Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Game Ranger in your Backpack
Introduction
The book is a book that provide a new angle to the normal field guide type of book in the sense that it provide interpretation of the subjects. The nature guide on a open game drive vehicle should do this type of interpretation while driving through the veld. The same applies when walking in the veld.
It is a book that full fill a specific need for the nature enthusiast and the writers should be complemented on it.
Division of the book
The book cover a wide range of subjects which is giving you the reader a good perspective on the whole habitat that you are driving through. It covers the landscape in terms of geology, mammals are interpreted. Birds are discussed not in identification only but in behaviour as well.
Reptiles and amphibians are done in the same way as the birds. Insects and other invertebrates are focused on the main groups but is not a identification chapter. The plants are well covered and is again a mix between identification and usage. The tracking and field signs is sufficient and it was difficult to stay within the limits for the writers of their objective.
The colour coding to find the different chapters is a easy way to navigate in the book. One aspect that I think would have enhanced the book would have been a chapter on ecology explaining the concepts of it. It is addressed in the book itself at the different subjects.
Highlights of the book
The highlights of the book lay in a few aspects. The use of the dots towards the photos is a very good idea and it enhance the whole reading experience.
On page 15 the explanation of the carnassial shear is a typical example. The only problem that the writers had was that the dots disappear in the photos such as the one about the rough tongue of the lion. the background of the photo "swallow" the dots.
The bolding in the sentences is helpful to get focus and in my case I can use them to draw a mind map of the whole page to assist in the interpretative part.
The layout of pages is excellent with the use of colours. One of the irritating aspects is that some of the photos is "looking" out of the pages. A example of this is the two lion photos on page 15. It would be better if they can look "into" the pages and not off the page. It is not a big deal but it is noticed.
Special note on the photo's is that they are supplementary to the text and notes. It is clear that the photographer has a big collection of photos' to be able to do this type of text - photo matching. Well done.
Use of the book
This is a book that the nature enthusiast can use all the time. We need more of these type of books in SA with this specific angle of writing. It is for the tourist driving through game reserves, it is use full for the nature guide student as well as rangers.
It covers such a variety that you can use it outside the Low veld as well.
Conclusion
This book is a must for the nature enthusiast. The ecology introduction is needed in a reprint as it is so important to understand. The wish list is that the track and tracking and signs of the veld can be expanded in a reprint.
Reviewer
The book is a book that provide a new angle to the normal field guide type of book in the sense that it provide interpretation of the subjects. The nature guide on a open game drive vehicle should do this type of interpretation while driving through the veld. The same applies when walking in the veld.
It is a book that full fill a specific need for the nature enthusiast and the writers should be complemented on it.
Division of the book
The book cover a wide range of subjects which is giving you the reader a good perspective on the whole habitat that you are driving through. It covers the landscape in terms of geology, mammals are interpreted. Birds are discussed not in identification only but in behaviour as well.
Reptiles and amphibians are done in the same way as the birds. Insects and other invertebrates are focused on the main groups but is not a identification chapter. The plants are well covered and is again a mix between identification and usage. The tracking and field signs is sufficient and it was difficult to stay within the limits for the writers of their objective.
The colour coding to find the different chapters is a easy way to navigate in the book. One aspect that I think would have enhanced the book would have been a chapter on ecology explaining the concepts of it. It is addressed in the book itself at the different subjects.
Highlights of the book
The highlights of the book lay in a few aspects. The use of the dots towards the photos is a very good idea and it enhance the whole reading experience.
On page 15 the explanation of the carnassial shear is a typical example. The only problem that the writers had was that the dots disappear in the photos such as the one about the rough tongue of the lion. the background of the photo "swallow" the dots.
The bolding in the sentences is helpful to get focus and in my case I can use them to draw a mind map of the whole page to assist in the interpretative part.
The layout of pages is excellent with the use of colours. One of the irritating aspects is that some of the photos is "looking" out of the pages. A example of this is the two lion photos on page 15. It would be better if they can look "into" the pages and not off the page. It is not a big deal but it is noticed.
Special note on the photo's is that they are supplementary to the text and notes. It is clear that the photographer has a big collection of photos' to be able to do this type of text - photo matching. Well done.
Use of the book
This is a book that the nature enthusiast can use all the time. We need more of these type of books in SA with this specific angle of writing. It is for the tourist driving through game reserves, it is use full for the nature guide student as well as rangers.
It covers such a variety that you can use it outside the Low veld as well.
Conclusion
This book is a must for the nature enthusiast. The ecology introduction is needed in a reprint as it is so important to understand. The wish list is that the track and tracking and signs of the veld can be expanded in a reprint.
Reviewer
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta -Veronica Roodt
When I picked up the book for the first time I thought "What will I do with a book like this?"
Whilst paging through the book I become aware of a sudden urge in me"I want this book now" I was hooked on this book. It is now one of my favourite books.
Why this sudden change in me?
The book is not about trees and shrubs only but it give the reader much more information that is very interesting to read. On page 15 you find information on the Real Palm Fan tree and when you turn the page over you find extra information on the tapping of Palm Wine and on Basket Ware. This supplement the tree information.
On all the pages there is sketches that enhances the look & feel of the book. It is just done so well that you enjoy the book.You tend to read the extra information first and then the rest.
There is a key on each page of the book on the right hand corner. This refers to the key that you will find on page 12 & 13. This is a effective way of looking at leaves and then turn to the key and find the tree easy.
Veronica Printed the first edition 1998. It is distributed by Briza Publications in Pretoria.
Is the book useful in SA? My experience is that it is useful as it covers most of our trees that we found in the bush veld.
The description of each tree is according to a standard layout as indicated below:
Botanical, English and Local names with a short description of the Latin meanings , which is helpful to understand the botanical name.
A general description is given followed by a grey box that describes the bark, leaves, flowers and the fruit descriptors.
Distribution is then covered and is followed by a description of the wood.
Emphasis is then placed on the nutritional value and medicinal use of the tree. It is done in such a manner that it makes interesting reading matter.
It concludes with a paragraph or two on the superstitions and then closes down with a heading of other.
Each page has drawings done by Veronica that shows the tree from a distance (shape) with branches and seeds and flowers from nearby for identification purposes. These drawings make it readable. It keeps your attention with the text and drawings in a balanced combination.
The most attractive part is all the extras that you find in this book of trees. The text is enhanced with descriptions for eg on page 41 " how do trees grow"On page 104 you will find a short description on "The age of Lead wood Trees"
This type of of short descriptions in boxes make the book very interesting and you tend to start reading the boxes first and then the rest.
The last part of the book gives a list of trees of the Okavango Delta, which is useful if you travel in those parts of the African Continent.
A comprehensive bibliography is available for further research.
Who can use this book?
Every ranger, nature guide and nature enthusiast. Training Institutions should have this book in their library.
This book is not only for people living in Botswana but also for tourists to Botswana. It can be used by the nature "lover" living in SA.
Whilst paging through the book I become aware of a sudden urge in me"I want this book now" I was hooked on this book. It is now one of my favourite books.
Why this sudden change in me?
The book is not about trees and shrubs only but it give the reader much more information that is very interesting to read. On page 15 you find information on the Real Palm Fan tree and when you turn the page over you find extra information on the tapping of Palm Wine and on Basket Ware. This supplement the tree information.
On all the pages there is sketches that enhances the look & feel of the book. It is just done so well that you enjoy the book.You tend to read the extra information first and then the rest.
There is a key on each page of the book on the right hand corner. This refers to the key that you will find on page 12 & 13. This is a effective way of looking at leaves and then turn to the key and find the tree easy.
Veronica Printed the first edition 1998. It is distributed by Briza Publications in Pretoria.
Is the book useful in SA? My experience is that it is useful as it covers most of our trees that we found in the bush veld.
The description of each tree is according to a standard layout as indicated below:
Botanical, English and Local names with a short description of the Latin meanings , which is helpful to understand the botanical name.
A general description is given followed by a grey box that describes the bark, leaves, flowers and the fruit descriptors.
Distribution is then covered and is followed by a description of the wood.
Emphasis is then placed on the nutritional value and medicinal use of the tree. It is done in such a manner that it makes interesting reading matter.
It concludes with a paragraph or two on the superstitions and then closes down with a heading of other.
Each page has drawings done by Veronica that shows the tree from a distance (shape) with branches and seeds and flowers from nearby for identification purposes. These drawings make it readable. It keeps your attention with the text and drawings in a balanced combination.
The most attractive part is all the extras that you find in this book of trees. The text is enhanced with descriptions for eg on page 41 " how do trees grow"On page 104 you will find a short description on "The age of Lead wood Trees"
This type of of short descriptions in boxes make the book very interesting and you tend to start reading the boxes first and then the rest.
The last part of the book gives a list of trees of the Okavango Delta, which is useful if you travel in those parts of the African Continent.
A comprehensive bibliography is available for further research.
Who can use this book?
Every ranger, nature guide and nature enthusiast. Training Institutions should have this book in their library.
This book is not only for people living in Botswana but also for tourists to Botswana. It can be used by the nature "lover" living in SA.
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