The Naturalist's Illustrated Guide to the Sierra Foothills and Central Valley - by Derek Madden & Ken Charters & Erinn Madden (Paperback)

About the Book

First Heyday edition 2005, originally titled Magpies and Mayflies: An Introduction to Plants and Animals of the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills.

Book Synopsis

California's San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys and the nearby Sierra Nevada Foothills are host to abundant, varied, and often surprising plants and wildlife. This fully illustrated guide pairs over seven hundred meticulous line drawings with descriptions of the birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates, plants, and fungi that make the Central Valley and Foothill Regions their home. Like a ranger-led nature walk, each species receives a lively overview; readers will learn about freshwater jellyfish, mushrooms that decompose railroad ties, handstanding spotted skunks, salt-shedding pickleweed-not to mention insects. Every write-up not only contains fun facts but also conveys a sense of the complex connections and interactions that sustain life in a unique place. Previously published as Magpies and Mayflies (Heyday, 2005), The Naturalist's Illustrated Guide to the Sierra Foothills and Central Valley features an attractive new cover, updated scientific and common names, and a full interior redesign.

Review Quotes

"A stunning work of wonder and beauty that will delight every naturalist, this guide presents the subtle and grand spectacles of nature throughout the central valley and foothills. Scan through the precise and lively illustrations to find plants and animals you have seen but never known, then follow the text for fascinating insights, curious details, context, and backstory. Every page opens a new window into a world worth saving."---John Muir Laws