I have written about my friendship and adventures with Dennis Boddy. Dennis passed away leaving us “Birds of Paradise”, a field guide on the birds of the bay area as part of his legacy.
Around that time I remember my excitement while elaborating the check-lists of flora and fauna in preparation for my nature observation tours. And my back remembers the amount of books I carried with me every time in a heavy-duty backpack.
That backpack made it into hiking tours, horseback tours, pangas and more, but never on my kayak tours as I would have surely drowned.
I guess my colleagues are not so obsessive in carrying such backup material on their observations .
Fortunately for us all, a young guy from the Czech Republic came by the bay area back in 2000 and was impressed by a richness of wildlife he had not seen before. Having traveled a big chunk of the world, Petr (pronounced Petré) decided to spend some more time here to get better acquainted with his welcoming neighbors, among them, several bats, a toad, iguanas, garrobos and many, many flying creatures that convinced him into printing, last year, his field guide to the avifauna of the Bay of Banderas: “Birds - Local species catalogue”. I was honored to be invited to write the introduction to his book.
Having a glimpse at his “Birds”. will make you at least want to move closer to the window, if not, set off for the beach, the Quelele Lagoon or La Tobara mangrove.
Well, this year Petr embarked on an even greater undertaking; what started as a field guide to the local birds, has become the “Field Guide to the Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Western Mexico”. This bilingual (that’s where I come in), full-fledged, over 300 full color pictures field guide just came out of the press. It’s got some fantastic photography and great tips on observing animals in the wild.
 Petr has come a long way photographing all kinds of wild animals, following the expert advise of wildlife photographer and marine mammal specialist Eduardo Lugo; photographer Mark Callanan and herpetologist Chris Grünwald; Petr has put together an admirable collection of amazing and colorful images of living things we have been sharing the bay with, but had to wait until Petr came to make the necessary introductions.
The “Field Guide to the Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Western Mexico” will be presented to the public on Friday, December 14 at 7pm at Biblioteca Los Mangos on Francisco Villa Avenue (free entrance) and all nature lovers and bay lovers are expected and invited to attend, see and buy the book and meet Petr personally.
And know that now we can always be ready for wildlife exploration!
I am sure you will also see many familiar faces and make some friends among those joining us in this celebration honoring the rich diversity of our region.
Where to buy the book in Puerto Vallarta:
• The Book Store - Plaza Caracol
• Libreria Guadalajara - Plaza de las Glorias
• Casa del Libro - Calle 31 Octubre, Centro
• Risos - Downtown / Centro
• A Page in the Sun - Olas Altas
• Vallarta Botanical Gardens
• Estudio Cafe - Nuevo Vallarta
To Buy the book online please visit:
http://www.imanat.com/Fauna2007.html
See you there..
Eduardo Rincón-Gallardo
E-mail: toureps@prodigy.net.mx
• Eduardo Rincón Gallardo is a Tour Rep. providing a very personalized service to Puerto Vallarta's visitors since 1985, catering to individuals as well as groups, conventions, congresses, incentive programs from all over the world. Website: http://www.puertovallartasailing.com/
Previous Articles
|
Current
Weather Report
