As far as wildlife painting goes, Robert Bateman is my favorite artist. I never tire of the annual ritual of going back and savoring my Bateman books.
Since discretionary income is rare at my house, I have to count myself lucky to have three of his 10 books, the latest being “Bateman: New Work” ($45).
What’s the attraction? Perhaps it’s the subject matter, or the way he captures wildlife in unusual poses: the leopard making a rock face descent; a bison looking over a precipice; a monarch caterpillar on milkweed; an old buggy and cardinals.
Even his landscapes or people often come with a sense of motion: a leaning barn in a snow flurry; a fall family hike; a roadside tapestry of flowers and wire fence.
But on to other options.
“Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?” ($14): That’s just one of 115 questions answered by the Last Word column in NewScientist magazine. Topics range from our bodies to weird weather, and most questions have been answered by more than one person. And you can find the answer to penguins and their feet.
“Kaufman Field Guide to Advance Birding” ($25): There are casual bird-watchers and birders with life lists who know how to phish and who love to add to their avian knowledge.
Kenn Kaufman’s book is for the latter. He starts with principles and pitfalls of bird identification, then moves on to movements of feathers on opening wings, behavior, voice, field exercises and birds with abnormal color. Later he writes about groups, such as groups of ducks, groups of gulls (will I ever get the hang of it?) or groups of raptors.
It’s just the book for advanced birders to add to the shelf.
“Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother” and Other Botanical Atrocities” ($19): Amy Stewart has searched far and wide for plants that have beware-of-this-plant characteristics, including being fatal, dangerous to your health, hallucinatory or painful. Each chapter has a little side bar, including Meet the Relatives.
“Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon” ($25): Many of the dragons and damsels also live in our state, hence the recommendation. Cary Kerst and Steve Gordon bring readers a treasure trove of information, including identification, range, likely months observe them, and photographs that will keep you browsing.
“Curious Folks Ask 2” ($20): Learning doesn’t have to be dull, and “Curious” is the proof. Sherry Seethaler brings us 188 answers on creatures and other subjects in 220 pages. How high can a common house fly fly? Do insects experience pain? How is it possible for a snail to place itself on my car? Why aren’t there any blue roses? Can rainbows and fogbows be considered mirages?
“The Blues Go Extreme Birding” ($9): Carol Malnor and Sandy Fuller introduce 5- to 9-year-olds to nature, bringing to colorful life the fastest-moving, longest-migrating, deepest-diving and other record holders. Excellent bright-colored art, a fun storyline and informative sidebars combine fun with natural science.
“The Totally Out There Guide to Glacier National Park” ($15): Donna Love, with illustrator Joyce Mihran Turley, bring the park’s history and geology to ages 9 to 12 (more understanding will come from the older set), and the adults in their lives. What does the Ice Age have to do with peaks and valleys? How could water of three streams reach three oceans? What is the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Columnist Sharon Wootton normally can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com but she’s now on vacation.
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