Field Notes from the Northern Forest / Edition 1

by Curt Stager

Overview

Few people pause to consider the living habits of mosquitoes as they swat away the pesky creatures. But biologist Curt Stager views plants and wildlife with particular consideration, interest, and awe. Stager reminds us that many mosquitoes do not bite humans at all, and those that do are only females trying to feed their unborn young, risking death each time they do so. He includes twenty natural science essays that explore the lives of animals, plants, and fungi commonly encountered in the conifer and hardwood forests of northeastern North America. With the same humor and personable ease that characterizes the popular weekly nature program that he coproduces on North County Public Radio-the show that provided the catalyst for this book-Stager draws on the latest scientific literature and on his own field observations to convey his curiosity about the natural world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815605133
Publisher:	Syracuse University Press
Publication date:	06/01/1998
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Curt Stager is associate professor of biology at Paul Smith's College of Arts and Sciences in the northern Adirondacks. He is cohost of the nationally syndicated public radio program Natural Selections. He has published numerous articles in National Geographic, Science, Wild Earth, and Adirondac.

Anne E. Lacy is an artist based in Lake Placid, New York. Her illustrations have appeared in many publications and books, including The Adirondack Wildguide. Her work also has been featured in exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution.

Editorial Reviews

Although Stager's abundant research included interviews with experts in various fields, the book is written for the layperson. Anne Lacy's appealing illustrations complement the informative and amusing text.

Booklist

This book . . . has already gotten me down on my knees to stare at trout lilies, and even to reconsider (slightly) my opinion of black flies.

Bill McKibben

Although Stager's abundant research included interviews with experts in various fields, the book is written for the layperson. Anne Lacy's appealing illustrations complement the informative and amusing text.

Booklist

Based on episodes from a weekly public radio program co-produced by Stager (biology, Paul Smith's College of Arts and Sciences, the Northern Adirondacks), these 20 natural science essays take a seasonal, small worlds' approach to observations of the flora and fauna of the forests of the northeastern US. Artist Anne E. Lacy deserves credit for her delicate illustrations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

Short, personable essays enthusiastically explore the natural history of one of North America's largest (and possibly most overlooked) ecosystems. The Great Northern Forest sprawls from the Western Adirondacks to the coast of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. Stager, who teaches biology at Paul Smith's College in the northern Adirondacks and hosts the public radio program "Natural Selections," argues that it's as complex as the tropical rain forestþand just as threatened by overdevelopment and pollution. Debunking woodcraft myths (like the belief that moss grows exclusively on the north side of trees), demystifying the northern lights, or weighing the pros and cons of backyard bird feeders, Stager balances his love of a good story with rigorous consideration of the latest scientific research. He explains with the passion and patience of a teacher, and his lay translations enlighten without bogging down in complexity and jargon. What's surprising is how little scientists know about much of the natural world: Research often turns up no definitive answers, especially regarding the tiniest plants and insects, such as lichens and bee-flies. When he runs up against such gaps, Stager reacts like a good scientist and tries to fill them himself. He stretches out in the grass to observe ants and trout lilies, halts a campus construction project to rescue ground-burrowing bees, and challenges his students to unravel the conundrum of why snowfleas swarm in winter. Only the most devoted nature-lovers will be transfixed by every essay (especially since Stager spends more time on bugs than bears), but he succeeds in painting the big picture by focusing on the small scale. Stager's upbeatshort takes are like a day afield with an avuncular guide, paying tribute to his neck of the woods while inspiring the rest of us that getting in touch with nature can be as simple as looking around our own backyards. (illustrations, not seen)

Kirkus Reviews

Although Stager's abundant research included interviews with experts in various fields, the book is written for the layperson. Anne Lacy's appealing illustrations complement the informative and amusing text.-- "Booklist"

Short, personable essays enthusiastically explore the natural history of one of North America's largest (and possibly most overlooked) ecosystems. . . . Debunking woodcraft myths (like the belief that moss grows exclusively on the north side of trees), demystifying the northern lights, or weighing the pros and cons of backyard bird feeders, Stager balances his love of a good story with rigorous consideration of the latest scientific research. . . . Stager's upbeat short takes are like a day afield with an avuncular guide, paying tribute to his neck of the woods while inspiring the rest of us that getting in touch with nature can be as simple as looking around our own backyards.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

This book . . . has already gotten me down on my knees to stare at trout lilies, and even to reconsider (slightly) my opinion of black flies.-- "Bill McKibben, author of Hope, Human and Wild"

From the Publisher