Kevin T. Karlson

A lavishly illustrated, large-format reference book by two preeminent experts on North American shorebirdsMore than half a century has passed since the publication of The Shorebirds of North America, Peter Matthiessen’s masterful natural history of what is arguably the world’s most amazing and specialized bird group. In the intervening decades, our knowledge about these birds has grown significantly, as have the threats to their populations and habitats. Pete Dunne and Kevin Karlson celebrate Matthiessen’s classic book with this updated and expanded natural history of North American shorebirds. This elegantly written book begins by introducing readers to the unrivaled splendor of shorebirds and goes on to cover topics ranging from their biology and habitats to courtship and breeding, flight, the perils of migration, and conservation. Detailed accounts convey the richness and variety of the five family groups, with incisive, fact-filled descriptions of all 52 species of shorebirds known to breed in North America.Featuring hundreds of breathtaking images by Karlson and other photographers and drawing on the latest science, The Shorebirds of North America is a worthy tribute to Matthiessen’s enduring work and an indispensable reference for bird lovers everywhere.

Focusing on families and their shared traits makes bird identification easier than ever. This guide takes readers beyond merely identifying birds to understanding them. Many birders can tell the difference between a White-eyed and Bell's Vireo but cannot begin to describe a vireo and what distinguishes members of this family from warblers or flycatchers. The "species by species" approach makes it difficult to appreciate birds for what they are: members of well-organized groupings united by common traits. Putting the focus on families, and their shared characteristics, makes bird identification easier and more meaningful. More than 150 color photos illustrate the 81 bird families of the United States and Canada.

A simpler and more user-friendly visual approach to gull identificationThis unique photographic field guide to North America’s gulls provides a comparative approach to identification that concentrates on the size, structure, and basic plumage features of gulls—gone are the often-confusing array of plumage details found in traditional guides.Featuring hundreds of color photos throughout, Gulls Simplified illustrates the variations of gull plumages for a variety of ages, giving readers strong visual reference points for each species. Extensive captions accompany the photos, which include comparative photo arrays, digitized photo arrays for each age group, and numerous images of each species—a wealth of visual information at your fingertips. This one-of-a-kind guide includes detailed species accounts and a distribution map for each gull.An essential field companion for North American birders, Gulls Simplified reduces the confusion commonly associated with gull identification, offering a more user-friendly way of observing these marvelous birds.Provides a simpler approach to gull identificationFeatures a wealth of color photos for easy comparison among speciesIncludes detailed captions that explain identification criteria and aging, with direct visual reinforcement above the captionsCombines plumage details with a focus on size, body shape, and structural features for easy identification in the fieldHighlights important field marks and physical features for each gull

Visions: Earth’s Elements in Bird and Nature Photography contains a varied collection of more than 450 bird and nature photographs that reflect the personal visions of the three authors and eight other wildlife photographers. The theme of the book is set by the elements of the planet (earth, fire, air, and water) and includes an assortment of nature photographs, from exciting action and moody contemplation, are connected to these elements. Throughout the book, each two-page layout tells a story that relates to the subjects or habitats shown on the pages, or creates a mood using color themes that connect with one of the earth’s elements. Relevant quotes about nature are interspersed throughout the book, and personalized captions share interesting information about each photograph.

New Jersey's southern Cape is host to huge annual bird migrations, making Cape May one of the best bird-watching locations in the world. Over 400 species have been spotted here. See exquisite photographs that present shore, prey, and song birds commonly seen at Cape May in lively action and flight themes. Birds are shown in foliage appropriate to different seasons, with anecdotes and natural history in concise photo captions. This is a treasure for all who love birds and wildlife photography.

Utilizing a holistic approach to identifying different birds, a guide to shorebirds explains how to use such characteristics as general color patterns, size, structure, and behavior to determine an avian species, in a handy resource that includes more than 870 full-color captioned photographs.