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With autumn being arguably the best time to get outside in the U.P., here are some new nature-focused additions to Peter White Public Library's Adult Services Non-Fiction collection.
Book descriptions are adapted from publisher and library catalog materials.
"Backyard Birds of North America: A Guide to Identifying and Attracting Your Favorite Birds" by Daniel O'Sullivan (598.0723 OS) For veteran and aspiring bird nerds alike (complimentary), this handy volume introduces readers to more than 70 species that commonly visit yards and gardens across the continent. Each profile features rich, full-color photographs, habitat information, and distribution maps, as well as practical details for identification like plumage, size, behavior, and nesting data. This book also teaches readers how to attract birds year-round whether by planting trees, shrubs, and flowers or providing nest boxes, feeders, and water sources. Pair it with The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior by David Sibley (598.2 SI) and you're well on your way to doing a Big Year.
"100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.: The Country's Ultimate Scenic Trails" by Stephanie Pearson (796.5109 PE) Whether it's tackling the bucket list-worthy PCT over a few weeks or ticking off sections of Vermont's historic Long Trail one day at a time, this guide helps readers from coast to coast discover the best trails, day hikes, and pilgrimage treks across the country. Complemented by stunning Nat Geo photography, each hike profile includes information on trail length and elevation, skill level, and worthwhile scenic resting spots, as well as recommendations for wildlife spotting, alternative routes, and campsites. If this list of one hundred hikes has you hungry for more adventures in nature, check out the Duluth-native author's previous work, 100 Great American Parks by Stephanie Pearson (917.3049 PE).
"Atlas of Deadly Plants: Botanical Tales of the World's Most Intoxicating, Poisonous and Dangerous Specimens" by Jane Perrone (581.659 PE) From creating lethal poisons and powerful medicines to utilizing them for spiritual and ritualistic purposes, humans throughout history have harnessed the toxic properties of poisonous flora. This fascinating and lavishly illustrated book takes readers on a tour of the most deadly plants and fungi from around the world--exploring stories and uses throughout history, illuminating their socio-cultural significance, as well as their effects on the human body. Along with traditional botanical illustrations and photography, it features stunning bespoke artwork for each plant filled with symbolism and metaphor to highlight their scientific and historic significance. If the intense nature of this book about intense nature is too much but you're still interested in bad plants, might we recommend a relaxing read through Common Backyard Weeds of the Midwest by Teresa Marrone (632.5 MA)?
"The Hidden Nations of Animals: A Grand Tour of Earth’s Wild Civilizations" by Ryan Huling (577 HU) From far-flung forest settlements in Canada’s “beaver belt” to disputed territories of clashing Argentine ant armies, this eye-opening book takes us to places most people don’t even know exist. Author Ryan Huling introduces us to renowned ecologists, anthropologists, geographers, and historians whose work has uncovered vast sub-Saharan tunnel complexes, booming animal metropolises nestled within American urban sprawl, and ancient Silk Road-style migration routes that traverse the Eurasian Steppe. This deep-diving book investigates how technology is expanding humanity’s understanding of our fellow animals and their unique relationships with the land, air, and sea. Huling's immersive account fuses with vivid full-color maps and hand-drawn sketches to reveal a radically reimagined version of our world and illuminate its true contours for the first time.
Bryan Baisley is an Adult Services Assistant at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.