Book Review - The Princeton Field Guide to Predatory Dinosaurs - Princeton University Press

      A new book by the distinguished and sometimes controversial Gregory S. Paul is a cause for celebration, and I looked forward to getting into it. It is amazing to me that Paul furnishes a superior text, always incorporating the latest knowledge with insight and finesse, and illustrates all his books too. It's a rare combination of skills that few possess.

     Given the advances in technology, the increased level of exploration in many areas of the world - especially China - and the greater involvement of dedicated amateurs under the supervision of scientists, updates are constantly required. The lives of therapod dinosaurs are understood more fully than ever before; early myths have been dispelled and new science brought to bear to enable paleontologists to achieve more complete insights into the reign of these enigmatic predators.

     This is a large format book and ninety-nine pages are allocated to a complete examination of every facet of therapod life on Earth, from history to anatomy, from biology to behaviour, locomotion to food, reproduction to energetics, hunting to the evolution of flight and everything in between. We are are even taken on an imaginary safari into the lost world that these creatures might have inhabited.

     As might be expected there are controversies and differing opinions among scientists, and they are presented and tackled head on.

     The balance of the book is dedicated to individual species (some 300 of them), where Paul illustrates the skeletons of each species in addition to providing a pictorial view of what the animal looked like.

     It is a remarkable work in so many ways. If you are a scientist involved daily with dinosaurs you will want to read this. If you are a citizen scientist involved with recovery sites you will barely be able to put it down. Finally, if you are an interested aficionado you will be thrilled by the depth of knowledge acquired from this major work.

     Kudos to Gregory S. Paul for a job very well done. This will be my go-to reference until he updates it.

     I'm sure he will!

The Princeton Field Guide to Predatory Dinosaurs - Princeton University Press

Gregory S. Paul

Hardcover - $32.00 USD - ISBN: 9780691253169

256 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)

Publication date: 05 November, 2024

Book Review - Birds of the Mesozoic - Princeton Field Guides

 

     On the face of it, it seems quite improbable, extraordinary even, that I could be looking at a field guide of birds that no human has ever seen! Not only that, it is laid out in the manner of current field guides, as though one could pick it up to go out into the field today, to find these birds. Not surprisingly, the only thing missing is a range map!

     These renditions are made possible by an examination of the rich fossil record, and the skill of modern paleontologists using sophisticated equipment and analysis to reconstruct the diversity of avialans.

     In many cases the reconstruction is based on a single articulated specimen, or even a single fragmentary specimen. For some species (e.g. Anchiornis huxleyi) there are "hundreds of complete or almost complete specimens preserving most of their feather covering."

     The resemblance to modern birds is stunning and many of these species would not seem out of place today. Modern birds are, in fact, dinosaurs and this book makes that simple truth patently obvious.

     The birds are classified into orders, or groups, and families, and there is a fascination just in examining these divisions. Explanatory notes are provided for all taxa; there is general agreement in some cases, a wide divergence of opinion in others - hardly unexpected, of course.

      Pictorially the book is a paradigm of sensory pleasure. To turn the pages to see ancient species for the first time is an exercise in wonder and delight, and everyone from novice birder to proficient ornithologist will be thrilled. I found myself lingering over some images, and comparing them with modern birds, and that was both exciting and instructive. Naturally these birds do not have common names, but what fun it would be to go through and name them all. The very nature of the book holds the promise of countless hours of enjoyment. 

    

     One must surely conclude that this is not the end of the story, perhaps not even the end of the beginning. There will doubtless be new discoveries and increased knowledge that will challenge currently held assumptions.

     But what an exciting journey this will be. Juan Benito and Roc Olivé deserve our gratitude for this bold step forward. Winter will soon be upon us and hours of nighttime reading await me.

     I am looking forward to it!

Birds of the Mesozoic - Princeton Field Guides

Juan Benito and Roc Olivé

Paperback - $27.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691266565

272 pages - 4.75 x 7.875 inches (11.875 x 19.69 cm)

250+ colour illustrations

Publication date: 05 November, 2024

Book Review - Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior: What They Did and How We Know - Princeton University Press

      David Hone may be familiar to many as the author of several books on ancient life, and by way of his You Tube videos, which enliven and resurrect dinosaurs. His compelling style and straightforward delivery ensures that a wide audience is able to understand and benefit from his knowledge, and this book is no exception.

     His text is supported by an exquisite array of original art by Gabriel Ugueto, stunning in its scope, breathtaking in its execution. We are transported back in time.

     There are obviously limitations on what can be known about creatures that roamed the Earth before humans, and Hone is meticulously parsimonious in drawing conclusions. However, modern technology, including carbon dating, tomography, algorithms, mathematical reconstruction and so on enable a paleontologist to answer many questions with a good measure of certainty. Moreover, there is a level of cooperation between different scientific disciplines, including ethologists, unique in the often fiercely competitive environment of academia, and this too aids in putting together a complete picture.

     Fossilized melanosomes permit identification of colours, so we can be sure that Ugueto's art accurately reflects creatures as we might have seen them. He is a maestro at setting the scene for us.

     I was reminded of Hone's reluctance to establish facts without certainty, by the tragic consequences of the recent horrific weather events in the southeastern United States. Landslides and catastrophic flooding destroyed homes and swept away people and pets. They came to rest in one location, but a paleontologist of the future would be wrong to make inferences about group interactions of any kind based on the outcome of one cataclysm. 

     Black-and-white illustrations, often photographs taken by the author, serve to further illustrate the text; sadly, these are often very dark and it is difficult to see detail. There are exceptions, however!

      It is overall a very fine work, gripping in its conclusions, backed by rigorous science, compelling in its examination of the ways in which dinosaurs behaved, and the interactions of one species with another. 

      A must read!

Irritations

     Unfortunately, the book suffers from less than rigorous proof reading. 

Page 17 - "In ordert too study..." should be "in order to study..."

Page 69 - "Of these fossil localities he most important...." should be "Of these fossil localities the most important."

Page 155 - "... techniques and technologies that can applied..." should be "... techniques and technologies that can be applied..." 

Uncovering Dinosaur Behaviour: What They Did and How We Know - Princeton University Press

David Hone

Hardcover - $29.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691215914

248 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)

12 colour and 70 black-and-white illustrations

Publication date: 05 November, 2024

To See a Saw-whet Owl.......

     The Scale of Adorability is hardly a recognized measure in the world of ornithology, but if it were, Northern Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus) would be a serious contender.

     This is a tiny owl measuring a mere 21 cm (about 8") from the top of its head to the tip of its tail, and weighing around 85 grams (±3 oz). There is variation in size and weight between male and female, and depending on the time of year, but it is a diminutive bird as you may see. 

     In late fall Saw-whet Owls migrate, sometimes in substantial numbers, and birders scour the landscape in hopes of finding one - not an easy task.

     The Long Point Bird Observatory bands these migrants each year, and that is where we headed in hope of seeing one. 

     When I say we, I mean Josh, Vashti (Roddie's mom), Roddie, and me. Roddie is the main reason for this adventure. I first made his acquaintance when he was about six years old, already passionate about birds.

 

     We journeyed down to Long Point last year but had no success. This year, Vashti and Roddie had already made a second attempt, but again came up short. Third time lucky - or so they say - and we were ready to believe that old adage! The wind speed and direction, and other factors seemed to be in our favour. We were primed for success!

     Vashti and Roddie picked me up at 17h:00 and we joined up with Josh about a half hour later, and he drove us to Long Point.

     The conversation, as you might imagine, always came back to Saw-whets, and images danced in our heads. 

     Vashti can be counted on to bring copious snacks, always delicious too; I am quite convinced the journey is worth it just for that!

     We arrived at the banding station about a half hour before the first check of the nets took place, and were excited when the crew left to do their work. But they came back empty-handed. The checks are conducted every forty-five minutes; again they returned without an owl.

      But we are birders after all and patience is an essential component of the way we operate. Roddie, gregarious as always, affable in the extreme, enjoyed the company of others who had gathered, and chatted to all and sundry.

     A biologist from the University of Guelph had made the trip to take blood and swabs from the captures as part of a study of avian flu, the progression of the virus, and to enhance our knowledge of the range of species affected. To date little information has been gathered on owls.

     The third circuit of the nets went ahead as scheduled, and to everyone's delight, but especially Roddie's, the crew returned with a bird! (I should point out that for everyone but me this was a ''lifer.")

     Who knew that Roddie could jump so high? But when "joy" is spelled "Saw-whet" and you are lithe and young, it's easy!

     This owl was about to do yeoman service on behalf of her kind, and we can only hope that whatever indignities she suffered were helpful in the ongoing success of her species.

     Here are some pictures taken by Roddie. Remember, it is pitch black outside and everything happens under artificial lights.

     We were ecstatic to be present for this event.

     After a period of rest in a dark spot, the owl was released to the night where its enhanced vision and superior hearing would enable peerless navigation of its nocturnal realm.

     It was a privilege not only to see the owl, but to share the moment with true friends. I have said it so many times before, but there is no better community than those passionate about the natural world. Thank you Vashti, Roddie and Josh.

     I have included a picture of Roddie as a mere sprite above. Here is a recent shot of the fine teenager he has become.

     We arrived home shortly before midnight, and I hope that everyone slept as well as I did. The owl no doubt resumed her hunt, but with the approach of daybreak she too would seek a place to sleep away the day.

     As long as you plan on bringing snacks, Vashti, I think I could be talked into doing this next year!

Book Review - The Beekeeper's Guide: Building Skills and Knowledge - Princeton University Press

           Four eminent beekeepers, two British and two American, have combined their talent and experience to create a formidable manual for beekeepers large and small. There has been a growing interest in recent years in apiaries, both as a hobby, and in the form of large for-profit operations essential to the pollination of many crops. In response to the pervasive and systematic destruction of the environment, and the widespread desire for people to do their part in remediating it, (sometimes ephemeral it must be said), keeping bees and producing honey seems both "easy" and "natural." Many newbies quickly discover that successful beekeeping requires capital investment, dedication, the acquisition of knowledge, hard work and commitment, with no guarantee of getting honey, and they quickly fall by the wayside.

     

      Touched on but briefly is the danger of swamping areas with hives of honey bees, thereby posing a serious threat to resident populations of native bees. Rarely, if ever, is the amount of available habitat and biomass of food assessed before hives are located, and there is no control on their proliferation. The hot topic of "beewashing" is not addressed at all. There are many companies offering to rent and maintain hives for you; their only goal (despite protestations to the contrary) is to make money. 

     It has become popular in cities to install rooftop hives. A few hives, perhaps with its own rooftop garden of pollinator plants, are quickly joined by others as companies seek to burnish their image, and in short order honey bee populations outstrip resources. Rather than installing more hives, planting pollinator gardens would be a wiser choice.

     In fairness this book is not intended as a polemic on the state of bee populations writ large, but it would seem logical, reasonable and ethical that every concerned beekeeper would have the interests of all pollinators at heart.

     The book covers everything you could possibly wish to know to ensure that you have a successful experience keeping bees, from the clothing to wear, the tools to use, the design and construction of hives, beekeeping groups and clubs you can join, winterization of a hive, the recognition and control of parasites and diseases, the collection of honey...and on and on. There is not a single aspect of the practical hands-on experience of beekeeping that is not enunciated in clear detail. The text is well-written, constructive, precise and informative.

     If you are a beekeeper now, or contemplating becoming one, please read this book. It is filled with sage advice for veteran and newcomer alike. You cannot help but benefit from it.

The Beekeeper's Guide: Building Skills and Knowledge - Princeton University Press

Meredith May, Claire Jones, Anne Rowberry, and Margaret Murdin

Hardcover - $24.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691263564 288

288 pages - 6 x 8.5 inches (15 x 21.25 cm)

239 colour and black-and-white illustrations

Publication date: 05 November, 2024

Book Review - Color in Nature - Princeton University Press

      Such a fascinating topic and so well covered! If ever there was a book where the illustrations truly complement the text, this is it! The pictures are both numerous and fabulous.

     Seven illustrious academics combine to produce a cornucopia of information, all presented in a highly readable way - easy reading packed with knowledge is a combination that's hard to beat. 

      As is well known, many animals possess vision that significantly exceeds that of humans, being able to see in the UV spectrum denied to us (tetrachromatic vision). A different arrangement of rods and cones means that many species far exceed our ability to see clearly at long distances, or in poor light. Think only of a Red-tailed Hawk, hunting half a kilometre or more above the ground, yet able to see a mouse scurrying through the grass, and descend on it with pinpoint accuracy. A Barn Owl can see - and capture - its prey in almost total darkness, with unerring accuracy.

     The colour of flowers plays a significant role in the ability of bees to locate those containing nectar. Flowers that appear monochromatic to us look totally different to an insect viewing them through the prism (no pun intended) of ultraviolet light. Fish on a coral reef that appear gaudy, and susceptible to predation on a grand scale, are in fact camouflaged well, and derive protection from their chosen home.

     Colour is intimately involved with mating strategies, both overt and surreptitious. Male cuttlefish, for example, modify their colour to mimic a dull brown female, thereby enabling them to approach females closely and "sneak" matings.

     Camouflage is vital to vulnerable organisms, where remaining hidden is the most viable strategy for staying alive. 

      This book covers every aspect of colour in nature, from the fundamental science to the myriad applications throughout daily life, including that of humans. 

     We are influenced by colour in more ways than we realize, or perhaps care to admit, and now that technology can actually produce colours its influence will only grow. No one knows this better than marketers, and others seeking to influence human behaviour. I was even struck recently at just how much the electoral map is referred to as red states and blue states, without naming a political party, yet everyone knows instantly what is intended.

     It's an eminently fascinating book covering an eminently fascinating topic which has relevance to every aspect of life on Earth. I will be referring to it often, and I will cherish its wisdom. I suspect you will too.

Colour in Nature - Princeton University Press

Justin Marshall, Anya Hurlbert, Jane Boddy, Thomas Cronin, Ron Douglas, Sönke Johnsen and Fabio Cortese.

Hardcover - $35.00 USD, ISBN: 9780691258614

288 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)

150+ colour illustrations

Publication date: 29 October, 2024

Waterloo Region Nature Outing to the Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

 26 October, 2024

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Y-T Chen, Beverly Church, Bob Fraser, Brenda Gyorffy, Steve Gyorffy, Lorne Harding, Beth Hobson, Dale Ingrey, Nina Ingrey, Alice Lee, John Lee, Leon Linseman, Sandy Linseman, Curtiss MacDonald, Pam Sadler, Andrea Smith, Don Voisin

Guests: Mary Ann Cassidy, Dave McCaughan, Ruth McCaughan

     Following an extended period of unseasonably warm weather, we had a typical late October morning to enjoy a stroll along the Mill Race

     Lest it escape my attention later, let me thank Bob Fraser for picking up Mary Ann Cassidy. I appreciated his kindness very much, and I know she did too.

     Almost as soon as we set foot on the trail a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was chipping, and even though it remained close we did not see it.

     An Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) by contrast was anxious to let us know his whereabouts, in the hope of cadging a little food.

     Of all the rodents in the world this little creature must surely rank very highly on the cuteness index.

     Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) were quick to visit. Unusually, it was a nuthatch who first descended to a friendly hand bearing food.

     They were calling to us constantly, in that wonderful nasal way they have - instantly recognizable and very appealing.

     Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were heard more than seen, and none came really close.

     It is a stunningly handsome bird, and even partly hidden is a show-stopper.

     Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was ubiquitous, as might be expected, and even though they can push our limits of tolerance when around bird feeders, they are in fact quite adorable, and a welcome part of the ecosystem.

     The melanistic phase, found only in the northern part of its range, is common here but extremely rare or not present farther south.

     Along certain sections of the trail the trees were filled with American Robins (Turdus migratorius). They were vocal, and gathered in feeding parties on invasive buckthorn berries.

     In years past it would have been a safe bet to conclude that we witnessed a migratory flock, fattening up for the journey ahead, but so many American Robins now overwinter with us that's no longer a certainty.

     Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were equally vocal and seemed to be travelling with the robins.

     A female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) was the source of universal admiration.

     Bob harangued me to find him a male, but I was unable to oblige! Don't you know a good looking female is hard to beat, Bob?

     Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) seems to find the Mill Race exactly to its liking and we were delighted to see one.

     Nuthatches were first to feed from the hand, but Black-capped Chickadees wasted no time in catching up!

     Nuthatches were never far away, however.

     I am always happy to see the various components of a healthy woodland ecosystem fulfilling their roles as nature intended. Decay and decomposition are essential.

   

       An Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) was doubtless seeking a sheltered spot to spend the winter.    

     This invasive insect has adapted so well to our environment that it is the most common lady beetle in Ontario. It is rapidly displacing native species.

     Human folly is on display once again.

     Beavers have been dining on corn dragged in from adjacent fields, and Mallards (Anas paltyrynchos) are no doubt greatly appreciative of the smorgasbord delivered to them.

     Beavers are not referred to as nature's engineers for nothing, and their dam is impressive.

     Nature's jewelry is nowhere more apparent than raindrops on fallen leaves.

     Is it not gorgeous?

     

     Winged Euonymus or Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) is yet another invasive species, originally native to N. China, Japan and Korea. 

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was having great success securing mid morning snacks along the Conestogo River - all of the fishy variety!

     Isn't fall grand?

     One of the great attractions of a walk along the Mill Race is to drop into the Eco Café at the half way point, for coffee, scones, muffins - whatever takes your fancy - and warm, clean washrooms.

     Looks like they are ready for Halloween.

     I learned that this was Andrea's last outing with us, as she prepares to move to St. Thomas. We will miss her and hope that our paths may cross again.

     As always, I am very grateful to all who came out to enjoy this outing and bestow upon me the pleasure of their company. 

     You may rest assured we'll do it again soon. In the meantime, please take care of Nature.