Sights and sounds of nature abound both outside and At Your Library...
By York Public Library Circulation and Public Services Coordinator Frank Dehler
Spring segues into summer, and from the dawn chorus of returning birds to the trill of tree frogs on balmy nights, nature everywhere seems to hum with delight. It's a seasonal rebirth that awakens all the senses and invites celebration and discovery firsthand, as well as through the wonder of books.The fascinations of the animal world are the focus of several books recently acquired by the library:
"Songbird Journeys" by Miyoko Chu, chronicles the lives of migratory songbirds throughout the year and suggests ways to enjoy the natural spectacle of bird migration firsthand. Following their epic flights to and from breeding grounds in North America, Chu interweaves often surprising details about the birds' ecology with intriguing accounts of how bird biologists have gained that knowledge. Accessible and delightfully informative, this is a great companion for experienced birders and novices alike.
National Geographic's "Complete Birds of North America" edited by Jonathon Alderfer, is a lavishly illustrated and comprehensive reference work. A companion to the society's "Field Guide to the Birds of North America," this encyclopedic resource covers the nearly 1,000 North American birds with detailed accounts of both species and family groups, supplemented by range maps, photographs and paintings. Numerous sidebars explain the finer points of bird identification, and each species entry addresses population trends and the timing of migration. An excellent work for reference or browsing.
Donald Kroodsma's "The Singing Life of Birds" explores the origin, purposes and astonishing variety of bird songs. Widely recognized as the reigning authority on bird vocalization, Kroodsma illuminates both its beauties and complexities in a conversational style. A CD of bird songs and calls accompanies the book.
"Frogs: A Chorus of Colors" by John and Deborah Behler, is a profusely illustrated introduction to the world of these colorful amphibians. The book combines a very readable account of the lifecycle and ecology of frogs with an overview of the major families of the over five thousand species of frogs worldwide. It also addresses the important role of frogs in medical research and the recent alarming decline in their numbers. A companion book to a popular exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, the book gives a visually stunning tour of this realm of the animal kingdom.
Whether your passion is birds, bees or garden peonies, discover something new about your natural environment this season, both out-of-doors - and at the library!
