Richard Cannings – författare

In these delightful meditations, biologist and bird lover Richard Cannings weaves stories of his personal encounters with birds into fascinating descriptions of their behavior, anatomy, and evolution. He muses over the meadowlarks’ ability to hide their nests so completely that he has seen only two in a lifetime spent searching for them; the trumpeter swan, as picky as a two-year old, devouring potatoes and carrots but turning up its beak at Brussels sprouts; the northern gannet, with its snowy plumage, black wingtips, and startling blue eyes; the little saw-whet owl, which dabbles in bigamy and even trigamy; and more than two dozen other birds. Covering the entire continent, from the cacophony of a seabird colony on the shores of the Atlantic to a symphony of snow geese on the autumn plains to songbird courtship in the alpine tundra of the Rockies, An Enchantment of Birds informs and entertains, in one fell swoop.

Sydney Cannings and Richard Cannings tell the story of the province's geology and the history of its living creatures. Starting 200 million years ago, when there was no British Columbia west of the present Rocky Mountains, the authors take us on a journey through time, describing the collisions of island chains called terranes, the sliding of plates, the erupting of volcanos, and the movement of glaciers that created British Columbia as we know it today. They also describe the rich legacy of fossils left behind as a result of all this geological activity. This updated edition has been extensively revised to reflect the current thinking about plate tectonics and the geological history of British Columbia. There are also seven new maps and a number of new photographs. An appendix lists the various types of rock in British Columbia.

Discover a whole new dimension to taking a car trip with this fascinating guide to the roadside ecology of the major highways in British Columbia. Each of the 13 chapters covers one highway in the province. Beginning with an overview of the highway (the area it covers, the general characteristics of that area, and the changes in climate and vegetation), each chapter then provides a detailed description of the land-forms, vegetation, and animal life in each section of that highway, along with tips for how to identify different species. Sidebars inform on various species, such as the huge, endangered sturgeon and the Great Basin spadefoot toad, which spends most of the year underground. Full-color photographs and black-and-white drawings illustrate the plants and animals that make their homes along the roadsides of British Columbia, and maps show the route of each highway discussed. In addition, the book offers suggestions for where to stop and look for crayfish, enjoy a swim in summer, or have a picnic lunch. An appendix provides a brief field guide of tree silhouettes and hints for identifying trees and shrubs.

This revised and expanded edition of an award-winning book not only explores British Columbia's stunning ecology but also features an increased focus on climate change. With expanded sections on the province's geological history, updated information on the mountain pine beetle and the future of B.C.'s biodiversity, and fresh information on many other topics, this edition includes new illustrations, photos, sidebars, and new and revised maps. Both an authoritative reference and an easy-to-read guide, this revised edition is a must for anyone who wants detailed and up-to-date information about British Columbia's dazzling natural world.

In this unique guidebook that will appeal to novice and experienced birders alike, the authors of acclaimed Birdfinding in British Columbia explore their 30 favorite birding sites in the diverse landscape of Canada’s westernmost province. More detailed and more personal than the Cannings’ previous books, and illustrated with more than 30 color photographs of birds and locales, and 28 maps, Best Places to Bird in British Columbia introduces some sites that will be familiar favorites for readers, while others may come as a surprise.Readers can choose their destination by species—each chapter has a list of “Specialty Birds,” the ornithological highlights of a trip to the area in question—or by geography—each chapter is named for its region and includes detailed information not only on how to get there but also on how to make the most of being there. Personal anecdotes, historical background, and ornithological information make this an indispensable guide to exploring the best birding sites B.C. has to offer and learning more about its bird population.