Mommy to monkeys Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Which field guide is your favorite? All I have are the beginner ones for little kids, and we're ready to move up so we can do some serious nature study. Can't decide whether it's better to have the drawings or the photos!?? :confused: So what do ya'll like and why :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) Field guides for birds or plants? For birds, I actually find drawings to be most helpful. It is easier to see the details in color variations or patterns. We have Sibley guides and Birds of (state). Dh likes the Sibley guides best, and it is the most thorough. I think for beginners the other book is easier. In the front is a small drawing of every bird. You can quickly scan the pages. My 7 and 9yo dds can find birds independently. ETA: the state bird books I am talking about are by Lone Pine Publishing. Edited March 9, 2011 by Julianna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy to monkeys Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 those are what we're looking to study at the moment. The ones I'm most familiar with are the peterson and the audobon ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Which field guide is your favorite? All I have are the beginner ones for little kids, and we're ready to move up so we can do some serious nature study. Can I ask you which ones you used for your little ones? Did you enjoy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nov05mama Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 (edited) We have this and really love it... Amateur Naturalist, by Gerald Durrell http://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Naturalist-Gerald-Durrell/dp/0394533909 and for the younger ages, this has been our favorite series so far... Fun With Nature, by Mel Boring http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Nature-Take-Along-Guide-Boring/dp/1559717025/ref=pd_sim_b_3 (there's a FULL series of these books and they are all great) and for nature journals (all ages), these are our top 2 favorites... Nature Connection, by Clare Walker Leslie http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Connection-Workbook-Families-Classrooms/dp/1603425314/ref=pd_sim_b_26 My Nature Journal, by Adrienne Olmstead http://www.amazon.com/My-Nature-Journal-Personal-People/dp/0967245915/ref=pd_sim_b_30 Edited March 9, 2011 by nov05mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I like Peterson or Sibley for birds. Peterson for Trees. If you get to insects choose (1) Kaufman, (2)National Wildlife Federation, or (3) Audubon. Caterpillars: Caterpillars in the Field and Garden by Thomas J. Allen For wildflowers you may find you need more than one guide: Peterson and Audubon for instance. The more in-depth you go into your nature study, the more field guides you will want. No one field guide covers everything. For difficult identifications, I may consult three to five sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy to monkeys Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Can I ask you which ones you used for your little ones? Did you enjoy it? We have used golden guides:) We have enjoyed them; the pictures are nice. Very simple. My 8 yr old likes to read through them. But we've used them more like: "let's learn about robins" as opposed to "gee. . .I wonder what that bird is that I'm unfamiliar with" I'd like to do more of the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 We've moved away from Peterson to DK/Smithsonian for birds. We all prefer photos to line drawings :) Here's the bird one: http://www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-Field-Guide-Birds-America/dp/0061120405/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299670353&sr=1-1 And for future reference, the very best rock and mineral guide we've ever used: http://www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-Handbooks-Rocks-Minerals/dp/0789491060/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299670417&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Wilhelm Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 In College we used Peterson's Field Guides....... birds/reptiles&hibians/mammals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy to monkeys Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 So it's a good idea to have more than one on hand. I had never heard of the Sibley ones before. I really like how they have the birds from different positions! Oh and that nature journal is very cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I've always found the best ones to be available at your closest University. If there is a field guide written by a local professor they are usually the most useful. Local biology teachers can usually point out really good ones for your area too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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