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cythera15's review
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
This is a very cute book. I love the drawings. Now I know what to look for when I'm watching birds at our bird feeder, like their beak and feather color/shape, and what to listen for as well in their calls and songs.
arya_deepak's review
4.0
This one is a simple, fun, beautiful, and easy read on how to begin bird watching and how to draw them. I am not much of a birder. I requested an advance copy of this via Netgalley just out of curiosity and it was rewarding. The whole layout of the book itself is very refreshing. Pages filled with bird drawings, made by the author himself, are very attractive and make this a perfect gift for beginner birders of any age. (I am sure kids interested in bird watching would be delighted by this one.)
The content is divided into six parts, beginning with a sort of intro section titled 'Why are we drawn to birds?'.
Focus areas include how to 'really' observe birds, how to listen to bird sounds, observing with the help of bird feeders, bird activities and behavior, and tips on drawing birds. Each section is simple but informative. Small sections on 'What bird is that?' are given at intervals dealing with basic info on selected birds.
The only problem I noted is that the book mostly deals with native birds of North America so info on specific birds may not come out handy for people of other continents. Still, the beauty and simplicity of the book are enough to attract beginner birders.
Happy birding people!!!!
The content is divided into six parts, beginning with a sort of intro section titled 'Why are we drawn to birds?'.
Focus areas include how to 'really' observe birds, how to listen to bird sounds, observing with the help of bird feeders, bird activities and behavior, and tips on drawing birds. Each section is simple but informative. Small sections on 'What bird is that?' are given at intervals dealing with basic info on selected birds.
The only problem I noted is that the book mostly deals with native birds of North America so info on specific birds may not come out handy for people of other continents. Still, the beauty and simplicity of the book are enough to attract beginner birders.
Happy birding people!!!!
boitevide's review
5.0
If you have ever had any inclination to become a birder, even a dabbler in the birding world, this book is for you. A down-to-earth approach, not only to how to outfit yourself to maximize your birding endeavors, but also to how to think about, look at, and live around birds. The author talks you through general pointers and bird information, but they also give you a glimpse into a very personal side of their own birding journey. Of particular pleasure to me was how they cataloged their sightings: sometimes these were full descriptions, with names and technical specifics, but often they were sketches and impressions, more like poetry than categorization.
Ultimately, this book won't make you into a bird aficionado. It won't teach you every migratory pattern and birdcall. It probably won't even help you all that much when it comes to figuring out which bird you happen to be looking at or hearing at any given time. What it will do, though, is perhaps more valuable. It will encourage you to appreciate the avian life in your everyday surroundings in a different and more intimate way. It will help you articulate what you want to take away from your experiences with birds and assist you in finding the tools to achieve that experience. Best of all, it will cast birding in a light that makes it accessible, something everyone can do: a simple pleasure that doesn't require expensive trappings or the privilege of large amounts of free time and education. All you need is interest and a bird or two.
Ultimately, this book won't make you into a bird aficionado. It won't teach you every migratory pattern and birdcall. It probably won't even help you all that much when it comes to figuring out which bird you happen to be looking at or hearing at any given time. What it will do, though, is perhaps more valuable. It will encourage you to appreciate the avian life in your everyday surroundings in a different and more intimate way. It will help you articulate what you want to take away from your experiences with birds and assist you in finding the tools to achieve that experience. Best of all, it will cast birding in a light that makes it accessible, something everyone can do: a simple pleasure that doesn't require expensive trappings or the privilege of large amounts of free time and education. All you need is interest and a bird or two.
trop_de_livres's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Like many others, I have become more and more interested in birds the older I get. Combine that with being home during the pandemic, and that interest grew into a slight obsession. That’s why this book caught my eye.
This is a wonderful introduction to bird watching for beginners. A combination of memoir and handbook, with beautiful sketches and paintings, there is much to inspire anyone who has begun to notice the world of our avian companions.
The basics of bird watching are explained, along with general information about birds, fun trivia and fascinating details. This book is especially interesting for anyone wishing to sketch, draw or paint birds, and Clare Walker Leslie includes a section on how to begin. Almost every page in this lovely book includes art, from basic sketches to more refined paintings. It is a treasure trove of tips and advice on how to approach and befriend our feathered friends. Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for letting me read this in exchange for an honest opinion.
word_dragon's review
informative
reflective
5.0
How to Look at a Bird is the perfect book for those looking to start birdwatching. It gives you a step-by-step guide on how to identify birds, starting small and getting more complex. It even includes a chapter on how to draw field drawings of birds and a table for organizing your birdwatching findings! I love the water colors and field drawings included throughout the book. The field drawings are simple and make even a novice feel like they can do it too. The watercolors bring beauty and life to the many birds Clare includes includes in this book. The birds Clare includes are a range of many common birds to a few less common birds, depending on your location. A must-read for any novice birdwatcher or someone looking to start birdwatching.
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