This is a new photo guide by Steve Howell and Kirk Zufelt: https://www.nhbs.com/oceanic-birds-of-the-world-book
It is working with photos and assemblages of single bird pictures. Thanks to peterginsburg for pointing out this fine book to me!
It is an intriguing volume with some shortcomings due to the intended compact size. Yet, there is so much stimulating stuff whether one plans for pelagic trips or not. I very much love the wealth of fine photos, but at times printing quality does not show particular features very well. A case in point is the waving pattern on the Waved(Galapagos) Albatross, but also the blue color of the feet of the Blue-footed Booby. Most species, it seems have only a range description, no map. But then, there are many comparative range maps, and with this we come to the most fascinating part of this new book. Its strength is the way several species (groups) are compared, but also combining various views of the same species. And there are many instances where one realizes that these marine species are still a group full of unknowns and riddles. Be that their life histories or their systematics. Of course, the wide variety can be more than just a bit bewildering. But many things that had puzzled me in other books neatly fall into place in this one, such as how various related species fit together geographically. I have only just leafed through with a few more intensive quick glances. But it is obvious that this will become one of my most intensively studied books whether my planned Antarctic tour will be cancelled for "Corona" reasons or not.
It is working with photos and assemblages of single bird pictures. Thanks to peterginsburg for pointing out this fine book to me!
It is an intriguing volume with some shortcomings due to the intended compact size. Yet, there is so much stimulating stuff whether one plans for pelagic trips or not. I very much love the wealth of fine photos, but at times printing quality does not show particular features very well. A case in point is the waving pattern on the Waved(Galapagos) Albatross, but also the blue color of the feet of the Blue-footed Booby. Most species, it seems have only a range description, no map. But then, there are many comparative range maps, and with this we come to the most fascinating part of this new book. Its strength is the way several species (groups) are compared, but also combining various views of the same species. And there are many instances where one realizes that these marine species are still a group full of unknowns and riddles. Be that their life histories or their systematics. Of course, the wide variety can be more than just a bit bewildering. But many things that had puzzled me in other books neatly fall into place in this one, such as how various related species fit together geographically. I have only just leafed through with a few more intensive quick glances. But it is obvious that this will become one of my most intensively studied books whether my planned Antarctic tour will be cancelled for "Corona" reasons or not.
