Nature's Minstrels

When my two year-old son began yelling "BIRD!" whenever he saw a robin, or a seagull, or a flock of geese, it reminded me that there is wildlife around us every day, we just have to pay attention to it. If you enjoy watching wildlife, but don't have the time to head to the nearest zoo or nature preserve, a simple step outside on a sunny afternoon could yield a wealth of natural beauty.

Learning to recognize common birds and their calls (along with identifying local trees by their bark, branch structure, and leaf shape) might sound mundane, but if one takes the time to learn about them, it could greatly enhance one's sense of nature. And an increased awareness of nature could lead to tranquility or to just plain feeling smart.

Here at the library we have some materials that could help you embark upon your path to pocket-sized moments of suburban serenity.

DVDs:
Audubon Videoguide to 505 Birds of North America
Birds, Birds, Birds!: an Indoor Birdwatching Field Trip

Audiobooks:
Backyard Bird Song
More Birding by Ear: Eastern, Central Regions (Petersen's Field Guides)

Books (with attached audio):
Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
Common Birds and Their Songs
The Songs of Wild Birds

Books on Tree Identification (no attached audio):
Trees of North America: a Field Guide to the Major Native and Introduced Species North of Mexico
The Complete Trees of North America: Field Guide and Natural History

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein