[Tracking and the Art of Seeing] (By: Paul Rezendes) [published: September, 1999]

by Paul Rezendes

A good observer of nature, walking, say, in an oak forest, may discern that some of the acorns on which he or she is treading are broken into little bits. After reading wildlife interpreter and photographer Paul Rezendes's guidebook to animal signs, that same observer will be able to tell which of those acorns have been split by human footsteps and deer hooves and which have been gnawed apart by squirrels--and by what species of squirrel. A wonderfully thorough, well-illustrated compendium, Rezendes's text covers a wide range of North American animal species, including rodents, hoofed animals, bears, raccoons, opossums, and members of the weasel, rabbit, dog, and cat families. He describes not only the signs these animals leave but also their ways of life throughout the year, and with an appropriately environmentalist purpose. "Ultimately," Rezendes writes, "tracking an animal makes us sensitive to it--a bond is formed, an intimacy develops. We begin to realize that what is happening to the animals and to the planet is actually happening to us." He's right, of course, but one need not take such a macrocosmic view of nature to take pleasure in, and learn from, this fine book. --Gregory McNamee

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Natural History, Outdoors, Animals

Unknown Binding

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a tracker nor an outdoorsmen - my interests in the subject matter were initially more curiosity-based: I always wondered how anyone tracks anything anywhere. The answers were fairly similar animal to animal: footprints (in soft substrates), scratch/dig marks and remains (food, feces), but more important than the actual tracking expertise this book offers, and it appears to offer a lot, is its eye-opening effect - after reading this book I became more aware of my surroundings, both in the woods I occasionally hike through and in the city I live in. If you are interested in animals, tracking or just like the nature channels this is a worthwhile buy.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not limited to the interpretation of animal tracks and how to identify other signs, like rubs, digs, dens, scat, and evidence of feeding. The author also gives interesting descriptions and the history of the animals. So, it’s not just a field guide, but a book on animal characteristics, behaviors, ecology, and other tidbits. For example, who knew that the pope declared the beaver to be a fish because of its scaley tail, thereby allowing trappers to dine on beaver while still observing the Catholic prohibition against eating meat on Fridays? This book is an ethnography of sorts. Tracking isn’t just the art of seeing and reading signs, it’s the art of developing our attention and becoming connected to the natural world.

[Zach]

Tracking & the Art of Seeing is a divinely helpful book. If you want to see more of the world around you, particularly the wildlife around you, then this is the book for you. Prepare to be inspired.

I've read other books about tracking, but this one immediately transformed my experience -- I can't wait to read and study this book again. Far more than mere tracks, Paul Rezendes explores trail patterns, various middens, and many other signs. An absolute treasure. 


(Of course, some of the habitat information is a bit outdated now, but that's an easy adjustment for most readers.)

[Joseph Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent educational/reference book (and a bit philosophical) for those who spend time outdoors studying the denizens of the forest. This will book will open your eyes to what was in front of you the entire time. Highly recommended.

[Keith Champney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to tracking. It does have an eastern North American focus.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and one-of-a-kind guide.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives excellent descriptions of physical features and habits of most land mammals in North America.

[John Hinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly magnificent book on tracking. The author definitely knows his stuff. The photography is excellent, and both the text and the photographs do a great job of describing and displaying tracks, scat and other sign that individual animals leave in the woods, from the smallest rodents to the largest quadrupeds. There is no nonsense about tracking ants across granite or pseudo-spiritual tomfoolery. This is a book not just for those who want to learn to track, but for those who simply want to understand the natural world around them better and to have a greater enjoyment of wilderness experiences. As a tracking guide it ranks a 5 out of 5.

[Kata Campesina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Replete with photographs of the many indicators of animal presence, this is more than just an identification guide. the author/photographer, paul rezendes, gives us a glimpse into the life of each species. reading his book s a process, not a result, designed to "tap the wild" in each of us in order to bridge the gap between ourselves and nature, read it through once as an engaging nature narrative, then use it as a reference. go back and peruse the areas of greatest interest, take it with you on nature walks and begin to see as you never have before.

[Furryfurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good so far. Nice pictures, very informative, has pictures of tracks in all surfaces including sand, dirt, mud and snow. Personal stories aren't as interesting as Tom Brown's but still fun to read.

[chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Goes into extreme details about each animal's tracks, habits, scat, food source, etc.

[Hearth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I will be writing a review on my blog.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite tracking book