Nature and Photography Books 

Field Guide to Manzanitas
California, North America, and Mexico

Michael Kauffmann, Tom Parker and Michael Vasey; Photographs by Jeff Bisbee

This ground-breaking field guide covers the species and subspecies of Arctostaphylos native to western North America. The book features color photos, accurate, detailed range maps, and descriptions of each species.

Conifers of the Pacific Slope
A Field Guide to the Conifers of California, Oregon and Washington

Michael Kauffmann

This book provides in depth information about the 65 conifer species that occur in the three Pacific Coast states and beyond, color photos, accurate and updated range maps for each species, plus an elaborate key to aid with identification.

Articulate Earth
Adventures in Ecocriticism

David Rains Wallace

This collection of 23 provocative essays spans the past 30 years of Wallace's career. Through meticulous research and hands on experience, he explores American culture's relationship with nature.

The California Field Atlas

Written & Illustrated by Obi Kaufmann

Takes readers off the beaten path and outside normal conceptions of California, revealing its myriad ecologies, topographies, and histories in exquisite maps and trail paintings.

Walking in Beauty
Growing Up with the Yurok Indians

Harry K. Roberts

When Harry Roberts was a boy, he spent his summers at the mouth of the Klamath River, where his Irish American family was friends with a Yurok spiritual leader. This collection of stories, poems, photographs, and short essays is Harry’s account of those transformative years.

Wildflowers of the San Francisco Bay Area
A Guide to Common Native Species

Text & Photos by Steven Hartman

Covers 102 of the most frequently seen species. Arranged by color, each listing includes common and scientific name, size and description of flower, plant, leaf, and months of bloom.

Wildflowers of the Trinity Alps
Including Marble Mountain Wilderness, Russian Wilderness, & Trinity Divide

Ken DeCamp, Julie Kierstead Nelson, & Julie Knorr

Features plants found within northwest California's Klamath Mountains. Organized by flower color, it covers 505 species, subspecies, and varieties of wildflowers. With detailed species descriptions and destinations to find flowers throughout the year.

Sibley's Backyard Birds of Southern California

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 73 backyard bird species, including descriptions, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Sibley’s Common Trees of California

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 47 of the most common native and introduced tree species, including descriptions, size, range, and illustrations of bark, leaves, blossoms, and fruits and berries.

In the Company of Redwoods
An Interactive Guide to Learning 50 Redwood Community Plants through Hand Tinting

Text and Photography by David Casterson

Biologist Casterson presents fifty redwood community plants found in the redwood’s range. The text for each plant describes its characteristics and other botanical facts about it. Each plant has a grey toned photo of that plant’s foliage and flower, tintable with colored pencils.

California Bees and Blooms
A Guide For Gardeners and Naturalists

Gordon W. Frankie, Robbin W. Thorp, Rollin E. Coville, and Barbara Ertter

In this guidebook, some of the state’s preeminent bee and botany experts introduce us to the the twenty-two most common genera of bees, describing each one’s distinctive behaviors, social structures, flight season, preferred flowers, and enemies.

The Bay Area Forager
Your Guide to Edible wild Plants of the San Francisco Bay Area

Mia Andler and Kevin Feinstein

This book gives practical advice for gathering edible wild plants in the Bay Area and most of coastal Northern California. You will learn where to find each of the region's most readily available plants along with clear instructions for harvesting them responsibly.

Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Pacific Northwest

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 69 backyard bird species, including descriptions, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Sibley’s Backyard Birds of Northern California

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 69 backyard bird species, including descriptions, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Tracks, Scats and Signs of Central and Northern California Wildlife
A Guide to Identification in the Wild

Text & Photos by James C. Halfpenny

Covers the 37 most common mammals, their tracks, scat, other signs. 121 small color photos in all. Glossary, Rules of Speed and Body Position, explanation of Primary Gaits and Measurements.

Secrets of the Oak Woodlands
Plants and Animals among California’s Oaks

Written by Kate Marianchild; Illustrations by Ann Meyer Maglinte

In a book rich in illustration and suffused with wonder, author Kate Marianchild combines extensive research and years of personal experience to explore some of the marvelous plants and animals that the oak woodlands nurture.

Sierra Starlight
The Astrophotography of Tony Rowell

Tony Rowell, Foreword by Kenneth Brower

Rowell creates a compelling nighttime landscapes awash with light from the cosmos. His new book showcases 75 iconic Sierra landmarks against the spectacular night sky.

Night Sky Guide

Dr. Rick Feinberg

Includes four seasonal night sky charts, showing all major constellations, asterisms, nebula, and other objects visible with the naked eye. Includes “pointers” to orient the beginner skygazer.

Sibley’s Hummingbirds of North America

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Includes all 18 species of hummingbirds found in North America, with captions, detailed range maps, both in-flight and perched illustrations with call-outs.

Sibley’s Birds of the California Coast

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 56 waterbirds: shorebirds, gulls, terns, wading birds, ducks, geese, swans, loons, and more.

Wildflowers of the Sierra Nevada
A Guide to Common Native Species

Text & Photos by Steven Hartman

Covers 107 of the most prevalent Sierra species. Arranged by color, each listing includes common and scientific name, size and description of flower, plant, leaf, and months of bloom.

Humboldt Rocks
How They Got Here, What They Are, How to Find Them

Meryl King, Illustrated by Lance Anderson

This book presents the amazing geology of Humboldt County in clear and informative language. It begins deep in the Gorda Trench, where sulfurous steam vents support giant tube worms, then moves on to describe an earthquake before describing the rocks that underlie all this action.

Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest
Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

by Kathy Biggs
Photographs by Pierre Deviche, Jim Johnson, Greg Lasley, Ron Oriti

This definitive guide describes 125 species. Includes habitat, distribution, flight periods, and behaviors for each species. Coverage includes dragonflies, skimmers, emeralds, darners, clubtails, and mixed families.

Sibley’s Owls of North America

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

All 19 species of owls found in North America. Includes detailed range maps, both in-flight and perched illustrations with call-outs.

Land Mammals of the Southwest

Written & Illustrated by Fiona A. Reid

Covers 53 mammals found in the region, with descriptions and images. Illustrations and text are by Fiona Reid, an accomplished naturalist.

Land Mammals of the Rockies & the Pacific Northwest

Written & Illustrated by Fiona A. Reid

Guide covers 56 mammals, both large and small, found in the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest. It includes bats, moles, rabbits, as well as the large mammals of the region.

Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West
Cultural and Scientific Basis for their Use

Cecilia Garcia & James D. Adams, Jr.

This informative guide covers the traditional healing uses and modern pharmacological data on 115 native plants found in California and the West. While western plants have been used in healing for thousands of years, this book carefully explains the uses of each plant for healing and the spiritual dimension of that healing process.

Conifer Country
A Natural History and Hiking Guide to 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain Region

Michael Kauffmann

This superb book is an innovative natural history and hiking guide that uses conifers as a lens to explore the astounding plant diversity in the Klamath Mountains. Author/publisher Michael Kauffmann introduces readers to the magic of this little known botanical wonderland.

Enough for All
Foods of My Dry Creek Pomo and Bodega Miwuk People

Kathleen Rose Smith

Celebrating Native California food gathering and preparation, K. R. Smith reveals the practices handed down through her Bodega Miwuk and Pomo ancestors, and shares how these traditions have evolved into the ways her family still enjoys wild foods.

Sibley’s Common Trees of the Southwest

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

48 common native and cultivated trees covered, with descriptions, size, range, illustrations of bark, leaves, blossoms, fruits and berries.

Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Desert Southwest

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 72 bird species, including description, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Sibley’s Birds of the Pacific Northwest Coast

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 53 waterbirds: shorebirds, gulls, terns, wading birds, ducks, geese, swans, loons, and more. Each entry includes descriptive caption, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and illustrations.

Sibley’s Common Trees of the Rocky Mountain Region

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 47 common native and cultivated trees, with descriptions, size, range, illustrations of bark, leaves, blossoms, fruits and berries.

Fishes of the Southern California Coast

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Covers 60 species—both common and rare—found in inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters off the coast of California

Land Mammals of California

Written & Illustrated by Fiona A. Reid

Covers 56 mammals, both large and small, found in the state, including bats, moles, rabbits, as well as the large signature mammals such as elk, bears, foxes, and deer.

The Granite Avatars of Patagonia

Text and Photographs by Tom Reed

This exceptional book documents three seasons of adventure in the Patagonian Andes. A unique book that successfully and powerfully evokes some of the world's most spectacular and awe-inspiring sights.

Chasing the Rain
My Treasure Hunt for the World's Most Beautiful Mushrooms

Taylor F. Lockwood

Taylor Lockwood travels the world in search of the world's most beautiful mushrooms. Through pictures, it relates the diversity of life-forms found in this very large, but still relatively little-known kingdom.

Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Rocky Mountain States

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 72 backyard bird species, including descriptions, size, range, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Sibley’s Common Trees of the Pacific Northwest

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 48 of the most common native and introduced tree species, including descriptions, size, range, and illustrations of bark, leaves, blossoms, and fruits and berries.

Sharks, Skates, Rays, & Chimaera of the Pacific Coast

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Covers 39 species of sharks—both common and rare—found both inshore and offshore, plus 24 species of electric rays, stingrays, skates, and guitarfishes.

American Dippers
Singers in the Mountain Streams

Mary F. Willson & Katherine M. Hocker

This fascinating and concise book invites readers into the world of these fascinating aquatic songbirds. How do dippers keep warm in the frigid water? What do they eat? What do their nests look like? This natural history of one of North America's most charming songbirds answers these questions, and many more.

A Terrible Beauty
The Wilderness of American Literature

Jonah Raskin

In this first work of cultural criticism to look back at writing in the United States from the perspective of the contemporary environmental crisis, Raskin offers insights for students, teachers and lovers of literature.

Sea Turtles of the Pacific Coast

Written & Illustrated by Blair & Dawn Witherington

Describes in detail the five sea turtles that inhabit the Pacific: Loggerhead, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Green, and Olive Ridley.

Common Butterflies of California

Text & Images by Rick Cech

Covers 64 Species, both common and exotic: swallowtails, buckeyes, sulphur, hairstreaks and more. With species found in woodlands, fields & scrub, wetlands & swamps and inhabited areas.

Aquatic Insects in Alaska

John Hudson, Kathy Hocker & Robert Armstrong

This comprehensive, lavishly illustrated guide covers all of Alaska's aquatic insects and reveals many fascinating facts about them.

Fishes of Northern & Central California Coast

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Covers 59 species—both common and rare—found inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters off the coast of California from San Luis Obispo north to the Oregon border.

Fishes of the Pacific Northwest Coast

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Covers 56 species— both common and rare—found inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters off the coast of California from the California/Oregon border up to and including British Columbia.

Sibley’s Seabirds of the Pacific Coast

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 53 species, both common and rare, found along the Pacific Coast of North America. Includes migratory and year-round residents, loons, auklets, cormorants, shearwaters, storm-petrels, gulls, terns, and more.

Sibley’s Ducks, Geese, & Swans of Western North America

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 46 waterbirds: dabbling ducks, diving ducks, geese, plus swan and other domestic waterfowl.

Common Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest

Text & Images by Rick Cech

Covers 62 Species, both common and exotic: swallowtails, buckeyes, sulphur, hairstreaks and more. With species found in woodlands, fields & scrub, wetlands & swamps and inhabited areas.

Wild Birds of California

David Lukas

California is a great place for wild birds and the people who enjoy watching them! Over 600 bird species inhabit, migrate, or visit here. This lavishly photographed volume features usual and unusual birds in their wildland homes throughout California.

Fishes of Puget Sound

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Covers 60 species—both common and rare—found from nearshore to the deep waters of Puget Sound.

Common Butterflies of the Southwest

Text & Images by Rick Cech

Covers 62 Species, both common and exotic: swallowtails, buckeyes, sulphur, hairstreaks and more. With species found in woodlands, fields & scrub, wetlands & swamps and inhabited areas.

Common Butterflies of the Rocky Mountain Region

Text & Images by Rick Cech

Covers 60 Species, both common and exotic: swallowtails, buckeyes, sulphur, hairstreaks and more. With species found in woodlands, fields & scrub, wetlands & swamps and inhabited areas.

Sibley’s Woodpeckers of North America

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers all 22 species, both common and rare, found in North America. Plus woodpecker behavior, anatomy and drumming, detailed range maps.

Common Palms and Palm-like Plants of California & the Southwest

Written by Alan W. Marrow; illustrated by Robert O'Brien

Covers 36 species of palm trees and Palm-like plants, both native and exotic, found throughout the region.

Pomegranate Roads
A Soviet Botanist's Exile from Eden

Gregory M. Levin, translated by Margaret Hopstein

A Man who fell in love with pomegranates and risked his life to protect their biodiversity tells his adventurous story in Pomegranate Roads. Ignoring threats, the scientist trekked across Central Asia and the Trans-Caucasus to collect 1,117 varieties of the fruit.

Wildflowers of the Plateau and Canyon Country
Postcard Book

Photography Larry Ulrich

A companion souvenir to Wildflowers of the Plateau and Canyon Country. Twenty spectacular images from the book, plus a short introductory essay.

Geologic Trips
San Francisco and the Bay Area

Ted Konigsmark

Written for the non-geologist, this user-friendly book leads readers on fascinating field trips to Bay Area landmarks.

Geologic Trips
Sierra Nevada

Ted Konigsmark

If you have ever wondered how the rocks and scenery of the Sierra Nevada were formed, take this geologic guide with you on your next trip. Written for the non-geologist, this detailed guide describes 116 of the geologic attractions of the Sierra

Reefs and Rain Forests
The Natural Heritage of Malaysian Borneo

Text and Photographs by Murray S. Kaufman

This gorgeous book presents a graceful and poignant essay about, and spectacular color photographs of, the two most important and endangered ecosystems on Earth.

Common Dragonflies of California, Second Edition
A Beginner's Pocket Guide

Kathy Biggs, Color Photos by Rav Bruun

This first and only dragonfly field guide for California has been updated and expanded in a second edition. It provides clear, concise identification information and stunningly clear color photos of 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies.

Kangchenjunga
Guardian of the Eastern Himalaya

Photography by Tim Hauf; Text by Conger Beasley Jr.

Photographer Hauf and writer Beasley blend their superb talents to capture the legendary mountain and the remote terrain of the eastern Himalaya.

Southeast Alaska's Natural World
Amphibians, Birds, Fish, Insects, Mammals, Plants, Other Natural Things

Robert H. Armstrong & Marge Hermans

Discover the fascinating secrets of the unique natural world found in Southeast Alaska. This beautiful book by two residents and naturalists explores both spectacular and subtle and hidden creatures that inhabit this natural world.

Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada

Written and Illustrated by John Muir Laws

The astonishing natural diversity of the Sierra Nevada comes alive in this great field guide, at once comprehensive and yet small enough to fit in your pocket or pack.

Sierra Birds: A Hiker's Guide

Written & Illustrated by John Muir Laws

This book is a brilliantly illustrated, thoroughly annotated, and uniquely arranged guide that anyone — with or without formal training — can use to identify birds in the Sierra Nevada, from Lassen National Forest in the north through Sequoia National Park in the south.

Life around Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

Robert Armstrong and Marge Hermans

This wildlife guide covers animals and plants found around Mendenhall Glacier. Excellent color photos and text discuss flora, fauna, and more.

Beavers by the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

Mary Willson and Robert Armstrong

This colorful book provides an excellent general survey of beavers. Illustrated with excellent color photos of beavers in their natural habitats.

Nature Journal with John Muir

Edited by Bonnie J. Gisel

This writing and sketching journal offers the words and thoughts of John Muir as inspiration for naturalists, artists, poets, and anyone who puts pen or pencil to paper.

Fishes of the Salish Sea

Written & Illustrated by Val Kells

Shows 60 native and exotic species commonly found in nearshore and deep waters of this sea in northwest Washington and southwest British Columbia.

Sibley’s Raptors of Western North America

Written & Illustrated by David Allen Sibley

Covers 28 raptors: hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, and kites. Each entry includes descriptive caption, size, range map, seasonal occurrence, and multiple illustrations.

Living with the Changing California Coast

Gary Griggs, Kiki Patsch & Lauret Savoy

This authoritative and easy-to-use book, a geological profile of the California coast, describes the landforms and processes that shape the coastline and beaches, documents how erosion has affected development, and discusses the options available for dealing with coastal hazards and geologic instability.

Moved by a Mountain
Inspiration from an Alpine View in Alaska

Photographs and text by Tom Reed
Foreword by Thomas Campbell

This gorgeous and moving book features black and white photos of surrounding mountains and glaciers taken from the author’s cabin. Reed’s text describes finding the land and explores the question, “How and why are humans inspired by mountain views?”

Marine Mammals of the Northern & Central California Coast

Written & Illustrated by Pieter Folks

Descriptions of Humpback, Fin, Gray, Blue, and Minke Whales. Other nearshore species included: Sea Lions, Sea Otter, Dolphins, and the Harbor Seal.

Wildflowers of the Plateau and Canyon Country

Photography Larry Ulrich
Interpretive text by Susan Lamb

This photographic essay presents Ulrich's stunning color images of wildflowers in the American Southwest, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the high mesas of western Colorado.

Mono Lake:
Mirror of Imagination

Dennis Flaherty
Introductory Essay by Mark A. Schlenz

This fine photographic essay portrays in colorful grandeur eastern California 's unique inland sea, now protected as a National Scenic Area, and the gorgeous Sierra landscape that overlooks it.

The Mindful Hiker
On The Trail To Find The Path

Stephen Altschuler

Altschuler believes that solitude in nature is the way to confront the tests of life by observing how even the smallest forms of life survive. The author leads readers on a walk along the trails of Point Reyes National Seashore, guiding the reader toward

Warrior Mothers
Stories To Awaken The Flames Of The Heart

Thaïs Mazur

Twenty-four women from all walks of life offer their personal stories to inspire and awaken readers from apathy and despair to a call for action.

Photographing Nature in Alaska

Robert H. Armstrong

Bob Armstrong has been photographing nature in Alaska for 50 years, both professionally and for his own enjoyment. In this book he shares a broad variety of techniques he has used, strategies for capturing great nature images, hints for different types of photographs, and ways to use your resulting photos.

In Denali
A Photographic Essay of Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska

Text & Photographs by Kim Heacox

Gorgeous book explores the grand landscapes, wildlife, plant life and history of Alaska's vast Denali National Park and Preserve, an area of six million acres.

The Outdoor Classroom:
Integrating Education and Adventure

James R. Jelmberg, Greg S. Goodman, Mary Breunig and Jon McLaren

This book is an inspirational instruction guide for teachers and other educators and naturalists. It breaks new ground by linking academic studies with adventure learning.

The Mendenhall Wetlands
A Globally Recognized Important Bird Area

Robert Armstrong, Richard Carstensen, Mary Willson & Marge Hermans Osborn

This wildlife guide covers birds found around Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska. Mendenhall Wetlands is widely recognized as one of the key stopover points for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds in coastal Alaska.

Marine Mammals of the Pacific Northwest Coast

Written & Illustrated by Pieter Folks

Descriptions of Humpback, Fin, Gray, Killer, Blue, and Minke Whales. Other nearshore species included: Sea Lions, Sea Otter, and the Harbor Seal.

Visual Guide to Native and Naturalized Coastal County Plants from Santa Cruz to Mendocino

George Pikkarainen

This innovative guide, created for beginners and people unfamiliar with taxonomic language, uses thousands of small color photos and 52 icons along with brief text to clearly organize more than 520 species of plants.

Wildflowers of the Santa Barbara Foothills

David Powdrell & Hugh Margerum

This attractive book opens the door to the mysterious world of backyard botany and natural history with its captivating color photographs and fascinating research of the wildflowers of the Santa Barbara area.

Dragonflies of Alaska, Second Edition

John Hudson & Robert H. Armstrong

This handy book shows how to identify all 35 dragonfly species found in Alaska. With beautiful close-up color photos plus detailed line drawings, the book explores many of the fascinating aspects of dragonfly behavior.

Alaska Light
Ideas and Images from a Northern Land

Essays & Photographs by Kim Heacox

Gorgeous book paints a mosaic of Alaska's diverse landscapes and wildlife, from the Arctic Slope to the Inside Passage, from glaciers and grizzlies to sled dogs and caribou herds.

Marine Mammals of the Southern California Coast

Written & Illustrated by Pieter Folkens

Descriptions of Humpback, Fin, Gray, Blue, and Minke Whales. Other nearshore species included: Sea Lions, Dolphins, Porpoises, Sea Otter, and the Harbor Seal.

Death Valley—Postcard Book

Fred and Randi Hirschmann

Twenty striking images of this diverse park by some of the West's best nature photographers, plus a short introductory essay.

Mono Lake:
Postcard Book

Dennis Flaherty

Twenty great images by Dennis Flaherty of this mysterious inland sea, plus a short introductory essay.

Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
Twenty Postcards

Larry Ulrich

A companion souvenir to the larger book.Twenty stunning images plus a short introductory essay.

Little Trees, Big Sky
Portrait of a Northern Wilderness

Photography Tim Hauf
Text by Conger Beasley Jr.

Tim Hauf made many trips into this daunting wilderness, capturing powerful images that evoke North America's far northern reaches

Butterflies of Arizona
A Photographic Guide

Bob Stewart, Priscilla Brodkin and Hank Brodkin

Naturalist Stewart and friends follow up on his ground-breaking and highly successful Common Butterflies of California with an even more comprehensive guide to the abundant butterflies of the Southwest.

Discover California Wildflowers

Mary Ruth Casebeer
Illustrations by Peggy Edwards-Carkeet

This concise yet detailed field guide by two California Native Plant Society members covers 48 widespread annual wildflowers in the order they bloom. It is presented in clear, readable style, simple enough for school-age plant enthusiasts.

Vineyard Simple
How to Build and Maintain Your Own Small Vineyard

Tom Powers

Finally a book that makes home vineyard planting and wine grape growing accessible to anyone with even a little spare land. Tom Powers has created a how-to book filled with valuable information for the novice viticulturist.