The Observer's Book of Birds
Of all the books that I own, this small, battered, but much loved book is the most precious in my collection. Bought second hand in a jumble sale, I've cherished it all my life.
When I was young I didn't really read books. I preferred making things with sellotape, paper and card. I drew pictures, I made things. As I've got older I've discovered the joy of books and have a big library spanning lots of different subjects and disciplines. I'm a non-fiction reader predominantly. I have a few fiction books and have enjoyed reading them, but I mostly enjoy art, design, factual or self-improvement type books that I can learn from.
This book, The observers book of birds was one of the few books, as I was growing up, that I continually went back to.
I think I can safely say that I love birds, and always have. I have some very vivid memories that have stayed with me of encounters with birds that have profoundly confirmed to me that I'm a birder, birdwatcher, amateur ornithologist and always will be.
Each bird gets a single page, it's common name and scientific name, a monchrome or colour illustration, that is exquisitely drawn, and a short descriptive paragraph outlining, appearance, behaviours, habitat, egg colour and primary food. In such a small space it paints a full picture of the bird and as a small boy it fired my imagination and passion for these wonderful animals.
As well as reading and learning about the UK's birds it also encouraged my love of art and drawing and I remember sitting quietly with a pencil and paper and studiously copying the pictures. The end result was my best try at the time, and if I'm honest, probably wasn't very good, but I remember proudly showing what I had done and receiving praise for my hard work. That passion for painting and drawing birds is as strong as it has ever been, and examples can be fond elsewhere on this site.
This book will remain with me for all my life. It reminds me of the who I really am, and how much I love everything about birds, not just watching them or learning about them, but studying their intricate colours and patterns and wanting to capture each species in a painting or drawing.
