Birders: Tales of a Tribe
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.68 (617 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0802139965 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 0000-00-00 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
In Birders, Cocker not only introduces lay-readers to the venerable art of birding but shares some of the incredible tales previously circulated only among "the loop," involving unforgettable -- and sometimes deadly -- encounters with everything from pipits, puffins, and plovers to border-patrol officers and horseback bandits. For thirty years, journalist Mark Cocker has been a member of a community of fanatics who sacrifice most of their spare time, a good deal of money, sometimes their chances of a partner or family, even their lives, to watch birds. And then there is his personal journey, which began when he discovered a nest of pigeon eggs in his family attic and soon led to the fetishism of his binoculars (or rather, "bins").
Holey Moley said not very exciting. I laughed out loud twice - far too little for a book! I took only not very exciting I laughed out loud twice - far too little for a book! I took only 3 notes of "places to see and bird" - far too little. I wasn't even excited about food stories. Just isn't passionate enough - read Pete Dunne instead.. notes of "places to see and bird" - far too little. I wasn't even excited about food stories. Just isn't passionate enough - read Pete Dunne instead.. "twitching personified" according to Ian Stewart. I really enjoyed this book, partly because I am British birder in exile so it reminded me of home, but also because I could identify with many of the characters it describes.At times I got the distinct impression that the author was writing it for himself rather than anyone else, and I mean that in a positive sense. Some of the tales are deeply personal and reflective, and yet. In pursuit of a life list I don't doubt that persons uninitiated in the brotherhood of birding and who may have may picked this book up out of curiosity, after reading it may very well be tempted to say "life-list? forget that! Please, get a life!". Cocker understands and he has all the traits of a serious birder instantly recognizable to other members of the species. We are just a little bit defensive
His book Birders: Tales of a Tribe combines elements of memoir, manifesto, and anthropological study in its examination of how and why these hobbyists go about their sometimes obsessive work. Cocker's writing is lively and compelling--even readers who'd rather stay warm and comfortable quickly find themselves longing for a quick glimpse of the Himalayan Satyr Tragopan. Watching birds is often seen as an eccentric hobby, but the value added to environmental monitoring and other scientific endeavors by these legions of amateur spotters is tremendous. What could have been a patronizing showpiece in the hands of a less sensitive writer becomes a rapturous celebration of quiet pas