Nature Guide To The Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, And Other Entities Of The Coastal Environment Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
An entertaining, practical, reader-friendly guide to common plants, animals, and the physical environment of the NC/SC coast. Fully illustrated -- over 100 color photographs, plus additional diagrams and drawings with in-depth information on each subject. A beachcomber's handbook, a valuable companion for seaside explorers of all ages. Scientifically accurate, yet written in language the lay public can understand.
Paperback: 148 pages
Publisher: Avian-Cetacean Pr; Revised 1998 edition (April 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0962818607
ISBN-13: 978-0962818608
Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,008,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #29 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Fish #496 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Animals > Marine Life #651 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Ecosystems
My goal in purchasing this book, which pulls together information about birds, shells, dune plants, and fish was to be able to pack one slim volume instead of the bag of field guides I usually took to the Outer Banks. After two trips to North Carolina in the last year, I have found that I still need to carry a couple of other references because this is not comprehensive in any one of its categories--and how could it be at 148 pages? However, Meyer's guide does manage to cover many of the specimens commonly found along the Carolina coast. Furthermore, it is written in a graceful voice that keeps you reading long after you've put a name to the beastie you found on the beach. It is not childish or simple at all, but it can be used by the entire family. It stirs wonder.
For the past four years I have had a place at the beach. Dr. Meyer's book has become our bible. Using it, shells, shorebirds and seaside flora are easily identified by my family, friends and renters. Being an amateur photographer, I am in total awe of the skill of the other physician who took the pictures.
Overall an ok book for a beginner. If you come into this as a naturalist you will likely be disapointed. There are some other serious problems that I was able to spot straight out.Plate 40. "Auger Shells" One of the 'augers' is not only NOT an auger and it's not even from the Carolinas at all. It's the Common Vertagus (a certh) from the Indo-Pacific (likely from the Philippines).Plate 54. "Oyster Drills". Contains several Murexes in addition to the drills.Plate 59. Sundials. The figured Sundial is not The American Sundial (Architectonica nobilis) but rather the Clear Sundial (Architectonica perspectiva) also from the Indo-Pacific.The substitution of shells from the other side of the world really shows sloppy work in this guide. The other major problem I have with the book is that it just isn't complete enough; it only shows a small fraction of the plants and animals that one finds on Carolina coasts. The naturalist who trys to depend on this book will likely be frustrated and will find that they need other guides. As an introduction for a beginner it is ok, short the above noted plate problems.
While on a family vacation on the Carolina coast last May, my 3-year-old grandson spent much of his time stretched out on his belly next to tidal pools. He would pick up each gastropod, examine it carefully, let it walk on his arm, and ask me "What is his name?"I had no clue. One week a year at the beach had not taught me the names of the creatures. When I returned home, I consulted a friend who is a biology professor. He recommended this guide as one he uses with a class he takes on a field trip to the coast each year.The guide is a good one. Not brilliant or extensive, but with some decent photos and lots of interesting facts (herons eat snakes?). There are extras about how to choose seafood to eat, a call for the world's citizens to take better care of the environment, definitions, and a list of relevant quotations, ranging from Shakespeare to Water Rat in "Wind in the Willows" (There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats).Next year, I will take this very portable guide along, and I'll be better prepared for questions.
Being a transplant from Michigan, I had little knowledge of coastal animals and plants. I purchased this book to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not knowledgeable enough as the other reviewer who found the inaccuracies in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The information is presented in a very interesting way and all the photographs are in color. I can't wait to spend more time on the coast and see some of the creatures myself. I'll definitely have this guide on hand. I also enjoyed the respect the author has for nature.
This book is SO helpful! It's written in terms that "the rest of us" can understand. I bought it for myself, but my elementary school aged children will search for information in it as well. I feel like it's perfectly accessible to us all. I'm no expert, but after reading through this book (and then searching for things after a day at the beach), I love being able to whip out little bits of coastal trivia. I'd definitely recommend this book for someone looking for an easy to understand guide to the coast.
I got this book to accompany me on a vacation to the carolina coast.It was very useful as it has good detail on pretty much all the aspects of the coast that you are likely to see. It provides fairly comprehensive explanations, illustrations and photos, in a clear format.I am sure that a hard core naturalist or serious scientist would probably want more than this book provides, but for a casual visitor, I felt like it had a good breadth of coverage, and enough depth of coverage, presented in an easy-to-read style to satisfy my curiosity.It was sort of like having a good middle school science/natural history teacher accompanying you on the trip in your suitcase. But without the care and feeding requirements, or the risk of being arrested for kidnapping a teacher. :)
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