Where the Birds Are

A must for every family. "Where The Birds Are" is yet one more delightful installment of the seemingly eternal "Where's Waldo?" concept. On every page you get to scour the scenery for the birds of America. Question "Where's the Red-Crested Twaddle?" Resposnse: "There it is!" Yes sir! No sooner are you about to give up all hope than you find him tucked away in a cute little baby stroller, misguidedly trying to regurgitate the morning's catch. Darling!And the scenes themselves are as smart as they are colorful. Whether it's a gritty crime scene in New York or a babbling brook in Ontario (I've never been but I hear Ontario is lovely and probably looks a lot like the picture, but, again, I can't really speak first-hand) or a mesa somewhere in New Mexico, there's something for everyone. It's fun for all ages, except for the really, really old with poor eyesight or the really, really young who might not grasp basic concepts like "birds." I highly suggest buying this book, even if you must skip a meal in order to afford to do so. Maybe being light-headed from skipping a meal might even let you enjoy the book more. Who knows? There's only one way to find out.

Whenever I travel on business or for vacations, I try to see the local highlights that interest me. Over the years, this has helped me to enjoy many museums, concerts, gardens, golf courses, and national parks. As an early riser, I often find myself with nothing to do before 10 a.m. on business trips. I am consciously aware that very few places I visit offer good bird watching, of the sort that I know how to find near my home. This volume is a perfect addition for me. I can now plan bird watching excursions as part of these same trips. This will add enormously to the enjoyment I will gain from my travel. Can you name 100 outstanding places to watch birds north of Mexico? If you are like me, your list is pretty short. This guide now gives me places to look in every region of the United States and Canada. Each site contains a brief overview, a description of the habitat, the birds you are most likely to see (which includes some fine color photographs to help with identification), a description of the bird life in the area, suggestions for visiting, and highlights of seasonal events. In addition, you get the basics about how to get to the site (driving directions), hours, cost, whether camping is available or not, ways on get more information by telephone and on-line, and the availablility of local motels, hotels and bed-and-breakfast inns. I checked out several places where I had been before, and found the information to be accurate and appropriate. For those who want to make more detailed plans, you will probably want to do more research before you visit, using the references here.There is also a micro mini-field guide in the back for the birds you are most likely to see. But you will want to bring your own field guide, I'm sure. That's almost as important as a good set of binoculars and broken-in walking shoes. If you are new to bird watching, the introduction also contains useful information about how to prepare. Conservationists will be pleased to see that the book contains much information about how not to disturb important nesting areas. Whether or not these are the 100 best birdwatching places from your perspective, I urge you to get this book and use it to extend the range of your viewing. If you are a retired person with the health and resources to travel, this book could add a great deal of happiness to your life. After you finish reading this book, I suggest that you plan a bird-watching trip to take advantage of this information. Then, go on to think about what else you like to do which might be seen on the same trip. Do some research, and add those activities to your trip. After all, the best bird-watching is often over by 8 a.m. Enjoy the world we inhabit with our animal friends!