There’s a fantastic and brand new resource out there for serious students of birds from Johns Hopkins University Press and it contains three of my bird photographs so I hope you’ll allow me a little horn tootin’ today.
Let’s have a closer look at this massive new book.
My complimentary copy arrived two days ago so I haven’t had much time to go through it but after perusing it for several hours I’m extremely impressed. According to the publishers “the textbook is intended for undergraduate and graduate students” but it’s also “written to be useful for professionals who are experts in one or a few subject areas (e.g. ecology and behavior) and want to strengthen their understanding of others.”
All three of my photos were used in chapter 15 – “Foraging Behavior”, dealing with foraging and feeding behaviors of birds and their diets. I’ve included those photos below. The authors of this chapter were interested in images that illustrate how birds deal with food.
A Loggerhead Shrike casting a pellet.
A Bald Eagle eating a carp in flight. This photo was used to illustrate one of the ways birds use their feet while handling food.
A Short-eared Owl in flight with rodent prey.
It would be a legitimate question for readers to wonder why I’m making such a big deal out of being published in this textbook. After all, my photos are published in books and magazines fairly regularly and I generally don’t gloat about it on Feathered Photography. I’ll try to explain.
These two books are the two I’m most proud to be published in (I have two photos in Handbook) and that includes publishers like National Geographic, Ranger Rick Junior and many others that have also purchased and used my images. It all boils down to my interest in bird biology and behaviors. Traditional “pretty bird photos” are nice and they’re the ones that most publishers are interested in but these textbooks used my photos to illustrate bird biology and behaviors and that pleases me even more than the others.
And then there’s the biology teacher in me coming out. The 2nd edition of Handbook of Bird Biology was and still is a highly respected classic that was used by universities and serious students of birds for 13 years before the 3rd edition came out last year and I expect Ornithology to be at least as widely used and respected. I anticipate that thousands of bird nerds, academic and otherwise, will have both books as companions on their bookshelf just as I do for years to come. And that thought makes this old teacher very happy.
But damn, Ornithology is a monster! Handbook is a big book but Ornithology dwarfs it. The pages of both are roughly 11″ x 8.25″ but Ornithology has over 1000 of them so it’s 2.5″ thick and weighs 9 brutish pounds. That’s two pounds more than my 500mm lens so believe me it’s heavy. I’ve included the quarter for scale.
Don’t get me wrong, Ornithology isn’t for the casual reader. But if you’re serious about learning current, detailed and scientifically vetted information about the biology, behavior, evolution and conservation of birds it just might be for you.
But if you decide to take the plunge it won’t be cheap ($110 suggested retail price). I’m sure glad I’m no longer a penniless college student buying textbooks.
Ron
Still catching up on the week. Congratulations! I might have to add the new addition to our collection.
I’m super-late to the party, but want to add my Mazal Tov to the stack of congratulatory comments. 🙂 It must be thrilling to have your work recognized this way.
I’m going to have to pick up a copy once I get a couple more paychecks under my belt. Now I REALLY need to get to SLC so I can get my book signed! 😉
Nothing wrong with being late to this party, Marty. It would be fun meeting you if you ever make it here.
Funny, I just noticed the Ornithology book at Buteo Books today. Congratulations for providing great feeding photos.
I took the Cornell course and used their textbook. How does the new 9 pounder expand upon the Cornell Handbook?
I really don’t know yet, Pam. I haven’t spent enough time with it yet.
I’m late today, sorry been watching the hearings!
Congratulations – Yup, I have a library, even in my dotage, made up mostly of bird, ecology and history books. Yup, I’ll be spending the money, unless those two books appear under the tree this Christmas!! If not, I’ll get them in January!
Didn’t know about your pictures appearing in books before, always felt they should, finally we know!!
Man, this is great Ron, couldn’t be happier for you!
Thanks, Dick. I’ve published a post or two about them being published in books but generally I don’t advertise it. Here’s one of them:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2016/06/11/one-of-my-images-published-by-national-geographic/
Boy, that is embarrassing! OK, that really shows my age, since I complemented you on that post! Be that as it may, I think it is fantastic that you are being recognized!
You’re not alone, Dick. I have a hard time remembering which images I’ve posted and which ones I haven’t. My filing system fails me sometimes so I live in fear of posting a photo and saying I haven’t posted it in the past when I actually have.
I’m surprised they only used three photos (or five including both books). I’ve seen enough of your photos showing various aspects of bird life that I can’t think there is any place to find better ones. in any case, you should be be very gratified to have at least a small part of your efforts recognized and published.
I am gratified, Lyle. Thank you.
Of those three shots, that one of the eagle eating in flight and the shortear and vole are two of my all time favorites…..
Thanks, Patty.
I am a tad late to the party but add my loud congratulations to the mix. The editors chose well. We learn from so many of your posts. Learn and marvel. How wonderful that the pleasure is being spread more extensively.
And goodness you are a quiet horn tooter.
Congratulations, Ron. I’m proud to just be on your list! I know we are all proud of you. Your photos are wonderful and teach us so very much about birds, their behavior and physiology.
Much appreciated, Barbara. Thanks.
Congratulations, Ron! Those are great photos to illustrate bird behavior. You have reason to be proud.
Thank you, Nancy.
Congratulations, Ron. Excellent news.
As you may imagine, this reader will buy this new book.
Best wishes,
Martha Ture
I hope you like it as much as I do so far, Martha.
You call it gloating and I would describe it as a wonderful critic and well deserved pride in your work Your talent is very obvious and it is verified by your inclusion in these publications.
I am so happy I found your blog and it is the first thing I look at in the morning when I get to the computer. Keep up the great work.
I’m glad you found us too, Betty. Thank you.
i am glad to know that your photos are included in a textbook. That gives added weight to the worth of what you do. As one who thrives on learning new things, I find value every day from your blog. So I’m sure ornithology students will benefit greatly from your contributions to the text book. Congratulations!
Thanks very much, Susan.
What a wonderful legacy. The three photos are stunning and so appropriate for this textbook. Congratulations, Ron. It is a well-deserved honor and tribute to your talents. (I can’t imagine a textbook that weighs 9 lbs!! That is more than most newborn babies!)
“That is more than most newborn babies”
That’s an effective comparison to make. Thanks, Melanie.
Brilliant!! Looks like an excellent investment!
Thanks, Nicky. I think it is.
Congrats on having your images included in these beautiful publications. I do own the handbook and didn’t know you had photos in it. Duh. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for tooting your horn just a “wee bit”.
Toot, toot – that’s me, Joanne. Thank you.
Wild! Congrats Ron and do toot your horn…
I own the handbook and now I know what book I am requesting for Xmas to complement it.
Good luck on Xmas morning, Art!
WOW! And congratulations on have multiple photos included in the new book! 🙂 Almost need a “reading stand” like for old dictionaries for the book to not have to haul it around.;)
Good idea, Judy. Won’t work for me though because my bad back won’t allow me stand for very long.
Hear hear ! TOOT TOOT TOOT ! I think you should invest in a lectern ( if you don’t already have one ) so that you can peruse this magnificent–and very substantial–book to your
heart’s content without straining your back…….besides, it looks to be worthy of a stand-alone position in your collection . CONGRATULATIONS !
Kris, I’m scared to death that sometime I’ll drop the darned thing on my foot!
Ron – 2nd response. I agree with Robert Davis. You really should do a book to feature your best works. You could hire a professional to put it all together for you – you just supply the photos and background information. You probably have enough outstanding material without even culling through that 33,000 backlog. I think I could guarantee that everyone of your followers would for sure buy the book.
Everett Sanborn
I appreciate your confidence in me, Everett. But don’t hold your breath.
Congratulations for sure Ron. If I see someone with that book I can grab it and open it and say – hey, I know this guy Dudley:) Beautiful photos. If I ever get a photo like the eagle with the carp I will right on the spot retire from wildlife photography. Thanks for sharing this Ron.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott Arizona
Don’t retire if it happens, Everett. With birds one can always do better… 🙂
How awesome and appropriate to have your work published in this way! I hope to see a book published one day that is dedicated entirely to your photos, personal experiences and commentary as a bird photographer and educator. You have enough material for a library of books! I would definitely queue up for a signed copy as would many who subscribe to “Feathered Photography”. Sounds like a nice book title to me.
Well, now I’ve got a title, Robert and that’s a start!
However, I don’t have the time or even the inclination to write a book. Just writing this daily blog is almost more than I can handle…
CONGRATULATIONS!! Well deserved!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Oh yes…I will too.
🙂
I’m saving my pennies now Ron….(not a penniless student,but a penniless fixed income retiree)…. Looks like it is a must have.
“fixed income retiree”
That’s me too, Steve. Thankfully my copy was complementary but if it hadn’t been I’d have coughed up the price anyway…
Congratulations, Ron! I’m so glad to see your beautiful work being used in this way. I’ll be ordering my copy today.
Sharon, for those of us seriously interested in birds I think it’s well worth the hefty price. When I think about all the experts involved in its writing and publication I honestly don’t know how they can sell it so “cheaply”. Thank you.
What a thrill! I think you don’t gloat enough. 🙂
Thank you, Arwen. Gloating on a public forum doesn’t come naturally for me…
1st….Congratulations! My kind of books! 2nd…Great photos! The eagle photo is phenomenal…don’t know if you ever blogged that photo before but I’ve never seen it! Actually I can’t really find the best word to describe it. And of course by now you know how I feel about ShortEars…that one foot grasp! 😍 Pretty pictures are nice but after a while looking at one is like looking at all the rest of them…there is so much more to be seen and learned from the nuances of behavior photos. 3rd…I see my Christmas gift to self!
I hope Santa indulges you, Kathy!
Actually I published an entire series of the eagle eating the carp in flight. If you’re interested many of those images can be seen here:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2016/01/15/bald-eagle-eating-a-fish-on-the-fly/