and more make Birding In Central And Western New York a first-rate and confidently recommended guide for New York area bird watching enthusiasts.

City Peregrines: A Ten-Year Saga of New York City Falcons

Average customer rating:

Frank, a dedicated raptor enthusiast who kept fine records.

City Peregrines: A Ten-Year Saga of New York City Falcons
Frank Saul , and Saul Frank
Manufacturer: Hancock House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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Customer Reviews:

Frank, a dedicated raptor enthusiast who kept fine records........1998-11-22

The late Saul Frank was dedicated to the study and preservation of peregrines in New York City. He climbed into bridge towers, overhangs of various skyscrapers, and bell towers of City churches. His friend, Ted LeViness, accompanied him on these frequent field trips, and together these men shared in the work of preserving nesting sites by advising those living or working in these areas to leave the peregrines undisturbed. Their work is most commendable and it is a pity that Mr. Saul died before his book could be widely read and praised. His work with the peregrines is a legacy for raptor lovers to continue.

Birds of New York State: Including the 1976 Supplement (Comstock/Cornell Paperbacks)

Average customer rating:

Birds of New York State: Including the 1976 Supplement (Comstock/Cornell Paperbacks)
John L. Bull
Manufacturer: Comstock Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

A Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York. Containing a Key for Each Season and Short Descriptions of Over Two Hundred and Fifty Species With Particular Reference to Their Appearance in the Field.

Average customer rating:

A Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York. Containing a Key for Each Season and Short Descriptions of Over Two Hundred and Fifty Species With Particular Reference to Their Appearance in the Field.
Ralph. HOFFMAN
Manufacturer: Houghton, Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OFXTOK

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