 Here is a sampling of books either by CoastWatchers, or useful to mile adopters (or anyone else who wishes to learn more about the shoreline).
Click the cover image or the book title to link to a seller's site for more information, or to purchase the book. In most cases we link to Powell's Books in Portland, but you can usually order these titles online at Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or from your local independent bookstore.
This symbol: " " denotes authors who are CoastWatchers, Oregon Shores members, directors, or otherwise connected with Oregon Shores.
If you would like to recommend a book that every CoastWatcher should know about, please contact Phillip Johnson, CoastWatch director. |
TABLE OF CATEGORIES:
Birds
Ecology and General
Flora and Fauna
Narratives
Photographs
Trail Guides
| | Birds
| |  | Field Guide to the Birds of North America
National Geographic Society, Washington D.C. 1987
Product Description: "This is the ultimate, indispensable bird field guide—comprehensive, authoritative, portable, sturdy, and easier than ever to use. Among the the new edition's key elements and practical improvements: Every North American species—more than 960, including a new section on accidental birds—classified according to the latest official American Ornithologists' Union checklist, 4,000 full-color illustrations by the foremost bird artists at work today and newly updated range maps that draw on the latest data. New durable cover for added protection against adverse weather, plus informative quick-reference flaps that double as placemarkers. New reader-friendly features like thumbtabs that make locating key sections faster and easier, and a quick-find index to direct users straight to the information they need. |  | Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America — Roger Tory Peterson
Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 2010 — 493pp. — $19.95 — 4★
Publisher comments: "With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised edition is sure to be a valuable addition to any birder's pocket or daypack. At a trim size of 5 x 8, it is portable but also beautifully illustrated. Photographs, while modern looking and colorful, capture just one moment in time. The paintings in these guides, however, show all of a bird's key field marks and use the Peterson Identification System to make bird identification easier for beginning and intermediate bird watchers. A team of professional birders has updated the text, the maps, and the art for this authoritative guide. Expert birders also created 35 entertaining and easy-to-use video podcasts, which are available to download. They make fun and educational viewing on a computer desktop or MP3 player. Last updated in 1990, the Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds covers nearly 600 species on 176 color plates, with 588 comprehensive range maps, now included with the illustrations. Every bird watcher in western North America will want to own this long-awaited, up-to-date fourth edition." |  | Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America — David Allen Sibley
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York, 2003
Synopsis: "This book is a new portable guide from David Sibley that every birder will want to carry into the field. Compact and comprehensive, this new guide features 703 bird species plus regional populations found west of the Rocky Mountains. Accounts include stunningly accurate illustrations — more than 4,600 in total — with descriptive captions pointing out the most important field marks. Each entry contains text concerning frequency, nesting, behavior, food and feeding, voice description and key identification features. Accounts also include brand-new maps created from information contributed by 110 regional experts across the continent. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America is an indispensable resource for all birders seeking an authoritative and portable guide to the birds of the West." |  | The Shorebird Guide — Michael O’Brien, Richard Crossley and Kevin Karlson
Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 2006 — 448 pp — $24.95 — 5★
Publisher Comments: "When many birders go out looking at shorebirds, they see a distant mud flat full of grayish brown birds in various shapes and sizes and have no idea where to begin the identification process. When advanced birders look at that same flock of shorebirds, they can identify the vast majority of birds with a quick binocular scan. Experts use the simplest, most easily observed characteristics — size, structure, behavior, and general color patterns — almost subconsciously, and can identify most birds even before looking carefully at plumage details. Now birders of all levels can learn how to identify these wildly popular birds quickly and with much less effort. This guide provides more than 870 stunning color photographs, sequenced to give a general impression of a species first and progressing to a more detailed image of the bird throughout its life cycle. Captions list characteristics in order of importance, reflecting the thought process that experts use to identify birds."
Synopsis: "Overall principles of identification are explained in clear language, and ten chapters on specific groups of birds show how these principles can be applied in practice. Anyone with a keen interest in identifying birds will find that this book makes the learning process more effective and enjoyable, and that truly understanding what we see and hear can make birding more fun." |  | The Sibley Guide to Birds — David Allen Sibley
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York, 2000
Publisher Comments: "David Allen Sibley, America's most gifted contemporary painter of birds, is the author and illustrator of this comprehensive guide. His beautifully detailed illustrations – more than 6,600 in all – and descriptions of 810 species and 350 regional populations will enrich every birder's experience. The Sibley Guide's innovative design makes it entirely user friendly. The illustrations are arranged to facilitate comparison, yet still capture the unique character of each species. The Sibley Guide to Birds provides a wealth of new information:
-Captioned illustrations show many previously unpublished field marks and revisions of known
marks
-Nearly every species is shown in flight
-Measurements include length, wingspan, and weight for every species
-Subspecies and geographic varients are covered thoroughly
-Complete voice descriptions are included for every species
-Maps show the complete distribution of every species: summer and winter ranges, migration
routes, and rare occurrences
Both novice and experienced birders will appreciate these and other innovative features:
An introductory page for each family or group of related families makes comparisons simple
-Clear and concise labels with pointers identify field marks directly
-Birds are illustrated in similar poses to make comparisons between species quick and easy
-Illustrations emphasize the way birds look in the field
With The Sibley Guide to Birds, the National Audubon Society makes the art and expertise of David Sibley available to the world in a comprehensive, handsome, easy-to-use volume that will be the indispensable identification guide every birder must own." | | Ecology and General
| BACK TO TOP |  | 1001 Questions Answered about the Seashore — N. J. and Jacquelyn Berrill
Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York, 1976
Synopsis: "From microscopic diatoms to sea otters and dolphins, this comprehensive compendium of facts contains over 1,000 questions and answers about sea snails, sponges, starfish, fishes, shore birds, and many other marine creatures. Detailed coverage includes appearance, breeding, growth, feeding, and much more. 167 drawings and 16 pages of photos." |  | Biology of Rocky Shores (Biology of Habitats), 2E — Colin Little, Gray Williams, Cynthia Trowbridge
Oxford University Press, 2009 — 352 pp. — $138.95
Synopsis: "This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to rocky shore ecology and has been completely revised and updated throughout. It describes the diverse biota (invertebrates, vertebrates, seaweeds, seagrasses and microalgae) that inhabit rocky shores, and the factors that determine their distributions, abundances and interactions. The book discusses the latest research on processes that control community structure, utilizing a global range of examples from a wide range of shore types - both temperate and tropical."
"This volume is recommended reading for anyone interested in rocky shore ecology. Researchers will also find it useful as a reference, and its well-written, nontechnical style also makes it an excellent source of information for more general readers with an interest in their local shorelines; therefore, it will be a valuable addition to most public libraries. The writing is clear and flows well, making it a pleasure to read."--Quarterly Review of Biology |  | Blue Frontier – Saving America’s Living Seas — David Helvarg
Henry Holt & Co., New York, New York, 2001
Publisher Comments: "A fascinating account of America's oceans and ocean politics, Blue Frontier explores the impact of history, commerce, and policy on marine life — and by extension all life on earth. From the legacy of navy-funded research and development since World War II to the current newsworthy topics such as beach closures, collapsing fish stocks, killer algae, hurricanes, and oil spills, Blue Frontier takes readers on an adventure-filled tour of America's last great wilderness range. Despite today's wide-open development along our coasts and in offshore waters, Blue Frontier argues that sensible policies can still halt the onslaught of industrial destruction. An impassioned call for a new approach to ocean stewardship, Blue Frontier is essential reading for anyone interested in saving our maritime culture and heritage." |  | Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores — Edited by Mark W. Denny and Steven D. Gaines
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2007
Tidepools and rocky shores are among the most physically stressful environments on earth. When the tide is high, waves can sweep over plants and animals at velocities as high as 60 miles per hour, while at low tide, the same organisms dry up and bake in the sun. Yet despite this seeming inhospitality, tidepools and rocky shores are exceptionally complex and biologically diverse. This comprehensive encyclopedia is an authoritative, one-stop reference for everyone interested in the biology and ecology of this fascinating and uniquely accessible environment. Conveniently arranged alphabetically, nearly 200 wide-ranging entries written in clear language by scientists from around the world provide a state-of-the-art picture of tidepools and rocky shore science. From Abalones, Barnacles, and Climate Change through Seagrasses, Tides, and Wind, the articles discuss the animals and plants that live in tidepools, the physics and chemistry of the rocky shore environment, the ecological principles that govern tidepools, and many other interdisciplinary topics.
• Generously illustrated with hundreds of color photographs, drawings, and diagrams
• The only comprehensive volume available on tidepools and rocky shores
• Articles include in-depth looks at animal and algal diversity and overviews of the history of research, rocky shore management, and conservation
• Contributors are experts on physics and physical oceanography, experimental ecology, population genetics, taxonomy, and other disciplines |  | Let the Sea Make Noise - A History of the North Pacific from Magellan to Mac Arthur — Walter A. MCDougall
Harper Collins Publishers, New York, New York, 1993
Publisher Comments: "In this exceptionally innovative work, Walter McDougall projects on a large screen four hundred years of exciting voyages of discovery, pioneering feats, engineering marvels, political plots and business chicanery, racial clashes and brutal wars. It is a chronicle complete with little-known facts and turning points, but always focused on the remarkable people at the center of events, among them the America-loving Japanese ambassador to Washington on the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Russian builder of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and a Hawaiian queen during the first period of Western competition for the islands. Let the Sea Make a Noise . . . is a gripping account of the rise and fall of the empires in the last, vast, unexplored corner of the habitable earth — an area occupying one-sixth of the globe. There is no other book that covers these same subjects in this wealth of detail and with such chronological scope. |  | Marine Biology — Peter Castro and Michael E. Huber
McGraw-Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, 2010
Publisher Comments: "Marine Biology covers the basics of marine biology with a global approach, using examples from numerous regions and ecosystems worldwide. This introductory, one-semester college text is designed for non-majors. Authors Castro and Huber have made a special effort to include solid basic science content needed in a general education course, including the fundamental principles of biology, the physical sciences, and the scientific method. This science coverage is integrated with a stimulating, up-to-date overview of marine biology. |  | Ocean Life — Sally Morgan and Pauline Lalor
PRC Publishing, Ltd., London, Great Britain, 2001
Product Description: "From the shallows of the shoreline to the inky black trenches cutting across the floor, oceans house a complex and varied ecosystem. The sea's intricate food webs support more life by weight and a greater diversity of animals than anywhere else on the planet. Through awe-inspiring color photography, move through the waves and dive deep into the ocean's waters. Here, great white whales swim gracefully in spite of their enormous bulk, and massive coral reefs, built by countless millions of tiny creatures, grow. Further below, organisms feed off the chemicals pouring from volcanic chimneys, and at the very bottom, where intense pressure makes exploration virtually impossible, radically different life forms reside in a range of habitats. Special sections cover such subjects as dolphins, hammerheads, coral photography, and camouflage in detail, as well as the devastation wrought to this watery environment by humans--and what's being done to protect it." |  | The Facts on File Dictionary of Marine Science — Barbara Charton
Checkmark Books, New York, New York, 2007
Book News Annotation: "...this dictionary contains brief alphabetical entries on marine science, covering biochemistry, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, meteorology, and zoology subjects, from the Aegean Sea to the Yangtze River. About 300 of the terms are new or revised for this edition, including aragonite, biogeochemical cycling, euphotic zone, Global Ocean Observing System, International Polar Year, marine snow, sea ice biome, and trace metals. It also contains about 25 new line drawings. One appendix consists of an annotated list of websites. Charton is an adjunct professor at the Pratt Institute and specializes in environmental science, ecology, and chemistry." Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) |  | The Oceans — Ellen J. Prager with Sylvia Earle
McGraw-Hill, New York, New York, 2002
Publiher's comments: "This exhaustive overview of oceanography captures the excitement of discovery in the making. The Oceans opens up the world of ocean science to the general reader and raises significant questions about the future of the ancient, nurturing ocean itself. The oceans cover more than 70 percent of the globe, yet less than 5 percent of that expanse has been explored. But, as Drs. Prager and Earle show in this vivid survey of ocean research, our knowledge is suddenly accelerating: various dives, soundings, computer analyses, and other probes are uncovering amazing facts about the 142 million square miles beneath the seas. |  | Wave-swept Shore-The Rigors of Life on a Rocky Coast — Mimi Koehl
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2006
Synopsis: "Take a close look at a wave-battered coast and you will discover a rich, fascinating, and remarkably brutal environment. Here, animals and plants exposed to wind, sun, and rain at low tide must cope with crashing waves as the seas rise to submerge them each day at high tide. How do living things survive in this harsh zone? With 87 stunning color photographs and an engaging text written for those with minimal knowledge of marine biology or physics, this book tells the story of one stretch along the Pacific coast of North America--introducing the mussels, limpets, crabs, grasses, starfish, kelp, and other animals and plants that live there, and explaining how they function and flourish in an environment of waves, sand, and rocks.
In pictures and words, Wave-swept Shore explains complex phenomena, such as wave action, using simple, intuitive analogies. It explores how the forms of animals and plants affect their survival in this harsh environment, considers their distribution on the shore, and looks at their seasonal variations, focusing on what can be easily observed by visitors to the coast. Revealing the rich variety of habitats woven into what may at first look like a fairly uniform environment, the book, an effective and beautiful tool for learning about the edge of oceans everywhere, opens our eyes to the wonders of rocky shores and introduces a whole new way of looking at the natural world. | | Flora and Fauna
| BACK TO TOP |  | Animal Tracks — Olaus J. Murie and Mark Elbroch
Houghton Mifflin Co. , Boston, Massachusetts, 2005
Synopsis: "This all-new edition includes descriptions of the habits, habitats, tracks, signs, and ranges of all the mammals of North America, as well as of selected birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. More than 1,000 line drawings and 100 color photographs further enhance the text." An excellent guide to help identify the animals sharing the beach and leaving those mysterious tracks in the sand. |  | Animals without Backbones — Ralph Buchsbaum, Mildred Buchsbaum, John Pearse, Vicki Pearse
THe University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1987
Publisher Comments: "Animals Without Backbones has been considered a classic since it was first published to great acclaim in 1938. It was the first biology textbook ever reviewed by Time and was also featured with illustrations in Life. Since then, its clear explanations and ample illustrations have continued to introduce hundreds of thousands of readers around the world to jellyfishes, corals, flatworms, squids, starfishes, spiders, grasshoppers, and the other invertebrates that make up ninety-seven percent of the animal kingdom. This new edition has been completely rewritten and redesigned, but it retains the same clarity and careful scholarship that have earned this book its continuing readership for half a century. It is even more lavishly illustrated than earlier editions, incorporating many new drawings and photographs. Informative, concise legends that form an integral part of the text accompany the illustrations. The text has been updated to include findings from recent research. Eschewing pure morphology, the authors use each group of animals to introduce one or more biological principles. The Third Edition of Animals Without Backbones remains an ideal introduction to invertebrates for the general reader who pursues the rewarding study of the natural world. |  | Brittle Stars & Mudbugs-An Uncommon Field Guide to Northwest Shorelines & Wetlands — Patricia K. Lichen
Sasquatch Books, Sattle, Washington, 2001
This book is a delightful collection of 71 short essays on the lives of selected algae, plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals that commonly live on the coast of the Pacific Northwest as well as a few essays on the natural phenomena, water, waves and tides. Each essay is preceeded by an illustration, short descriptions of the organism and its habitat. The text ot the essay reveals "the marvels and mating habits, antics and attitudes, behaviors and best-kept secrets" of the organism. |  | Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest — Andy Lamb and Phil Edgell
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 1986
Publisher Comments: "Written by a marine biologist and illustrated in colour by a prizewinning underwater photographer, Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest is the only comprehensive field guide to marine fishes of BC, Washington, and southern Alaska. It is also a useful reference for marine fishes of Oregon and Northern California. Each fish is identified by its common name, and is illustrated with a full-colour photograph and labelled sketch. Special sections present catching tips for anglers and commercial fishermen; location hints for divers, beachcombers, and pleasure boaters; and cooking ideas for seafood gourmets. The information included in these sections provides a brief but detailed description of each fish's habitat, physical characteristics and behaviour - everything that a fisherman or an amateur naturalist needs to know! |  | Coastal Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest — Elizabeth L. Horn
Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1994
Synopsis: "With over 200 color photographs covering 164 plants, this guide introduces seaside visitors and residents to the most common wildflowers and flowering shrubs of the rugged Pacific shore." |  | Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs, A Guide to the Opisthobranchs from Alaska to Central America — David W. Behrens and Alicia Hermosillo
Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, 2005
"Behrens has established himself as the world's pre-eminent authority on nudibranchs, that bizarre family of marine snails that might, as a group, be the most beautiful animals in the world. In this latest book he, and new partner Alicia Hermosillo, have expanded his previous "Pacific Coast" nudibranch guides southward to include many beautiful and rare species from the Pacific and Sea of Cortez coasts of Mexico. The photography and descriptions are superb. Every marine enthusiast must have this book on his or her shelf." Kenneth B. Bondy "Ken Bondy" (California) - |  | Exploring Pacific Coast Tidepools — Vinson Brown and Ane Rovetta
Naturegraph Publishers, Inc., Happy Camp, California, 1996
Publisher Comments: "This edition with more than 70 color photographs is a handy field guide to the common seashore creatures and flora found along the Pacific Coast from Baja California to Alaska." |  | Eye of the Whale — Dick Russell
Simon & Schuster, New York, 2001 — 688pp — $39.50 — 5★
Publisher Comments: "Eye of the Whale offers an exhilarating blend of adventure and natural history as Dick Russell follows the migration of the gray whale from Mexico's Baja peninsula to the Arctic's Bering Strait. Originally named "Devil-fish' by nineteenth-century whalers, the gray whale's friendly overtures toward humans over the past generation helped to spark the growth of today's whale-watching industry. This majestic marine mammal has also become a focus of controversy, as environmentalists fought to protect its breeding area from industrial development, some protested renewed hunting by a Native American tribe, and, more recently, scientific studies have noted a new decline in the whale's population.
Russell's narrative interweaves the remarkable story of Charles Melville Scammon, a nineteenth-century whaling captain responsible for bringing gray whales to the brink of extinction, whose change of heart led to his becoming a renowned naturalist. Retracing Scammon's path, the author encounters contemporary marine biologists who have devoted their lives to studying the gray whale, and native peoples for whom subsistence whale hunting means survival in the most remote regions of the North Pacific. Called "an extraordinary book" by The Washington Post, Eye of the Whale is a stirring account of a creature that is changing our consciousness about the relationship between human beings and the animal kingdom." |  | Field Guide to Wild Flowers of the Sea Coast in the Pacific Northwest — Lewis J. Clark
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 2002
This wildflower book is written for people not having much botanical training and avoids most of the technical terms. Each plant species is beautifully illustrated with a color photograph, and the accompanying text provides information to help the reader with plant identification. Plants that may resemble the featured one also are mentioned and information is given as to how they may differ. The book contains 698 species of plants with 443 color photographs conviently arranged by flower color. Many of the plants featured in the book are found growing on the southren Oregon coast. |  | Fossil Shells from Western Oregon-A Guide to Identification — Ellen J. Moore
Chimtimini Press, Corvallis, Oregon, 2000
"This is a great, to-the-point guide to Oregon Coast fossils. It gives a brief, useful overview of the regional geologic history, and follows with well-illustrated descriptions of the many fossil treasures along the coast." Review by Michael |  | Guide to Marine Invertebrates, Alaska to Baja California — Daniel W. Gotshall
Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, 2005
Product Description: "This is a beautiful, full color field guide describing 285 species of inshore, subtidal marine invertebrates that are commonly observed by biologists, divers and naturalists from the Gulf of Alaska to central Baja California. Each species is illustrated with a color photo and has a narrative which includes habitat, identification, depth, geographic range and size. 7" x 9", 123 pages, 290 color plates, pictorial key and glossary." |  | Guide to Oregon's Rocky Intertidal Habitats — June E. Mohler, David S. Fox and Bill Hastie
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Newport, Oregon, 1997
This book is a pictoral guide to some of the more common rocky intertidal algae and animals found in Oregon. After describing the environment of Oregon's rocky shore, the intertidal zones, habitats and the food web, the book provides 105 color photographs or illustrations of the various algae and animals commonly encountered in the rocky intertidal, a useful tidal height indicator where each organism will most likely be found and a description of the organism. The locations in Oregon of the major accessible rocky intertidal areas also are given. |  | Guide to Shells — Bruno Sabelli
Simon & Schuster, New York, New York, 1979
Product Description: "Full-color illustrations provide information on mollusks and the shells they produce, specifying size, appearance, geographic occurrence, ecological environment, and classification." |  | Guide to the Coastal Marine Fishes of California — Daniel J. Miller and Robert N. Lea
Fish Bulletin 157, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California, 1972
"An essential guidebook for California marine studies, covering immediate coastal-littoral to coastal deep-water fishes. It is highly accurate and systematic in it's coverage of marine fishes. Though the lack of color may hinder identification on occasion, the key identification features make up for any confusion. The text follows a scientific dichotomous key which allows for identification and comparison of closely-related fishes- helpful when trying to identify just what species you might be holding at the moment- and if it might be poisonous or not. Extremely useful for those of a scientific bent, with its use of terminology and scientific nomenclature, it is also usable by the layman because of the intricate drawings and clear, concise information." By Jedidiah Palosaari |  | Guide to the Western Seashore, Introductory Marinelife Guide the Pacific Coast — Rick M. Harbo
Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, British Columbia Canada, 2005
Publisher's comments: "This introductory guide to the marine life of the Pacific coast is designed for the beach explorer, the boater, the skin and scuba diver. The author has limited its contents to the most common species which can be seen from, or along, the seashore, or in the shallows. Color photographs and concise descriptions guide the beginner into the wonderful world of the western seashore." |  | Kingdom and Domains- An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth — Lynn Margulis and Michael J. Chapman
Academic Press, New York, 2009
Product Description: "This extraordinary, all inclusive catalogue of the world's living organisms describes the diversity of the major groups, or phyla, of nature's most inclusive taxa. Developed after consultation with specialists, this modern classification scheme is consistent both with the fossil record and with recent molecular, morphological and metabolic data.
Generously illustrated, now in full color, Kingdoms and Domains is remarkably easy to read. It accesses the full range of life forms that still inhabit our planet and logically and explicitly classifies them according to their evolutionary relationships. Definitive characteristics of each phylum are professionally described in ways that, unlike most scientific literature, profoundly respect the needs of educators, students and nature lovers. Kingdoms and Domains is a unique and indispensable reference for anyone intrigued by a planetary phenomenon: the spectacular diversity of life, both microscopic and macroscopic, as we know it only on Earth today." |  | Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest — Eugene N. Kozloff
University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington 1999
"This 8.5" x 11' format book covers marine invertebrate phyla down to the species level for animals found from southern Oregon to the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, Canada. It has the keys to the invertebrates, as well as supporting BW photographs and great line drawings to help the reader interpret particularly sticky parts of the keys. There are also brief occasional notes about known ranges of some animals covered, but this is not a reference book to the ecology of these animals, it is an excellent set of taxonomic keys." Alan R. Holyoak |  | Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest, A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes — Andy Lamb and Bernard P. Hanby
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 2005
Publisher Comments: "With 1,600 superb colour photographs of over 1,200 species, Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive collection of photographs of Pacific Northwest marine life ever published. It is designed to allow the reader to recognize virtually any coastal organism that might be encountered from southern Alaska to southern Oregon — from sea lettuces and feather boa kelp through to the leopard ribbon worm, Pacific red octopus, spiny-thigh sea spider and gutless awning clam. Each species is identified with photographs and includes a description with information on range, habitat, appearance and behaviour."
Book News Annotation: "The astonishing diversity of life found in the ocean off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California is documented in this accessible and thorough guide for the amateur naturalist. Seagrasses, seaweeds, sponges, sea anemones, corals, worms, phoronoids, moss animals, nudibranchs, chitons, octopi, squid, and sea fleas are some of the major genera surveyed in entries and superb color photographs. Entries for a full range of species are provided in a well-organized format that helps readers locate examples they've seen. Each entry includes a color photo, short description, and details about range, habitat, and size. A glossary is provided. The volume is oversize: 8.75x11.25"." Annotation 2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) |  | National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Seashore Creatures
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York, 1981
Publisher Comments: "Each of the 690 identification pictures is a full-color photograph of a seashore creature. Arrangement by shape and by color makes identification quick and easy. 666 species are covered in full detail." |  | Northwest Coast: A Natural History — Stewart T. Schultz — Published by Oregon Shores
Oregon Shores, 2011 — 406 pp. — PB: $29.95, PDF: $24.95 — 4★
Publisher Comments: "The author's aim has been not to provide a conventional field guide -- there are many such available -- but rather to provide insights into the relationships among the sea and the land and the living creatures they support. Starting in the coastal waters with their populations of marine animals and seabirds, the author examines the successive habitats found landward, from seashore, estuaries, dune, and freshwater wetlands to the great temperate conifer forests so characteristic of the region." |  | Pacific Coast (Audubon Guide) — Bayard McConnaughey and Evelyn McConnaughey — Past Oregon Shores directors
A.A. Knopf, New York, 1988 — 633 pp. — $10.95 — 4.5★
Publisher Comments: "A comprehensive field guide, fully illustrated with color photographs, to the birds, plants, fishes, insects, seashore creatures, and other natural wonders of North America's western shores, from Alaska to southern California." |  | Pacific Coast Crabs and Shrimp — Gregory C. Jensen
Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, 1995
Product Description: "This is the first Pacific Coast full-color field guide for this important group of animals. It describes 163 species of crabs, shrimps and lobsters that occur in the nearshore waters from Alaska to Northern Baja California. The narrative for each species includes the identification, size, geographic range and habitat, as well as natural history notes on molting, reproduction, larval development and ecology. Also included are pictorial keys, glossary, index and suggested references. |  | Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates, A Guide to the Common Gelatinous Animals — David Wrobel and Claudia Mills
Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, 1998
"Pacific Coast Pelagic Invertebrates covers the common gelatinous pelagic invertebrates, more commonly thought of as jellyfish, that are encountered on the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California. The beginning of the book provides a description of the advantages of a gelatinous lifestyle, the role of gelatinous animals in marine ecosystems, and the range of habitats in which they occur. This provides the reader with an appreciation for the diverse and successful patterns these animals have evolved to live in a variety of habitats and niches. There is also an excellent section on observing, collecting, and photographing specimens. Wrobel and Mills have provided a glossary of terms and black and white photographs of each major group identifying various body parts. The description of how to distinguish the major groups gives readers an entree into the descriptions of the species. Species from four phyla are included: Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Mollusca, and Chordata. The descriptions of the organisms are arranged taxonomically. Information on identification, natural history, range and habitat, and other remarks as appropriate are included in each description. The most striking feature of the book has to be the photographs that accompany each species description. The photographs are truly gorgeous." Frat Çng |  | Pacific Reef & Shore, A Photo Guide to Northwest Marine Life — Rick M. Harbo
Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, British Columbia Canada, 2003
Publisher's Comments: "Pacific Reef & Shore is the 21st Century successor to Harbo's 1980 bestseller Tidepool and Reef, with more species, up-to-date scientific information and many brilliant new full-colour photographs of the 300 most common plants and animals of the intertidal zone. Arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, this ingenious guide has written descriptions of each organism, with size, habitat and interesting facts conveniently placed next to its photo. Authoritative and accessible, Pacific Reef & Shore is the indispensable companion for divers, kayakers and beach strollers alike." |  | Pacific Seaweeds — Louis Druehl
Book description: "With line drawings and vivid colour photographs, this easy-to-use book thoroughly documents every aspect of seaweed life, from species identification and seaweed biology to the essential - and often surprising - roles seaweed plays in the marine ecosystem and our everyday lives.
Clear and informative, and packed with comprehensive scientific information, interesting facts, further readings and even an assortment of tasty seaweed recipes, this unique and highly readable guidebook will appeal to marine biologists, amateur beachcombers and everyone in between." |  | Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast-Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska — Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon
Lone Pine Press, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1994
Publisher Comments: "This is a revised edition of our bestselling book Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast marking the 10th anniversary of publication. This superb reference book features 794 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, aquatic plants, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichens found along the coast from OR to AK. Over 1000 color photos and line drawings."
"This full-color, comprehensive field guide has easy-to-use keys and thorough description of not only each plant’s natural history, but its cultural significance and uses. Photographs are shown side by side with botanically accurate drawings to aid in identification. Taking this guide with you to the forest or field is the next best thing to having a pro botanist along." (Grass_Roots Books review) |  | Plants of Western Oregon, Washington and British Columbia — Eugene N. Kozloff
Timber Press
Publisher Comments: "A great resource for botanists, native plant enthusiasts, ecologists, conservationists, and amateur naturalists who desire a comprehensive, up-to-date, and well-illustrated book for the identification of plants of the Pacific Northwest. This is the definitive guide to the rich and varied plant life of the region, from the ocean shore to the crest of the Cascades, from British Columbia south through the Klamath Mountains of southwestern Oregon and the Siskiyous in northwestern California. Its botanical coverage is complete, including plants native to the region as well as those that have been introduced and become naturalized. More than 2500 species are fully described, with user-friendly keys and more than 700 color photographs and 350 line drawings to facilitate successful identification." |  | Seashore life on the Northern Pacific Coast - An illustrated Guide to Northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia — Eugene N. Kozloff
University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington 2003
Publisher Comments: "From Monterey Bay to northern British Columbia, zoologist Eugene Kozloff describes the common plants and animals that inhabit rocky shores, sandy beaches, and quiet bays and estuaries." |  | Seashore of the Pacific Northwest — Ian Sheldon
Lone Pine Publishing , Renton Washington, 1998
Publisher Comments: "A ... guide to the Pacific Northwest's intertidal life with full-color illustrations of 150 species and concise descriptions of mammals, jellyfish, starfish, arthropods, worms, seaweeds and more."
A handy book that can be taken to the beach to help the novice begin to appreciate the diversity of life at the seashore. |  | Seaweeds — David Thomas
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D. C. 2002
Publisher Comments: "This detailed look at seaweeds describes the classifications that encompass some 10,000 species of seaweeds, documents their adaptations and life cycles, and looks at human uses for seaweeds and their place on the economies of different countries. Threats to seaweed are examined, such as coastal developments, pollution, and the introduction of non-native seaweed populations. Color photos are on every page, and a glossary is included."
Synopsis: "From microscopic organisms on tidal rocks to dense marine forests, seaweeds vary widely in size and are amazingly well adapted to both the Arctic and the tropics. David Thomas presents a detailed look at what seaweeds are, how they live, and why humans value them. Thomas describes the red, brown, and green classifications of seaweeds that encompass more than ten thousand species. He explains how seaweeds get all of their nutrients from the surrounding water, needing roots only to anchor to the sea floor, and how some species use “anti-grazing” strategies to discourage fish by releasing swift doses of unappetizing acids. The economic value of seaweed is astounding. Some species are harvested for $1 billion annually, and seaweed constitutes up to ten percent of the average diet in Japan. The search continues for compounds in seaweed that may be beneficial as new drugs, antibiotics, and cancer treatments. Not only is seaweed vital to coastal ecosystems, but it is also an important part of everyday life. |  | Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast, Common Marine Algae from Alaska to Baja California — Jennifer and Jeff Mondragon
Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, 2003
Product Description: "Created for those who work and play on the shores and in the shallow subtidal of the Pacific, this easy-to-use field guide is suitable for amateurs and professionals alike. Featuring a "quick key" and filled with interesting details, this comprehensive book will enable you to readily identify 128 species of marine algae commonly found along the coast from Alaska to Baja California. Each species is accompanied by at least one color photograph, and text that covers identifying characteristics, range, and habit. Contains 138 color photographs, 14 line drawings that illustrate algal structures and life cycles, 3 easy-to-use keys to help sort and identify specimens and 9 recipes for cooking with seaweed." |  | Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest, A Field Guide — Rick M. Harbo
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 1997
Synopsis: "There are few more enjoyable ways to spend a relaxing afternoon than at the seashore collecting ornate seashells. But there is no need to fly away to some exotic tropical locale to begin the fun. If you are in the Pacific Northwest, you will find local beaches as rich in fascinating treasures as any place on earth--or at least you will once you have this handy eight-fold guide to show you where to look and how to identify what you find. Those whose interest in shellfish is mainly gastronomic will also find this waterproof guide an essential tool." |  | The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest — J. Duane Sept
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 2009
Publisher Comments: "Newly revised and updated in 2009 with additional photographs and an easier-to-use layout, this beautifully illustrated guide aids in identifying the most common intertidal animals and plants of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. The 274 most common animals and plants to be seen along the saltwater shores of the Pacific Northwest are described here--the ones that stay put and that cover great distances; the ones that hide and that love a party; the ones that look like rocks or feathers or blobs of jelly.Illustrating each entry is a full-colour photo of the species in its natural habitat, so that even the novice can identify it confidently--without disturbing it. There are special sections on great Pacific Northwest viewing sites for intertidal life, ways to understand tides and choose the best times to look for beach wildlife, intertidal habitats ranging from sandy beaches to aging wharves to rocky, wave-swept shores, and ecologically friendly observation methods. Packed with expert information but wonderfully accessible to any interested layperson, this book is perfect for a family, a school group, a Saturday beachwalker or a naturalists'club. The species described here include sponges, clams, snails, crabs, sea stars, sea anemones, jellies, fishes, seaweeds and others. This informative guide was written to be both accurate and easy to understand. Details for each plant or animal include: description, habitat, range, additional notes and more." |  | The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life of California — J. Duane Sept
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 2009
Publisher Comments: "In a book that is as visually stunning as it is informative, Duane Sept dedicates full-colour photographs and thorough descriptions to each of the most common plants and animals to be found along the saltwater shores of California. Each entry includes the most useful common names for the species along with the scientific or Latin name; a description of its distinguishing physical features or behaviour; and information on its size, habitat and range. There are also sections on understanding tides and intertidal habitats, lists of the best beachcombing sites in California and tips on how to observe seashore life in an ecologically friendly manner. Scientifically accurate, yet simple and straightforward in approach, The revised edition of The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life of California is the perfect companion for every interested observer - the family or the school group, the Sunday beach-walker or the career naturalist." |  | The Biology of Soft Shores and Estuaries — Collin Little
Oxford University Press, Oxford, Great Britain 2000
Product Description: 'This book focuses on marine and estuarine soft sediments as complex and essential habitats for an astonishing variety of animals and plants whose life styles are intimately bound up with sediment structure. It discusses sediments as habitats first, then takes in turn the ecosystems found on sandy shores, mudflats and segrass beds, salt marshes and mangrove swamps, and life below the tidemarks. Adaptations of the organisms are fully described, and each chapter ends with a section on techniques. Later chapters discuss estuarine and lagoonal habitats, both of which contain primarily soft sediments, but add further complicating characteristics to those found in the sea. A discussion of estuarine food webs emphasizes the ways in which organisms interact. The book concludes with a discussion of the ways in which marine and estuarine soft sediments have been abused by man, and some of the opportunities that have been taken to counteract these abuses." |  | The Intertidal Wilderness- A photographic Journey through Pacific Coast Tidepools — Anne Wertheim Rosenfeld
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2002
Publisher Comments: "The Intertidal Wilderness is a stunning photographic exploration of the tidepools of the Pacific coast, from Baja California to as far north as southeast Alaska. These lush photographs capture in striking color the enormous variety of life and biological detail in the intertidal zone along one of the world's most spectacular coastlines. The interpretative text and captions describe telltale signs of ecological relationships and processes, helping the seashore explorer to appreciate ecological interactions and their consequences. The text delves into the roles of competition, predation, reproduction, natural variation in space and time, and color that characterize this vibrant ecosystem. This revised edition has been updated throughout, incorporating new scientific information, new photographs, and a new chapter discussing the recent human impact on this threatened environment. Fusing art and science, The Intertidal Wilderness conveys the fragility, complexity, and interdependence of the plants and animals living at the interface of land and sea. The Intertidal Wilderness vividly animates the surprisingly delicate beauty of the often violent intertidal zone, which daily withstands pounding waves at high tides as well as desiccation and exposure at low tides. With revealing photographs, engaging text, and a solid foundation in marine biology, this book will capture the imagination of the casual seashore visitor as well as the dedicated enthusiast. |  | The Light and Smith Manual- Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon — edited by James T. Carlton
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2007
A technical publication for the specialist with keys to the invertebrate animals living on the Oregon and northern California coasts.
Synopsis: "An immensely useful manual with many attractive features: comprehensive and lucid keys, precise diagrams, annotated checklists and up-to-date references. ... there is no doubt that it should be seen as an example of the type of manual which is so badly needed in the study of the fauna of many shores around the world."--Journal of Animal Ecology |  | The Living Bay-The Underwater World of Monterey Bay — Lovell and Libby Langstroth
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2000
"With A Living Bay, Lovell and Libby Langstroth have bridged the gap between the dry, technical writing of science and the superficial treatment of most photography books on the ocean. This is a book to linger over. The authors have spent a lifetime photographing and gathering natural history notes about their subjects, gleaning a wealth of interesting details. This remarkable compendium of photographs and text promises to be a classic."--Norbert Wu, photographer, author of Splendors of the Seas "This series of 'short stories' about some of the fascinating organisms that live in the Monterey Bay can be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in marine life."--James W. Nybakken, author of Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach |  | The Pinnipeds-Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses — Marianne Riedman
University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 1990
Product Description: "Discusses the adaptation, evolution, classification, distribution, ecology, behavior, communication, and learning of seals, sea lions and walruses." |  | Tidepool & Reef, Marinelife Guide to the Pacific Northwest — Rick M. Harbo
Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, British Columbia Canada, 1999
Product Description:"This book is intended as a field guide for beach explorers, skindivers and scuba divers. The author has given a photograph and brief description for each common and many not so commonly found species of plants and animals-their size, shape, colour and habitat. Some additional characteristics also may be included in the general description of the group of organisms." |  | Tidepools-The Bright World of the Rocky Shoreline — Diana Barnhart and Vicki Leon
Silver Burdett Press, Parsippany, New Jersey, 1995
A good, well-illustrated introduction to tidepools and the diversity of algae and animals that reside in them. |  | Welks to Whales-Coastal Marine Life of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska — Rick M. Harbo
Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, British Columbia, Canada, 1999
Publisher Comments: "This full-colour field guide to the marine life of coastal British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and northern California is perfect for divers, boaters, beachcombers, and snorkellers of every experience level. The concise handbook is a ready reference to the most common species that can be observed along the west coast. Whelks to Whales is designed for everyone from the expert biologist to the weekend naturalist and is a ready reference to the 420 most common species, the fascinating local sponges, jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, barnacles, clams, snails, seals, fish, whales, sea algae and hundreds of other living things that can be observed and identified without being disturbed. This accessible full-colour field guide is arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, photographs of all species - most pictured in their natural habitat - and comprehensive but concise information on size, range, habitat and facts of interest about each species. With a glossary, checklist, reading list and full index included, Whelks to Whales is a book that will help you identify and learn about the diverse marine life you are likely to encounter while exploring the waters and seashores of the Pacific Northwest. |  | Whales and Other Marine Mammals of Washington and Oregon — Tamara Eder
Lone Pine Publishing , Renton Washington, 2001
Publisher Comments: "Whether you venture out on the high seas or observe nature from the shore, you'll enjoy this full-color guide to the whales, dolphins, seals, sea-lions and other aquatic mammals that populate the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest. Designed to enhance your whale-watching experience, the book includes a Quick Reference Guide, tips for spotting whales and illustrated dive sequences. You'll also find information on myths surrounding whales, the history of human interaction with whales and contemporary concerns regarding these giant cetaceans." |  | Wildflowers of Southern Oregon-A Field Guide — John Kemper and John G. Trelawny
Outdoor Press, Medford, Oregon, 2006
This field guide includes most of the more commonly found flowering plants found growing along the coast from Alaska to northern California on the dunes, rocky cliffs, coastal bluffs and forests of the region. For each of the 95 plants, a brief description of the plant's habitat, its range and dates of flowering are included with a large color photograph of the plant. This field guide will fit well into a large pocket or backpack. | | Narratives
| BACK TO TOP |  | Pacific Northwest Coast: Living with the Shores of Washington and Oregon — Paul D. Komar
alibris: "While the coast of the Pacific Northwest becomes ever more populated and developed, its beaches and cliffs continue to be altered by ocean currents and winter storms. Coastal oceanographer Paul Komar reminds readers of the area's geological and cultural history and the ever-present problem of erosion. He issues an urgent call for changes in shoreline management and attitudes toward development. 41 figures. 20 maps. 112 photos." |  | Secrets of the Oregon Dunes — Dina Pavlis
The author, an adopter of CoastWatch Mile 161, is an experienced naturalist who takes the reader on a tour of the geology and biology of the unique landscape found in the Oregon Dunes region.
For more information, see the author's website. |  | Strand: An Odyssey of Pacific Ocean Debris — Bonnie Henderson — CoastWatcher
OSU Press, Corvallis, 2008 — 216 pp. — $18.95 — 5★
Henderson’s book was inspired by her experiences as a CoastWatcher who adopted Mile 157, and has walked it for more than a decade. She traces the stories of discoveries she made on her mile, from a glass fishing float to a beached minke whale to a wrecked fishing vessel, and in so doing shows how her one mile of Oregon coast connects to the global ocean and the world. The book is a veritable hymn to both beachcombing and the idea behind CoastWatch, and will be of keen interest to all CoastWatchers and others fascinated by the shoreline.
For more information, see Bonnie Henderson's website. | | Photographs
| BACK TO TOP |  | Craggy Coast — Mureen Walker
Craggy Coast is a photobook aerial tour from Harris Beach, Brookings, northbound along the shoreline to Cape Sebastian, Pistol River. The intent is to show, with the greatest perspective, “the other side” of the features seen from along the southern Oregon Coast in that specific area. The book is bound in a fine leather cover, produced by MyPublisher.com, and is currently available only at South Beach Gallery in Gold Beach or directly from the author. This book sells for $62.00. A paperback version is planned for production Winter 2008/2009.
For a tour of the images in the book, visit the author's online gallery. | | Trail Guides
| BACK TO TOP |  | Day Hiking: Oregon Coast — Bonnie Henderson — CoastWatcher
Mountaineers Books, 2007 — 235 pp. — $12.50 — 4★
Mountaineers: "Thorough descriptions of every trail are supplemented by natural history sidebars that feature plants and animals hikers are likely to encounter. The text is divided into five distinct sections from north to south, and each section includes information on its portion of the Oregon Coast Trail, which runs from border to border."
Previously titled Exploring the Wild Oregon Coast, then 120 Hikes On the Oregon Coast, the 2007 Edition includes 6 new hikes and is in a completely revamped format. A quick guide lists outings by features such as walks or hikes to hidden beaches, along bay spits, to lakes, or across sand dunes. |  | Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches: A Quick-Reference Guide — Dick Trout — CoastWatcher and Editor
Frank Amato Publications, 2005 — 131 pp. — $14.95
Powell's: "Beautiful and unique rock formations, crashing waves, and long stretches of pristine beaches. Oregon's coastline is one of the most beautiful and dramatic in the world. From Fort Stevens State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River to Crissey Field State Recreation Site on the southern border with California, Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches shares the facilities, amenities, and activities for beaches on the Oregon coast. Information provided for each beach, includes a scenic photo, accessibility, parking, camping, restrooms, phones, horseback riding, hiking, biking, tidepooling, whale watching, even an aerial shot that gives you the lay of the land and provides geographical reference to Highway 101 or other coastal roads. In Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches, you'll find everything you need to explore and enjoy Oregon's beautiful coastline." |
|