Birds of the California Delta (The Birds of California)

Birds of the California Delta (The Birds of California)

A richly illustrated birding guide to the wetlands and developed areas of the California Delta. From Sacramento to Stockton, the Delta gathers the waters of inner California to create a lush estuary and a haven for birds. In Birds of the California Delta , lifelong birder and Delta local Aaron N. K. Haiman showcases the avian diversity found all around the shoals and sloughs where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers meet. Even though much of the Delta has been claimed for human use, Haiman rejoices in the abundance of resident birds and migratory visitors. Ibises and cranes wander through these pages, just as they stalk across the valley's farmland and the Suisun marsh. Kites hover over pastures, woodpeckers hammer towering trees, and grackles squeak and whistle in Fairfield parking lots. Experienced birdwatchers and new birders alike will appreciate Haiman's soulful descriptions, his introductory essay to the ecology of this region, and his understanding that birding can connect us not only with wildlife but with one another. Paired with vividly realized full-color portraits that offer detailed insights into identification marks and distinctive behavior, this useful and engaging guide to 25 Delta birds helps everyone get to know their avian neighbors a bit better. Praise for Birds of the California Delta : "Aaron Haiman's lyrical impressions of the birds of the Delta landscape are spot-on and inspiring, especially partnered with Martha Espinoza's true-to-color and feather-detailed paintings. These birds will stay with you long after you put the book down." — Allen Fish , ecologist and former director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory "There's no nerd nerdier than a bird nerd. And West Sacramento naturalist Aaron N. K. Haiman is the ultimate example of a passionate, geeky scientist. The lively writing and cool hometown facts in his authorial debut, Birds of the California Delta , will have you looking at the sky over the Yolo Bypass with fresh, wide eyes." — Sactown Magazine Praise for the Birds of California Series, published by Heyday: “A meditation on beauty and survival." — Amy Tan , author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles "More than an identification guide. It takes us beyond the who's who to why we care. Learn how to think about birds in a way that will deepen your love of feathered things. Combines scientific research, local insights, humor, and beautiful and accurate artwork. [These books] will deepen your sense of place and open insights to beauty, wonder, and connection to the natural world." — John Muir Laws , author/illustrator of The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada "A must-have for anyone who wants to better understand and appreciate our neighbors." — Jenny Odell , author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time "I've always known Lake Merritt as a great place to look for birds, not knowing that it was originally designated as a bird sanctuary over 150 years ago—the first wildlife refuge in the country! [ The Birds of Lake Merritt ] is the perfect introduction to the lake and its birds, and it's sure to give you a new appreciation of both." — David Allen Sibley , author of What It's Like to Be a Bird "A compact treasury of natural history knowledge." — Burr Heneman , former executive director of Point Reyes Bird Observatory "It's not only the technical accuracy of the illustrations that make them so remarkable […] it is the way they are presented that conveys the more important lessons to both interested bird watchers as well as to any aspiring illustrators studying the book for the improvement of their own craft. […] Given these qualities, Birds of Berkeley is as much a reference guide as it is a work of both literary and visual art." — Johannes E. Riutta , The Well-Read Naturalist Aaron N. K. Haiman volunteered from a young age with bird research organizations before receiving a BS in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley as well as MS degrees in Avian Science and Animal Behavior from UC Davis. Aaron guides bird walks, mentors high school students in ecology and sustainability, leads a youth bird-a-thon team, and gives presentations on birds and habitat restoration. He works for the State of California and lives in West Sacramento. Martha Espinoza is a naturalist and scientific illustrator from Costa Rica. Recognized for her meticulous attention to detail, Martha collaborates with publishers internationally, providing illustrations of mammals and birds that capture the essence and behavior of these creatures in their natural environment. EXCERPT FROM THE INTRODUCTION: Set in the center of the state of California at the confluence of its two largest rivers that lend it their shared names, the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (the Delta) is the beating heart of California’s water system. Fresh water from rivers that flow in from the north, south, and east come together to form a complex and intricate network of canals and sloughs that split and merge around dozens of islands