If you have ever painted a woolshed with a toothbrush, using water-based paint, in the rain, you may be able to empathise with the undertaking Brent Stephenson faced in illustrating Birds of New Zealand: A Photographic Guide.
One can only imagine the mix of pleasure and frustration this task must have been, but the result is superb. There are excellent images of all 365 species of bird found in New Zealand.
Co-author and ornithologist Paul Scofield has provided information on identification, behaviour, bird calls, distribution and conservation status in easy-to-follow language which makes a quick flick or a serious read when not looking for any particular bird quite pleasurable.
Valuable advice gleaned from years of research by the authors is offered in the introduction on bird identification through sight and sound as well as tips on how to photograph birds.
This guide is ideal for your crib or backpack but a little bulky for the car glovebox, although the publisher has overcome that by also offering it as an interactive app for tablets and smartphones.
- Stephen Jaquiery is ODT illustrations editor.
