Rare and Elusive Birds of North America [Hardcover]

William Burt (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 2001

For sixteen years, author and photographer William Burt has been on an uncommon mission. Every spring and summer since 1984, he has been in pursuit of the toughest of subjects: twenty of the least known, almost mythically elusive North American birds. Burt spent weeks in the field at a time, employing his own hand-built equipment and often revisiting sites, year after year in certain cases, to get the pictures he wanted. The end result is this collection of stunning photographs of these birds in the wild and the engaging stories behind capturing the images. This book contains over fifty remarkable photographs of these camera-shy birds. Additionally, it contains an appendix of thumbnail sketches about each of the birds featured in the book: where they can be found, their markings, and other unique characteristics. Rare and elusive Birds of North America is a wonderful addition to the libraries of serious and armchair birders alike.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An estimated 50 million Americans are serious recreational bird watchers. Among them is William Burt. For 16 years, Burt has pursued some of the world's toughest subjects: 20 of the least known, nearly mythical North American birds. In his latest book, Rare and Elusive Birds, he has used his talents as a photographer and bird watcher to compile an intimate look at some of the planet's most rarely seen birds. In addition to the images, the book also includes detailed accounts of the lives of these birds and the special challenges and successes Burt experienced on his quest to photograph them all.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In engaging prose, photographer and naturalist Burt (Shadowbirds: A Quest for Rails) records the 16 summers he spent in search of 20 of America's most elusive and mysterious birds, captured in 57 arresting photographs. Sprinkled with relevant quotes from Thoreau, Audubon, Seton, and others, his text is poetic and lyrical yet grounded by a scientist's eye for fact and an appreciation for place and history. Burt's epic, singular odyssey in the plains, prairies, coastal marshes, bogs, and woodlands are compellingly and entertainingly set forth. End chapters provide photographic advice, well-annotated lists of references, and vivid descriptions of these unusual, near-mythic birds. Highly recommended. Henry T. Armistead, Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Universe; 1St Edition edition (October 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789306387
• ISBN-13: 978-0789306388
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only pictures of elusive birds, but an adventure to boot, September 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rare and Elusive Birds of North America (Hardcover)

Taking picture of the most rare and shy birds in North America is not an easy tasking, not even for an avid birder and expert in the field. Well, William Burt is an expert in the field, and it took him over 10 years of hard work to research, track down, and photograph America's most elusive birds. Burt has not only delivered a full package of top quality photographs, but he has written an excellent story of his episodes of wandering through endless praries and dark swamps to find these birds. For anyone who loves birds, or loves an adventure, this book is a must.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for birders, August 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rare and Elusive Birds of North America (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for birders, and they really loved it. It consists of photographs taken of some of the most elusive birds in North America.