Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign [Paperback]

Paul Rezendes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1999

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.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; 2 Sub edition (March 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062735241
• ISBN-13: 978-0062735249
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Animal Behavior & Communication
  • #88 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the next one..., October 7, 1999

By 

William Adair - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign (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!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Tracking Book to Be Found, February 16, 2003

By 

John Hinton (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign (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.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just tracking...., December 15, 1999

By 

C.J. Striegel (southern Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign (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.