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Birds of Western North America - A Photographic Guide
by Paul Sterry and Brian E. Small
Princeton University Press
ISBN 978-0-691-13428-4
Published September 2009 - Softcover - 416 pages - $18.95

By now you'll have realized, if you're a regular to these pages, that I love Nature, birds, and photography, which is why I chose to review this particular book.  Not only is it full of gorgeous photographs, there is much to be learned as well.  For starters, I flipped through the book looking for the birds I'd personally seen and/or photographed, and to make a mental note of what to keep an eye out for in the future.  Mental notes tend to fade which is another excuse for reading more books.  Of the many, many species featured, there are many I've not seen, and probably will never see, but a short list of what I'd love to see includes the hummingbird on page 2, the Bohemian Waxwing on page 19, the Greater Prairie Chicken on page 59, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse on page 61 (just fantastic), the Arctic Tern on page 163, the Tufted Puffin on page 177, any of the Hummingbirds on pages 206-213, the Green Jay on page 261, and the Painted Bunting on page 371.  All breathtakingly beautiful.  This book has been laid out so that it's easy to identify a bird, learn about its habitat and migration routes, what they eat, and their sounds.  Their scientific names are also given as are maps of where and when they can be found.  This book is a wonderful way to learn about the birds in your neighborhood and to learn to appreciate the exquisite beauty found in Nature.
Beautifully illustrated.  In fact, superb photos.
Conclusion - A must-have book for bird lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful past time.

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