The outdoor realm encompasses a vast array of sites-- water, land, wetlands--for us to embrace, explore, and enjoy. Subsistence, recreation, knowledge, and spiritual teachings are available from the woods and seas. The roles of naturalist, hunter, photographer, fisherman, trapper, canoeist, spiritualist, boat captain, hiker, and adventurer are a sprinkling of hats worn by the souls fortunate enough to venture forth into the outdoor world.
Fate and interests, being what they may, pointed me, even nudge me, into this woods and water realm. Yes, good fortune placed a smattering of outdoor folks in my path. Ranges of expertise spanned from the best in their respective fields to dedicated souls. Above all they freely shared their outdoor lore and experiences.
This grouping of outdoor folks shared, if not purpose, intensity of pursuit of their specific outdoor discipline. Often, opinions varied on the use of a resource, ranging from exploitation to preservation. The majority of participants, however, operated on a mid-level of conservation (wise use).
The purpose of this book, Adventures of Woods and Seas, is to share and expose the vast range of outdoor experiences available. With knowledge, we may avoid fighting over the "proper use" of our resources. Let's share this wonderful outdoor realm and the passion of various pursuits. One user group might not fully embrace or understand the motivation of the other. However, the interest, the passion of pursuit, are based on similar footings. The resources provide the mutually shared stage. Let's protect this stage, together. This outdoor world is finite, fragile--in need of shared stewardship.
Yes, I've been blessed with outdoor opportunities that allowed the wearing of many "hats." Fisherman, photographer, hunter, naturalist, sailor are some coming to mind. Locales of experience range from urban ponds and wood lots to equatorial, temperate, and sub-arctic areas around the globe. Adventures of Woods and Seas is a colorful compilation of a variety of outdoor pursuits, destinations, and philosophies of use.
The sequel volume to Adventures of Woods and Seas is underway. Further journeys embrace backyard farm ponds of New England, sub-arctic wilds of Canada, rain forests, waters of Central America, the Pacific realm, the continental northwest, the Hawaiian Isles. Focus again will be on the flora, fauna, and people of each region.
On a recent October morning, an urban wood lot walk, well within city limits, produced numerous outdoor sightings: Red foxes chasing mice, rafts of colorful wood ducks milling about, an ancient, nearly albino (white) whitetailed deer ghosting along the wood lot edge, mourning doves collecting on tree branches, and monarch butterflies assembling in preparation for riding the north winds to Mexico for the winter.
I paused, reflected the Adventures of Woods and Seas will never cease!
Join us! Open your eyes, heart, and spirit to the great outdoors.
Reviews
Meriden Record-Journal, Meriden, Connecticut Richard Colagiovanni of Rhode Island has recently authored a an outdoor adventure book that many of our followers might find a good read (thinking ahead--also a good Xmas gift). It's titled Adventures of Woods & Seas.
Colagiovanni has been exploring the woods and waters of the world for over 35 years. His outdoor lifestyle spans Europe, North and Central America, and vast ocean realms of the northern hemisphere. Journeys that range from backyard farm ponds of New England, sub-arctic wilds of Canada, to equatorial rain forests of central America. Rich's participation in the outdoor includes roles of: naturalist, hunter, fisherman, writer, photographer, industry and governmental consultant, canoeist, boat captain, meditative spiritualist, hiker, university lecturer and adventurer.
The purpose of Adventures of Woods and Seas is to share and expose the vast range of outdoor experiences available to regular folks like you and I. Rich writes with a passion that many of you will enjoy.
Anna Minicucci, "Fishin' & Outdoor Trails" columnist, Cranston Herald, Volume 79, Number 51 (Thursday May 9, 2002) Adventures of Woods & Seas is the latest work by author Richard F. Colagiovanni of Cranston. This little paperback is aptly titled and filled with Colagiovanni's hunting, fishing, personal and professional outdoor skills and instincts to flesh out game, whether from the sea or woods. It's certain this author has more material for more than one book. His angling skills, whether with a saltwater boat rod, fly fishing outfit, ot bait casting are "Come with me," says Colagiovanni.
"I'll open the gate to some interesting sights and throw in some insights, as well," he said.
With medium of well-chosen diction, he guides readers into a colorful world of natural wonders with a most appreciative and discerning eye. Learning while reading about his sports afield and asea junkets to far-flung places in our hemisphere will be a joy for hunters and anglers. Not satisfied with these wanderings, Colagiovanni reveals some previously little known nooks in our own native state that contain hidden treasures and may be unearthed by the true lover of outdoor experiences.
Don't be surprised to find a birch tree as the lead character in one essay. A questing naturalist, Colagiovanni allows the leaves to tell him the tree's annual anatomy and the tree becomes one of nature's environmental oracles. If a central theme is sought for Colagiovanni's peripatetic search, the birch tree symbolizes his quest for an ecological grail. In a world yet to be attained, those of us who also revere the outdoors amid its limitless pleasures will, in the words of Colagiovanni, "Share... the need for conservation, preservation, and utilization of these valuable resources."
Adventures of Woods & Seas contains 24 chapters filled with a bounty of 35 years of exciting big and small game fishing and hunting, which includes Rhode Island's hidden freshwater and salt water angling haunts, the frozen terrain and wilds of Canada, Central America's equatorial rain forests, and Colagiovanni's involvement of outdoor pursuits as naturalist, hunter, fisherman, writer, biographer, industry and government consultant, canoeist, boat captain, nature spiritualist, hiker, university lecturer, and abiding adventurer. He's a member of the Outdoor Writers of America Association (OWAA) and The Explorer's Club of New York.
Colagiovanni's other pursuits include a Brown University field/guide/report contributor to a scientific investigation that involved field orientation, guiding the expedition, and a Pawtuxet River detailed report on the river's fish resources, extensive governmental agency's endeavors, and he worked on the Audobon Society's "Unique Natural Area Survey." Colagiovanni's next book, Spirit of the Woods, is nearing completion.
from Barnes&Noble.com, April 24, 2002
I've known the author for many years and have shared some of these adventures. He has lived these many experiences, savored them, and now shares his impressions and memories with the reader in a clear, concise style. It is great reading for anyone who has an appreciation of the outdoors and a yen for adventure. I enjoyed it. (5 stars)
-Len Rich (lrich@nf.sympatico.ca)
