Synopses & Reviews
Spotting an animaland#8217;s fresh footprints in the wild can conjure a world for the hiker: Why did the deer tracks disappear? Where did the cougar turn off the trail? What does it mean when two sets of footprints seem to coincide? This beautifully illustrated field guide, the first devoted to the tracks and signs of California animalsand#151;including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates like spiders and beetlesand#151;blends meticulous science with field experience to provide an engaging companion for both armchair exploration and easy field identification. Filled with useful tools for the wildlife expert, and essential background and visual aids for the novice, including in-depth information about the ecology of each species, this book goes beyond basic recognition of types to interpret what animals leave behind as a way of and#147;seeingand#8221; how they move through the world.
Review
and#8220;Itand#8217;s a must-have book for those interested in the natural world around them.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;This is the type of book you can dip into at any page and find fascinating tidbits.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;A valuable resource for anyone interested in being better able to interpret their natural surroundings.and#8221;
Review
“Its a must-have book for those interested in the natural world around them.” Sacramento Bee
Review
“A valuable resource for anyone interested in being better able to interpret their natural surroundings.” Michael Raffety - Mountain Democrat
Synopsis
and#147;Outstanding. This is a brilliant work by the best in the field. Watching a great tracker at work can feel like watching a magician, but this book demystifies the process and inspires the reader to begin to look closer and open the world of tracking.and#8221;and#151;John Muir Laws, author of The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada
About the Author
Mark Elbroch is a wildlife biologist and the author of numerous field guides including Mammal Tracks and Signs: A Guide to North American Species (winner of the National Outdoors Book Award), Petersonand#8217;s Field Guide to Animal Tracks, and Petersonand#8217;s Reference Guide to the Behavior of North American Mammals. Michael Kresky is the founder and president of Effigy Art, a fine arts company in Santa Barbara. Jonah Evans is Research Biologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Getting started
Quick reference: Sooted track plates
Chapter 3: Mammal Tracks and Trails
Chapter 4: Tracks and Trails of Bird and Other Animals
Quick reference: Tracks
Chapter 5: Animal Scats and scent marking behaviors
Quick reference: Scats
Chapter 6: Bird pellets
Quick reference: Pellets
Chapter 7: Mammal species accounts
Bibliography
About the authors