Naturalist's Mexico (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment Series, No 12)

Name: A True Naturalist Exploring Mexico
Item: Naturalist&#39;s Mexico (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment Series, No 12)
Rating: 5
Author: Thriftbooks.com User

By Roland H. Wauer

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Book Overview

To the nature lover, Mexico is a biological paradise, possessing the greatest natural diversity in North America. With only one-fourth the land area of the United States, it possesses as many plant species (some twenty thousand) and many more kinds of animals than its northern neighbor. Yet the tourist attractions of Mexico that are known to most visitors are the cities, the beaches, and the archeological sites. Little is available to guide the visitor through Mexico's magnificent outdoors. Roland Wauer found long ago that the two ingredients of nature he enjoyed most were the discovery of new birds and the exploration of the remote habitats where they occur. Since 1966, he has made annual trips into Mexico to pursue these interests. From his adventures he has compiled an indispensable companion for anyone visiting Mexico with an interest in the country's spectacular natural environment. He introduces us to all parts of Mexico's outstanding diversity, from its arid lowlands and coastal islands to the forested uplands and humid jungles, once home of the ancient Mayans. He offers vivid word pictures of tropical forests and the northern deserts. Twenty-nine color photographs and thirty-nine black-and-white shots provide further reason to explore the flora and fauna that thrive off the beaten path. This unique introduction to Mexico's avifauna--and the rest of its natural environment--is designed to aid either in preparation for a trip or during a trip to Mexico. It offers a fascinating invitation to find, enjoy, and respect the diverse and magnificent world of tropical nature that exists there.

Format:Paperback

Language:English

ISBN:0890965080

ISBN13:9780890965085

Release Date:January 1992

Publisher:Texas A&M University Press

Weight:1.50 lbs.

Dimensions:1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Related Subjects

Biological Sciences Biology Natural History Nature Nature & Ecology Science Science & Math Science & Scientists Science & Technology

Customer Reviews

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A True Naturalist Exploring Mexico

Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago

This is an absolutely wonderful book to read. The writing is fluid and the sense of discovery (and we are only talking about going back to the 1990s) is incredible. However, I would only recommend this book to people who are already naturalists as the point of the book is the finding/discovering/ and being a part of Mexico's natural history wonders. For example the author doesn't go into long flowery descriptions of the Lechuguilla plant, he puts it in its context as a part of the Chihuahuan desert. So for the true Naturalist who loves good natural history writing and have any interest in Mexico I fully recommend this book. Sure wish I could go with him on his trips though-I guess that's what this book is for. Just to add a bit more (I just finished the book). This has been a lovely journey across Mexico. I wish I could travel with him on his many exhibitions across Mexico. What I really have liked about the book is that this is a fairly modern trek (80s through 90s) of a place many naturalists don't think about figuring they need to go further afield for an exotic trip into a natural world. He educates us along the way, even a biology teacher such as myself.He also chronicles the recent demise of Mexico's few remaining natural places. My only complaint, and it is fairly minor, is that this book is really the approach of an Ornithologist. Undoubtedly Mexico's avian fauna is the main draw for many visiting naturalists. But it would have been nice to include more herp fauna (reptiles and amphibians) as well. Even his botanical approach tends to be that of an ornithologist. He has a few references to mammals in the book, but that seems to be more the lack of mammals than anything else. I was actually sorry to leave this book. Most other similar books are really more 19th century, it's nice to feel that a naturalist might be able to follow the recommendations and discover at least part of what he saw. A wonderful book for a true naturalist.