The Greatest Book Ever Invented...Ever!...Really!

I am the happiest boy in happy boyland right now for I have seen the glory of the greatest book to ever be a book. "The Warbler Guide" is truly the finest book on warbly things I have found...and you know how much I love them little warbly things!

Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle have covered everything you would ever need to identify any North American warbler from visual clues to songs and calls, and placed in a very easy to work with format. AND they even have butt shots of every species so even I can figure out who's in most of my photos!

This book is unlike any other warbler guide you may have on your shelf. It starts out with an explantion on how to use the book, icons used, maps and what to look for when viewing those cute little warblys and what to listen for. The shape and color icons are a great invention of theirs. Taking warblers down to their most basic silhouettes, color impressions and tail patterns, it doesn't get any simpler! They also have the most detailed section on songs, calls and sonograms of warblers I've found.

Next you come to the "Visual Finder Guides." This area shows close ups of faces, side views, under views(gotta find them booties!,) and more.Even if you had just a brief sighting of one of those mighty mites, this section help lead you in the right direction. You follow the photo to the page listed and it will even show you similar species to help narrow things down.

When you get to the individual "biographies" of each warbler you will find the simple icons on the top of the page to explain patterns, range, habitats and feeding style. Then there's the amazing photography. Any possible angle, whether perched or in flight , is shown. A listing of key points is clear for each species. Following is the most descriptive descriptions(!) of warbler calls and songs yet. Maybe even I can start to figure out calls!

Princeton University Press found a real must have with this one! Be prepared for the fall warbly migration and look into this outstanding new guide.

If you look to page 378, you'll know who this is!

In addition to the book, there is a website(click here NOW!) and in time for spring migration, 

an app which will include 360 degree views and audio files! 

Can you tell I'm really excited about this book?

An Odd Duck...

 White-tailed Duck? 

Please note the "tail" end of a Mallard flying away in shock.

So...(here we go again!)there I was, minding my own business...sort of...at Sunset Pond behind the nature center at North Chagrin Reservation, when I hear what sounded like an oafish woman in high heels running up behind me, definitely not The Dawdling Doodles every so gentle clomping. Before I could spin me and my camera around to see who was attacking from the rear, I heard a very loud splash. Oops...Ms. Graceful just did a swan dive into the pond.

Turns out it was a White-tailed Deer with an aversion to photographers and a gift for diving and swimming. I'd give her a three for style, an eight for the size of the splash. Who'd a thought...deer can swim? Hmmmph...

 That's one way to cool off on a hot summers day.

 

"Dry land at last!"

 

 The fish were definitely a little befuddled at the sight of their guest.

 Waiting patiently for something to pop out of that hole...

Maybe it's a wild life "whack-a-mole" game!

 After wisely giving up on the ducklings, 

Mr. Great Blue got himself a little furry something for lunch.

I once had a bologna sammich that was a little furry...

 

 Can't trust Midland Painted Turtles...they will sneak up behind you and try to tip you over.

Please note the bad guy up on the log trying to flip his buddy.

Sounds like something my brother would do to me...

(Have I told you the story of him knocking me down when I was 5 to impress a girl? No? One of these days...)

 A prim and proper Green Heron.

 

 A prim and proper Green Heron hacking up a hair ball...or frog ball...or fish...oh never mind.

 Frog baby!

 I'm sorry...they're call "Tadpoles."

Silly name. Who came up with that one?

I like frog babies.

It's my blog and I can call them whatever I want.

Ha.

 

 "Yeah, so, I was swimming along minding my own business when George comes up and says, "So, what's up" and I said, Don't give me that what's up stuff, you know what's up, and he says back to me 'You kidding right?"  and I says Huh! you know very well what I'm talking about! And he just stares at me with this stupid look on his face like he's been reading that moronic blog again."

  We better go now. I think it may be time for my nap...

Stay tuned kiddies for more excitement coming your way soon!