Richard Cannings – författare

This book tells the story of the province’s geology and the history of its living creatures. The first edition of Geology of British Columbia,, with its accessible but rigorous science, struck a chord with readers. Since it was first published, theories about plate tectonics and the geological history of British Columbia have evolved, and this new edition reflects the current thinking. This book also features updated content throughout, seven new maps, and a number of new photographs. A brand new appendix lists and describes key geological sites in British Columbia, adding a field-guide component to this informative book that will engage readers and compel them to go see these rocks for themselves.

From Canada’s top birding team comes the definitive guide to finding birds in British Columbia.Veteran naturalist and birdfinder Richard Cannings and his son, Russell, a gifted birder in his own right, use their combined knowledge and expertise to guide readers to the best birding sites in the province. The book is divided into eleven regions, from Vancouver Island to the Far North, providing bird lovers with detailed information about how to reach the best sites to look for birds, when to look for them, and what they might find.Packed with descriptions of the natural history, ecosystems, and diverse landscapes of British Columbia and accompanied by numerous maps, this thorough guide is enhanced by Donald Gunn’s charming line drawings and the authors’ infectious enthusiasm, making it a must-have for novice and expert birders alike.

In this fascinating guide to the roadside ecology of the major highways in B.C., you''ll discover a whole new dimension to taking a car trip. This new edition has been updated and expanded to cover northern British Columbia and southern Yukon, giving readers a unique perspective on the northern wildlife and vegetation. Southern travellers "may find that this journey will redefine what ''northern British Columbia'' means to them, or even what ''north'' means."Sidebars tell stories about various species, such as the huge, endangered sturgeon and the Great Basin spadefoot toad, which spends most of the year underground. Full-colour photographs and black-and-white drawings illustrate numerous 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 during your travels. An appendix provides a brief field guide of tree silhouettes and hints for identifying trees and shrubs.Whether you''re taking a day trip or a two-week holiday, your drive along the highways of B.C. will be enriched by the storehouse of information in this facinating and informative guide.

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.

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 explore in depth the physical and natural diversity of B.C’s freshwater habitats. Because of British Columbia’s mountainous terrain, much of the water in the province moves down-hill, tumbling and turning towards the sea. Moving water contains a variety of life from the larval stone-flies, mayflies and caddis flies that cling to rocks to the Harlequin Ducks that court and nest along fast-moving mountain streams. There are over sixteen thousand lakes in the province.On an imaginary canoe trip around a lake, the authors introduce us to cattails and bulrushes, Spotted Frogs and Western Toads, and, of course, the rich bounty of insect life, including jewel-like dragonflies. Last, but not least, there are the bogs and fens of the province, filled with mosses and other plants, and the hot springs scattered through-out the mountains of British Columbia.

Both the mountains and northern forests of British Columbia are magical kingdoms shaped by cold and snow. They also form the landscape that covers most of the province and that offers countless spectacu-lar destinations for campers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Adapted and expanded from sections of the best-selling British Columbia–A Natural History which won the 1997 Bill Duthie Bookseller’s Choice Award, this first book in the British Columbia Natural History Series offers a spellbinding exploration of these two regions. Filled with fascinating stories about plant and animal life in these regions, this book tells us how bumblebees adapt to the cold, why young ravens share their booty whereas adults greedily gobble all they can by themselves, and why lemmings and Snowshoe Hares are abundant one year and scarce the next.

The Sea, from its shimmering surface to its sunless depths, teems with life. Its watery world is not our world, but Life in the Pacific Ocean, with its vivd photographs and engaging text, gives us a glimpse into the secrets beneath the surface of the ocean.How do barnacles have sex? Why are sea stars the most feared predators of the intertidal zone? What is life like for the denizens of the dark, quiet seafloor, where conditions have barely changed since life began? This book, adapted and expanded from sections of the best-seling British Columbia: A Natural History, both offer answers and raises important questions about the future of our ocean.

The Okanagan attracts thousands of visitors each year to enjoy its beaches and wine, but more and more people are discovering its natural beauty. With desert sands and deep lakes, towering rock cliffs and rich benchlands, cold mountain forests and hot grasslands, the Okanagan has an ecological diversity unequalled in Canada.Roadside Nature Tours through the Okanagan opens with an introduction to the region’s biodiversity, climate, geology, and human history, setting the stage for the route descriptions that follow. Richard Cannings then takes us on twenty-one tours through the valley, from the arid benchlands of Osoyoos to the snowy forests east of Vernon. The routes vary from main highways to quiet roads, and along each one we’re introduced to the animals, plants, and bedrock that create this national treasure. Each route also has a focal topic, ranging from owls to salmon and rattlesnakes to rock rabbits.

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.