Bird guides

I saw two hawks hunting from the Waldport Bridge.

I'm not sure what species they were. I saw them while driving, so I didn't really get a good look. One of these days I'm going to have to take a walk across that graceful bridge with my binoculars and my favorite bird book.

I like the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Perhaps because it's the book I'm used to, I find it well-organized, with clear illustrations and useful maps. I know someone who swears by the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds; she likes it best because it uses photographs rather than illustrations. The library carries both of these books, along with the Sibley Field Guide and the Peterson Field Guide.

All bird field guides are shelved in Dewey Decimal number 598.2. You might find it interesting to compare and contrast them, and find the one that's best for you. The next time you're headed out on a beach walk or nature hike, why not check out a bird book for the trip? But be responsible; never bird and drive.