Mariposa Road

[Hank Brodkin]

I have just finished reading Bob Pyle's "Mariposa Road".  I have not seen
much on these lists (sorry for the cross-posts) about this very entertaining
and educational book.  Most of us have run into Bob, co-founder of the
Xerces Society and the founder of butterfly "watching" (who is also a
collector).  He has written quite a few books, some of them prize winners,
not only about butterflies but also about conservation issues.  His titles
run from "Butterflies of Cascadia" and "Chasing Monarchs" to "Where Bigfoot
Walks" and "Wintergreen", to name a few, - all of them very well written and
recommended reading.
A bit of background.  For years now birders have had "big years".  The point
was to see how many species one could see in one year in the country.  Kind
of a competition, that has run from Roger Tory Peterson and Kenn Kaufman, to
more recent birders.  Many of these folks have written books about their
efforts - and, based on one of the more recent tomes, a movie, "The Big
Year" with Steve Allen, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Angelica Houston is now
in preparation.
These books inspired Bob to give it a go with the first documented butterfly
big year.  Again those of you who know Bob's works know that besides
exciting chases of individual species, Bob introduces the reader to many
folks he met along the way, and to the many butterfly people who helped him
reach (almost) his goal, plus interesting species of beer and delicious
meals.  I don't want to go on and on here - but those of you have read his
books know that it feels like the reader is in the passenger seat of his
ancient vehicle, personally sharing his great adventure from one end of the
country to the other.
And also many of the folks who post on these mail lists are featured in this
book.  For what it is worth - I strongly recommend this book for anyone,
butterfly watcher, photographer and collector who share our particular
passion for these scaled winged creatures.

Hank Brodkin 
Carr Canyon, Cochise County, AZ
31°26’59.8”N  110°16’02.8”W
hbrodkin at cox.net 
"Butterflies of Arizona - a Photographic Guide"
"Finding Butterflies in Arizona - a Guide to the Best Sites"
http://members.cox.net/hbrodkin/ 


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