ENHS Nature Trails Nov 98 Article 4

Book Review: "Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events"
by James Luther Davis
Fulcrum Publishing, 1996, 339 pages, paperback, $16.95

One of the constant delights of living in the Pacific Northwest is daily encounters with our floral, feathered and four-footed neighbors. Even townies stuck on those big slabs of concrete can watch for the blossoming of wildflowers in parks, greenways and vacant lots; keep eyes tilted skyward to catch the swooping silhouettes of hawks, herons and other avian travelers; and if blessed by happenstance, come nose-to-nose with rascally raccoons, bold blacktail deer or a chittering grey squirrel concerned with territorial invasion.

But it's those wondrous times when you get away from it all to rediscover everything--overnighters to the Coast, three-day weekends to alpine meadows and week-long vacations to the high desert--when you really get to meet the other folks on this planet who don't know a MasterCard from a mustard seed.

Amidst the plethora of guidebooks that identify the flora and fauna you discover on these jaunts is a relatively new publication from Fulcrum Publishing that takes an intriguingly organic approach to listing sites and critters. "Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year" by James Luther Davis is a month-by-month survey of natural events such as whale migration, the turn of autumn leaves and the advent of elk wintering.

Throughout the calendar year, 63 sites in Oregon, 68 in Washington and 39 in British Columbia are revisited for tours and investigations pertinent to each month. For example, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is mentioned as a good place to observe Trumpeter Swans in January, Snowy Plovers in April and marmots in August. It's the popular format of Fulcrum's Seasonal Guide Series that includes looks at the countryside in Northern California, New England, New York and Texas, and now our ruffled neck of the woods. In each month's chapter Davis begins with a short essay that is a clearly written primer on that month's natural events. Next, he highlights four main wildlife attractions and then lists hot spots for observing these events and their participating flora and fauna. A fourth section called "Shorttakes" briefly mentions other natural happenings and the monthly report ends with "A Closer Look" at a topic relevant to the month.

In February, the author provides a useful, concise take on Bald Eagles and where and when to sight these notable raptors. In July, he recommends the Metolius River Fish Overlook at Camp Sherman for an opportunity to view rainbow trout in crystalline, stone-dappled water. And December's section ends with the reminder that the first serious snow offers a good chance to run across Bigfoot in the southern Washington Cascades. Or as this cheerful author suggests, it might be better to rent "Harry and the Hendersons" at the video store and observe that hairy creature from the comfort of your davenport.

Davis, a seasoned zoologist as well as humorist, introduces his book with a discussion of wildlife watching etiquette, personal safety and tips on how to get close without frightening the animals. His basic rule is "if you can tell you are affecting an animal's behavior, back off--you're getting too close." He also suggests that cars make good blinds so staying inside is often the best way to watch the wildlife.

Throughout the narrative, Davis takes his text beyond standardized "blurbification" found in other guidebooks with informative asides. In the October section he talks about Sandhill Cranes with a reference to the bird's role as a symbol of longevity in China and Japan. He adds, "In the past thirty years they have taken on a new meaning because of Kawabata Yasunari's book, `A Thousand Cranes,' the heartbreaking story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who died from leukemia caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima."

This handy guide with its thoughtful meanders concludes with a thorough appendix that lists the addresses of wildlife agencies, park services, refuges, hatcheries, and conservation organizations. Davis also provides a bibliography that will provide answers to any questions that come up while you're in the outback.

The author has spent some time out there himself as a youngster chasing lizards in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Ariz. After receiving a master's degree in zoology, he moved to California where he taught junior and senior high science and drove the "Zoomobile" at two zoos. Davis then moved to Portland to serve as the education director of the Portland Audubon Society and lead natural history tours while also teaching at Marylhurst College.

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Review by David Johnson, from the current issue of Journeys magazine, reproduced by permission. Journeys not only includes a comprehensive calendar of local recreation/natural history talks and activities but also presents a variety of well written articles, giving information on outdoor recreation and sister topics, including natural history, health/fitness and western destinations. The magazine welcomes unsolicited manuscripts, photos and art. It can be picked up for free at many local recreational businesses and other locations. Call 484-0766 for more information. (Melody Clarkson)

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