A Short Philosophy of Birds by Philippe J. Dubois and Elise Rousseau
HarperCollins 2019. Available from Chapters here
or through your local independent bookstore here.
Imagine an ornithologist and a philosopher meet at a cafe on the banks of the Seine. They share a table
and debate long into the night about life and nature over a bottle of Bordeaux. This book, A Short Philosophy of Birds could
be the result.
Delightfully vivid
descriptions of bird behavior are transformed into thoughtful lessons about our
own choices. Come learn how to enjoy life
from the humble hen who purrs as she gives herself a dust bath. Consider the morality of survival from the perspective
of the nest-stealing cuckoo. Watch as a crow and a vulture vie for power and
see that the top of the hierarchy might not always be the wisest place to be.
From the nature of freedom to tenderness of love, each of the twenty two chapters in this book offers a glimpse into the secret lives of birds but also the corresponding mysteries of the human heart.
Nature Where
We Live
by Don Scallen
Knotty Toad Press, 2020.
Available from Loops and Lattes (here).
While you’re at Loops and Lattes, also check out Nicola Ross’s various hiking
guides here.
Do you think you have to be in the
wilds of Algonquin Park to enjoy the great outdoors? Don Scallen’s book, Nature Where We Live will
motivate you to find the many unusual and fascinating creatures that are much
closer than you might think.
Local woodlands and ponds
magically come to life as Don affectionately describes spotted salamanders gleaming against the moss
in spring and the “ exquisite packages of promise “ that are butterfly
chrysalides. Dancing fairy shrimp,
trilling toads and glistening spider webs beckon the reader to come and
explore. Even the timberdoodles (
woodcock) get a chapter, with an explanation of
when and where to go to watch and listen as these chunky feathered clowns tumble out of the sky in
their effort to attract a mate.
Each activity is presented
in a separate chapter, with clear instructions on what gear to bring and how to venture out safely and non destructively. A month-by-month calendar shows when to plan
each adventure, showing that even in February, there is a reason to go outdoors.
Full of scientific facts
and beautiful photographs, Nature Where We Live is a fun read for even a
seasoned naturalist, but would also be a great resource for someone looking to
introduce school aged children to the great outdoors.
And yes, although I had
not heard of Knotty Toad Press, be warned there are some very naughty toads in
Chapter 4.
***
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and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton,
Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton,
Jackson’s Point, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga,
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