Butterflies are found almost the year around in the relatively warm region of far West Texas. In the parks and preserves of the Big Bend and the Davis and Guadalupe Mountains, and in the arid flat lands between mountain ranges, these flying gems flit from flower to flower in the driest deserts and along the highest mountainsides. Most commonly found along water courses such as the Rio Grande or where flowers are abundant after rain, they can be found somewhere at any time in the vast, varied land west of the Pecos. This book describes and illustrates the fifty most common butterflies to be found in the region, along with eleven additional specialties unique to the far western part of the state. In his introduction to the book, noted naturalist Ro Wauer describes the general feeding habits of the butterflies of the region. He then provides details on each species, including how to distinguish it from similar species, when and where to find it, and other facts about its habits and appearance. Full-color photographs show each of the fifty common species and six of the specialties. Butterfly watching is growing more and more popular in the United States. This book includes a checklist for hobbyists and encourages butterfly watchers to view the colorful creatures in life rather than collect specimens. For that reason it is endorsed by the North American Butterfly Association, the largest organization working to save butterfly species throughout the continent. This book will join bird and wildflower field guides in the backpacks of nature lovers who plan to explore West Texas to the fullest extent and who want an accurate, fully illustrated guide to the butterflies of the region.

The West Indies offer so much more than sun, sand, and shopping. This sweeping arc of islands, which runs from Cuba to Grenada and includes the Virgin Islands, teems with a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Up to 40 percent of the plants in some forests are found nowhere else on earth, while the West Indian flyway is a critical link in the migratory routes of many birds.

In A Birder's West Indies, Roland Wauer takes you on an island-by-island journey of discovery. He describes the unique natural features of each island and recounts his often fascinating experiences in seeking out the nearly 400 species of birds known in the West Indies. His accounts give insight into the birds' habitats, status, and ecology and record some of the threats posed by human activities.

For readers planning trips to the West Indies, Wauer also includes helpful, up-to-date facts about the best times to travel, the kinds of entry and customs systems to expect, the money exchange services available, and general information about weather, food, and accommodations. Filling a unique niche among current guides, A Birder's West Indies offers both professional ornithologists and avocational bird watchers a chance to compare notes and experiences with an expert observer. And for readers who haven't yet visited the islands, Wauer's fluid prose and lovely color photographs will be the next-best thing to being there--and an irresistible invitation to go.