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A Field Guide to the Natural World of the Twin Cities
An illustrated guide to the natural habitats and rich diversity of wildlife in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area
Though the Twin Cities and environs have proven a fine habitat for one particular species, the three million humans who call the area home share these 3,000 square miles with myriad animals and plants, all in a mosaic of various ecosystems. While most of the region’s wildlife has lost its original habitat to agriculture and urban development, a significant patchwork of native and restored habitat remains—prairies, woods, and wetlands, along with pockets in the parks and open spaces throughout the cities and suburbs. This easy-to-use guide gives novice and long-time naturalists alike the tools to find and explore these natural places in the metropolitan Twin Cities, some within the city limits and all within an hour’s drive of downtown Minneapolis. John J. Moriarty is a congenial expert on the remarkable diversity of plants and animals in the region’s habitats, from prairies and savannas to woods and wetlands such as swamps and marshes, to fens and bogs, lakes and rivers, and urban and suburban spots. Featuring Siah L. St. Clair’s remarkable photographs, maps, and commentary on natural history, this field guide invites readers to investigate the Twin Cities’ wildlife—familiar and obscure, sun-loving or nocturnal, shy or easily observed. Here are snapping turtles, otters, and Cooper’s hawks, the wild lupines, white water lilies, and sprawling white oaks, among hundreds of species found in the wild, the park, or even the backyard. Including notes on invasive species and a list of references and organizations, this book is a perfect companion and an unparalleled resource for anyone interested in discovering the rich natural world of the Twin Cities.
Though the Twin Cities and environs have proven a fine habitat for one particular species, the three million humans who call the area home share these 3,000 square miles with myriad animals and plants, all in a mosaic of various ecosystems. While most of the region’s wildlife has lost its original habitat to agriculture and urban development, a significant patchwork of native and restored habitat remains—prairies, woods, and wetlands, along with pockets in the parks and open spaces throughout the cities and suburbs. This easy-to-use guide gives novice and long-time naturalists alike the tools to find and explore these natural places in the metropolitan Twin Cities, some within the city limits and all within an hour’s drive of downtown Minneapolis. John J. Moriarty is a congenial expert on the remarkable diversity of plants and animals in the region’s habitats, from prairies and savannas to woods and wetlands such as swamps and marshes, to fens and bogs, lakes and rivers, and urban and suburban spots. Featuring Siah L. St. Clair’s remarkable photographs, maps, and commentary on natural history, this field guide invites readers to investigate the Twin Cities’ wildlife—familiar and obscure, sun-loving or nocturnal, shy or easily observed. Here are snapping turtles, otters, and Cooper’s hawks, the wild lupines, white water lilies, and sprawling white oaks, among hundreds of species found in the wild, the park, or even the backyard. Including notes on invasive species and a list of references and organizations, this book is a perfect companion and an unparalleled resource for anyone interested in discovering the rich natural world of the Twin Cities.
384 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2022
This is a quick guide to the plants and animals likely to be found in the parks and rivers of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. No field guide can cover such a wide range of species thoroughly so the value of the book depends on what you are observing. The author chose mostly familiar plants and animals, but included hard to find species that are unlikely to be seen except by experienced naturalists.
The guide is divided by habitat, so if you are visiting a prairie, for example, you can focus on the prairie chapter of the book. That narrows down the number of entries, but you will have to page through the chapter and study the photos because there is very little taxonomy and no particular logic to the way the species are presented. The other problem is that species don't necessarily stick to their assigned ecosystem. A wetland in the middle of a prairie, for example, will have species from both the wetland and prairie ecosystems. You may have to page through a couple of chapters to determine which one the author assigned it to.
The photos are stunning (Full disclosure. The photographer is a close friend.). They help with identification of the species although the description of the plant or animal doesn't always exactly match the photo. This is an unavoidable problem simply because every specie has a wide variety of variations. It's like describing Nordic Europeans as blond haired and blue eyed, then discovering that a majority of the people are neither.
Overall the book serves its purpose. It helps people who are curious about the natural world, but not compulsive, to identify a wide range of common plants and animals and learn a little more about their natural history and preferred habitat.
The guide is divided by habitat, so if you are visiting a prairie, for example, you can focus on the prairie chapter of the book. That narrows down the number of entries, but you will have to page through the chapter and study the photos because there is very little taxonomy and no particular logic to the way the species are presented. The other problem is that species don't necessarily stick to their assigned ecosystem. A wetland in the middle of a prairie, for example, will have species from both the wetland and prairie ecosystems. You may have to page through a couple of chapters to determine which one the author assigned it to.
The photos are stunning (Full disclosure. The photographer is a close friend.). They help with identification of the species although the description of the plant or animal doesn't always exactly match the photo. This is an unavoidable problem simply because every specie has a wide variety of variations. It's like describing Nordic Europeans as blond haired and blue eyed, then discovering that a majority of the people are neither.
Overall the book serves its purpose. It helps people who are curious about the natural world, but not compulsive, to identify a wide range of common plants and animals and learn a little more about their natural history and preferred habitat.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews