I read this book off my shelf for the hobby interest part of a summer reading challenge. I enjoy seeing birds in my garden or on walks in natural areas, and am pleased when I can identify them, but have never felt compelled to keep lists or travel to see a certain species. I liked that the author shared the sighting that got her husband into birdwatching. the stunningly colorful painted bunting, and the captivating charm of pigeon guillemots that instantly became her personal favorite. This book is part introduction to birdwatching- explaining how to find birds, learn to recognize their songs, markings, habitat use, etc.- and part personal stories about her experiences observing birds. I think I liked the essay parts a little better. Also included are some legends on birds, and a lovely selection of quotes head the chapters- poems by Emily Dickinson, lines by John James Audubon, Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, etc. It’s arranged by the seasons, with lists of bird species typically seen where she lives- on an island in Puget Sound- both resident birds and those that pass through on migration routes. The lists have lines to take notes on (I don’t think I’ll be making use of that). Charming ink drawings accompany the text.
My favorite parts were reading the factual details and behavioral accounts on hummingbirds, great blue herons, kingfishers and woodpeckers. There are a ton more species named and described- sometimes in brief, others with more detail. Most were familiar to me because I grew up in that area. A few I had to go look up pictures of them. When I thumbed back through the book to see what I’d like to mention in my post, very little jumped out at me. Not as compelling as some other books I’ve read on birds, but it’s nice enough.
