Tweets,

Richard Rowlett speaks so fondly of the three Cannings brothers (Rob,
senior brother, professional entomologist working Dennis Paulson on
"Dragonflies of the Pacific NW," and twins Sydney and Richard; Syd also an
entomologist and currently working in a scheme in BC similar to
Washington's Natural Heritage Program, Dick a professional ornithologist)
and their book: "Birds of the Okanagan Valley of BC." It must be said these
three truly remarkable brothers came from two equally inspiring and
dedicated naturalist parents-Steve and Jean. I always marvel how three
brothers could have developed into such a devoted team of really top-notch
scientists. The answer clearly lies with Steve and Jean. There are family
pictures of Syd and Dick with binos strung around there necks at the
advanced age of four!

I would like to mention (but hope this news is not inappropriate for
e-mail), that this is, indeed a sad time for the Cannings family as their
mother Jean was diagnosed with acute leukemia a month ago on Dec. 5 and
passed away 10 days later. As Dick said, it was rough sailing for a few
days, but the last week she was apparently comfortable. All the children:
Rob, Sydney, Dick and Bette were able to be united for the last week of her
life. To the entire Cannings family, I wish well. I truly hope Steve will
manage okay through this period, too.

My own memories of naturalizing with the Cannings family date back to 1972
where I spent time with Dick in Manning Prov. Park and also in 1972 with
Syd in Mt. Robson Park, a full summer with Dick in Robson in 1974, various
Xmas counts with them since in the Okanagan Valley of Canada. I can say,
without reservation, that I have learned more about the natural history of
the Pacific NW from them than anyone else. I believe any aspiring birder or
naturalist would be privileged to spend time with them afield. For example,
I can vividly remember Dick returning from an early July weekend of
exploration at Yellowhead Lake west of the Yellowhead Pass (just west of
Jasper) in the Canadian Rockies and excitedly relating the sudden and
pronounced influx of White-winged Crossbills from the boreal spruce forests
to the north and east. He predicted they would move south and west through
BC over the remainder of the summer. Indeed they did: the fall and winter
of 1974-75 was a remarkable "invasion" year for White-winged Crossbills
into southern BC and Washington as I recall.

I modestly regard their Birds of the Okanagan Valley as essential reading
for any serious naturalist of the east slopes of the Cascades in southern
BC, Washington and very probably into eastern Oregon as well.

Not sitting on their laurels after their Okanagan book, Sydney and Richard
authored the accaimed "Natural History of BC" (1996 Greystone). This book
continues winning streak for the Cannings by providing a great resource for
all naturalists of that great province.

Having said all this, I believe it's high time their book was republished.
It is simply much too useful to be difficult or impossible to obtain. Here,
Here! Royal BC Prov. Museum. Count this as vote for a prompt reissue of
"Birds of the Okanagan Valley" by Rob, Sydney and Richard Cannings.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA