When I initially saw the book, Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, I assumed it was a simple birding guide. Boy, was I wrong!
This book, by Jeffrey and Allison Wells, is a thoughtful and comprehensive exploration of ecology and conservation in the islands. And oh yes, it’s also an exceptional birding guide, from beautiful bird illustrations by Robert Dean to specific places to see those birds.
Linda and I enjoyed two trips to Aruba, which is a very beautiful and restful place. But alas, we were not birders at that time. The Allison’s book sure did take me back there, however. They made their first of many trips to Aruba in 1993. Lucky them!
Jeff is Senior Scientist for the International Boreal Conservation Campaign and Boreal Songbird Initiative and a research associate at Cornell Lab of Orinthology. He’s authored a number of books.
Allison is Senior Director of Public Affairs at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. She’s authored many columns about natural history and coauthored with Jeff a couple of birding books, including my favorite, Maine’s Favorite Birds. Linda and I have seen all of those!
I also noted that among the books Robert Dean has illustrated is The Wildlife of Costa Rica. Linda and I enjoyed a fabulous birding adventure to Costa Rica.
In the introduction, Jeff and Allison, who live in Maine, wrote “We hope birders from all parts of the world – including the ABCs – will find this book useful and enjoyable. But we also hope to reach the beachgoers, golfers, shoppers, windsurfers, and scuba divers – indeed, anyone wishing to learn more about the birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Caracao and where to find them.
Put one of these beautiful islands on your must-visit list, and be sure to take this book with you! And check out this website for some great columns: www.borealbirds.org.