"A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... A valuable reference."
-- Wildlife Activist

"Especially helpful for the identification of hawks in flight... Recommended."
-- Choice

With their legendary nocturnal behavior, a preference for remote habitats, changing migratory patterns, and swift flight speeds, birds of prey are particularly difficult to identify and track. "Hawks and Owls of Eastern North America" depicts the subtle differences and rich diversity among these magnificent birds. Precise identification notes and more than 200 crisp, clean photographs aid in quick and accurate classifications of a variety of raptors.

The book profiles 39 species among the New World vultures, osprey, kites, eagles, hawks and allies, falcons, owls and vagrants.

A number of features make this book especially useful: Descriptions are concisely organized and show sexual dimorphism, seasonal and immature plumage, and distinctive markings Photographs show the birds in their natural environments through the seasons Range maps show where each species is normally found, increasing the probability of a sighting Comparison charts with "look-alike" birds grouped on a single page are a distinct advantage when trying to identify a quick-flying hawk.

With 16 additional new pages and over 200 photographs, this edition of "Hawks and Owls of Eastern North America" is indispensable to naturalists and birders.

How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is the perfect resource for beginners who are young (and not so young) to discover the joy of attracting birds to your yard. Bird lover and expert Chris Earley wants to share his passion for our colourful singing and flying neighbours with the whole family. This easy-to-read book helps readers of all ages not only attract and identify birds but also understand bird behaviour and their relationship to the environment. A wide variety of feeders and feed types are presented with helpful tips on how to attract different kinds of birds. Packed into this easy book: Why feeding birds is important; How to build your own feeders; How to foil squirrels and other predators; Attracting birds with natural foods and water; Hand feeding do’s and don’ts; Recognizing and identifying birds; Which plants in your garden will attract birds?; Bird conservation efforts and how to get involved. Colourfully designed and full of photographs, How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is designed to feed the curiosity and imagination of young lovers of nature.

"An illustrated guide to holding, caring for and identifying caterpillars."

Creatures that can turn from a caterpillar into a butterfly or a moth fascinate everyone. But there are many other interesting things to observe in the world of the caterpillar before metamorphosis. As you watch, you'll see leaves disappear into their nearly invisible mouths. Notice the smooth motion of sets of prolegs that are one of the unique characteristics of caterpillars. With the help of this guide and its close-up photographs, readers will learn about the body parts of a caterpillar, their life cycles and how to help them by planting certain types of flowers that will attract the insects.

With helpful tips and tricks, this guide instructs the caterpillar hunter on how to find, identify, feed and care for these amazing insects. Ground rules for raising caterpillars are provided, as well as information about removing them from conservation areas. Identification information and photographs thoroughly describe the different kinds of caterpillars and warn the reader about the few dangerous caterpillars that should not be handled.

'This is an attractive handbook for novice birders, new hunters, and others wanting to name waterfowl. Summing Up: Recommended' Choice. The eastern Continental Divide from Florida to Ontario contains the world’s largest network of freshwater lakes, rivers, wetlands and coastal waters. It is home to an astonishingly large variety of ducks, geese and other waterfowl although many of them may be sighted both to the west or to the south at times in the year. Illustrated with over 400 photographs of waterfowl in their natural environment, this essential field guide illustrates the rich diversity among these birds. It is designed specifically to help birders identify ducks, geese and shorebirds and become familiar with the features and colours to look for upon sighting a bird. Species information is concisely organised and includes the differences between male and female, seasonal and immature plumage, morphs and distinctive markings. Waterfowl of Eastern North America covers ducks, geese, loons, pelicans, swans, grebes, coots, cormorants, and moorhens. The sections are: Classification: A list of the birds in the book, how they are classified, notes similar shapes and behaviours of the dabblers; the divers; the mergansers; the loons and grebes; Identification Annotated photographs show notable physical features used to aid identification; Waterfowl Look-alikes: Comparative photographs of Gulls, Phalaropes, Aquatic Seabirds, and Rails; Table of Seasonal Status of Waterfowl in Point Pelee National Park One of North America’s most important migration stopovers this is an outstanding place to see and identify waterfowl; Bird Profiles Double-page spreads of essential information and descriptions to aid in identification; Features Comparisons Photographs of 33 species that are frequently misidentified and what to look for; Flight Comparisons Photographs of Dabblers, Geese and Swans, and Divers in flight. Finally, Chris Earley shares how readers can help waterfowl wherever they live, from a simple nesting box to bird counts. Birders and naturalists who want to support conservation groups that protect waterfowl and their quickly disappearing habitats will want to add this book to their library.

A sneak peek into the remarkable world of the tail-less amphibians.

Some frogs blend into the green of their ponds, and live an unremarkable existence. But some are strange looking, having adapted to a special environment.

This colorful and informative book reveals a rare and close-up look at the odd beauty of some of the strangest of these creatures largely hidden from our view.

"Weird Frogs" features: Beautiful photographs that show the frogs up close -- really close Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these endangered and fascinating creatures.

Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

"An illustrated guide to observing, catching and releasing dragonflies."

Dragonflies are as fascinating as they are beautiful. In this book readers will learn how to observe them in the wild and have them hover as close as their nose Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies, have been around longer than dinosaurs and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. One dragonfly species makes the longest migration of any insect in the world. Dragonflies can be found in wetlands, forests, fields and even backyards. This illustrated guide to dragonflies and damselflies is packed with all the facts about what they are, what they eat, and what eats them. Their life cycle is explored, beginning from eggs that hatch into wingless nymphs that live underwater and breathe through gills.

With the help of this detailed guide featuring close-up photographs, readers will learn tips and tricks for how to properly catch, hold and let a dragonfly go. An identification section allows the reader to quickly and easily identify the most popular species and illustrates how each is unique, from darners to clubtails, spiketails to cruisers, and emeralds to skimmers.

An expanded guide to the best places in Ontario to connect with the natural world. The best-selling 100 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario now features 10 additional destinations. This reader-friendly guide explores the remarkable splendour and diversity of the province, from its soaring clifftops, subterranean caves and thundering cataracts to the province's tallest white pine, the oldest rocks on Earth and the warbler capital of North America. The guide is organized by region, and each destination includes a descriptive profile illustrated with colour photographs and at-a-glance information about special features and contact details. Regional maps showcase locations. Some of these hot spots are surprisingly close to towns and cities, some are hidden urban treasures, and many are ideal for a day trip. The 10 new hot spots include: Central Ontario South - the York Region Forest, 2,300 hectares of protected land with 120 kilometers of nature-rich trails. Eastern Ontario - Mattawa River Provincial Park, with gorgeous waterfalls, granite cliffs, forests and wetlands; Meisel Woods Conservation Area, offering five kilometers of trails that provide stunning views of Crow Lake and a forest rich with animals and plants; Perth Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area, a 275-hectare reserve, home to diverse plant and wildlife species; and Thousand Islands National Park, a dramatic granite landscape largely accessible only by boat. Other destinations include: Southwestern Ontario - Rock Glen Conservation's fossil beds, trails and Carolinian forest; Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area's northern flying squirrels, Butler's garter snakes, and spotted turtles; Pelee Island's breeding marsh birds and world-renowned annual songbird migration. Niagara Region - The dramatic lower and upper waterfalls at Ball's Fall's Conservation Area; passerine bird watching in the Woodend Conservation Area; the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve's unique microclimate and plants. Central Ontario South - The Scarborough Bluffs' rock formations; the Minesing Wetlands' network of sensitive flora and fauna; Toronto's unusual lakeside reserve, Tommy Thompson Park. Central Ontario North - The towering cedars and cliffs of Bruce Peninsula Park; Flowerpot Island's orchids; Huckleberry Rock, some of the oldest rock in the world; the peaceful idyll that is Silent Lake Provincial Park; three unforgettable trails in Algonquin Park. Eastern Ontario -Wintertime sightings of snowy owls, hawks and coyotes on Amherst Island; geological eras collide in Frontenac Provincial Park; spectacular views of lakes and forests from Foley Mountain and Rock Dunder. Northwestern Ontario -The iconic Sleeping Giant in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park; windswept Pukaskwa National Park; Ouimet Canyon with rare arctic plants growing at its base; spectacular 130 feet (40 m) plummet of Kakabeka Falls. These family-friendly destinations will appeal to naturalists, budding botanists and biologists, photographers, hikers, campers and paddlers.

How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is the perfect resource for beginners who are young (and not so young) to discover the joy of attracting birds to your yard. Bird lover and expert Chris Earley wants to share his passion for our colourful singing and flying neighbours with the whole family. This easy-to-read book helps readers of all ages not only attract and identify birds but also understand bird behaviour and their relationship to the environment. A wide variety of feeders and feed types are presented with helpful tips on how to attract different kinds of birds. Packed into this easy book: Why feeding birds is important; How to build your own feeders; How to foil squirrels and other predators; Attracting birds with natural foods and water; Hand feeding do’s and don’ts; Recognizing and identifying birds; Which plants in your garden will attract birds?; Bird conservation efforts and how to get involved. Colourfully designed and full of photographs, How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is designed to feed the curiosity and imagination of young lovers of nature.

A charming story about a nest of wild birds that alarm, then charm, their city landlords. What happens when a peregrine falcon chooses to lay its eggs on a balcony high atop a tower block? Here is the story of a family of wild birds that moves into a cramped urban home and decides to settle in among towers filled with people and noise. The birds' new human neighbours are quick to try and evict, but it turns out that the falcons have rights too and the law is on their side. This amusing true-life story looks at the issues related to urban wildlife and how urban dwellers co-exist with an ever-increasing wildlife population that finds ingenious - and sometimes devious - ways to move into our homes and cities, often without notice. Illustrated with photographs documenting the early life of a peregrine falcon family that grows from eggs to full-fledged birds in the flowerbox of a curious apartment-dweller, this book also explores the natural history of this majestic bird species.

A charming story about a nest of wild birds that alarm, then charm, their city landlords. What happens when a peregrine falcon chooses to lay its eggs on a balcony high atop a tower block? Here is the story of a family of wild birds that moves into a cramped urban home and decides to settle in among towers filled with people and noise. The birds' new human neighbours are quick to try and evict, but it turns out that the falcons have rights too and the law is on their side. This amusing true-life story looks at the issues related to urban wildlife and how urban dwellers co-exist with an ever-increasing wildlife population that finds ingenious - and sometimes devious - ways to move into our homes and cities, often without notice. Illustrated with photographs documenting the early life of a peregrine falcon family that grows from eggs to full-fledged birds in the flowerbox of a curious apartment-dweller, this book also explores the natural history of this majestic bird species.

Praise for "Weird Insects"

""A gallery of brilliantly clear, color photos gives intimate, close-up looks at just 59 of the millions of insects crawling, flying, scurrying, and burrowing on our planet, but Worek's choices open up a visual treasure house of the class Insecta. From metallic armored beetles to lacy-winged flies to spiny caterpillars, the pictures glow on the crisp white pages... This is not a book for in-depth research, but for the curious of mind and those with an understanding of biological diversity and evolutionary differentiation, it's a visual feast and -- oh my -- those pictures "" -- School Library Journal

Some birds look bizarre. Some behave that way. In almost all cases, their appearance has an important function -- in evolution or every day. This colorful book exposes more than 50 strange birds, preening, stretching, and showing their strange bodily adaptations.

"Weird Birds" features: Beautiful photographs that show the birds in sharp, clear detail Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these intriguing creatures.

Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

A sneak peek into the remarkable world of the tail-less amphibians.

Some frogs blend into the green of their ponds, and live an unremarkable existence. But some are strange looking, having adapted to a special environment.

This colorful and informative book reveals a rare and close-up look at the odd beauty of some of the strangest of these creatures largely hidden from our view.

"Weird Frogs" features: Beautiful photographs that show the frogs up close -- really close Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these endangered and fascinating creatures.

Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

"An illustrated guide to observing, catching and releasing dragonflies."

Dragonflies are as fascinating as they are beautiful. In this book readers will learn how to observe them in the wild and have them hover as close as their nose Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies, have been around longer than dinosaurs and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. One dragonfly species makes the longest migration of any insect in the world. Dragonflies can be found in wetlands, forests, fields and even backyards. This illustrated guide to dragonflies and damselflies is packed with all the facts about what they are, what they eat, and what eats them. Their life cycle is explored, beginning from eggs that hatch into wingless nymphs that live underwater and breathe through gills.

With the help of this detailed guide featuring close-up photographs, readers will learn tips and tricks for how to properly catch, hold and let a dragonfly go. An identification section allows the reader to quickly and easily identify the most popular species and illustrates how each is unique, from darners to clubtails, spiketails to cruisers, and emeralds to skimmers.

"An illustrated guide to holding, caring for and identifying caterpillars."

Creatures that can turn from a caterpillar into a butterfly or a moth fascinate everyone. But there are many other interesting things to observe in the world of the caterpillar before metamorphosis. As you watch, you'll see leaves disappear into their nearly invisible mouths. Notice the smooth motion of sets of prolegs that are one of the unique characteristics of caterpillars. With the help of this guide and its close-up photographs, readers will learn about the body parts of a caterpillar, their life cycles and how to help them by planting certain types of flowers that will attract the insects.

With helpful tips and tricks, this guide instructs the caterpillar hunter on how to find, identify, feed and care for these amazing insects. Ground rules for raising caterpillars are provided, as well as information about removing them from conservation areas. Identification information and photographs thoroughly describe the different kinds of caterpillars and warn the reader about the few dangerous caterpillars that should not be handled.