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“Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography.”—The New Yorker
The Brooklyn Bridge once overshadowed a decaying industrial waterfront, but today it points the way to a new green oasis: Brooklyn Bridge Park. When avid birder Heather Wolf moved from tropical Florida to a nearby apartment, she wondered how many species she might see there, and soon came to a surprising realization: Not only is the park filled with an astonishing variety of birds, but the challenges that come with urban birding make them even more fun—and rewarding—to find.
Camera in hand, Heather has captured scores of memorable scenes—a European starling pokes its head out of a hole in a snack shop, a marsh wren straddles two branches, common grackle nestlings clamor for food above the basketball courts—in more than 150 stunning photographs that will entrance birders and bird lovers, wherever their local patch may be. From the familiar-but-striking bufflehead duck to the elusive mourning warbler, every species comes to life on the page, foraging, nesting, and soaring in the slice of the city where they’ve made themselves at home. Discover the thrilling adventure of birding in the great outdoors—in the heart of Brooklyn.
“Part of the pleasure of her book, besides excellent photography . . . is the way [Heather Wolf] shares the circumstances and excitement of particular sightings.”—The Wall Street Journal
“In clear and enthusiastic prose, Wolf draws attention to the remarkable variety of urban birds and their ongoing conservation challenges. . . . This beginner’s guide is as entertaining as it is informative.”—Publishers Weekly
“Exquisite.”—am New York
“An informative field diary”—The Atlantic’s City Lab
“Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography.”—The New Yorker
“I totally love Heather Wolf’s book: great photographs, and delightful, incisive writing.”
—Marie Winn, author of Red-Tails in Love
“Hey, New York, it’s time to meet the neighbors you never knew you had. Heather Wolf’s fledgling chronicle of her encounters with the birds of Brooklyn both surprises and mesmerizes. After drinking in her gorgeous photos of more than 100 unsung and unexpected urban species (from abundant house sparrows to an elusive tundra swan and the proverbial yellow-bellied sapsucker), you will forever observe the city with new eyes.”
—Margaret Mittelbach, author of Wild New York
“Not all New York City birds are pigeons! This book is a colorful and inspiring eye-opener to the marvelous feathered creatures that are all around us, even in the midst of our densest cities. By learning to observe and care for the birds, we can protect them and build stronger communities for ourselves too.”
—David J. Ringer, Chief Network Officer, National Audubon Society
“Research tells us that connecting with the natural world in our daily lives can help to make us happier, more creative, and less anxious. Heather Wolf’s gorgeous images and delightful words are a reminder that the wild surrounds us no matter where we make our homes. This book inspires us to step lightly, with open eyes, minds, and hearts. We will benefit from such exploration to be sure, and so will the birds and all creatures that share our neighborhoods and our earth.”
—Lyanda Haupt, author of Crow Planet
