Birds of Prey: An Introduction

Birds of Prey is a bird guide with a difference. Robert Bateman's detailed, full colour paintings capture the incredible speed of falcons, the strength of eagles and osprey and the grace of hawks and vultures soaring overhead in a way that no photograph can. His paintings and sketches from around the globe bring to life these intriguing members of the bird world and also reveal Bateman's deep understanding of their role in nature. Bateman has been fascinated by the beauty, speed and grace of these winged-hunters since he was a child. In the ravines and countryside near his home, he'd see snowy owls patiently waiting for mice in roadside fi elds, and he remembers that spotting a hawk was always a highlight of his day. The accessible text includes anecdotes of his encounters with hawks, eagles and owls and introduces young readers to the traits that birds of prey have developed to capture and eat their food. Unique "sketchbook" sidebars provide intriguing facts about the different species. There's no better introduction to birds of prey!

Born to Toronto, Robert Bateman has been a keen artist and naturalist from his early days. Bateman's work has received international critical acclaim and has attracted an enomous following. His work is included in the collections of HRH Prince Charles, HRH Prince Philip, the late Princess Grace of the Netherlands. His honours, awards and honorary doctorates are numerous; he was made Officer of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian award. He has also been the subject of three books and six films. Author Residence: Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.