The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . .with Wings

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . .with Wings
Average customer rating:

Really good book

Parrots for everyone!

Love on Wings

Even better than the movie

On the Wings of Love...

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . .with Wings
Mark Bittner
Manufacturer: Harmony
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Ornithology | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

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ASIN: 0609610554
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Book Description

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is the inspiring story of how one man found his life’s work—and true love—among a gang of wild parrots roosting in one of America’s most picturesque urban settings.

Mark Bittner was down on his luck. He’d gone to San Francisco at the age of twenty-one to take a stab at a music career, but he hadn’t had much success. After many years as an odd-jobber in the area, he accepted work as a housekeeper for an elderly woman. The gig came with a rent-free studio apartment on the city’s famed Telegraph Hill, which had somehow become home to a flock of brilliantly colored wild parrots.

In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and made up his mind to get to know them and gain their trust. He succeeds to such a degree that he becomes the local wild parrot expert and a tourist attraction. People can’t help gawking at the man who, during daily feedings, stands with parrots perched along both arms and atop his head. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner’s life truly takes flight.

Customer Reviews:

Really good book.......2007-07-20

This book was recommended to me by someone whose taste in books I questioned. However, I must say this is a well-written, fascinating book. For animals lovers, in particular, you will truly enjoy this story.

Parrots for everyone!.......2007-07-12

What a thrill to learn about Mark Bittner's love and care of the flock of (mostly) cherryheads. I'm not even a bird person, but I was just mesmerized a couple of years ago by a story I heard on NPR about a flock of parrots. I'm still not sure it was the San Francisco flock, but imagine my surprise when I saw Mark's book on my emailed Page-A-Day calendar.

Reading the story was like being there. I learned to like Mark in spite of my reservations in the beginning; couldn't wait to watch the film.

Only a week after finishing the book, I was reading the intro to another book and the author (Jim Palmer) introduced himself as a lover of quirky films that no one else knows about, like "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill." I considered it a "God-sign."

Read this book; you'll love it.

Love on Wings.......2007-06-27

I throughly enjoyed this true story with a happy ending.
It was written with heart and soul.
And touched mine.

Even better than the movie.......2007-01-03

I watched the movie prior to reading the book.

I enjoyed both but in particular the book.

Mark is a very good writer, especially when you consider that he has no formal training, that I am aware of.

This is a book that you can read again a few months later and be entertained all over again.

On the Wings of Love..........2006-12-26

They say he may have been a modern bohemian Saint Francis living in San Francisco and befriending wild parrots. Or maybe he was simply a man returning (for some time) to the original state of humankind living in harmony with the creatures. Yes, this is the story of wild parrots and a semi-wild man and how they danced, sang, ate seeds, and lived together for six years. Perched high upon a hill overlooking the San Francisco bay, the ancient story of human befriending wild beasts unfolded. The kind of tale that fascinates us today just as it would have fascinated our ancestors in ancient times. Such stories will always fascinate us humans, whenever a gentle, loving heart opens itself to the magic and mystery of creation and engages in a dance of truth with life.

Mark Bittner writes: "In 1988, I took a job as the caretaker of a house on the east side of Telegraph Hill. Two years later I spotted four parrots in the gardens outside my home. Within three years the flock had grown to twenty-six, and I was in love. I spent the next six years making friends with them and learning their ways... I watched them for several years with tremendous curiosity. What were wild parrots doing in San Francisco? Then one day a few of them flew to my fire escape, and my whole life changed..."

In 1996 Mark began writing a book about his experiences with these colorful, fascinating birds. He came to know each parrot individually and personally. Each one has its unique personality, quirks, friendships, courtships, and life pathways. Mark wrote his observations in a journal of the lives of Mingus, Connor, Picasso, Sophie, Olive, Pushkin, Tupelo, and many other parrots whom he named, fed, observed, cared for, and befriended. He also photographed the birds, with stunning results. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story... With Wings is the highly acclaimed, charming, and best-selling result of Mark's six years with the birds.

Judy Irving, a filmmaker, began creating a documentary of Mark's work with the parrots in 1998. This resulted in her extraordinary documentary, also called The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Although the title is the same as the book, the book and film focus on somewhat different aspects of the story. The film (available on DVD) is as much a study of Mark as it is of the parrots. While working on the film, Judy and Mark fell in love. They are now married and living in the gardens of Telegraph Hill. Mark is currently working on a book about his years of living on the street prior to his encounter with the parrots. Judy continues making her high quality films on the environment.

If you read the book or watch the film, you will find that Mark's bird-friends become your friends. James D. Gilardi, Ph.D., Director of the World Parrot Trust, writes: "By falling in with a flock of wild parrots, Bittner has learned more about a real parrot society than those of us studying wild or captive parrots could ever hope to learn." But of course, the book isn't just about parrots. As one reviewer of Mark's book wrote: "By the end of his tale, you will no longer see humans as the center of the universe, if you ever did." And by the time the screen credits are rolling at the end of the film, you will find yourself transformed by this beautifully touching and compelling story.

What I loved especially about both the film and the book is experiencing how Mark himself evolves and transforms through his relationship with the parrots and eventually through his relationship with Judy. He was a lost musician, a street person, a post-beatnik, searching for truth and "right living" as taught by Buddhism. He took odd jobs, tried this and that, but never quite found his path. Until he met the parrots. And then Judy. We sense that the story is far from over, and we yearn to know more of its unfolding... I wish that Judy and Mark would write, or document in film or photographs, more about their personal lives since the publication and dissemination of their book and film. The film opens you up to the delight of these two people, and one yearns to know more. Like the parrots, Judy and Mark have become our friends through the magic of the book and film.

To experience the magic yourself, view the film or DVD, read the book, view Mark's photos, and check out Mark's and Judy's websites. You'll be glad that you did! Beautiful story, beautiful people, beautiful birds.

Yes, if you are a lover of nature, both human and animal, I highly recommend this book and the film/DVD.

Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty

Average customer rating:

EXCELLENT BOOK
Did He Do It? - Review of Blood Brother
Summary of the book: He Acted Strange...that's all folks!
Cashing in on an obsure Mommy Dearest
I loved it..

Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty
Anne Bird
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Thrillers | Mysteries & Thrillers | Bargain Books | Stores | Books

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ASIN: B000BHA3QS

Book Description

What happens if, after being given up for adoption in childhood, you reestablish contact with your biological family -- only to discover that your newfound brother is a killer?

Anne Bird, the sister of Scott Peterson, knows firsthand.

Soon after her birth in 1965, Anne was given up for adoption by her mother, Jackie Latham. Welcomed into the well-adjusted Grady family, she lived a happy life. Then, in the late 1990s, she came back into contact with her mother, now Jackie Peterson, and her family -- including Jackie's son Scott Peterson and his wife, Laci. Anne was welcomed into the family, and over the next several years she grew close to Scott and especially Laci. Together they shared holidays, family reunions, and even a trip to Disneyland. Anne and Laci became pregnant at roughly the same time, and the two became confidantes.

Then, on Christmas Eve 2002, Laci Peterson went missing -- and the happy façade of the Peterson family slowly began to crumble. Anne rushed to the family's aid, helping in the search for Laci, even allowing Scott to stay in her home while police tried to find his wife. Yet Scott's behavior grew increasingly bizarre during the search, and Anne grew suspicious that her brother knew more than he was telling. Finally she began keeping a list of his disturbing behavior. And by the time Laci's body -- and that of her unborn son, Conner -- were found, Anne was becoming convinced: Her brother Scott Peterson had murdered his wife and unborn child in cold blood.

Filled with news-making revelations and intimate glimpses of Scott and Laci, the Peterson family, and the investigation that followed the murder, Blood Brother is a provocative account of how long-dormant family ties dragged one woman into one of the most notorious crimes of our time.

Download Description

What happens if, after being given up for adoption in childhood, you reestablish contact with your biological family -- only to discover that your newfound brother is a killer?

Anne Bird, the sister of Scott Peterson, knows firsthand.

Filled with news-making revelations and intimate glimpses of Scott and Laci, the Peterson family, and the investigation that followed the murder, Blood Brother is a provocative account of how long-dormant family ties dragged one woman into one of the most notorious crimes of our time.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT BOOK.......2007-10-05

This book really explained everything from the author's growing up to the sentencing in prison for the rest of his lfe. I couldn't put it down since it was an exciting story and I wanted to know what happened - every step. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Did He Do It? - Review of Blood Brother.......2007-09-17

By the authors own admission she hardly knew her half-brother Scott Peterson since she had been given up for adoption as a baby. However, Scott did live with Ann (the author) during much of the time the entire country was searching for a very pregnant Lacy Peterson. I felt the authors pain at being overjoyed to have connected with her roots while at the same time struggling with her gut instinct knowing she will lose her family again. Ann Baird shows us inside the world of Scott Peterson as only a family member could see. I highly recommend the book to any true crime reader.

Summary of the book: He Acted Strange...that's all folks!.......2007-08-22

So she's related to him, big deal. I read the book like most people to get an insight to what happened and get a few more details. I find it sad that she was so quick to make a buck based on her "hunches". She's a mother of 2 young kids, why is most of the book about her drinking too much with Scott at her home? At one point she says she drives a few hours to spend time with her adoptive parents, only to leave her 2 kids there for the weekend so her and Scott can go drinking. What is the point of this?

So he acted bizarre (we could see that just watching him on TV). It's one thing to feel caught up in it, but I think you should have a little dignity and respect for yourself and not run around with many heresay stories. That's all this book is. I'm sure Jackie (her birth mom) is sorry she ever found her long lost daughter. Maybe this book is PAYBACK for Scott being a child that was chosen, not put up for adoption like herself.

To see her on Oprah and Good Morning America and Dateline, etc etc etc. just to discuss what she thought about him...give me a break. You didn't write this book to deal with it yourself - that's what journals are for - it's all about the $$. And to call Laci a close friend when she only saw her 4 times tops...How bad do you need to stick yourself in this story? Scott is paying for this crime already. But thanks for the extra kicks when I'm down, Sis.

Cashing in on an obsure Mommy Dearest.......2007-05-11

When a case like the Laci Peterson murder makes national news, people come out of the woodwork claiming their earth shattering revelations and connections. Anne Bird was one of those people who wrote her book for the purpose of excersising her demons and connection to the Peterson family.

Anne Bird was one of two children that Scott's mother, Jackie Peterson, gave up for adoption. While Anne enjoyed a happy childhood with her adopted family, like many adopted children I have met in my lifetime, she always wondered what if about her birth family. She eventually reunites with Jackie in 1997 and builds a relationship with her.

Anne reveals a few details we otherwise hear about in other accounts, including the tales told by Sharon Roche. What Sharon only hinted at, Anne was able to offer more insight into. Jackie was a smothering, egocentric Mommy Dearest who loved and adored Scott as her golden child. I've met women like her before. A former friend of my Mom's always compaired her two children to me and my sister, and saw us as the model of success. Her two children could do no wrong, were never disciplined, and were taught that it's ok to lie, cheat and steel because as long as they came out looking good and getting the things they wanted it was alright. They grew up to be foul mouthed, violent, and criminal. Over the years her jealous antics got to be too much, but somehow Mom valued their friendship and hung on. She refused to believe what was in front of her eyes until the very end. When the end came, Mom was sadder than I have ever seen her, but the truth came out. Just like it did for Scott.

Scott is a lying, cheating, meniacal brute who cared for little except boozing it up and having fun. He had a variety of discipline problems (being expelled from schools, fired from jobs for stealing, etc.) He clearly did not want a child, as it would have taken the focus off of himself. Somehow he decided that rather than leaving the marriage he should murder Laci and their unborn child; and, after they were out of the picture he could go on and reinvent himself.

Why not 5 stars? Anne had an obtuse connection to the Peterson family, if that. She admits that she did not have much contact with Laci, and they would only meet in the flesh four times. Laci seems like a nice enough gal, but how much could you know by only meeting someone four times? It's also hard for me to believe (even though Anne was not a reliable source in this department, but, I never cease to be amazed by the antics of people) that Laci and Scott did not have discussions about children before they married. Anne wouldn't know anything about this being in role in the family. Plus, she wrote her book as therapy for her being an adopted child who had a connection to the Peterson family. Enjoy it for some insights into Scott and his family, apples don't fall far from the tree.

I loved it.........2007-03-29

This book enlighten me.... I loved it.... It filled in alot of the blanks..

The Spectator Bird (Contemporary American Fiction)

Average customer rating:

Stegner hits all his concerns here
Perfect, Funny, and Wise
Every word counts
Something of a failure.
A subtle, thoughtful and accomplished work of literature

The Spectator Bird (Contemporary American Fiction)
Wallace Stegner
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0140139400

Customer Reviews:

Stegner hits all his concerns here.......2007-01-31

Stegner has three narrative concerns, and the SB hits them all. There is Stegner's nearly vice grip hatred of the counter culture. There is the fascination with the decay of the old, and finally, an interest in eugenics, here expressed in a Danish noble and his son who attempt to inbreed with their servants to create a vibrant strain of humans. Overall, SB, like most of Stegner's work, gives a neat view of what a writer can do when he or she tenaciously latches onto a theme, and exploits it to great effect, adding nuance each time. I think Stegner does that here, and that is what prevents SB from being merely a repetition.

Perfect, Funny, and Wise.......2005-05-06

In all the entangled limbs, passionate melodrama, wild fantasy, and bloody gore of today's pop and contemporary fiction, there is no match for this fine masterwork. In just a little over two hundred pages, Wallace Stegner manages to present a brilliant portrait of a real marriage, an entertaining story of a husband's pursuit of his mother's memory, and an astonishing portrayal of a bereft Danish countess whose beauty and elegance is haunting and sad. Stegner also gets in his digs about the so-called hip writers of his time, while maintaining a wonderful sense of humor and a poetic and rich style second to none. And, in perfectly chosen prose, Stegner describes what it's like to age and to know that one is aging. In his America of the 1970s, anyone past 65 was just plain forgotten and invisible, except when it came time to vote or be bait for a swindle. Nothing on that score is different today. In fact, this novel is filled with universal truths and with a steady current of wisdom that will make your reading it one of the most rewarding experiences you've had in a long time. I guarantee it.

Every word counts.......2005-03-29

This is my third Stegner book and I enjoy him more each time. In this short book he tells a lot about getting/being old, grief of actual loss, wonder for a what-might-have-been relationship and WWII/post-war experiences in Denmark. There is a lot to tell and Stegner does so but with an economy of words that is astounding in the power that it can still achieve. Stegner is able to make the reader see both a man's and a woman's point of view, making one understand and sympathize with each. If you re looking for an introduction to one great and relatively unknown author, this is a powerful, easy-to-read and short way to do it.

Something of a failure........2005-03-01

This book has an interesting construction. A happily married couple is living out a very comfortable, uneventful retirement. Occasioned by a postcard from a woman they met on an extended trip to Denmark, they re-read the husband's diary of the trip. He had been tempted by the Danish woman, who is the heroine of what can only be described as a Gothic tale, one the couple briefly became involved in. As you might expect from Stegner, much of the writing is good, although there is one scene (midnight on the lake), when the similes come so fast, it is almost a parody. The Gothic tale is engrossing. Yet, for me the novel was something of a failure. As a senior citizen I can appreciate the validity of Stegner's portrayal of the challenges and rewards of retirement and a good marriage, but I found the portrayal lifeless for the most part.

A subtle, thoughtful and accomplished work of literature.......2004-12-21

This is a very rewarding piece of fiction written by the late Wallace Stegner. His writing is accessible, but nuanced and deep.

In this work, the National Book Award winner for 1977, Stegner profiles a few days in the lives of Joe Allston and his wife Ruth, who are in their twilight years, almost 70, and retired in relative comfort near San Francisco. A respected literary agent, Allston feels the pang or sense of not having accomplished much of direct or lasting value or personal satisfaction in his own life, paralleling his own experiences with that of the bird that watches and observes the living of other, more active and involved birds. He sees himself as being on the perimeter of the lives of those writers that he represents and also reads; but whom he both loves and hates.

Having regard to the title and parallels, this is not really a book about birds, for if it was, I doubt I could have stayed the course. It is a story of a man both in part frustrated and satisfied, although not at a point of admitting either emotion fully, who explores a period in his life some twenty years before, which had a profound and lasting impact on his life since. His son having died many years before, he has lived out his life with Ruth, and there are silences, a few secrets, many knowing looks, questions, but also many shared emotions that give their marriage and this story much resonance. A large part of the book follows his journal writing 20 years earlier while on a sabbatical with his wife in Denmark, the land of his mother's birth, and from where she fled at a young age. There are some secrets buried in that place that form the backdrop for this story. This is a story of reflecting and learning, rather than neat thirty minute lessons lived out with happy conclusions. Much that might help Joe is not apparent to him at the time he is experiencing it.

The story captures the irritations of family and over-familiarity with those we love but who can also drive us crazy. And coupled with that, the lure of the unfamiliar and exotic. As his life and the story evolves, Joe rediscovers the deep love he has for his wife and partner, Ruth.

Joe's questions and torment are perhaps reflected well in the following passage:

"What was it? Did I feel cheated? Did I look back and feel that I had given up my chance for what they call fulfillment? Did I count the mountain peaks of my life and find every one a knoll? Was I that fellow whose mother loved him, but she died; whose son had been a tragedy to both his parents and himself; whose wife up to the age of twenty had been a nice girl and since the age of twenty a nice woman? Whose profession was something he did not choose, but fell into, and which he practiced with intelligence but without joy? Had I gone through my adult life glancing desperately sidelong in hope of diversion, rescue, transfiguration."

Joe does not get all the answers to these questions in a neat little bundle, so neither do we. But he acknowledges finally that he has been on part of the journey of life as more than just a spectator.

A Birder's Guide to Southern California (Lane/Aba Birdfinding Guide.)

Average customer rating:

A Birder's Guide to Southern California (Lane/Aba Birdfinding Guide.)
Brad Schram , and Harold Holt
Manufacturer: Amer Birding Assn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1878788175

American Casebook Series: Cases and Materials on California Community Property

Average customer rating:

Your average law scool casebook on community property

American Casebook Series: Cases and Materials on California Community Property
Gail Boreman Bird
Manufacturer: West Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Law | Subjects | Books

Property | Business | Law | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0314264906

Book Description

Traces the historical development of the community property concept. Also introduces basic classification principles, including limitations on the classification process. The remaining chapters deal with the consequences flowing from the classification of property as community or separate, including management and control rights and responsibilities, creditors' rights, and distribution of property on the termination of the community. Further ramifications and problems are explored in the notes to the cases.

Customer Reviews:

Your average law scool casebook on community property.......2004-07-14

This is your average law school textbook. For the layman (and sometimes even for the seasoned law student) legal cases can be hard to understand. Sometimes the notes at the end of the cases help, but sometimes they don't.

While all cases are going to contain the structure and verbiage of "legalese," some books do a better job than others. This book is about par for the course. If you would like to see an example of an above average legal textbook, check out Constitutional Criminal Procedure by Lexis.

I used Aspen publishers' casenote book to help me along in understanding the cases in this book. I have a review that highly recommends that casenote book.

Average customer rating:

Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide

A Wonderful Book to Plan For Bird Trips

Not an ideal reference or field guide

Birding Northern California

The most comprehensive guide to birding northern California.

Birding Northern California
John Kemper
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Instructional | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General & Anthologies | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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National Audubon Society Field Guide to California

Accessories:

Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 1560448326

Book Description

Where-to site guide to 81 of the best birding areas in Northern California including 294 individual sites and 102 maps.

Customer Reviews:

Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide.......2007-07-26

- Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide
Found it very handy
Areas to improve
- Verbose format could be improved and turned more concise (tables, possibly more thumbnails and less free text) with possibly better indexing of birds vs spots to find them.

A Wonderful Book to Plan For Bird Trips.......2006-03-01

This book was better than what I had expected. I am getting ready to order several more for birding friends. I was not under the impression that is was an identification guide when I first bought the book and it isn't. But, it does tell me what to study before I travel to the very descriptive destinations.

I cannot wait for the weekend to try birding in another area close to home.

Thank-you John Kemper for a thorough guide book.

Not an ideal reference or field guide.......2003-01-12

I've used the guide to help plan three birding trips so far and found it to be an asset in preparing for the trip (e.g., understanding the location, what species to expect, and best time to go). Upon arrival at the site, I found myself using a field guide like NGS's Field Guide to Birds of North America almost exclusively to help sight and identify the birds.

Birding Northern California is not suitable as a true field guide since it lacks detailed graphics or photos of the close to 600 species that can be found here. While using the book, I also found the book to be "too wordy" to use as a reference. For instance, to find the best location in Northern California to view a Ross's Goose in December, you would need to browse a good chunk of the book before finding a spot (and it might not be the best location). Later I discovered handy reference information in the very back of the text (e.g., Chapter 7 provides a breakdown of "specialty birds" throughout the area with their respective ranges mapped for winter and summer). FYI - the Ross's Goose is included in Chapter 7 with the key sites. The last chapter of the book provides a complete listing, including specialty and more common birds, with a geographic region and month of the year to look for the bird.

Given the room for improvement in the book's organization, I would encourage the publisher/author to produce a 2nd edition. The ideal improvement would be to include a CDROM that structures the information by bird species (hey, a photo would be nice), the locations where the bird can be found with a relative ranking, the time of year (again with some form of ranking). Including a CD would also allow the reader to search over the information by species or location.

Birding Northern California.......2001-05-11

I ordered this for use in my daughter's 6th grade science class in Oakland. Unfortunately, it contains no photographs of the birds--only text descriptions of viewing locations. So it's not useful as an identification guide. The general description should clearly state this. JM

The most comprehensive guide to birding northern California........1999-05-28

With the passion of a life-long birder and the precision of a former professor of engineering, John Kemper has written an exceptional, new site guide for northern California. Detailed information is given for 81 major locations from the Oregon border through Monterey, King, and Tulare counties plus the Kern River Valley in Kern County; Mono County and the White Mountains are included on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada

The book focuses on species of interest by listing "specialty birds" and "other key birds" at the beginning of each location description. Specialty birds include uncommon to abundant birds found primarily in the western United States, endangered or threatened species, and rare birds if the site is among the best for the bird. The text describes when, where, and how to the find the birds at each site, and this information was personally verified by John during two years of fieldwork preparing the book. Range maps and bar charts at the back of the book are cross-referenced to the best sites for each species and the time of year when each species occurs in different regions of the state. Readers will appreciate the easily readable, detailed maps and the clearly written site descriptions. Novices, long-time California birders, and birders from out of state planning their first or 100th trip to the state, will find the information needed to find the birds of interest to them and to plan successful birding trips.

Average customer rating:

Fine for the beginner, but not the expert.

National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: California

National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: California (NG Field Guide to Birds)

Manufacturer: National Geographic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
Ornithology | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0792294653
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Fine for the beginner, but not the expert........2007-07-04

I have been a long time user of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. When I heard they were beginning to produce state or small area specific mini-guides, I welcomed the reduction in mass and volume for my back pack. However, the new California field guide fell short of my expectations. Less than 200 of the 600+ species observed in California were illustrated in this guide. As such, it holds little appeal to me as a true field guide. However, my volume has been passed to friends that enjoy feeding birds in their yard, but are rarely sure of the ID of their visitors. They have told me how much they enjoy the book and how useful they find it. This would appear to be the niche that this new set of guides will fill. It will whet the interest of new birders and feeders of birds. From there, hopefully they will find they enjoy the hobby enough to pursue it more completely. At that point, they will need more than this book can offer.

National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: California.......2007-05-23

We are really enjoying this book. We have recently moved to a new home and have placed many bird feeders in our yard. We can now identify most of the birds that are dining at our outdoor restaurant, which is providing much entertainment.

California Birds: Their Status and Distribution

Average customer rating:

California Birds: Their Status and Distribution
Arnold Small
Manufacturer: Ibis Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0934797099

Average customer rating:

Quite good
Birds of Northern California
The BEST Northern California bird book....
Helpful but limited
Very Best of Its Kind

Birds of Northern California
David Fix , and Andy Bezener
Manufacturer: Lone Pine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Birds of San Francisco and the Bay Area (City Bird Guides)
National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: California (NG Field Guide to Birds)
Birding Northern California
An Introduction to Northern California Birds
Birds of California Field Guide (Our Nature Field Guides)

ASIN: 155105227X

Book Description

Learn about 320 species of Northern California birds in fascinating detail. Descriptions, illustrations and range maps help you identify birds and understand their habits. A checklist helps you keep a list of your birding accomplishments. Perfect for beginner birders and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

Quite good.......2007-07-26

Quite good. Like the indexing the most. Very handy for newer birders to the area or people starting with birding in Norcal (highly recommend).
3 areas could improve.
1- comparison section is good, but does not cover similar looking birds of other families (e.g: compares short billed dowitcher with long billed dowitcher but need this to be clapper rail vs willet vs dowitcher)
2- need pictures of both flight and sitting positions for some birds (e.g: different hawks, others like northern mockingbirds)
3- a bit smaller size will make this a better field guide

Birds of Northern California.......2007-01-12

Illustrations are excellent. Descriptions are brief and informative. Data is organized in a logical and structural way. Easy to use. Cover is sturdy, but light. I bought 4 copies for myself and as gifts.

The BEST Northern California bird book...........2006-04-17

What can I say, except that this is THE best Northern California bird book in existence....and in fact, it may well be the best bird book ever written! Over the years I've used a wide variety of bird identification books, including Sibley, Audubon/Peterson, etc...

Nothing matches this beautiful volume, from its fantastic color drawings/renditions to its sensitive and detailed textual comments, etc.

Helpful but limited.......2006-03-21

Unfortunately, the illustrations in this book are of varying quality, with some looking as though they were painted from specimens. Moreover, there are no flight depictions, just static poses. However, the book is useful for focusing your attention on the set of species you need to know in northern California. I recommend using a Sibley identification guide with this book.

Very Best of Its Kind.......2006-03-04

I am an advanced-amateur birder, and I own four separate bird guides. I live in the Bay Area, and this is by far the guide I use the most. I've owned it for three years, and virtually every bird I've seen has been within its pages. It's very easy to navigate because of its "thumbnails" in the opening pages - you can easily spot your bird there without having to flip through the whole guide.

It's also very well written. It is always eloquent, occasionally humorous, and does a wonderful job of capturing the personality and "feel" of each bird. A problem I have with the overrated Audubon guide, and even sometimes with the fine Sibley and Stokes guides, is that they are too consistently technical. They rarely give unusual background or personality information about the birds. By contrast, this Fix-Bezener guide has something pleasurable to read in every entry.

Some folks might want to supplement this guide with the Stokes Field Guide, Western Region, because it includes photographs. Or perhaps with a Sibley guide if you really want to get into the details. But for 90% of Northern California birders, this single guide will do just fine.

The birds of Orange County, California: Status and distribution

Average customer rating:

The birds of Orange County, California: Status and distribution
Robert A. Hamilton , and Douglas R. Willick
Manufacturer: Sea & Sage Press, Sea & Sage Audubon Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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