Please recommend a few good field guides

[Pretty in Pink]

I am not sure if any were suggested in TWTM but I still do not own the book:tongue_smilie: so I can't check. We are setting up a nature table and I want to get some field guides to help us identify the different leaves, bugs, birds, etc. that we encounter or collect. I really have no experience in this department so any suggestions would be quite helpful! TIA

[jak of in]

I don't know the exact title but...Kaufman's Insect guide is great! We used it this summer while doing an insect collection. It was pretty easy to identify the insects using this guide.

 

jak

[PrairieAir]

I prefer books with very good photographs rather than drawings. If they do have drawings, I want them to be in color and very detailed. I also prefer excellent descriptions since sometimes it can be hard to tell from just a picture. Audobon field guides are very nice and you used to be able to get them at Sam's for a good price. They're a good size for carrying in a backpack, too. Get field guides that are specific to where you live and make sure you know where the dividing line is. (It seems I had a bit of a problem determining whether one field guide included Kansas or not based solely on the description on a bookstore website.) That will save you a lot of looking.

[PrairieAir]

I also recommend ABeka's insect flash cards. Their expensive as flashcards go, but they're very nice. I laminated ours (for cost of lamination) at the local parent and teacher resource center USD 259 runs, and they have held up very well.

[MichelleWI]

Kaufman's Butterflies is good.

 

We tend to prefer Audubon Field Guides for birds over Peterson's. We also have Audubon guides to trees, butterflies & moths and wildflowers. There are a few more we would like to own.

 

Sibley birding books are very good. Sibley's Birding Basics is a good overview. The Sibley Guide to Birds is expansive and, some might find, expensive.

 

I didn't note your family member's ages and signatures don't appear in the "Reply" view, so I don't know if you have younger children. Our youngers enjoy Fun With Nature and More Fun With Nature as good hands-on books.

 

If you want exact titles for specific topics, I'd be happy to share our preferences. I tend to rattle on regarding this subject, though, and often give more information than was wanted. :blushing:

[mcconnellboys]

I like the little Golden Guides for take alongs. They make ones that are both region and state specific for bugs, birds, etc., etc.