05/23/2016
In clear and enthusiastic prose, Wolf draws attention to the remarkable variety of urban birds and their ongoing conservation challenges. When Wolf moved from Florida's Gulf Coast to Brooklyn in 2012, she expected to encounter little more than pigeons and gulls. To her surprise, Brooklyn Bridge Park, which opened in 2010, was a birder's "ultimate urban escape" and a spring migration hot spot. She challenged herself to find and photograph 100 species in the park, and soon that list reached 134. Wolf shares her discoveries with others by hosting bird walks and submitting records of her sightings to the eBird app, and now with this attractive debut work. The book has two-page spreads for each featured species, including relevant facts and sighting details plus one or two color photographs. The most striking photos contrast wildlife with the urban setting: Brant geese passing in front of the Statue of Liberty, a common tern gliding above the skyline. With descriptions of birdsong and courtship rituals, this beginner's guide is as entertaining as it is informative. Color photos. (June)
"I totally love Heather Wolf’s book: great photographs, and delightful, incisive writing."
"Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography."
"Not all New York City birds are pigeons! This book is a colorful and inspiring eye-opener to the marvelous feathered creatures that are all around us, even in the midst of our densest cities. By learning to observe and care for the birds, we can protect them and build stronger communities for ourselves too."
"An informative field diary."
"Hey, New York, it’s time to meet the neighbors you never knew you had. Heather Wolf’s fledgling chronicle of her encounters with the birds of Brooklyn both surprises and mesmerizes. After drinking in her gorgeous photos of more than 100 unsung and unexpected urban species (from abundant house sparrows to an elusive tundra swan and the proverbial yellow-bellied sapsucker), you will forever observe the city with new eyes."
"Exquisite."
"Where you may see only pigeons, sparrows and the occasional sea gull, [Heather Wolf] has recorded 130 species, many of which she has beautifully photographed."
"Part of the pleasure of her book, besides excellent photography . . . is the way [Heather Wolf] shares the circumstances and excitement of particular sightings."
"Research tells us that connecting with the natural world in our daily lives can help to make us happier, more creative, and less anxious. Heather Wolf’s gorgeous images and delightful words are a reminder that the wild surrounds us no matter where we make our homes. This book inspires us to step lightly, with open eyes, minds, and hearts. We will benefit from such exploration to be sure, and so will the birds and all creatures that share our neighborhoods and our earth."
Where you may see only pigeons, sparrows and the occasional sea gull, [Heather Wolf] has recorded 130 species, many of which she has beautifully photographed.”—The New York Times “Part of the pleasure of her book, besides excellent photography . . . is the way [Heather Wolf] shares the circumstances and excitement of particular sightings.”—The Wall Street Journal “In clear and enthusiastic prose, Wolf draws attention to the remarkable variety of urban birds and their ongoing conservation challenges. . . . This beginner’s guide is as entertaining as it is informative.”—Publishers Weekly “Exquisite.”—am New York “An informative field diary”—The Atlantic’s CityLab “Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography.”—The New Yorker “I totally love Heather Wolf’s book: great photographs, and delightful, incisive writing.” —Marie Winn, author of Red-Tails in Love “Hey, New York, it’s time to meet the neighbors you never knew you had. Heather Wolf’s fledgling chronicle of her encounters with the birds of Brooklyn both surprises and mesmerizes. After drinking in her gorgeous photos of more than 100 unsung and unexpected urban species (from abundant house sparrows to an elusive tundra swan and the proverbial yellow-bellied sapsucker), you will forever observe the city with new eyes.” —Margaret Mittelbach, author of Wild New York “Not all New York City birds are pigeons! This book is a colorful and inspiring eye-opener to the marvelous feathered creatures that are all around us, even in the midst of our densest cities. By learning to observe and care for the birds, we can protect them and build stronger communities for ourselves too.” —David J. Ringer, Chief Network Officer, National Audubon Society “Research tells us that connecting with the natural world in our daily lives can help to make us happier, more creative, and less anxious. Heather Wolf’s gorgeous images and delightful words are a reminder that the wild surrounds us no matter where we make our homes. This book inspires us to step lightly, with open eyes, minds, and hearts. We will benefit from such exploration to be sure, and so will the birds and all creatures that share our neighborhoods and our earth.” —Lyanda Haupt, author of Crow Planet
