Owl A year in the lives of North American owls

With so many owl titles, is another really necessary? Definitely, in this case. This selection from award-winning photographer Bannick (The Owl and the Woodpecker) excels with superb images of all 19 owl species found in the United States and Canada. The visuals are dramatic, depicting these birds in action and in unusual poses and manners of flight, such as diving, hanging upside down, and clutching prey, plus many portraits of nestlings. The outsize book dimensions, 11" x 9.5", showcase the photography effectively. Bannick also plays close attention to owl habitats, habits, and life stories. Readers are taken through a year in the life of the owl: courtship, nesting, rearing of offspring, winter survival, and more. The volume concludes with information on each species, such as distribution, habitat, nesting, vocalization, and conservation status. At a time when some wildlife photographers are criticized for disturbing their subjects or creating artificial scenes (e.g., baiting), Bannick adheres to the strictest ethical standards. Verdict Most highly recommended for all levels: public, professional, and young adult; will appeal to those interested in nature, North American habitats, and conservation. A gem.-Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.