Monday, February 14, 2011

What's not to love about this man?

Image courtesy Princeton University Press
He's handsome, smart, likes birds, has that incredibly cute accent, not to mention the humungous camera lens...

(which, btw MevetS, he handholds!)

Besides the avant-garde fashion sense (look at that blue jacket!) he's also, clearly, very brave. I imagine him to be risking life and limb to photograph Harlequins out at the end of the Barnegat jetty, don't you?

Have I mentioned that he's just published a book? And a book about birds, no less!

(swooning)

My momentary infatuation is directed towards Richard Crossley and his Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds. I'm planning to spend this Valentine's evening curled up with it by candlelight, maybe with a glass of wine.

Like with all tender new love, all I can say is, "Wow!"

and,

"He's sees birds just like I do!"

and,

"Where has this field guide been all my life?"

and,

"Gosh... it's so sexy when he uses alpha codes!"

; )

It really is a cool guide; his approach is unconventional and that's exactly what excites me most about it. I've not ever been one to rely on a field guide. I collect them, yes. But use them? Hardly.

This is a book I want to spend time with and get to know better. I think Richard Crossley can make me a better birder.

*Please note that, while Princeton University Press has kindly provided me with a free copy of The Crossley ID Guide to review, this is not my proper review. I promise to do that once I'm over the puppy-dog stage of love and can see things more clearly.

**Please also note that I have no personal relationship with Mr. Crossley, nor do I desire such. There was a brief interaction at the Cape May Hawkwatch this fall involving the ID of a sparrow, however. I am happy to report that Mr. Crossley did not laugh me off the platform at that encounter.

(Imagine the pressure of having THE RICHARD CROSSLEY toss a roadkill sparrow your way and demand that you ID it, in hand, before he'll even make eye contact with you.)

Thanks for that experience Wren!



Have a listen as he describes the book (oohh that accent!)

And Happy Lover's Day!

14 comments:

RG said...

And now all the Western Bird Ladies are going to be incredibly jealous.

MevetS said...

You had me going there until you said "... by candlelight, maybe with a glass of wine. "

LauraHinNJ said...

Rabbit's Guy: Yes, but they won't have to wait for long... I've read plans for a Western Guide as well.

MevetS: I give myself away in the details, I know.

: )

LauraHinNJ said...

MevetS: btw... somewhere in one of those links... there's a video of him lugging this huge lens around... it reaches down to his knee at least... nary the sight of a tripod. Makes me feel better, at least.

; )

Sister Solidarity said...

I don't know, Laura, I think this is a pretty good review. Out-of-the-box, like the book!

LauraHinNJ said...

Thanks, Donna. I was at SHBO last Sunday and there was this unopened box, clearly labeled as THE Crossley ID Guide... took everything in me not to open it! I had to wait a couple days for my own copy.

Have you seen it? What do you think?

Jayne said...

Wow, what a neato book! And yes, LOVE that accent!

MevetS said...

Yeah, tripods are for wimps!

Oh wait ...

(and you got skilz girl!)

Wren nests in... said...

Richard's MO seems to be tossing dead birds at ladies--mine was a creeper. Works for me! *lol* (The accent helps...)

Mike said...

My, Laura, you make me want to run out and write an even better field guide (if only I could!)

I love this post.

troutbirder said...

I really like the concept. On my way to Barnes and Noble now....

dguzman said...

This book is definitely on my list, especially after seeing that Bear Grylls-like grit in the first pic.

Cathy said...

I was a little afraid that . . well . . you'd become . . (cough) 'unhinged' UNTIL I watched the video.

Holy Kamoly!

I'm in! ;-D

(I've just followed you over from Bev's Journey to the Center where I found we're in concurrence on that owl pizza box)

LauraHinNJ said...

Thanks for comments everyone... I'm still chuckling a couple weeks later!