Each year millions of people visit the area of rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history. The second section describes selected sites, trails, and features that are mentioned in Part One. Although Big Sur is world famous for awe-inspiring scenery, it is less known for its great ecological diversity and its significance as a haven for many species of terrestrial and marine wildlife. In no other part of the world do fog-loving coastal redwoods thrive on one slope of a canyon while arid-climate yuccas grow on the other. Similarly, sea otters and cormorants live near dry-climate creatures like canyon wrens and whiptail lizards. The area's staggering beauty and forbidding wilderness have inspired artists, poets, naturalists, and hikers—and also real estate developers. As increasing tourism, development pressure, and land-use decisions continue to affect Big Sur, this book will do much to heighten awareness of the region's biotic richness and fragility. Written in nontechnical language, with generous color photographs, drawings, maps, species lists, and a bibliography, it will attract both the casual and the serious naturalist, as well as anyone concerned about preserving California's natural heritage.

The Natural History of Big Sur (California Natural History Guides)

History

Usner, Donald J.

Henson, Paul

Americas

University of California Press

Each year millions of people visit the area of rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history. The second section describes selected sites, trails, and features that are mentioned in Part One. Although Big Sur is world famous for awe-inspiring scenery, it is less known for its great ecological diversity and its significance as a haven for many species of terrestrial and marine wildlife. In no other part of the world do fog-loving coastal redwoods thrive on one slope of a canyon while arid-climate yuccas grow on the other. Similarly, sea otters and cormorants live near dry-climate creatures like canyon wrens and whiptail lizards. The area's staggering beauty and forbidding wilderness have inspired artists, poets, naturalists, and hikers―and also real estate developers. As increasing tourism, development pressure, and land-use decisions continue to affect Big Sur, this book will do much to heighten awareness of the region's biotic richness and fragility. Written in nontechnical language, with generous color photographs, drawings, maps, species lists, and a bibliography, it will attract both the casual and the serious naturalist, as well as anyone concerned about preserving California's natural heritage.

The Natural History of Big Sur (Volume 57) (California Natural History Guides)

Through historical photographs, information from documents preserved by the author's family, and oral histories from residents many in their 90s tells the story of New Mexico's oldest, intact Spanish colonial plaza, from prehistoric settlements in the area to current struggles of the community. The plaza is targeted for renovation by historic and civic organizations; but these groups have met with a chilly reception from current residents and property owners, descendants of the families inhabiting the area since the 18th century, who see the renovation an an imposition by outsiders. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Sabino's Map: Life in Chimayo's Old Plaza

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

Museum of New Mexico Pr

Offers a collection of folktales from Chimayâo, New Mexico, in English and Spanish as retold by the author's grandmother, Benigna Châavez, who was born in 1898, along with an account of her life and her world.

Benigna's Chimayo: Cuentos from the Old Plaza

Literature & Fiction

Chavez, Benigna Ortega

United States

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Books by Usner, Donald J.