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Australia Nature Page 2

Australian black swans (51k)	Crimson rosella (61k)	Budgerigars on nest (65k)

Cattle Breeds in Australia; A Complete Guide by Jenny Parsons. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 0957908628. Recommended retail price $85.95.

Australia is the biggest beef exporter in the world – a must for anyone interested in cattle.

Cattle Breeds in Australia is a comprehensive, full-color guide to the cattle breeds currently registered in Australia. It is a definitive and up-to-date resource.

For each breed there is an outline of its history and origin, current distribution within Australia, characteristics, economic factors and (where available) a contact address for further information. For most breeds there are photographs of the bulls, cows and calves.

A brief overview of the cattle industry in Australia, and its history, is given, as well as a list of useful contacts. A comprehensive list of the many breeds and varieties of cattle that occur throughout the world is also provided.

“They’re all there - dairy and beef so if you’re into cattle - put this book on your library shelf.” – Kerry Lonergan, Landline, ABC TV

Cattle Breeds in Australia will prove invaluable, not only for established cattle farmers, but also for students, small landholders, agricultural colleges and faculties, people working within the industry, and anyone else who has an interest in today’s cattle sector.

The editor, Jenny Parsons, has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science and a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies. She edited the 9th and 10th editions of the Australian Weed Control Handbook and was a co-editor of the Proceedings of the First International Weed Control Congress.

The editor has a family history in farming dating to the 1600s in Devon, England. One of her brothers is an agronomist (previously a dairy extension officer), and her other brother is a rural veterinary practitioner. Her father is the well-known weed specialist, Dr. W. T. Parsons.

Ms. Parsons has been employed as a youth worker in rural Victoria and as an Australian Volunteer International in Suva, Fiji. She has also worked in Australia on poultry farms, a sheep farm, and has milked cows for her sins. Hard back, 224 pages. Published in 2003.

Click on thumbnail for a photograph from Cuckoos, Nightbirds & Kingfishers of Australia. (48.53K)

Diving and Snorkelling Australia’s Great Barrier Reef by Len Zell. Recommended retail price $16.95, our price $15.50.

This Lonely Planet guide provides a wealth of information for anyone planning a dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Author Len Zell has over 25 years of diving experience in the area and it shows. For each site you get specific information on depth range and conditions, what you are likely to see and the method for getting to the site. A handy section at the back of the book provides additional information on some of the marine life. Soft cover, 173 pages.

Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia by David Hollands. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473193. Recommended retail price $49.95.

“David Hollands is one of the very few writers who has consistently been able to capture the essence of birds of prey . . . “
David Baker-Gabb, President, Australasian Raptor’s Association

Swift, sleek, predatory and breathtakingly beautiful in action, birds of prey have always had a fascination for man. In Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia, David Hollands has achieved his goal of finding studying and photographing all twenty-four diurnal birds of prey in Australia.

This comprehensive and authoritative work is divided into three sections:
THE ESSAYS – written to capture the spirit of each bird as well as to present the ornithological facts;
THE FIELD GUIDE – designed to summarize the facts likely to be used in the field, including many new observations previously unpublished;
THE COLOR PLATES – over one hundred and fifty superb photographs depicting each species in a dramatic and original format, taken both at the next and in flight.

This magnificent book is essential reading for all raptor enthusiasts and for every serious ornithologist.

For this second edition of Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia, David Hollands has revised the whole text and made additions to several chapters, based on recent field expeditions. The color sections have been expanded to make room for a number of new photographs.

David Hollands is a country doctor who has combined an on-duty life in his practice with an off-duty fascination for birds.

Born and educated in England, he came to Australia in 1961. From a very early age, he had been interested in birds and bird photography, but over time, this gradually evolved into an all-absorbing passion. For many years, the demands of medical practice limited the time available for birds, but by 1984, he was able to complete Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia. This was followed in 1991 by Birds of the Night, and in 1999 by Kingfishers and Kookaburras of Australia.

This new edition of Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia comes after a long period of being out-of-print. David is now retired from medical practice and working on three new titles. Hard cover, 212 pages. Published in 2003.

Environmental Weeds by Kate Blood. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 0957908601. Recommended retail price $28.95.

This comprehensive field guide details over 175 environmental weeds in south eastern Australia including emerging and potential weed species.

Detailed descriptions in easy to understand language and supported by excellent photography bring accurate weed identification within the reach of a broad range of users.

Entries include weed shape and size, history and uses, taxonomic relationships, origin, weedy distribution, description, reproductive and growth characteristics and confusing look-alikes.

Distribution maps show current and potential ranges of weeds.

Environmental weed expert, Kate Blood, has drawn on the expertise of professionals working in the area to compile the most up-to-date information on weed species and their distribution in south eastern Austrlia.

Environmental Weeds: A Field Guide for SE Australia will be an invaluable tool for land use management specialist, farmers, amateur naturalists and anyone with an interest in managing and overcoming the huge problems caused by environmental weeds.  Spiral bound soft cover, 228 pages. Published in 2003.

Eucalypts of South Australia by Dean Nicolle. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 0646327437. Recommended retail price $25.95.

The diversity of eucalypt species is the reason they dominate almost every environment in South Australia. The dominance and diversity of this group of plants, from massive timber trees to dwarf, highly ornamental shrubs, has captured the interest of more people than any other single group of native plants.

South Australia has 95 different native eucalypts, including 20 never before illustrated in color. All are fully described and illustrated in this book. The book allows the identification of all species, gives clear maps and descriptions on where to find them in the bush and gives useful advice on how to grow each species and what uses each can have.

Eucalypts of South Australia has been designed and written for anybody interested in identifying and growing native trees, not just those familiar with the botanical language. The book will be a valuable companion to all South Australian naturalists, gardeners, farmers, pastoralists, botanists, foresters, students, bush walkers and growers of native trees. Soft cover, 208 pages. Published in 1997.

Eucalypts,Field Guide to Volume 1; South-western & Southern Australia, Fully Revised & Updated Second Edition by M.I.H. Brooker & D.A. Kleinig. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473037. Recommended retail price $94.95.

Australia is one of the few countries in the world generally associated with a single group of plants, namely – the eucalypts.

The genus Eucalyptus includes over 700 species, with almost a third of these occurring in south-eastern Australia in the crescent from the top of Spencer Gulf around to the northern New South Wales border including Tasmania. Nearly three hundred of the known species and subspecies in the area are included in this volume and each is described and illustrated.

In each description the more important features are emphasized by the use of bolder type, and color photographs show the tree or mallee and its bark, buds and fruit. The botanical terms used throughout are explained and illustrated in the introduction and defined in the glossary.

Since the first edition which was published in 1983, many new species have been discovered, and many names changed. In addition, the layout of the book has now been completely updated and reorganized consistent with volumes 2 and 3.

At the head of each digest a summary shows how the species fits into the overall classification of eucalypts. Keys provide a systematic route to identification: there is a separate key for each of the four States covered by the books, plus the Australian Capital Territory. A wide range of characters is used to distinguish between the species.

Field Guide to Eucalyptus Vol 1 is a most valuable and authoritative source of reference for all who are interested in trees – botanists, foresters, naturalists and many others.

Ian Brooker is a world authority on Eucalyptus taxonomy and has discovered and described many new eucalypt species. He has more than thirty years experience as a botanist at the Australian National University, Western Australian Herbarium and CSIRO and has published widely. He is accordingly well qualified to write this comprehensive and authoritative work.

Since 1975, Ian Brooker has studied Eucalyptus taxonomy and forestry in China, Europe, India, Israel, Morocco, New Zealand, North and South America, Russia and South Africa. In 1980-81 he was appointed to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (UK) as the Australian Botanical Liaison Officer. He has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, University of Adelaide and Master of Science from the Australian National University.

He has recently retired as Principal Research Scientist with the SCIRO Division of Plant Industry.

David Kleinig has become proficient in distinguishing between species of Eucalyptus through his work in the collection of seed. For nearly twelve years he was in the Seed Section of SCIRO Division of Forest Research in Canberra being involved in seed and botanical collections as well as photographic expeditions for several CSIRO publications. David has been associated with Ian in the discovery of new eucalypt species.

As a skilled photographer, he has contributed the many full color photographs of the species featured in this book.

He is now self-employed, living in Canberra, and is involved in the collection and export of native tree seed (largely Eucalyptus and Acacia) for plantation establishments in numerous overseas countries. Hard cover, 353 pages. Published in 1999.

Eucalypts, Field Guide to Volume 2; South-western & Southern Australia, Fully Revised & Updated Second Edition by M.I.H. Brooker & D.A. Kleinig. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473282. Recommended retail price $104.95.

Australia is one of the few countries in the world generally associated with a single group of plants, namely – the eucalypts.

The genus Eucalyptus includes over 800 species and over 326 are described in this volume. In particular it is significant as it features the colorful eucalypts of Western Australia, which have been widely used for landscaping. The area covered includes the Great Victoria Desert, and extends across the Nullabor Plain, to most of South Australia and into areas of New South Wales which lie to the north and west of the River Darling.

Since the first edition of Volume 2 was published in 1990, many new species have been formally named. The numerous subsequent discoveries are included in the Appendix of the Volume. In addition, the layout of the book has been updated and reorganized to be consistent with the latest formal classification of the genus. Important features are emphasized in bolder type and color illustrations show the tree or mallee and its bark, buds and fruit. Botanical terms are explained and illustrated.

THE AUTHORS
Ian Brooker is a world authority on Eucalyptus taxonomy and has discovered many new eucalypt species. He has more than thirty years of experience as a botanist at the A.N.A., W.A. Herbarium, CSIRO and has published widely.

David Kleinig is a photographer and expert in identifying Eucalyptus through his work in seed collection with CSIRO. Hard cover, 428 pages. Published in 2002.

Finches, Bowerbirds & Other Passerines of Australia. Edited by Ronald Strahan. ISBN 0207188807. Published by Angus & Robertson. Recommended retail price $45.00.

Published in association with the Australian Museum, this is thefinal volume in a magnificent series of 10, covering every species of bird known to have existed in Australia in historical times, including migrants and rare vagrants. Finches, Bowerbirds & Other Passerines deals with 74 species in 15 families, comprising the buntings, finches, sparrows, weavers, grass-finches, starlings, orioles, drongos, bowerbirds, bird of paradise, magpielarks, mud-nest builders, woodswallows, currawongs, magpies, butcherbirds, crows and ravens.

Each species is fully described and an informal account of its natural history is given. Enhanced with color photographs throughout, this book caters for both specialists and those with little prior knowledge of the birds of Australia. A detailed synopsis is given of each species' dimensions, plumage, sexual and developmental differences, identification, variation, voice, habitat, food, habits, and reproduction, including nests and eggs. Distribution maps show where each bird can be found in Australia. Hard cover, 301 pages. Published in 1996.

Gouldian finches

Frogs of Australia, Green Guide by Gerry Swan. Published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 1864363339. Recommended retail price $12.95.

The Australian Green Guides have been created for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. The most commonly asked questions are answered with particular emphasis on fascinating behavioral insights into both common and unusual creatures. The pages are alive with entertaining and informative text accompanied by exciting action photography. Contains:
· Behavioral insights
· Action photography
· Your questions answered:

Do frogs drink?
What is the difference between a frog and a toad?
Can I keep a frog?
Why do frogs croak?
Do frogs burrow?
How do frogs protect themselves?

Answers to all these an many more commonly asked questions about frogs can be found inside this useful guide.

Despite being born and educated in New Zealand where there are only a few frogs, Gerry Swan developed an interest in amphibians and reptiles at an early age. While at school he kept geckos and Green and Golden Bell Frogs. After moving to Australia in the 1960's, a chance encounter with a blue-tongue lizard rekindled that interest.

An Associate of the Australian Museum and editor of the journal Herpetofauna, Gerry is the author of several books and spends much of his time as a reptile consultant and author. He has a particular interest in the frogs and reptiles of the arid and semi-arid regions of New South Wales. Soft cover, 96 pages. Published in 2001.

From the Country: An Anthology by T.R. Garnett edited by George Seddon. Published by Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473320. Recommended retail price $34.95.

Tommy Garnett, who wrote the essays of this collection, and John Turner, whose illustrations enrich it, … were raised in England, but … became Australians to the core … So the real subject of this book is to communicate their vision – apparently instinctive, but in reality the product of centuries of cultural conditioning – that productive land use … can co-exist with a whole world of activities and natural processes … Some of these processes are challenging, all of them interesting and worth the attention of a true countryman. And that is a part of what they share with us.

The other part is their deep love for, knowledge of and commitment to the non-agricultural natural environment, and here, of course, Australia still has something precious that much of Europe has lost.

From the Country is an anthology of articles written by Tommy Garnett for The Age over 15 years in his weekly column ‘From the Country.” These provocative articles went beyond basic gardening issues to question a wide range of environmental and cultural assumptions. We see Garnett at his best, revealing a truly enquiring mind and wicket sense of humor.

Seddon’s commentaries traverse a wide range of themes to illustrate how Garnett, among others, ushered in a new environmental ethos – which in turn has contributed to our better understanding today – of what it is to be an Australian. Soft cover, 275 pages. Published in 2001.

More Australian Nature Books

Last modified on Thursday, August 4, 2008