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There is nothing like leading a horse through endless labyrinth-like circles or listening to the trickle of water running over swollen legs, to place me into a state of contemplation. And this is how my story begins. Nursing my ten-year-old Arabian mare through a mysterious week-long illness while my mind, and this book, remembers the five years of work, errors, triumphs and tragedies that ultimately led to a true partnership with my dressage and trail horse.Horseback riding is my passion, part of my daily existence and happiness, and when my riding horse unexpectedly died, I needed to fill the void left in my emotional, and social life. Enter Meerah, a five-year-old rescued Arabian, a horse that my ego assumed I could easily train to my liking. But Meerah had her own opinion of how our new relationship should function.I should have known better than to apply the negative-reinforcement-style training that I had used on my old Western Pleasure mount... but I didn't. I was in my late fifties and for the past twenty years had grown spiritually in my everyday life, however, my equestrian-mind remained mired within dominance. It was Meerah who healed my wounded emotions and introduced me to a new way of thinking about horsemanship.Lessons from Meerah is a memoir, a five-year journey of my struggle to remember the simple path one needs to follow to form a successful relationship with a new horse, and not to blindly adhere to a recipe for training that I learned when I was much younger. Yet, ingrained habits are hard to recognize, and even harder to break.My recently deceased horse knew what I wanted and our invisible body language of a raised rein hand, or a touch of the spur, would easily catapult my old mare into the proper response. But Meerah was young, inexperienced, and did not understand my minuscule cues, let alone being ridden. I was determined to lunge my new mare into submission, or bit her head into the proper position, or sit heavy and squeeze my legs into controlling her speed. I was determined to re-create the Western Pleasure and trail horse that I had lost, and never considered my new horse could have an opinion, let alone a different goal than I.Meerah threw me off her back and into a fence, bolted and nearly unseated one trainer, and successfully wiggled her way out from under another. The beautiful Egyptian Arabian was a talented mover and had great potential, IF I could figure out how to ride her.Two steps forward and one step backwards was the progress we made together as I struggled to get her into the frame I desired. And, ever so slowly, the epiphany of common sense seeped into my blue ribbon seeking equestrian head.I learned to accept Meerah's ability to move as a dressage horse, and not as a pre-destined Western Pleasure horse. And as I learned the value of Centered Riding, Liberty training and Natural Horsemanship, I changed my perspective. Meerah was not the typical "equine slave" I could control. Quite the contrary, she became a partner. And through all these lessons I met new people, rekindled old friendships, and grew into the horsewoman I am today.I'll always treasure the memories and experiences of my youth, it is acceptance of change, or is it growth, that I applaud throughout the contents of this book. I hope you find my words, and our story, inspirational for your own life's journey,Suzy and Meerah

A veterinarian's guide to raising happy cats!With friendly, down-to-earth advice straight from veterinarian Dr. Marlena Lopez, The Ultimate Guidebook for Cat Owners is your companion to navigating life with your new furry friend. With tips like choosing the right breed, preparing your house, selecting the right food, dealing with issues like separation anxiety and rough play, and knowing when to take your pet to the vet (or when the issue isn't that serious), this is the book for all the new paw parents who need to hear that it's alright. Rooted in science and shaped by years of real-world experience, Dr. Lopez offers guidance that cuts through the noise and misinformation, giving you the tools you need to make sound decisions for your pet's well-being.

A veterinarian's guide to raising happy dogs!With friendly, down-to-earth advice straight from veterinarian Dr. Marlena Lopez, The Ultimate Guidebook for Dog Owners is your companion to navigating life with your new furry friend. With tips like choosing the right breed, preparing your house, selecting the right food, dealing with issues like separation anxiety and rough play, and knowing when to take your pet to the vet (or when the issue isn't that serious), this is the book for all the new paw parents who need to hear that it's alright. Rooted in science and shaped by years of real-world experience, Dr. Lopez offers guidance that cuts through the noise and misinformation, giving you the tools you need to make sound decisions for your pet's well-being.

This biography explores the fascinating trajectory of amateur naturalist Frank Farley (1870-1949), who in the first half of the twentieth century made significant contributions to the fields of ornithology and environmental conservation. An enthusiastic booster for rural development in western Canada, and Camrose, Alberta, in particular, Farley was also a passionate naturalist at a time when few others held such views. He supported and managed newly designated migratory bird sanctuaries, networked with expert ornithologists across the continent, mentored young people (including famous Canadian writer and grand-nephew Farley Mowat), and published widely to scientific and popular audiences. The book's description of Farley's career shows how a single individual can make substantive contributions to wildlife conservation while acknowledging tensions between amateur and professional ornithologists. The wide range of activities in which Farley engaged shows the complexities of rural life in Alberta and also reveals that concern over environmental change is not new. Frank Farley and the Birds of Alberta adds a stimulating new layer to a complex western Canadian past, and is an invaluable resource for scholars and readers versed in Canadian environmental history, climate change, and ecological activism.

This volume brings together a collection of case studies examining wildlife ecology and conservation across India.

Dog's Best Friend celebrates the heartwarming bond between dogs and their humans, one city street at a time!In Dog's Best Friend, photographer Giuseppe Santamaria presents a beautiful street photography collection celebrating the joy, character, and companionship shared by dogs and their humans. Through candid snapshots taken on city streets from Paris to Tokyo, Melbourne to New York, Santamaria reveals the universal connection between people and their pets, capturing moments that are heartwarming, playful, and often poignant. This book is a tribute to the timeless friendship between dogs and their human companions.

The world’s best bird photography gathered in one beautiful bookThe 10th-anniversary volume of the acclaimed seriesCelebrating the artistry of bird photography from around the globe, the Bird Photographer of the Year is the leading international bird photography competition, and this gorgeous, large-format book showcases the best images from the contest—some of the most spectacular bird photographs ever taken. A remarkable record of avian beauty and diversity across the globe, the book demonstrates the astonishing skill of bird photographers and the incredible quality of today’s digital imaging systems. Previous volumes of this annual series of books have garnered rave reviews. Writing about Collection 9, The Washington Post said, “This stunning collection of images . . . presents the avian world in all its soaring grandeur, stunning color and, yes, accidental comedy.”The Collection 10 volume features more than 250 of the best photographs selected from a record 33,000-plus entries submitted for the tenth anniversary of the competition, including all the winning and short-listed pictures. Taken by experienced professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, these richly various photos are organized by contest category, including Birds in the Environment, Bird Behavior, Birds in Flight, Urban Birds, Conservation, and the Young Bird Photographer of the Year. A portion of the Bird Photographer of the Year’s profits goes to Birds on the Brink, a charity that supports bird conservation around the world.Filled with unforgettable images of a kind that simply weren’t possible before digital photography, this book will delight anyone who loves birds or great photography.Large (11 x 9 inches / 28 x 23 cm), beautifully designed, and lavishly produced hardcover volumeFeatures more than 250 stunning photographsProvides details about how each image was captured—including camera, lens, and shutter speed

A marvelously illustrated look at the life of the whaleWhales are the majestic giants of the ocean, yet much of their world remains a mystery to us. The routes of their vast oceanic migrations are largely elusive, as are the intricacies of their behavior and social dynamics. This narrative biography takes you out beyond our shorelines and into the depths, providing an up-close exploration of the life of the whale. It covers everything from conception and childhood to family history, relationships, communication, and life challenges, and explains why studying whales helps us to monitor the health of our planet’s oceans and marine ecosystems. Written by internationally acclaimed expert Asha de Vos, Whale: The Illustrated Biography blends engaging profiles of the best-known species with stunning illustrations to tell the story of these magnificent creatures in all their diversity and complexity.Features a wealth of specially commissioned illustrationsDiscusses familiar species such as the humpback whale, blue whale, killer whale, and sperm whale, as well as smaller and more elusive cousinsCovers anatomy, hunting and feeding, migration, habitats, whale song, conservation, human interactions with whales, and much moreExplains how whales play key roles in nutrient cycling, regulating prey populations, and influencing carbon sequestrationA must-have reference for whale watchers everywhere

On one level, a story about moving, in old age, from a village to a nearby town, in this case the city of Ely. But also a moving exploration of 'belonging' and of moving on, of the layers of past generations of the local people who have shaped the new place, and the changes over the years wrought by nature and the shifting Fenland landscape.

A simple, straightforward and easy-to-follow guide for training all breeds of gundogs. Written by two leading experts the book features sound, practical advice and is aimed at both the novice and the more experienced trainer.

Identify Michigan mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information.Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Michigan. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Michigan Field Guide features all 66 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification.This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Michigan Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see.Inside you’ll find:All 66 of Michigan’s mammals, from mice to mooseFacts about size, habitat, range, young, and moreTimes each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behindProfessional photos, range maps, and track patternsStan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

A charmingly illustrated nature guide to Ocean Beach and the coastal ecology of San Francisco.Grab your beach blanket and your puffy jacket (this is San Francisco, after all) and get ready to see Ocean Beach like never before. Longtime local surfer and scientist Eddy Rubin celebrates this magical sandy stretch through stories of its animals and plants and the natural and human forces that have shaped this coastal environment. From sand dollars and seaweed to the snowy plovers in the dunes, and stretching out to the seals and whales offshore, Rubin profiles twenty-nine local flora and fauna with wonder and curiosity. To explain the why and how, he also teaches readers about the weather and geological forces that have created this unique sandy ecology. Lifetime lovers of Ocean Beach and new neighbors alike will delight in Rubin's guide, brought vividly to life by more than forty full-color artworks by illustrator Greg Wright. With this guide, Rubin invites readers to explore the place where ocean and land meet, to learn from surfers and fishermen about what's out in the waves, and to protect this shared expanse of sandy shoreline.

Experience the wild beauty of birds around the Bay.Having explored San Francisco neighborhoods in three celebrated books, Dick Evans turns here to the avian species that call the Bay Area home. With his photographer's eye, he finds art and drama in the lives of birds, from the smallest sparrows to long-legged Great Blue Herons. He captures the pockets of wilderness in our cities that make the area a birder's paradise: from a marsh full of endangered birds wading in the reeds near the Oakland Airport to the isolated refuge of the Farallon Islands, home to a quarter-million seabirds and a handful of visiting scientists; from Crissy Field, flocked with egrets, to the pasturelands birds share with cattle. His vibrant images are interspersed with text by Hannah Hindley that weaves us more deeply into relationship with our avian neighbors, introducing readers to the natural history of the region, to themes of interdependence and ecology, and to the evolving challenges for birds in a densely settled urban environment. At the heart of these images and stories is love for the living descendants of dinosaurs as they soar and parade, and awe at their ephemerality and endurance. Evans's photos highlight the wonder of a world on the wing and the rich biodiversity of Bay Area birds.

An illustrated obsession, a guidebook, a kaleidoscope of life on the wing.Liam O'Brien has spent three decades chasing, learning about, protecting, occasionally catching, and always loving butterflies. Here, he shares his capacious knowledge of California butterflies through a treasure trove of stories and 700 gorgeous, hand-drawn illustrations—featuring both adult forms and caterpillars—of the 135 species that live in the greater Bay Area. This sumptuous book also shares practical tips for finding and identifying all the butterflies who call the Bay Area home. Learn which plants nurture Silver-spotted Skippers, which trail to hike to see Swallowtails flitting creek-side, and why so many butterflies cluster on hilltops. Share in the joy that O'Brien brings to the study of butterflies, and join the community scientists contributing to our understanding of Monarchs, Metalmarks, and Marbles—and what they need to survive and thrive in our busy Bay Area.

A laugh-out-loud all-ages guide to common bugs, in a pocket-size package bursting with fun facts and photos.Bugs: they are beautiful, mind-bending, adorable, strange, silly, and essential to life as we know it. These wondrous creatures are neighborhood treasures and offer endless adventure. They are also too often misunderstood, but Pat Stadille can help you make friends with them too! Bugs in Your Neighborhood introduces readers of all ages to a dazzling range of dragonflies, hoppers, flies, beetles, butterflies, and many more fun critters. Find out about the music of grasshoppers and katydids, the special senses of wasps, and the weird eating practices of giant water bugs. Featuring over 400 bugs and over 1,000 photographs and drawings, Bugs in Your Neighborhood packs a wealth of information into a friendly, pocket-size format. This book is the perfect companion for anyone who wishes to know their bug neighbors a little better.