Great Texas Birds [Hardcover]

John P. O'Neill (Author), Suzanne Winckler (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1999

What makes any bird a "great" bird? For some birders, it's the rarity of a species that they've finally added to their life list after years of patient watching. Others will tell you that the great birds are the most beautiful ones. But most people know that the great birds are simply the ones we like the best, rare or common--the ones that have imprinted themselves indelibly on our lives. This beautiful book presents exquisite paintings of forty-eight Texas birds chosen by John O'Neill and Suzanne Winckler as their own personal "greats." Some of the birds are as common as they are beloved. Others are definitely life-list birds--rare, beautiful, exotic-sounding, or all three at once. The authors have also gathered a flock of well-known Texas birders and nature writers to offer personal, scientific, or literary observations about each bird. In all, forty-eight writers, one to a bird, are included here. These beautifully detailed paintings and the observations that accompany them make a convincing case that these are, indeed, the great Texas birds. Whether you're a serious birder or simply a backyard bird watcher, you'll find in this book a "lovely edifice" where people who care about birds can be together. (200101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Is there a state with a more marvelous array of birds than Texas? I can't think of one. John P. O'Neill's paintings, showcased handsomely in this book, present a selection of Texas's finest in glorious color and detail. (Ed Kanze Bird Watcher's Digest )

Review

John O'Neill must be regarded as one of the most diligent and creative painters of birds of our generation.... His dynamic style, often involving bold use of light and color, has inspired several other artists of his circle. (Guy Tudor, illustrator of The Birds of South America )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; 1st edition (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292760531
• ISBN-13: 978-0292760530
• Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,277,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift Book, December 10, 1999

By 

Kathy Adams Clark (The Woodlands, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Texas Birds (Hardcover)

This book is beautifully illustrated, designed and written. It is a perfect book for anyone who likes birds and an equally perfect book for those who love beautiful things. The latter might find that they love birds after reading the book. Overall, a very well done book.