Peterson’s Quest is Fulfilled – by Dale W. Mitchell
The publication of a new bird field guide is always a cause for celebration among birders. Even if the region it covers is rather distant, there are still many of us who would applaud its debut, want a peek at its glossy plates and gear up to gossip about its expertise and design. Well, there have been several interesting guides trotting onstage recently, but one is special in a way unprecedented and, dare I say it, even historic. For late last year out came Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea, by Eaton, van Balen, et al. As these books go, it seems to cover its...
Read MoreFirst Field Guide Experiences
Do you remember your first experience with a field guide? Steven Brodsky, author of the column “Entertainment, Culture and More” on delcoculturevultures.com, asked this question of several leading biologists (including RTPI’s president, Twan Leenders), and shared their responses in his latest article. Read Steve’s column here: http://delcoculturevultures.com/entertainment-culture-and-more/. And if you find yourself inspired to pick up a new field guide yourself, stop in to RTPI’s Nature Store to browse our extensive selection! Our motto: Learn It, Love It, Protect...
Read MoreNature Store Gifts
It may be hard to believe but Thanksgiving is this week! As we enter the holiday season don’t forget about RTPI’s Nature Store which features an array of books and other products that are unique to this area. Visitors to our store will find the newest and most popular Peterson Field Guide titles, signed, limited-edition Peterson prints, Peterson notecards, bird-friendly coffee, faire trade jewelry, children’s books, and more. Recently added items include Droll Yankees bird feeders, Wild Republic plush animals and a wider variety of folding field guide titles. Purchases from the Nature...
Read MoreGull Problems
High on the list of things I simply do not have time for in the spring is spending hours picking apart a gull identification problem. Even if I did then I would likely leave the gulls to the pros! With that said, I took a little time to see this bird last week. This individual was discovered at Long Beach in Stratford, Connecticut by Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation. He thought it could be a first cycle Thayer’s Gull upon initial discovery as it stood out among the Herring Gulls for several reasons. However, this was in putrid light and very...
Read MoreRufous-eyed Brook Tree Frog
Happy Frog Friday to you with this Rufous-eyed Brook Tree Frog (Duellmanohyla rufioculis) as shot by RTPI President Twan Leenders. He is hurriedly trying to meet the deadline for his forthcoming Amphibians of Costa Rica – a Field Guide with over 200 species, 500 plus pages, and hundreds of fantastic photos like this one.
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