EXTERNAL LINKS OF NOTE
Need more discussion than what you'll find below? I now have a blog at Wordpress.com and you are welcome to check it out here.
Organizations worth supporting...
Support the restoration of endangered Peregrine Falcons and other raptors...
Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group
They have a great links page along with everything else they offer and rather that repeat every link just be sure and check out the external links page on their site.
The PG&E Falcon webcam, now active can be found at this link: http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/nestcamSF.htm
The ongoing discussion forum for the PG&E peregrine falcons is on Yahoo and can be found HERE
I also support...
Established in 1970, The Peregrine Fund works nationally and internationally, to conserve birds of prey in nature. We conserve nature by achieving results--results restoring species in jeopardy, conserving habitat, educating students, training conservationists, providing factual information to the public, and by accomplishing good science.
Another society of note:
Wildcare advocates for wildlife for a sustainable world. They rescue, rehabilitate and restore wildlife to their natural habitats.
I am a member of NANPA, the North American Nature Photographers Association.
Their Mission Statement: "NANPA promotes the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication for nature appreciation and environmental protection. NANPA provides education and inspiration, gathers and disseminates information, and develops standards for all persons interested in the field of nature photography. NANPA fosters professionalism and ethical conduct in all aspects of our endeavors. Check out their website here: http://www.nanpa.org/
And check out...
"Raptors of the Rockies is a non-profit 501(c)(3) raptor education project located in Western Montana. Active since 1988, their mission is:
1. Provide a lifetime of quality care to permanently disabled birds of prey;
2. To educate schools and the public through the use of live birds such as eagles, hawks, falcons and owls in raptor education and wildlife art programs,
3. To instill a respect and admiration for these skilled hunters and to promote wildlife conservation and habitat preservation for our wild populations."
Native Bird Connections located in Martinez, CA is a volunteer organization that is dedicated to educating people about wild birds. They can be found at this link: http://www.nativebirds.org
The International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) has been helping birds around the world since 1971. Its mission is to mitigate human impact on aquatic birds and other wildlife. This is achieved through rehabilitation, emergency response, education, research, planning and training.
The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
The mission of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory is to study migrating birds of prey along the Pacific coast and to promote public awareness of the state of raptor populations. The GGRO is dedicated to the conservation of raptors and to community involvement in wildlife research.
You can get involved on a national level...
The Natural Resources Defense Council's purpose is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.
They work to restore the integrity of the elements that sustain life -- air, land and water -- and to defend endangered natural places.
They seek to establish sustainability and good stewardship of the Earth as central ethical imperatives of human society. NRDC affirms the integral place of human beings in the environment.
WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge and advancing that knowledge where we can, we work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems by
* protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including endangered species;
* promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and
* promoting more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.
Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
You can join just the national society, but there are also local chapters everywhere, and I belong to my local chapter:
Golden Gate Audubon is dedicated to protecting Bay Area birds, other wildlife, and their natural habitats. We conserve and restore wildlife habitats, connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural world, and educate and engage Bay Area residents in the protection of our shared, local environment.
Golden Gate Audubon is an independent, nonprofit organization with its own membership, budget and programs. Although we are a chapter of National Audubon, becoming a Supporting Member of Golden Gate Audubon is separate and distinct from membership in the National Audubon Society. Golden Gate Audubon Supporting Members receive The Gull newsletter, and play a critical role in protecting local birds and their habitats.
A Really Good Photographer...
There is a world of great bird photographers out there. I am privileged to know one in particular that has been involved with raptors for most of his life. Please if you haven't visited his site yet, go there and be amazed at some terrific raptor photography. See what peregrine look like away from the big city. Buy a print too!
Parrots in the City? Oh my, yes!
For parrot lovers everywhere, Mark Bittner's website is here...
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
The book...
and the film is on DVD
is here on Amazon
Mickaboo?
Made famous by Mark Bittner's movie, "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill", the parrots not being a native species have had mixed success at city life. Several have fallen ill and have been rescued by Animal Control. When found, they are sent to Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue, a volunteer organization that rescues parrot-type birds in Northern California. Mickaboo provides them with veterinary care and releases them back to the flock if possible, or if not, they place the birds in a foster home. Mickaboo receives no city funds and relies on volunteers and donations. If you would like to help the parrots, go to www.mickaboo.org for details.
I highly recommend Chris Gomersall's book on the subject.
One more book to consider:
The Art of Bird Photography by Arthur Morris
And one last amazing book...
Bird (by Andrew Zuckerman)
200 stunning photographs of nearly 75 different species. These winged creatures from exotic parrots to everyday sparrows, and endangered penguins to woody owls are captured with Zuckerman's painstaking perspective against a stark white background to reveal the vivid colors, textures, and personalities of each subject in extraordinary and exquisite detail. The ultimate art book for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike, Bird is a volume of sublime beauty.
Notable Books on Raptors and Peregrines in Particular
Ok I know that there are thousands of books out there on raptors. I haven't read them all and neither have you. So these are some of my personal favorites...
Falcons of North America (by Kate Davis, Photographs by Nick Dunlop & Rob Palmer)
Really quite good, an informative read, excellent information and photography Also available at Amazon
Return of the Peregrine - A North American Saga fo Tenacity and Teamwork
(Editors: Tom J. Cade & William Burnham)
This book is an amazing compilation of the recovery story. I can't recommend this book enough; it is an amazing recounting of the recovery from the time the problem was made known up to about 2003 when the book was published. Highly reccommended. It's also available at Amazon.
Peregrine Falcon Populations - Their Management and Recovery
(Edited by Tom J. Cade, James H. Enderson, Carl G. Thelander, and Clayton M. White) 949 pages, but only 5 dollars. This is a very dense read for anyone that wants to see what went on from 1969 to 1986 in detail, this is THE book. Be forwarned it will take months to get through... It's also available at Amazon
Falcon (by Helen Macdonald)
A great overview of falcons through the ages and up to the present. Would make a great gift for someone at holiday time.
Raptors of California
(by Hans and Pam Peeters)
Some amazing anecdotes of raptor behavior I have not read anywhere else, plus some very good artwork.
Raptors of the World
(by James Ferguson-Lees & David A Christie)
A fantastic raptor ID book, with full color plates throughout. Also available at Amazon
A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors
(by Brian K Wheeler & William S. Clark)
Raptors shown in all their plummage varieties and morphs. Also available at Amazon
More species information than the previous book, but this one only covers the western North American Continent
Notable Books on General Birding and the study of nature and ecology
American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau (edited by Bill McKibben, forward by Al Gore)
Over 100 authors works are included in this 900 page book. If you want to know more about environmental writing, but don't know where to start, this book is for you.
Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness (by Lyanda Lynn Haupt)
I just discovered this writer and I can't recommend her enough.
The Sibley Guide to Birds (by David Allen Sibley)
This is my favorite guide book, but I also use this next one listed...
Complete Birds of North America (edited by Jonathan Alderfer)
Sibley's Birding Basics (by David Allen Sibley)
Helped me learn what to look for and the next book is also helpful...
Identify Yourself: The 50 Most Common Birding Identification Challenges
(by Bill Thompson III, Julie Zickefoose, Kenn Kaufman, and The Bird Watcher's Digest)
I use this book to help plan my local trips...
Birding Northern California (by John Kemper)
Equipment
99% of the photos on my site were taken with the Canon 20D, 30D, 40D and the 1DMk3 digital bodies and the Canon F5.6 400mm L and F4 500mm L series telephotos.
And now I shoot with the
.
You can see more about the 400mm older lens that most photographers know about but seem to forget at this wonderful website. And other reviews of the lens is found at Photographyreview.com here.
You can read a description of the Canon EOS 40D body at this website. Multiple reviews can be found at Photographyreview.com
Finally, don't forget to get a good solid tripod, and for ease of tracking a bird in flight, the Wimberley Sidekick. You have to see it to understand how it works and you have to use one to really appreciate it. So take a look. You also read reviews of it and can write a review of this piece of hardware at Photographyreview.com at this link.
