Nature Guides

Amazon description

From exploring the basic principles of geology to starting a rock and mineral collection, The Practical Geologist is the perfect introduction to the world of earth science.

Beginning with a history of the earth's formation and development, this book explores the substances that compose the planet, movements within the earth, the surface effects of weather and water, and underground landscapes.

It shows you how to search for, identify, and extract samples of various rocks and minerals, and for each rock and mineral type there is a brief mineralogy and explanation of its locations. There are also sections on mapping, preparing, and curating specimens, and geological sites on the six continents.

Packed with more than 200 full-color illustrations, this comprehensive guide is the essential practical companion for natural science enthusiasts everywhere.

Women and Cruising comments

A great find to help appreciate a very complex subject!

Amazon description

The fourth edition of this best-selling field guide has been completely revised and updated to include the latest information from leading astronomical sources. All the time-sensitive material is new and valid through 2010: solar eclipses, phases of the moon, positions of the planets, and more. Twenty-four Monthly Sky Maps, all newly revised and in color, show exactly what you'll see when facing north or south in the night sky. Fifty-two Atlas Charts, also revised and in color, cover the entire sky, including close-ups of areas of special interest such as the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula. The hundreds of thousands of devoted users of the previous editions of this guide have been eagerly awaiting this new volume so they can continue to enjoy their hobby in the coming decades.

Women and Cruising comments

This stargazing guide to the Caribbean is recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II.

 

Amazon description

"The definitive book." - Cruising World

"Every culture has its bible, and until now, there wasn't one for the voyager with a passion for catching fish." -- Ocean Navigator

Here is the first-ever complete guide to finding, catching, processing, and cooking fish from the decks of a slow-moving cruising sail- or powerboat. Scott and Wendy Bannerot have successfully cruise-fished tropical and temperate seas for more than two decades.

Women and Cruising comments

The cruising fisherman's bible is Scott & Wendy Bannerot's The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing, best supplemented by those plastic fish ID cards so you can decide quickly if it's a fish you want to keep!

Amazon description

A unique field guide and reference, Where to Watch Birds in South America is designed to help the avid birder and the general wildlife enthusiast organize eventful journeys throughout the richest continent for birds, where the species number over three thousand. This book covers more than two hundred of the best sites for birdwatching, and includes the archipelagos of Trinidad and Tobago, the Galapagos and Falkland Islands, the Netherland Antilles, and part of Antarctica. The reader will find details of every species that is endemic to particular countries, and will learn where and when best to see such birds as the scarlet ibis, Andean condor, harpy eagle, sunbittern, macaw, toucan, jacamar, antbird, and cotinga. The text is enhanced by nearly one hundred maps and fifty line drawings. There are even hints as to where species not seen for decades may be rediscovered.

This guide begins with an introduction to the continent and its birds then deals with particular countries and archipelagos. The site details include bird lists, a list of other wildlife present, and the latest advice on where to look for birds. For the traveler, there is information on transport, accommodations, safety, and health, and answers to various strategic questions: Which countries support the most species? How many sites must be visited to see most of them? How long does this take? When is the best time to go? Whether a first-time visitor to South America or a seasoned traveler there, the reader will find this guide immensely useful in making the most out of the trip.

Amazon description

The Seabird Breeding Atlas of the Lesser Antilles makes available data and narrative related to Environmental Protection in the Caribbean's (EPIC) census of breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles. The book provides information on methodology, species profiles and distribution maps and tables by species and country/territory, and site specific threats.

The Atlas reports key individual islands for breeding seabirds in the Lesser Antilles, nations or territories supporting the greatest number of globally and regionally important populations and clarifies the significance of the region in relation to Caribbean-wide populations. Species with restricted breeding ranges are also identified.

The study covered 3,162 nautical miles and over 200 islands between 2009 and 2010. Every island, islet, or cay above the high-tide level capable of supporting seabirds was surveyed by land and/or sea. Surveys were conducted over a two-year period to account for variations in breeding cycles. The only islands not surveyed by EPIC were locations for which colleagues contributed recent data.

A full seabird population survey for this region had never previously been undertaken. Existing records varied greatly from areas of intense research, to sites where data were based on anecdotal notes, sometimes dating back to the early 19th century. This ground-breaking study sheds light on numerous undocumented seabird breeding colonies, as well as colonies previously thought extirpated. The standardised methods and results will provide a baseline for the future monitoring of seabirds within the region and guide conservation priorities.

Amazon description

This guidebook, with its brief, informative text and 408 color illustrations, is designed for the fishwatcher, that inquisitive person—whether swimmer, tidepool watcher, skin or scuba diver, or fisherman—who wants to know something about the beautiful and abundant marine life from Labrador to Trinidad.

The 378 fish species that are described in words and pictures have been chosen as those most commonly sighted by divers or shoreline visitors, taken by fishermen or collectors, or found in the marketplace. Two maps assist the reader in locating the range of particular fishes, and there is a section on diving tips for beginners.

Women and Cruising comments

This handy little book describes almost any fish you might catch or see from Labrador to Brazil. It also tells us which fish are safe and good to eat, and which are not, and gives the Spanish common name of each fish species.

Women and Cruising comments

This pocket book provides a picture and a description for almost each seashell you might encounter in the Caribbean.

Amazon description

825 classic marine life photographs of 600 common and rare reef fish species. The easy-to-use, quick reference format makes it a snap to identify the myriad of fishes in Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas waters. A must for every serious diver. 6 inch x 9 inch, cloth stitched flexibinding that allows the book to lie flat.

Amazon description

530 classic photographs of living specimens and the most current scientific classifications help identify virtually every species of stony coral, gorgonian, fire coral and black coral in the tropical western Atlantic.

Amazon description

The book that has been relied on for a decade by scientists, marine biologists, recreational divers and young naturalists. 660 fascinating photographs of crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellies, sponges, tunicates and more!

Amazon description

Focusing on key behavioural aspects of reproduction, territoriality, swimming and eating habits, this text provides insights into the lives of dozens of common fish species which inhabit the unique ecosystem of the coral reef. The authors also address the misconceptions surrounding sharks.

Women and Cruising comments

Recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II.

 

Amazon description

Lavishly illustrated in color, with typical nature scenes of the Caribbean and color photographs, this book provides the reader with an identification guide to the flora, fauna and sea life of the islands. Its vivid descriptions of local flowers, trees, desert landscapes, rain forests, undersea gardens and common island fauna reflect Barlow's love of nature.

Women and Cruising comments

Recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II in her "Bookshelf"

Amazon description

This book is written for the enjoyment of the average person who has an interest in the natural surroundings and almost unique geology and biology of the Baja California Peninsula. It will provide for your enjoyment of the Roadside Geology & Biology of Baja California as you travel the Peninsular Highway. There are 194 photographs and 145 drawings and sketches of the Baja which we have grown to love that will introduce you to this magnificent place in a way that you can understand with little or no formal training in geology or biology. It will be useful to a variety of people from individuals with no formal geologic or biologic experience to individuals with advanced degrees in the sciences. Since John began working and mapping in Baja over thirty years ago, we have been asked over and over again: "where can I get information or a guide to Baja California geology and/or biology which I can follow." This book was written to fill that need and to avoid having to! say no to so many interested people. The road logs provide kilometer by kilometer information on the roadside geology and biology of the highways. Added to this is information which helps you to understand the how and why of the geology and biology. In the introduction on geology there is a general discussion of the 5 major geomorphic provinces (landforms based on the underlying geology), of the tilted fault blocks which form the backbone of the peninsula, and of the erosion surfaces which seem to be nearly everywhere in the state of Baja California (norte). There is a little plate tectonics and a general geologic history of how Baja came to be. In the introduction on the biology, there is a discussion of the phytogeographic provinces and their plants and a separate section on birds in Baja with details of the birds in each province. Sketches are provided of some of the more common birds and plants. This information is also discussed at the appropriate location in the book. Finally, we provided an illustrated ! glossary of terms which you may not be familiar with, the time scale, the rock cycle, to show the interrelationships between the various rocks, and simplified rock charts for igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. There are references for those of you who want more. It is a warm feeling to know that we have made your travels on this fascinating peninsula more interesting. Enjoy!

Con mejores deseos para un buen viaje!

Amazon description

This is the first paperback version of the second edition of the popular A Guide to the Birds of Panama. In the second edition, published in 1989, the authors expanded information on the birds of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras: approximately 200 new species were added to the material in the 1976 edition. Over 300 additional species, some of them Panamanian, were illustrated. Sixteen new plates were added, and three of the original plates were replaced by improved versions. Throughout the book changes were made to accommodate the explosion in knowledge of the birds of Panama and nearby areas and of neotropical birds in general. The basic sequence and systematics of the AOU 1983 Check-list were adopted. Also included in the revised edition was expanded and updated information on birdfinding in Panama, prepared with the assistance of two of Panama's best resident birders. The book also contains a special section outlining developments in Panama ornithology and conservation. "A sophisticated treatment of one of the world's richest avifaunas."--The Quarterly Review of Biology --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Women and Cruising comments

Recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II.

Amazon description

The updated and enlarged Second edition features more than 30 additional species and 70 new photographs. From the beautiful cool waters of Catalina Island to the frigid straits teaming with life in British Columbia, this book covers it all. This is the most comprehensive pictorial fish ID guide ever published for these waters. More than 320 superb color photos are presented in our popular, quick-reference format. Now in flexibinding (cloth stitched like hardcover, but a soft flexible cover like paperback).

Women and Cruising comments

Recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II.

Women and Cruising comments

Recommended by Gwen Hamlin of Tackless II.

Finally, a comprehensive fish identification guide covering the fish-rich reefs of the Pacific. It contains 2,500 underwater photographs of 2,000 species from four of the best marine life authors/photographers in the business. Their collaboration makes it possible for underwater naturalists to identify fishes from Thailand to Tahiti with a single, compact, easy-to-use, no-nonsense reference. 108 fish families are presented in one of 20 Identification groups based on a family's related visual or behavioural characteristics, such as Large Oval / Colourful or Sand/Burrow Dwellers. Likewise, every effort has been made to group similar appearing species together.

Amazon description

The updated and enlarged Second edition features more than 30 additional species and 70 new photographs. From the beautiful cool waters of Catalina Island to the frigid straits teaming with life in British Columbia, this book covers it all. This is the most comprehensive pictorial fish ID guide ever published for these waters. More than 320 superb color photos are presented in our popular, quick-reference format. Now in flexibinding (cloth stitched like hardcover, but a soft flexible cover like paperback).