The Urban Whale: North Atlantic Right Whales at the Crossroads

Book Description

In 1980 a group of scientists censusing marine mammals in the Bay of Fundy was astonished at the sight of 25 right whales. It was, one scientist later recalled, "like finding a brontosaurus in the backyard." Until that time, scientists believed the North Atlantic right whale was extinct or nearly so. The sightings electrified the research community, spurring a quarter century of exploration, which is documented here.

The authors present our current knowledge about the biology and plight of right whales, including their reproduction, feeding, genetics, and endocrinology, as well as fatal run-ins with ships and fishing gear. Employing individual identifications, acoustics, and population models, Scott Kraus, Rosalind Rolland, and their colleagues present a vivid history of this animal, from a once commercially hunted commodity to today's life-threatening challenges of urban waters.

Hunted for nearly a millennium, right whales are now being killed by the ocean commerce that supports our modern way of life. This book offers hope for the eventual salvation of this great whale.

A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife: Marine Mammals, Seabirds, Fish, and Other Sea Life

Average customer rating:

Essential, practical guide
A pleasure in every way
A Stunning Work of Art!
A gem of a field guide!
Extraordinary illustrations, extraordinarily useful

A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife: Marine Mammals, Seabirds, Fish, and Other Sea Life
Noble S. Proctor , and Patrick J. Lynch
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Fish | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0300106580

Book Description

This beautifully illustrated guide covers an unprecedented range of species that may be sighted along the coastline or offshore by the whale watcher, bird watcher, fisher, boating enthusiast, or natural history buff. Designed in a handy pocket size, the book provides concise information for identifying the invertebrates, mammals, birds, turtles, fish, sharks and rays, and even floating seaweeds and common algae that live along the Atlantic coast and offshore from North Carolina to the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

With range maps and text on pages directly opposite the full-color illustrations, the book makes identification of more than two hundred species of offshore wildlife quick and easy. Special features include full-page spreads to compare similar species of seabirds, and inserts to help identify whales by their blowhole patterns, diving, and other behaviors.

Those with an interest in ocean life know that surprises often appear dangling at the end of a fishing line, floating beside the boat, washed up on the shore, or flying overhead. This is the ultimate guide for those who are curious about such creatures and the marine environment in which they dwell.

Customer Reviews:

Essential, practical guide.......2006-02-19

Succint offshore guide that is perfect for outdoor seashore walks. Fits well in the pocket and has ideal illustrations packaged for convenient rapid reference. Text is pertinent and complements the colored illustrations in a concise relevant way. I can't wait for the next volume addressing the southern shores.

A pleasure in every way.......2006-01-28

This book is a delight to look at: the illustrations are stunning, the design is clean and elegant. It's a delight to hold: the binding, the quality of the paper, the form factor. And it's a delight to read: the text is clear and concise, while packed with detail. For me, the most compelling aspect of the book is the illustrations, which Lynch brings to life on the pages. I unhesitantly recommend this book to anyone who takes pleasure in the wildlife of the North Atlantic.

A Stunning Work of Art!.......2006-01-26

The quality of the information is surpassed only by the quality of the illustrations. Craftsmanship through and through. I look forward to seeing more titles from these two talented people. Bravo!

A gem of a field guide!.......2006-01-25

The most striking aspect of this book to me, after taking in the richly and lovingly painted portraits of shoreline wildlife, is the depth of the included species. This book does not merely include the usual suspects, but includes the smallest foundation creatures at the base of the shoreline food chain on up. From the informative maps, and intuitive layout, this book is an easily pocketable gem and a great reference. -David Bolinsky

Extraordinary illustrations, extraordinarily useful.......2006-01-22

This field guide has it all -- a comprehensive catalog of off-shore life, excellent organization, and absolutely extraordinary illustrations that prove that the best illustration is better than photography for depicting archetypes. The authors are renowned in their fields and their skill, experience and knowledge shows in every page. The best guide I've found.

Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland (Fred W Morrison Series in Southern Studies)

Average customer rating:

Excellent book - lots of great details
marvelous field guide

Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland (Fred W Morrison Series in Southern Studies)
Wm. David Webster , James F. Parnell , and Walter C. Biggs
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Conservation | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807816639

Book Description

The only volume to deal specifically with the mid-Atlantic region, this practical guide describes in detail the 88 terrestrial mammals found there as well as the 33 marine species that inhabit the offshore waters. The authors offer expert descriptions of each species, including feeding habits, activity cycles, reproductive biology, and relation to other animals and humans. By emphasizing the relationships between mammals and their environments, the authors reveal how these animals live throughout the year. They guide readers to an appreciation of mammalian life and a keen awareness of the importance of conservation and habitat preservation.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book - lots of great details.......2005-02-21

Really interesting book. I originally bought this just as a guide to learn more about the folks that live in our back yard like the opossums, raccoons, skunks and others who frequent our bird feeding areas. But there's so much more in here. I had no idea we had so many different moles, voles, woodland rats and mice, for example. Also animals that I didn't realize were here like weasels, fox squirrels, minks, and others. Bats are covered here too which was a treat. For each animal there's a color photo, a description of the animal, distribution and abundance, a map of its range, habitat, and natural history. I was especially interested when I first opened the book and flipped to porcupines - I knew they had all been killed off in VA but there's a neat description of them as well as info on the occasional sighting that has occurred. Really a great book - I'm so glad to have found it.

marvelous field guide.......2001-03-17

It's a hardcover, so not the most comfortable field guide to throw in a backpack, but I don't have any other complaints about this book.

Animal profiles are accompanied by excellent color photographs, basic statistics about each animal (distribution, habitat, abundance, etc.), and a shaded map outlining just where each animal's distribution is. Entries for each animal are detailed enough, but don't seem to go on so long that a person would lose interest.

One more gripe: pictures of the animals feet, so that pawprints could be identified easily, would have been a welcome inclusion here. The Simon and Schuster's Guide To Mammals, by Boitani, is an inexpensive book that includes this feature. It might be a helpful second book to get on the topic.

It's an exciting book for young naturalists, too, who will likely get stirred up just by seeing some of the photos (star-nosed mole, northern flying squirrel, big brown bat, etc.).

Essays on conservation, the region, and tips on observation precede the main body of the book. The essays are short and well-written. They should be helpful to anyone who wants to scout out some mammals in the Carolinas, Virginia, or Maryland.

Book Description

The North Atlantic right whale is the most endangered large whale in the oceans today. This is a story of science and rediscovery, of survival and protection, and of research, without which we cannot hope to protect the right whale's habitat.

Marine Mammals of the North Atlantic (Princeton Field Guides)

Average customer rating:

Marine Mammals of the North Atlantic (Princeton Field Guides)
Carl Christian Kinze
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mammals | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0691113084

Book Description

Despite strong public interest in marine mammals and the incredible popularity of whale watching, particularly in the North Atlantic, many marine mammal populations remain little known. This fully illustrated book is a comprehensive and attractive guide to the marine mammals of the North Atlantic--and the only guide to cover all fifty-one species found there. It offers whale watchers and other marine mammal enthusiasts the means to identify the region's seals, manatees, walrus, and polar bear in addition to its forty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Distribution maps for each species complement the 250 striking color illustrations. The straightforward text emphasizes diagnostic features but also covers the behavior, reproduction, feeding, habitat, and migration of these intrinsically fascinating animals. In the process, the book sorts out marine mammal taxonomy, answering such questions as how dolphins and porpoises differ and whether killer whales are really dolphins or whales.

As a guide, this book will be invaluable to boaters, divers, shore dwellers, and all who venture into or on North Atlantic water. It will also interest aquarium visitors and anyone who has ever wanted to see a pod of whales, school of dolphins, or society of porpoises in action.

illustrates and depicts the diagnostic features of all 51 marine mammal species occurring in the North Atlantic
gives full coverage to not only whales, dolphins, and porpoises but also seals, manatees, the walrus, and the polar bear
features 250 color illustrations
contains distribution maps for each species and provides information on behavior, reproduction, and feeding for each species
describes the North Atlantic as a habitat for marine mammals
features concise text written by a top expert

Guide to the Offshore Wildlife of the Northern Atlantic (Corrie Herring Hooks)

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful Comprehensive Guidebook for Pelagic Buffs

Guide to the Offshore Wildlife of the Northern Atlantic (Corrie Herring Hooks)
Michael H. Tove
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mammals | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0292781717

Book Description

To identify all the air-breathing offshore wildlife potentially encountered on birding, whale-watching, or sport fishing trips at sea, you could take along a stack of field guides—or this one comprehensive guide to all the birds, whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles of the Northern Atlantic. Written by a recognized authority on seabirds and whales and illustrated with his finely detailed color paintings, it provides both previously unknown and common field marks to help you identify and enjoy all the offshore wildlife in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Tropic of Cancer, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and the Bay of Biscay.

Michael Tove offers a general introduction to each group of animals, followed by concise accounts of every species found in the Northern Atlantic. He particularly highlights previously undescribed field marks and behavioral patterns that make identification at sea much easier than before. He also includes range/abundance graphs for twelve locations in North America and six in Britain and Europe to help you plan where and when to view particular species. To enhance your day(s) at sea, Tove includes tips on how to dress properly and avoid seasickness and sunburn.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Comprehensive Guidebook for Pelagic Buffs.......2001-03-17

As an enthusiastic birder and observer of nature, I have found that some of my most memorable moments occur during pelagic (i.e. on the open ocean, away from land) trips. There are many creatures out there that one could spend a lifetime without ever seeing from shore. Until now, if you wanted to try identifying the wildlife you might encounter at sea, you needed a stack of guidebooks - one for mammals, one for birds, one for turtles etc.

Michael Tove's terrific guide has just made things a lot simpler.

Mr. Tove is a well known North Carolina birder, naturalist and organizer of Gulf Stream pelagic trips who has had articles published in various journals on identification of pelagic creatures, including birds and whales.

His guidebook is very comprehensive and well organized. It covers both sides of the North Atlantic, from Greenland to the Caribbean on the west side and Iceland to North Africa on the East.

The wildlife covered includes all the air-breathing vertebrates one might encounter anywhere in the territory covered.

There are separate sections on pelagic birds, whales and dolphins, seals and sea turtles. For each species, there is at least one illustration, excellently done by Mr. Tove, along with information on measurements, identification, behavior, range, distribution and preferred habitat.

Where appropriate, species names from both sides of the Atlantic are given, as with "Dovekie" - North America, "Little Auk" - Europe.

For birds, there are illustrations of different plumages and ages, for whales and dolphins, there are diagrams of surfacing and blow patterns and for every species covered, notes on how to distinguish that species from others with which it might be confused.

There is data on a number of popular pelagic destinations e.g. the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Hudson Canyon off New York harbor, North Carolina's Outer Banks, Scotland's Outer Hebrides plus a half-dozen oceanic islands - The Dry Tortugas, Canary Islands etc. The data sets consist of monthly abundance charts for each species that is reasonably regular at that particular location.

In addition, there is information on oceanic ecology, regions and currents. He also includes tips on how to dress for a trip and how to avoid or cope with seasickness.

There is even a section on how to plan your own pelagic trip, and how to factor in such variables as wind, weather and surface conditions.

There is something in this book for current or would-be pelagic enthusiasts of all levels of experience from novices to "old salts."

Book Description

This acclaimed book by science writer and veteran whale watcher, Erich Hoyt, leaves the reader entranced with these magnificent creatures.

Average customer rating:

Sharing a passion for leviathans

Whales of the North Atlantic
Pierre-Henry Fontaine , and Robert St-Laurent
Manufacturer: Editions Multimondes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Field Guide to Whales, Porpoises, and Seals from Cape Cod to Newfoundland

ASIN: 2921146584

Book Description

How much weight does a whale calf gain in one hour? What enables a sperm whale to remain in a single dive, often at great depths, for up to 90 minutes? Here for the first time in a single volume are answers to these questions and every other one we may have about the engaging, compelling creatures that are whales. Whales of the North Atlantic . Biology and Ecology is intended for students of biology, the inquisitive, friends of nature, people who want to gain the most from a whale-watching tour, or those who simply want to broaden their general knowledge. Its straightforward presentation and original colour photographs provide content that every reader will find enjoyable and enriching.

The author, Pierre-Henry Fontaine, has gathered together for this work information from a wide range of sources, including specialized texts and his own discoveries. The result is more than a synthesis of knowledge; it is a superb achievement in scientific popularization that will enable the reader to share his passion for whales. Careful to ensure the accuracy and quality of the information presented, the first part explains key topics on cetaceans - their specific environmental adaptations, pollution and its effects, strandings, feeding, and others. The second part of the work consists of fact sheets that provide detailed, complete descriptions of each species.

Customer Reviews:

Sharing a passion for leviathans.......2002-10-19

Guides like the Peterson's and Audubon series are great but sometimes leaving me wanting to know more than the name and distribution of an animal. While this book is also a great guide, with Atlantic species of whales portrayed in the back half, the real surprise comes with the short photo-essay chapters that make up the first half. Packed with color photos and drawings, the author makes you want to think about and visualize the unique adaptations of whales that serve them for life at sea. The photos alone make this book is a real bargain, especially in paperback. As a compact field guide/ biology text, this is my favorite gift for young biologists interested in whales.

Average customer rating:

Whales, Seals, Fish and Man
SCHYTTE
Manufacturer: Elsevier Science Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0444820701

Book Description

Hardbound. This volume outlines the major findings from the Norwegian research programme on whales and seals in Norwegian waters. A wide range of topics are covered, including physiological aspects, social organization, population dynamics, stock assessment and management. The book will be of great value to scientists and managers, as well as to members of the general public interested in environmental issues.

Average customer rating:

Hits a Golfer's Sweet Spot

515 yards yeah right!!!

One of the best books I've ever read!

One of the Best

Hard to Put Down

In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing: Chasing the Legend of Mike Austin, the Man Who Launched the World's Longest Drive and Taught Me to Hit Like a Pro
Philip Reed
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Golf | Sports | Subjects | Books
Golf | Biographies | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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How to Kill the Ball - the Mike Austin Method: The Forumula for Power And Accuracy

The 21st CENTURY GOLF SWING (The Formula for Power and Accuracy Series)

Mike Austin: Secrets From the Game's Longest Hitter

Four Magic Moves to Winning Golf

The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide: Key Techniques for Becoming a Zero Handicap Golfer or Better

ASIN: 0786713666

Book Description

“Can you teach an ordinary golfer like me to drive the ball 300 yards?” With this question sportswriter Philip Reed’s search for the greatest golf swing begins. When Reed met ninety-year old Mike Austin, he knew that Austin held the record for the longest drive ever—an awesome 515-yard shot during a Senior PGA event. What he didn’t know is that he was forging a bond with a man whose amazing life he has now chronicled in a book that is charming, funny, and wise. As Reed’s tutelage under his cantankerous teacher begins, he learns of Austin’s winning wagers on trick shots, sharing a Hollywood apartment with Errol Flynn; giving secret lessons to Howard Hughes; and matching shots against Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. As Reed's drives get longer, Austin’s health worsens. Mike soon suffers a stroke that silences him, but Reed is sure that Mike wants someone to tell his story—of a man who could do one thing better than anyone else, who possessed the most prodigious golf swing ever. This book is not just for golfers, but for all readers who savor heartwarming stories of unexpected friendships and are eager to learn secrets of living life to the fullest.

Customer Reviews:

Hits a Golfer's Sweet Spot.......2007-10-09

Had a terrific time reading this book. It reaches out and grabs every weekend golfer by what they desire most... the Shangri-la of a long, monster drive by exploring the fascinating life of Mike Austin via the student/teacher relationship with the author.
Mike Austin's tales tend to come off as a bit hard to believe, sort of like the "Dos Equis's: World's Most Interesting Man," but Phil seems to bear out all as truth through what appears to be painstaking research.
It really didn't end up helping my swing but gave me inspired look at a the longest drive hitter, now off to get the dvd....

515 yards yeah right!!!.......2007-07-13

If you are a skeptic about anything you have heard about Mike Austin's 515 yard drive.....this book will put your questions to rest. Phil Read has provided a very real account of some of the mystery surrounding Mike Austin and the golf swing he taught.

Phil writes exactly how Mr Austin spoke.....straight shooting style. Phil talks about Austin's experiences with some of the best golfers from the 30's through to the 60's....Sarazen,Snead and Hogan etc.

There are some glimpses of golf instruction in the book....but it is really about Mike Austin. Some question's like ...why isn't Mike Austin not better known if he was so good etc are answered.

A great read along with Dan Shaugers How to Kill the Ball and 21st Century Golf Swing.

One of the best books I've ever read!.......2007-05-03

Phillip Reed has great writing charisma, if there is such a thing. While reading this book, on the one hand I wanted to hurry up and finish it so I'd know its content, and, on the other hand, like a good movie, I didn't want it to end. It's hard to beat a well written book containing intriguing subject matter. The clever intermingling of three stories - Mike Austin's extraordinary life, the author's quest for a 300 yard drive, and instruction on the Mike Austin Swing Method, itself, make this unique book a "must read" for golfers and nongolfers alike.

One of the Best.......2007-03-21

A unique and entertaining tale of a bogey golfer's quest to hit a 300-yard drive is also a biography of Dr. Michael Hoke Austin, who holds the record for the longest drive in golf--515 yards. Anyone who has searched for the elusive secrets of perfecting their golf game can identify with the struggles of the author to understand Mike Austin and his method. Already in his nineties, Austin is difficult, cantankerous and cautious about sharing his knowledge; but his developing friendship with the author and his realization that his days are numbered evolves into an urgency to compile his knowledge as a legacy that meshes with the author's personal quest. We also meet long-drive champion Mike Dunaway and golf professional Dan Shauger, who Austin declares as the person best able to explain his method. The account of Austin's final years is also inspirational, a portrait of a man who has lived life fully, complete with many failures and weaknesses but marked with singular accomplishment and ultimate friendships.

Hard to Put Down.......2007-03-10

OK, I knew a little about Mike Austin before I read this book. This was from the peace river tape I purchased about four years ago. Mike was an amazing man and Phil Reed has done a great job capturing some of the aspects of Mike's life. In addition, there a few clues in the book on the Mike Austin Swing from Phil's pursuit of the swing. I read it from cover to cover the first time and have revisited portions of it since.

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