Mariposa Road

[Charles V Covell Jr.]

Hi Hank and all:  Thanks for mentioning _Mariposa Road_.  I am reading it now, having just finished Laufer's _The Dangerous World of Butterflies_.  I don't recall hearing comments on that book, either.  So many books - and bugs; so little time.  Cheers, Charlie

>>> Hank Brodkin  09/30/10 1:07 PM >>>
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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