Find Joy in the Beauty and Wonder of Birds Birding is among the most popular outdoor activities-especially in the Midwest, where hundreds of different bird species can be seen and observed. Now is the perfect time to join the fun and let our feathered friends astonish and inspire you. Award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela has written best-selling bird identification guides for every Midwestern state. In Stan Tekiela's Birding for Beginners: Midwest, he provides the information you need to become a skilled birder in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The first section of the book presents "how to" information. Learn the basics of bird feeders. Get to know your birdseed. Create a bird-friendly yard-and even make your own bird food with do-it-yourself recipes. The book's second section is an identification guide, featuring 55 Midwestern birds that are most likely to be seen at your backyard feeder or near your home. The species are organized by color, making it simple to identify what you see. If you spot a yellow bird, go to the yellow section to discover what it is. Each bird gets a full-page photograph with notations about key field marks, or identification characteristics. The full-color photos are paired with information ranging from the bird's nest and eggs to favorite foods, as well as Stan's fascinating naturalist notes. Give birding a try, and get started with the guidance of an expert. You'll be amazed by how much joy birds can bring, and you'll have a lifetime to enjoy them.

A complete, step-by-step manual for safely sheltering-in-place at home so you are prepared for any disaster or disease. If a disaster forces you to shelter in place, do you think you have everything you need to safely and comfortably stay put in your home? If the answer is no, The Disaster-Ready Home will help you create a safe, well-stocked place to weather out any emergency. Survival expert and bestselling author Creek Stewart gives you a step-by-step emergency preparedness plan to meet your food, water, heat, and sanitation needs during any disaster. Including detailed lists, photographs, and complete instructions to make the plan easy to follow, this book is the only resource you need for a disaster. You’ll learn how to: -Create an emergency pantry stocked with enough food for the timeframe of your choice—from two weeks to three months to a full year -Select and store food that fits your taste, diet, and budget -Easily rotate and use your emergency food supply, so nothing goes to waste -Set up long-term water storage and renewable water sources -Cook food and boil water when your kitchen appliances aren’t working -Safely heat and light your home when the power is out -Effectively manage sanitation issues if running water is unavailable -And much more! With daily headlines dominated by disease and disasters, the need to be prepared has never been more evident. This practical, field-tested guide will help you protect and provide for your family when any situation arises.

As potential targets such as military facilities, symbols of democracy, government buildings, and infrastructure are 'hardened' against possible terrorist attacks, terrorists will shift to softer targets: churches, schools, malls, mass entertainment centers, high-rise apartments, transportation centers, and energy facilities. Their goal will be to disrupt or destroy our economy, impose fear and uncertainty, break our national will, and deflect our attention and support from the Middle East. We could wait for it to happen, or we can prepare now. This new book empowers Americans by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to understand terrorist strategies, which, in turn, allow each of us to contribute to disrupting the terrorists' intended goals through observing and reporting suspicious activity, reducing target vulnerabilities, and minimizing casualties through education and preparation. The authors define terrorism and its origins and describe present-day organizations: where they operate, what their philosophies entail, and what their motivation and objectives are. They review different terrorist tactics and their desired effects, providing readers with guidelines and checklists for surviving them. Knowing how to prepare for, and how to survive an attack is a step toward marginalizing intended casualty rates, psychological impacts, and propaganda values. At the same time, the lifesaving skills presented in this book may also be used in naturally occurring catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes.

Manage hiking, camping, backpacking, and outdoor emergencies There’s never a good place for a medical emergency, but some locations are much worse than others. If you are out in nature, far from help, when the unthinkable happens, you must be prepared. Outdoor Medicine is your handy, portable, easy-to-understand guide that helps you to follow the correct course of action. Whether it’s illness, injury, or life-or-death conditions, author Patrick Brighton, M.D., FACS, is there to lend his experience in assessing and managing backcountry emergencies. The author’s expertise—as a board-certified trauma surgeon and a mountaineer, climber, kayaker, and member of a mountain rescue team—has allowed him to develop concise descriptions of the diagnosis, treatment options, and evacuation strategies for several common medical emergencies. This tabbed booklet is organized by type of injury, so you can quickly reference the information you need to evaluate and treat the condition. There’s no need to wade through time-consuming data that you won’t use. The easily digestible instructions help you to assess the situation and decide how to proceed, with tips on what to do and what not to do. The guide also takes into consideration the variable challenges you might face: limited resources, weather, victim/rescuer capabilities, and evacuation options. With strategies based on the latest research from the American College of Surgeons, the American Heart Association, and Dr. Brighton’s decades of experience, you can be certain that you’re getting the best advice available. So get this pocket-sized guide to outdoor medicine, and hope that you never have to use it—but take comfort in knowing that it’s there if you do.

HOW TO STAY ALIVE IN THE WOODS is a practical, readable-and potentially indispensable-manual for anyone venturing into the great outdoors.

Broken down into four essential sections, Sustenance, Warmth, Orientation and Safety, this enlightening guide reveals how to catch game without a gun, what plants to eat (full-color illustrations of these make identification simple), how to build a warm shelter, make clothing, protect yourself and signal for help. Detailed illustrations and expanded instructions, newly commissioned for this deluxe edition, offer crucial information at a glance, making How to Stay Alive in the Woods truly a lifesaver.

Smith Rock State Park. It was on the impressive crags of this Oregon hideaway that American sport climbing came into its own, and to this day, some of the hardest climbs in the United States are found on these walls. Alan Watts, who has played a leading role in the development of this popular rock-climbing destination, details more than 2,200 routes at Smith Rock and the surrounding area. This new edition updates hundreds of routes and has new photos of the many crags, walls, and routes. No other guide is as comprehensive or thorough, and no author more respected for his intimate knowledge of one of the world’s most popular climbing destinations.

Climbing and mountaineering attracts millions of people around the world each year, but produces a unique set of challenges. The threat of danger is ever present, and professional medical help is often far away. Vertical Medicine Resources is a renowned climbing company providing medical training and consultation. In Vertical Aid, they have produced the most complete guide available for managing both emergencies and chronic injuries sustained during climbs. Researched and developed by professional healthcare providers and alpinists, the book includes helpful illustrations of common procedures and best practices, making it a practical and indispensable companion on any climbing, trekking, or alpine trip. It is replete with real-world-tested strategies, evidence-based medicine, and proven techniques. The diverse author team combines an EMS and emergency physician, a nurse, a physician assistant, and a nurse-trainer, who together have a profound depth of climbing, educational, and medical experience. With its unique combination of authoritative medical information and specific attention to the climbing environment, Vertical Aid is poised to become an authoritative resource for every climber, on every climb.

Unplug from technology and "plug in" to nature through the wonder of your senses. The Book of Nature Connection is packed with fun activities for using all our senses to engage with nature in a deep and nourishing way. From "extenda-ears" and acorn whistles to bird calls, camouflage games, and scent scavenger hunts, enjoy over 70 diverse, engaging, sensory activities for all ages that promote mindfulness and nature connection. With activities grouped by the main senses - hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste - plus sensory walks and group games, The Book of Nature Connection is both a powerful learning tool kit and the cure for sensory anesthesia brought on by screen time and lives lived indoors. Whisper in birds, be dazzled by nature's kaleidoscope of colors, taste the freshness of each season, learn to savor the scented world of evergreens, hug a tree and feel the bark against your cheek. Spending time in nature with all senses tuned and primed helps us feel like we belong to the natural world - and in belonging, we come to feel more connected, nourished, and alive. Ideal for educators, camp and youth leaders, caregivers and parents, and anyone looking to reconnect and become a nature sommelier!

This book includes more than 75 hikes in this spectacular country, from the western canyons and badlands to the soaring heights of the Cloud Peak Massif. Detailed hike descriptions, helpful maps, and elevation profiles make this the only guide you'll need to enjoy hiking in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Learn. Practice. Prepare. Survive. Survival situations can happen when least expected. The best defense is knowledge and confidence in the skills that will keep you alive--whether it's for a few hours, days or long term. 365 Essential Survival Skills comprises the best knowledge, tips and tricks available in the world today, and each skill is explained in fun, easy-to-learn ways that any student--greenhorn or seasoned--will pick up with a little practice. With 365 skills inside this book, there's plenty of practice to keep you busy year-round. The difference between life and death in a survival setting is a very slim margin. Don't take any chances--learn how to keep yourself and your family alive. FEATURING: Skills relevant to all four seasons of the year and desert, woodland, prairie, mountain and urban environments Vital insights on the four core survival needs--shelter, fire, water and food Other topics such as navigation, first aid, tools, signaling, self-defense and more Practical applications for campers, hunters, anglers, hikers, climbers, skiers and all who venture outdoors Links to thorough, in-depth video demonstrations

With off-road driving becoming more and more popular and taking drivers to ever more challenging destinations, the time has never been better for this essential guide to surviving the many challenges come across during these adventures. Covering areas such as first aid, navigation, repairs, vehicle recovery and outdoor skills, this must have handbook for all four-wheel adventurers shows how to survive in many diverse terrains with your 4x4.

Explore and experience nature with your kids with these 30 fun and educational family activities dedicated to spending more time outside. Less screen, more green! In the world of smartphones, tablets, and online learning, the need for children to engage with nature has never been more evident. Outdoor activities and projects inspire exploration, creativity, curiosity, learning, and a sense of wonder. Interacting with nature also fosters a healthy love and respect for the outdoors. The Family Guide to Outdoor Adventures features fun and engaging hands-on nature, camping, and bushcraft projects that get you and your children outside having more fun, strengthening your bond, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Written by expert survival instructor Creek Stewart, each project is designed to get parents and their kids outside and teach them about nature and the great outdoors. From casting animal tracks and dyeing t-shirts with walnuts to building a debris hut and catching minnows with a spider web your family with get your hands dirty, learn some cool nature facts, and complete some awesome projects with your family. Explore, create, laugh, love, and experience the great outdoors together with The Family Guide to Outdoor Adventures.

There's nothing like exploring the great outdoors. Getting out and appreciating nature can be as simple as spending time in your own back garden or local park, or as adventurous as hiking up a mountain or through a forest. However and wherever you choose to get outside, there are certain essential tools that will help you along the way. Maker.Wild features 15 projects which will enable you to get the most out of the outdoors, and make your adventures fun, safe and comfortable. Created by Mike Warren - whose projects for Instructables are the ultimate in survival DIY - the projects range from simple, on-the-go survival techniques to makes that you will be sure to pack for every future trip. Mike's fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions encourage the use of found materials and upcycling, advocating harmony with nature and a sustainable outlook every step of the way. Maker.Wild will take you on a journey from DIY greenhorn to survival crafts professional, and give you all the necessary maker skills to upgrade camping trips and hikes from barely organized to expertly crafted.

A tongue-in-cheek guide to the many dangers of the Star Wars galaxy, and the best ways to avoid them

The Star Wars galaxy is a dangerous place. Would you survive in the spice mines of Kessel? Could you escape from a giant space slug?

From tackling extreme weather and finding shelter, to avoiding social pitfalls, learn what to do to stay alive in a galaxy far, far away.

Are you and your family self-reliant? Are you prepared for fire, flood, or civil unrest? If not, here are projects to help you preserve food, make your own tools, build a generator, keep a bee hive, grow your own food, and more. Everyone begins somewhere, especially with disaster preparedness. In 52 Prepper's Projects, you'll find a project for every week of the year, designed to start you off with the foundations of disaster preparedness and taking you through a variety of projects that will increase your knowledge in self-reliance and help you acquire the actual know-how to prepare for anything. Project include: Bug Out Bag Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Food Dehydration Liquid Laundry Soap Wheat Grinding Making a Top Bar Bee Hive Homemade Jerky Tire Planters Making Soft Curd Cheese from Powdered Milk And dozens more! Self-reliance isn't about building a bunker and waiting for the end of the world. It's about understanding the necessities in life and gaining the knowledge and skill sets that will make you better prepared for whatever life throws your way. 52 Prepper's Projects is the ultimate instructional guide to preparedness, and a must-have book for those with their eye on the future.

A Wealth of Information on Being Prepared for Any Contingency or Catastrophe

This is the definitive survival guide and essential resource for all travelers, campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. Already a worldwide million-copy bestseller, The Ultimate Survival Guide covers everything from basic first aid to disaster preparedness, from setting up camp to making it through a hurricane -- an absolute must-have volume for anyone who has ever placed him or herself at the mercy of Mother Nature.What to pack, carry, and wear in hostile environmentsFirst aid and rescueFinding food, water, shelter, and making fireDealing with wild animals, snake bites, and fierce climatic hazardsSurviving flood, avalanche, tornado, and other violent natural catastrophesFully illustrated and easy to use

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." -- LP Jacks For nearly 80 years, Yvon Chouinard has followed this advice, pursuing, with equal fervor, sports adventures, business excellence, and environmental activism. Since 1950, he has captured the lessons and revelations he's learned in articles and books, personal letters and poetry, introductions and eulogies. In this fascinating inside look, Chouinard himself has selected his favorites from years of reflection, all accompanied by illustrative photos, many never published before. The results is both more of Chouinard's iconoclastic and provocative thinking, his skilled storytelling and sense of humor, and a picture of the evolution of his thoughts and philosophies. With articles on sports, from falconry to fishing and climbing to surfing, with musings on the purpose of business and the importance of environmental activism, this very personal book is like sitting on the couch with this amazing man, flipping through his photo album as he tells the stories of his life. Some Stories is an eclectic portrait of a unique life lived well. Yet the final pages of the book indicate that Chouinard will continue to challenge people, business, and the world. He presents the company's new simple but direct mission statement, revised for the first time in 27 years: "We are in business to save our home planet." With it he emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis then entreats every person's obligation to reflect on, commit to, and act on this mission.

To build a fire, feel heat, smell smoke, hear snaps and groans, watch flames dance, and gaze into glowing coals is the ultimate outdoor comfort. A campfire gives warmth, sheds light, dries Trade Trade Clothes, calms fears, and draws a day in the outdoors to a pleasant close. In addition to the comforts of a campfire, a life may often hang in the balance. When a campfire becomes a matter of life or death, there is no room for error. The Complete Book of Fire: Building Campfires for Cooking, Warmth, Light, and Survival provides the knowledge and fosters the confidence to successfully stay alive.

We love the outdoors. We want to take care of it and we want to enjoy it. But with an excess of packaged food, single-use disposables and convenient consumables, are we loving the land to death? Outdoor enthusiasts are more galvanized that ever to be good stewards of the land on which they recreate. Here, for the first time, is the central, reliable guide to hiking and backpacking with minimal impact that outdoor enthusiasts need. Going above and beyond Leave No Trace, Outdoor Minimalist is a guide to actionable ways to waste less while hiking and camping and implement low-impact practices in outdoor pursuits. Look inside to find: Waste reduction tips and tricks for beginners and experts alike The seven R's of outdoor minimalism: reduce, refuse, rethink, repair, rehome/repurpose, remove, restore Packing lists to waste less with every trip you plan

The ability to trap food could be a critical factor in keeping you alive in a survival situation. Knowing the types of species that can be found in the area, having a good understanding of their behaviors, knowing which traps will work on which animals and knowing how to build them are the keys to success. This waterproof guide covers trapping basics including targeting prey areas, setting sign posts, proper baiting, and how to create effective traps using basic knots and simple triggers. Developed in collaboration with noted survival expert and master woodsman Dave Canterbury, this is one of a 10-part series on survival skills. Made in the USA.

Welcome to the strange and dangerous world of the VENOM DOC. Imagine a three-week-long first date in Siberia catching venomous water shrews, and later a wedding attended by Eastern European prime ministers and their bodyguards wielding machine guns. Then a life spent living and working with snakes. Lots of very, very poisonous snakes and other venomous creatures ... everything from the Malaysian king cobra to deadly scorpions. Welcome to Bryan Grieg Fry's world. In this action-packed ride through Bryan's life you'll meet the man who's worked with the world's most venomous creatures in over 50 countries. He's been bitten by 26 poisonous snakes and stung by three stingrays - and survived a near-fatal scorpion sting while deep in the Amazon jungle. He's also broken 23 bones, including breaking his back in three places, and had to learn how to walk again. But when you only research the venom you've collected yourself - the adventures, and danger, will just keep coming ... Dividing his time between scientific research and teaching at the University of Queensland, and TV filming and collecting expeditions around the world, Bryan and danger are never far from one another.