I finally bought the seventh edition of National
Geographic’s Field Guide to the Birds of
North America. I’d given it as a gift, and I thought I’d like the new tabs
and the expanded information, and I do, but it’s changed the order of birds to
reflect taxonomic changes (which is good and proper, I guess, but a little
disorienting), and it’s thicker than I’d like, making it harder to carry in the
field (at least for me). So I find myself grabbing my skinnier, worn, outdated
third edition when I head out the door. And in case you’re wondering why I use
National Geographic, it’s because the maps appear on the same page as the bird
species, and Peterson’s didn’t have that (when I was first birding, anyway),
causing one to have to cross-reference everything. Then Sibley’s came out,
which is great, but again, too big (I have to check out the split editions).
It’s good to have a lot of guides around. But I’m a lazy birder when it comes
to what I will carry.
Lazy schmazy. You're a skilled and passionate birder.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why, actually. I have always used Peterson myself although a map right there would be helpful. Is Nat Geo photos or plates/illustrations? Because that's why I don't use Audubon.
ReplyDeleteIllustrations!
DeleteThe philistine in me wants to ask, "isn't there an app for that?"
ReplyDeleteLots of apps. Not always any more helpful.
DeleteI use Peterson’s because that is what I am used to. Although (and to answer Mali) I now use an app unless I am going somewhere with no cell coverage.
ReplyDelete