Subject: BIRDS of the Puget SoundRegion
Date: Sep 24 19:27:13 2003
From: Ruth Sullivan - godwit at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweeters& Birders,

I like to make few Comment's about the bird book which got published by Bob
Morse call: "BIRDS OF THE PUGET SOUND REGION." My though was going to my
mind when I start birding as a beginner to use the National Geographic
"BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA ." I wish I had access than to a Fieldguide as this
little small pocket size.I struggled for the longest time to feel
comfortable to ID birds correctly.This new Fieldguide makes it much easier
to ID birds,because this birds you seeing mostly all in the Puget Sound
Region.How many times I coming home to tell my son Patrick what I saw.Either
I described a rare bird what not occur,not a fresh water Duck ,wrong habitat
or a a species what appears only in Eastern Washington.I am so surprised
to see new birders using the big Sibley Guide in the fields.Not only is it
way to big to take in the field ,it is also complex for new birders to
start.Not getting me wrong the Sibley Guide is a good fieldguide even so
the color is wrong on so many birds.I got the Sibley in my car,but using the
Geographic the most the Sibley to compare.I am very impressed with Bob Morse
new fieldguide " BIRDS of the PUGET SOUND REGION ".
starting out with the brilliant photo of a adult male Rufous Hummingbird on
the front cover.This is far the best photo I seeing of this species perching
on a twig and not on a feeder,good choice to attract birders to this
book.And even if you not use the book,it is a good gift for some one to
start out.I been already giving two copies of this book to back yard
birders and there all enjoying this book.The photos alone so superb that it
is even for all birders having a copy in there library.I had no idea that we
having so many birders in Washington what taken this good photos.But now I
like to talk a little what this bird book have to offer. The front of the
book show the color-coded of each page, so you can find the bird you
looking for easy to find.Also in front of the book are 35 species what are
the common species are you finding in the Puget sound.This small book have
200 species with 12 mountain specialties.Bob made sure that the photos are
good size ,so you can see the details on this birds.
Also on the opposite page a good description of each bird:-Pointing out
similar species ,so you can compare,for instance Female /immature Rufous
Hummingbird ( page 219 ) have Rufous flanks ,tail base,undertail :- Seasonal
Abundance :-Where you can find this birds :- Diet Behavior : -Voice,this
would be more difficult : - Did you know ? Townsend's Warbler often
hybridize with Hermit Warblers, resulting in intermediate forms.Hybrid
zones in the Eastern Olympics and southwestern Cascade have resulted in the
Hermit's range retreading southward.In my opinion this is really worth the
price of $14.95 alone for the superb photos.
You can visit Bob Morse Website at www.birdsofpugetsound.com



Ruth Sullivan
Tacoma