That is one reason why Craig and Joy Johnson’s website ranks among my favorites. The site, pugetsound backyardbirds. com, has something for youngsters, oldsters and everyone in between. There is only one problem. You never know what to look at first. If you have shopping in mind, the books, brochures, pictures and cards are a good place to start. You will be pulled in other directions once you get started. This attractive website was created by one of the Northwest’s finest artists. Craig uses the digital age as if it had been made for him and his work.
The website currently offers two popular books, “The Amazing Story of Red Rufous” and “Our Pacific Northwest Birds & Habitat.”
“Red Rufous” is great for children but adults will also enjoy this hummingbird book.
“Birds & Habitat” belongs on all Northwest coffee tables (or somewhere in the house). Craig’s photographs blanket the pages and are enhanced with information about specific birds. Craig and Joy are generous when it comes to sharing their talents and their love of our native birds. Videos replete with “live” birds include their songs and almost convince you they are hiding somewhere in the computer.
Shopping on this site includes more than books. The Johnsons live on Whidbey Island and have created site-specific brochures for the Island’s best birding places. Other brochures focus on specific birds.
Cards illustrated with Craig’s photographs as well as numerous bird watercolors make thoughtful gifts for those difficult to shop for. Don’t stress when it comes to looking for that special gift, grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and enjoy the Johnson’s Puget Sound Backyard Birds website.
Be sure and watch the “Tiny Birds” video when perusing this site. Then, change gears and visit a blog that just may become one of your favorite reference sources.
Ian Paulsen’s blog, birdbooker report.blog.com, provides access to a library of natural history books. The focus is on birds but books on other wildlife, the outdoors and related subjects are reviewed on a regular basis. The Birdbooker Report ended up on my computer’s “Favorites” list after one particular experience. Questions from readers can often be challenging. When someone requested the name for a “good” book on bird feathers, my library failed me. A quick e-mail to Ian solved the problem. He came up with at least three excellent suggestions and recommended what he thought was the best one.
I’ve known Ian since he was a teenager, and even at an early age his interest in birds was intense and focused. He is an avid book collector and has been one for most of his life. A friend encouraged him to start this blog and it has grown into a source of information book lovers of natural history will appreciate. As an author, editor and book reviewer, Ian found a way to share his passion for birds and natural-history books.
In addition to the book reviews, this site includes almost two dozen related links. The Birdbooker Report Archives of all reviews make sure that you won’t miss what you are looking for even if it was reviewed several months ago.
As you thumb through the “pages” of certain books by scrolling down the computer screen, it’s hard to tell yourself you are holiday shopping. It’s also challenging to remember you are shopping for gifts and not for yourself.
If a trip is planned in the coming year, this is a good place to find the perfect field guide. Whether you are headed to the United Arab Emirate, the Horn of Africa or southeast Arizona, chances are the guide you want can be found on The Birdbooker Report.
Enjoy both of these sites and they are sure to make your holiday shopping easier and fun.
Write to Joan Carson, PO Box 217, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a reply. (Or email joanpcarson@comcast.net.)
