Cranes, Herons & Egrets

Naturalist, wildlife photographer, and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 175 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles, and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers, and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 25 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers, and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations. Stan can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

• The Splendor of Cranes Graceful Herons and Egrets Remarkable through the Ages History of Bird Feather Fashions Family Distinctions Mysteries of the Common Names Roots of the Scientific Names Sandhill Crane Subspecies Changing Populations Whooper Comeback Keys to Saving the Species Differentiating the Sexes Size Tall, If You Please Long-Lived Birds Fanciful Feathers Rare White Morphs Youthful Plumages Feather Grooming Powder Down Wet and Dry Washing Sunning Time Wing Tip to Wing Tip Takeoff and Staying Aloft Riding the Thermals Hollow Bones for Flight Muscle Power Long, Pointed Bills Weak Sense of Smell Eyes for Hunting Slender, Scaly Legs Extremely Strong Toes Designed to Fish Menu Specials What’s That Sound? The Deafening Calls of Thousands Building the Nest The Neighborhood Pair Bonds at Nesting Sites Plume Shows Spectacular Courtship Dancing Mating Beginnings Eggs in the Nest A Month of Incubation The Chicks Are Hatching! Warmth in the Brood Out and About in a Day Rowdy Begging Matches Sibling Aggression in the Nest Surviving the Perils Growing into Fledglings The First Flight Hunting Skills Gathering into Flocks The Urge to Migrate Winter’s Rest The Race Home Back at the Platte Our Elegant, Tall Birds Featured Cranes, Herons and Egrets About the Author