On Ancient Wings: The Sandhill Cranes of North America (Natural History)

Michael Forsberg has not only produced a wonderful collection of photographs documenting the lives of North America's crane families, he also writes eloquently and passionately about the subject. Here in central California's San Joaquin Valley, tens of thousands of lesser sandhill cranes spend the winter foraging and fattening until the spring migration back to their breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada and Siberia. On Ancient Wings gives excellent and visually striking insight into the rest of their life cycle: migration and breeding, hatching and fledging their young, and migration again. The book also discusses their known social organizing patterns and vocalizations, and illustrates problems encountered by these incredible, adaptable birds as development and changing agricultural practices encroach on their habitat. The sandhill cranes of North America were traveling their flyways long before the first Americans entered and peopled the continent. This stunning book encourages us to see to it that they are still here at least as long as we are.

The photography in this book is absolutely top notch. Michael Forsberg give a personal account of his efforts to photograph these wonderful creatures and in the process provides a rich fund of information about them. While there is a lot of information in this book it's real attraction is the photography which is stunning there is page after page of color photographs and they are large format 11 by 11 inches in many cases. If I had a coffee-table this is the book that would be in it.

A fascinating history told by a committed, talented, knowledgable, storyteller. Having just returned from viewing the Cranes I know firsthand how difficult it can be to tell the story whole in pictures and in text. I was very glad to have the opportunity to have the book before making my trip with the Jane Goodall Institute.

Wonderful book with great photography. We live backed up to game preserve and watch these birds every winter. Paul

Michael Forsberg has put together an amazing collection of photos and is a good writer as well. On Ancient Wings shows that it doesn't matter if you've been a pro photographer for 35 years or ten, all that matters is the emotional impact of the photography. There's certain well-known wildlife photographers out there who talk talk talk about how good they think they are and then there's photographers who just are. Forsberg falls in the latter category.

This was a gift and I'm told was read cover to cover, so not sleep inducing, ha!

A wonderful coffee table book filled with a wealth of information!

Gorgeous book! The photography is well done.