How to Look at a Bird: Open Your Eyes to the Joy of Watching and Knowing Birds by Clare Walker Leslie

Thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🦜 I don't know when exactly it was when I realized that I've always been fascinated by birds. I am an early riser, and I love to go outside on my apartment balcony in the morning, to feel the crisp air, watching the golden light of sun touching the tips of the trees, smell the freshness of the pines or flowers, and...the chirps and songs of the birds. No matter how rough I have felt the day before, a few minutes of these rituals always bring smile on my face, and warmth in my heart, ready to start the new day. In fact, watching the birds itself always make me happy. And that's why I was very excited to get to read and review this book.

🦜 Clare Walker Leslie is both an author and illustrator. In this little book, she encourages beginners at birdwatching to take the first step in taking this hobby into next level. It doesn't require one to be scientist or naturalist. First the joy of watching birds around where we live, be it in the country, suburban, or even in a busy big city like where I live. From there, you'll get curious to what bird that is, what they are doing, why they're doing it, and so on. That curiosity will make one a better observer.

🦜 This book hooked me from the first because apparently Clare has been staying at an apartment building, as I do. She shares how she attracted birds by hanging some feeders on the balcony. It made me realize that one CAN do birdwatching without having to travel in the country or visiting a forest. Clare also shares how to choose our binoculars. I like this kind of practical tips when reading a "how to" books.

🦜 If you imagine this book would be boring and full of technicality or specifications of birds, you were wrong. It feels more like talking with a longtime birdwatchers who's glad to tell you of her love of birds and birdwatching. She wasn't an expert too when she began, but when you do what you love, I believe you'll find ways to learn more. You'll search for it on the internet, you'll find people with the same hobby to talk too, and so on. The possibility would be endless. What you need is to take the first step. And that's what this book will inspire you without being condescending.

🦜 Another pleasant part of this book is the sketches and colorful illustrations of birds and birdwatching. My favorite is the feeder hung on her apartment balcony – maybe because I can relate to it, living in an apartment myself. Clare even shares the step-by-step of sketching a bird. You needn't be good at drawing, by the way. There's this technique which she called blind contouring – doing rough-sketch while focusing on the object, without looking at what you’re doing – which seems quite doable. I can't wait to try myself!

🦜 Do you love birds, but find the word "birdwatching" intimidating? Read this book, and you'll see that it's actually not that scary! Clare described in details several species of birds (with illustrations) which you'll find in some parts of the world (mainly the US), but like she said in this book, wherever you live, there are always birds around you. Moreover, you’ll learn some interesting things about these birds, though you might perhaps never see them. Like the story of Rocky, the saw-whet owl which made headlines in 2020 because she was found in the giant Christmas tree of Rockefeller Center which has been brought from Canada, that's amazing!

🦜 I am so lucky to have found this book, it inspired me to start a new hobby, which might perhaps be useful after my retirement! If you love nature and birds, you'll find this book a helpful guidance.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

**How to Look at a Bird: Open Your Eyes to the Joy of Watching and Knowing Birds will be published on 6th February 2024.