OWLS MAKE AN EXCELLENT HOLIDAY GIFT

by Whit Gibbons

December 2, 2007

Looking for a holiday gift for that hard-to-please someone? I have a suggestion that should delight anyone. "Anyone," that is, who enjoys fascinating nature facts, spectacular nature photographs, or both. "Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior" (2007, Johns Hopkins University Press, $39.95) by Wayne Lynch is beautiful, readable, and affordable. It should be well received by a whole spectrum of friends and relatives.

Owls are fascinating creatures, and this brand new book (published November 30) provides a wealth of information about them. Lynch is not only a superb nature writer but also a world-class photographer. His numerous captivating color photographs of owls augment the absorbing text. This book would complement any coffee table. But unlike many such books, it is likely to be pored over rather than merely glanced at. The writing would stand alone with no pictures, offering facts about owls that are fascinating, positions about environmental impacts on owls that are compelling, and personal accounts that are inspiring.

And then there are the photographs.

Most of the pictures are of owls themselves--flying, perching, eating, and doing other things owls do--but some are habitat shots that tell their own story. A full-page glossy photograph showing the breath-taking beauty of an Oregon old-growth forest with moss-draped trees has a fairy tale look about it.

The text, which discusses the controversy and clashes between environmentalists and loggers, is told within the context of the northern spotted owl. Lynch points out that 17 years ago, across the border from Oregon's old-growth forests, an estimated 100 pairs of spotted owls were "lurking in the shadowed coastal forests." Today, only 6 pairs are left in British Columbia. "In Canada, the owl is doomed--the result of greed and the irresponsible logging . . . of old-growth forests." Lynch's words coupled with a look at the primeval forest and the solemn looking spotted owl on a following page make for a simple decision--we should vigorously protect the forest and the owl.

The captions accompanying the photographs not only identify which owl is depicted but also provide other tidbits of fascinating information. So even readers who just want to look at the pictures can learn something about these remarkable animals. For example, a barred owl staring out from the page is noted for being one of only four owls, of the 19 species that live in the United States and Canada, that has black eyes. The other 15 species have yellow eyes. Another barred owl photo shows two nestlings preparing to eat a headless red squirrel. The caption notes that "adult male owls often decapitate prey before bringing it to the nest"--a behavior that scientists have yet to explain.

An important feature of the book for those who think categorically is a 10-page section in which each species is identified by photograph, distribution map, and basic natural history information.

Personal perspectives of the author, who is a keen scientific observer, effectively blend biological facts and heartfelt feelings about nature. For more than three months, Lynch observed a family of great horned owls. During that time he noted the baby owls' intense curiosity. Early one evening he saw a commercial jet that was high enough to pick up the reflection of the already set sun so that "its jet stream became a ribbon of gold set against the deep blue of the twilight sky. One of the owl chicks spotted the golden beam and followed it as it moved overhead, its yellow eyes open wide with interest. The wild innocence and purity of the moment brought tears to my eyes."

As I said, "Owls" is beautiful, readable, and affordable. So if you plan to give it as a gift, I suggest you buy a copy for yourself as well. Otherwise, you'll get it home, start flipping through the pages, fall in love with text and pictures, and decide that it will look just perfect on your own coffee table. And then there you'll be still looking for a present for that hard-to-please person.



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