THIS is a good time of the year for books and I have had the opportunity to look at two good examples of what is available.
I’ll start with the latest edition of Roberts Bird Guide, but first a little history.
The first bird guide by the legendary Austin Roberts was published in 1940 and since then there have been innumerable editions of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa and more recently Roberts Bird Guides.
Our first bird book was the 1978 edition of Roberts and we have updated our Roberts four times, not to mention all the other bird books we have added to our collection.
This latest edition is, as one might expect, bigger and better, featuring nearly 1 000 species in Southern Africa.
Each entry features a distribution map, a calendar bar with status such as resident, migrant and other details, a brief description with habitat, food and so on, then a fine painting and sometimes photographs of each species.
There is of course an index and then sections on habitats, conservation and migration, which are new.
It doesn’t matter how many bird books you already have, this new Roberts is a gem.
Next up, something for the traveller.
That talented and very productive team, Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit, have just released their latest travel book, Road Tripper – Eastern Cape Karoo.
The general area is within striking distance of the lower South Coast, a day’s drive away, and this book then opens it up for us.
The book covers 17 towns and villages and the routes in between, over 256 facing pages, each with a colourful and often amusing description and usually charming black and white photograph, Chris’s speciality.
We meet so many of the region’s human characters, and believe me, there are lots of characters in the Eastern Cape Karoo who have been tracked down by the team, interviewed and photographed, and a few animal characters as well.
There is a directory section giving each destination a heading of Eat, Play, Townstays, Farmstays and Events, covering pubs and grub, things to do and see, and where to stay.
Go fossil hunting, mountain biking or perhaps at the end of the day, stoep sitting.
All this helps to make an ideal travelling companion, particularly as it’s easy to read and will fit into the cubby hole or side pocket of the vehicle.
Chris and Julie are old pals and colleagues, we’ve shared many an assignment together.
They too, like us, are migrants from Gauteng and have settled and set up shop in Cradock.
They travel, write and photograph extensively (including our own stamping ground down here) and can be tracked down on www.karoospace.co.za.
Now, don’t forget that Christmas is just around the corner and both these books would be most welcome in that Christmas stocking – buy them for birders or travellers, or birding travellers, or just buy them for yourself.
Cheers!
Roberts Bird Guide, Hugh Chittenden, Greg Davies & Ingrid Weiersbye, John Voelker Bird Book Fund and Jacana, Cape Town, 2016.
Road tripper: Eastern Cape Karoo, Chris Marais & Julienne du Toit, Main Line
Media (Chris & Julie’s company), Cradock, 2016.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
