In this newly revised and updated edition of his highly acclaimed field guide, renowned nature photographer and tracking expert Paul Rezendes brings the fields and forests to life with his unique observations on North American wildlife and their tracks and sign. Illustrated with hundreds of his original photographs, Tracking & the Art of Seeing provides complete information on the behavior and habitat of over 50 animal species and shows you how to identify animals by their tracks, tail patterns, droppings, dens, scratches and other signs.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
A good observer of nature, walking, say, in an oak forest, may discern that some of the acorns on which he or she is treading are broken into little bits. After reading wildlife interpreter and photographer Paul Rezendes's guidebook to animal signs, that same observer will be able to tell which of those acorns have been split by human footsteps and deer hooves and which have been gnawed apart by squirrels--and by what species of squirrel. A wonderfully thorough, well-illustrated compendium, Rezendes's text covers a wide range of North American animal species, including rodents, hoofed animals, bears, raccoons, opossums, and members of the weasel, rabbit, dog, and cat families. He describes not only the signs these animals leave but also their ways of life throughout the year, and with an appropriately environmentalist purpose. "Ultimately," Rezendes writes, "tracking an animal makes us sensitive to it--a bond is formed, an intimacy develops. We begin to realize that what is happening to the animals and to the planet is actually happening to us." He's right, of course, but one need not take such a macrocosmic view of nature to take pleasure in, and learn from, this fine book. --Gregory McNamee
Review
"Better than any other field guide to tracking I've seen." -- -- Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Better than any other field guide to tracking I've seen." -- -- Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"If Thoreau's Concord neighbors led lives of quiet desperation, many people today rush through lives of frantic, noisy alienation. Paul Rezendes's book is about tracking, but also much more; it shows how to find your way home to the great web of life. For the woods walker, this book offers the key to a new kingdom." -- -- The Boston Globe
"Paul Rezendes's work reflects his commitment to living in concert with the planet and his breadth of knowledge and insight into animal tracks and sign. His book is a central resource to our environmental awareness program at Earthlands International." -- -- Larry Buell, Director, Earthlands International
"Rezendes has produced a fascinating book filled with beautiful color photographs and detailed illustrations. Hunter and hiker alike will find this book helps them to see the world of nature with a more knowing and appreciative eye." -- -- Albuquerque Tribune
"This book is a step beyond a guide to tracking. The illustrations and photographs are superb, another world beyond traditional guidebooks on the subject." -- -- Spokane Review
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Understanding elusive animals is a bit like being a detective: all you have are the clues they've left behind. As a professional ecologist, I heartily recommend "Tracking and the art of seeing" to anyone interested in the outdoors. Paul (and Paulette!) have created a marvelous contribution to both science and art. I especially appreciate Paul's emphasis on using all of your senses effectively, which is the most difficult skill to master.
Sounds like a 5 star review so far, right? Unfortunately, I feel compelled to warn those who live west of the Mississippi that Paul does not discuss some of the West's most noteworthy animals, including mule deer, bighorn sheep (he does discuss Dall sheep), pronghorn, prairie dogs, badgers, and so on. Likewise, Paul does not include domestic cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, although I've discovered that novices can often mistake these for wild ungulates.
Nevertheless, "Tracking and the art of seeing" is a wonderful example of what an outdoor reference can be: a source of both information and inspiration. It deserves an honored place on your shelf, or in your pack!
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By John Hinton
Format:Paperback
This is a truly magnificent tracking book. The book has no pseudo-spiritual dribble about tracking ants across rocks or pressure points; it is full of useful information, and it is clear that the author is as genuine of an expert naturalist as they get. He shares an incredible wealth of information on how to examine and analyze the wilderness from a microcosmic level. The photography is outstanding and the descriptions of animal signs are excellent. Being a survival instructor, I have read many fine books on tracking animals and observing their signs, but I have never read one that I learned more from than this one.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I own the first edition of this book, which I consider to be a wonderful resource not just for reading tracks, but to learn about the animals in general. I refer to the book quite often at work ( I work as an interpretive naturalist at a state recreation area) and bought a copy to keep at home as well. The excellent photographs alone make this book a real keeper.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for naturalists
This book has not only excellent information on tracking, but also life histories for the species. These life histories are something you don't find in Elbroch (although it is a... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Ryan Morra
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
This is an extremely good book on animal tracking. It is extensively illustrated, and the author has clearly had tracking as his passion for a long time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good resource
A lot of good information about habits and habitats as well as helpful charts for track measurements and directions for how to use them.
Published 1 month ago by Paddymom
5.0 out of 5 stars
High quality work
A great book. I had the privilege of taking several courses with Mr. Rezendes and he explains well what you need to look for in your tracks. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Wayne Brink
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very thorough book.
This book is detailed and thorough showing you various methods of tracking ranging from track patterns to prints to scat droppings to what/how animals eat. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Brian Mccusker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding with minor faults
This is an outstanding reference, written with love for his subject. Terrifically insightful, written from the standpoint of someone intimately tied to his subject. Read more
Published 6 months ago by czar471
5.0 out of 5 stars
teaches more than just tracking
This is a fantastically good little book. It teaches developing awareness, even more so than just tracking. I wish books like this were in the high school curriculum.
Published 6 months ago by miraclebaby
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not what I expected
This book is very good at helping you understand the animals that are in it. Most of them I could care less about. It mainly tells about the animals traits. Read more
Published 8 months ago by jhksilverpeak
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUST BUY
HANDS DOWN THE BEST. If I could only own one book on tracking this would be it. The author includes a plethora of detailed photos that help aid his descriptions of specific animal... Read more
Published 9 months ago by akane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for beginners
I teach tracking, and this is the book I most often recommend to beginners. It is well organized, and contains most of the essential, basic information. Read more
Published on March 11, 2011 by cachkn46
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 47
books:
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1
book
cites this book:
- Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks: Third Edition (Peterson Field Guides) by Olaus J. Murie on page 43, and Back Matter
- Familiar Animals of America by W. Barker on page 154, and Back Matter
- Wildlife in America by Peter Matthiessen on page 122, and Back Matter
- Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance (revised edition) by Stephen Herrero on page 244, and Back Matter
- Wild Mammals of Canada by Frederick Wooding on page 278, and Back Matter
See all 47 books this book cites
- Cool Tools by Kevin Kelly on page 80
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