> Natural History / Zoology> Field Gear / Books / DVDs

'A Practical Guide for the Amateur Naturalist' by Gerald Durrell
This book is an indespensible guide to exploring numerous habitats: chaparral, grasslands, desert, tundra, deciduous woodlands, coniferous woodlands, tropical forest, mountain, ponds, streams, wetlands, cliffs, dunes, shores, oceans, and more.

'The Life of Birds' by David Attenborough
'The Life of Birds' by David Attenborough

'Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises' by Mark Carwardine
'Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises' is a beautifully illustrated field guide that combines in-depth description of cetacean families (such as rorquals whales, sperm whales, and river dolphins) as well as details about individual species.

'The Passionate Observer' by Henri Fabre
'The Passionate Observer' lets us peer into the fascinating world of insects through the acute eyes of a world renowned entymologist.

'Hummingbirds: A Celebration of Nature's Most Dazzling Creatures' by Ben Sonder
'Hummingbirds: A Celebration of Nature's Most Dazzling Creatures' by Ben Sonder

'Caught in the Moment' Television Series Photo Gallery
View photos from Animal Planet's television series, 'Caught in the Moment' which profiles Tristan Bayer and Vanessa Garnick, two up-and-coming filmmakers, as they travel the globe to capture unique glimpses of animal life.

'Visitor's Guide to the Great Barrier Reef' by Reader's Digest
'Visitor's Guide to the Great Barrier Reef' by Reader's Digest

'Reptiles and Amphibians' by Mark O'Shea and Tim Halliday
'Reptiles and Amphibians' by Mark O'Shea and Tim Halliday

'Whales: An Unforgettable Journey' by David Clark and Al Giddings
The film opens with images of several blue whales feeding. Little is known of these elusive whales and capturing them on film must be quite a challenge.

'March of the Penguins' Photo Gallery of Images from the Movie
This photo gallery contains images from the documentary 'March of the Penguins' including stills from the film as well as images documenting the making of the movie.

'The Nature Handbook' by Earnest Williams, Jr.
'The Nature Handbook' is a unique guide to the outdoors which emphasizes natural history: the stories of nature and the ways organisms interact with each other and the environment.

'The Birds of Heaven' by Peter Matthiessen
In 'The Birds of Heaven', Peter Matthiessen retells his world-wide journeys spent studying, observing, and protecting cranes. Through acute and focused observation, he offers a rare glimpse into the world of this enchanting group of birds.

'The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior' by David Allen Sibley
'The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior' is a comprehensive reference that covers a wide range of topics pertaining to bird life.

'Sibley's Birding Basics' by David Allen Sibley
'Sibley's Birding Basics' is a guide to interpreting what you see when you're watching birds.

Animal: Definitive Guide to the World's Wildlife
When exploring any scientific or technical topic, I've often sought a single book, one that stands apart from all other texts, to serve as my main reference and source inspiration. For me, as I continue to explore the vast topic of wildlife, that book is 'Animal'.

'The Song of the Dodo' by David Quammen
In 'The Song of the Dodo' David Quammen examines the intricacies of evolution as illustrated by the study of islands. These isolated and unique environments provide us with a microscopic view of what happens to species as the evolve together over time.

Gerald Durrell: The Authorized Biography
There is much to learn from the life of a true naturalist and animal enthusiast such as Gerald Durrell. This detailed portrait of his life is an inspiration and education source for the future generations of naturalists to follow in his path.

'The Ghost with Trembling Wings' by Scott Weidensaul
This book examines the grim realities of extinction yet through remarkable stories of rediscovery, it manages to sparkle with hope. Scott Weidensaul examines the fascinating stories of species thought to have been extinct but who are rediscovered.

'The Overloaded Ark' by Gerald Durrell
The Overloaded Ark will make you laugh, learn, and explore. Gerald Durrell is a rare and superbly talented writer/naturalist with much to offer young and mature readers alike.

Review of Luc Jaquet's 'March of the Penguins'
A review of the DVD release of 'March of the Penguins'. I recommend this to those interested in penguins, birds, and natural history as well as general audiences who simply enjoy beautiful filmmaking and poignant portraits of the natural world.

'March of the Penguins' Traces Steps of Emperor Penguins
The documentary 'March of the Penguins' traces the steps of emperor penguins during the course of a year, as they undergo repeated, harrowing marches back and forth across the Antarctic icescape. In the midst of these journeys, if successful, the penguins will pair off, mate, and raise their young, all in the darkest, coldest place on earth.

'Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea' by Carl Zimmer
'Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea' is part of the Evolution Project which, in addition to Carl Zimmer's book, consists of a seven-part television series, an extensive Web site, and an educational outreach initiative.

'Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation' by Olivia Judson
Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex

'Biological Science' by William Keeton and James Gould
'Biological Science' is a college-level biology textbook that provides a superb foundation in the principles of biological science.

'Ecology' by Robert Ricklefs
'Ecology' provides a sound introduction to the basic concepts of ecological science. The text uses numerous case studies and a wealth of diagrams, charts, and illustrations to support key points.

'March of the Penguins' Traces Steps of Emperor Penguins
The documentary 'March of the Penguins' traces the steps of emperor penguins during the course of a year, as they undergo repeated, harrowing marches back and forth across the Antarctic icescape.

A Festival of Field Guides
Field guides have always fascinated me. These compact texts—often light enough to slip unnoticed into a backpack or shoulder bag—hold photos, illustrations, maps, and data of encyclopedic proportion.