Smell the bark of the aromatic Sassafras. Wonder at the Lodgepole Pine, whose heat-activated cones reseed forests destroyed by fire. Search for the Sugar Maple, whose foliage blazes red and yellow in autumn. North America's trees rank among nature's most awesome creations. This premier field guide features all characteristics-tree shape, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and twig-for quick identification, making it a superior choice for trail walks, creating displays, and scientific or commercial needs.

-All of North America in one volume
-Over 730 species in 76 families and 160 range...

This guide will help you identify-quickly and easily-the birds you are most likely to see. It tells you:

What to look for
Where and when to look
How to attract birds

Range maps show where each bird is found, and handy tables at the back of the book contain a wealth of additional information about migration, eggs, nests, and food. This is the perfect bird book for beginners at any age.

Enjoy and Learn
Expert Knowledge
Easy-to-Read

This handy guide to the most common, important and showy North American insects will help the novice begin a fascinating study. Includes:
A key to insect groups
Mature and immature forms
How insects grow and develop and what they eat
How to find and observe them

Full color pictures, nontechnical language, and up-to-date range maps make this a gem of a guide for beginners at any age.

This guide describes and illustrates, in full color, the plants and animals that live in or near ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands. It includes surface-dwelling creatures as well as those of open water, the bottom, and the shore and tells how various animals and plants live together in a community.
Plus suggestions for:
Where and when to look
Observing and collecting specimens
Making exciting discoveries

This guide to the snakes, frogs, turtles, and salamanders of North America aids in the identification of 212 species. Learn:

- How to tell the difference between reptiles and amphibians
- How and where to find them
- How to separate fact from fable

"Reptiles and Amphibians" includes full-color illustrations, up-to-date range maps, and a host of fascinating facts about these interesting and unusual animals.

Using clear text and detailed illustrations, Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press present accurate information in a handy format for the beginner to the expert. These...

This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:

- Physical and chemical properties
- Origins and geologic significance
- Gems and semiprecious stones
- How to find and collect specimens

Illustrated in full color throughout, "Rocks, Gems and Minerals" is a gem of a guide for rockhounds and mineral collectors

This Golden Guide describes and illustrates in full color more than 140 of our most common trees. Learn:

-How to recognize tree shapes, flowers, buds, leaves, and fruits
-Where each species grows
-The parts of a tree and the various kinds of trees

Perfect for nature lovers of all ages, this is an indispensable guide for everyone who wants to be able to recognize the different trees in North America.

This Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press illustrates in full color 423 of the most common, widespread, important, or unusual North American species of Lepidoptera. Information includes:

How to identify butterflies and moths
How to attract, rear and preserve them for study
How to assist these fascinating insects in their struggle for survival

Plus range maps, a special emphasis on immature forms, and an inde of scientific names.

Full-color illustrations of 278 of the most common fresh- and salt-water fishes accompany clear and concise descriptions that tell:

-Where different fishes live and what they eat
-Their sizes, shapes, and other identifying features
-Their intriguing and various ways of life

Fishes is a fascinating guide for everyone interested in learning about underwater life.

Seashells of the World is an introduction to the world of marine seashells, emphasizing the most attractive and best-known species. This guide will help you to:

-Identify
-Classify
-Understand the beautiful shells you see and collect

No other animals are so widely collected, traded, or bought and sold because of their beauty and rarity.