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We are excited to offer several books for sale this year.

 

The Life Cycles of Butterflies

Judy Burris and Wayne Richards

Technically, this book is geared towards the younger among us, but anyone who is enthralled by the stages of a butterflies’ life will enjoy—and learn—from this book.  There are more than 400 stunning photographs covering 23 common butterflies and helpful information about rearing butterflies and larval and nectar plants.

  

Bringing Nature Home, How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens

Douglas Tallamy

When native plants disappear, insects disappear, then birds and other animals are left without a food source.  Tallamy lays out his argument in support of planting natives and then gives practical ways to provide a welcoming environment for wildlife of all kinds.  I highly recommend this book.

 

Dyes from American Plants

Lynne Richards and Ron Tyrl

A practical guide to the techniques, plants and lore of natural dyeing, co-authored by Oklahoma’s own Ron Tyrl and Lynne Richards.

 

Forest Trees of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Forestry

If we can’t have Wayne Chambers along when we’re trying to identify trees, then this is the next best thing.  Nice line drawings and information as to the range, descriptions of leaves, bark, fruit and uses by wildlife.  Inexpensive enough to keep a couple of copies around.  Includes the Oklahoma Champion Tree Register.

 

Butterflies Through Binoculars

Jeffrey Glassberg

This is a terrific field guide to the butterflies of the United States, lists larval food plants, habitat, abundance, brood times and helpful comments.  The photographs are excellent and each species has a handy range map.  There are two versions of this, one for the eastern US and one for the western US (I-35 is roughly the dividing line), we will have both.

 

Caterpillars in the Field and Garden

Allen, Brock and Glassberg

This is an indispensable book for those who are serious about providing a habitat for butterflies at every stage of their development.  Some moth larvae are also included.  Lists the host plants, habitat, information about butterfly biology and of course the wonderful range map for each species.

 

Butterflies of Oklahoma, Kansas and North Texas

Dole, Gerard, Nelson

This guide is handy because of the maps (I love a good map) which indicate which county the species has been found in.  It also has some great tips about raising butterflies and good spots to observe them in their native environments. 

 

Listed below are books that we don't carry but are highly recommended.

 

Books about gardening with natives:

Gardening with Prairie Plants   Sally Wasowski

Growing and Propagating Wildflowers   Wm Cullina

Books to inspire:

Noah’s Garden   Sara Stein

Butterfly and Moth Field Guides:

Field Guide to North Am Butterflies   Audubon Guide

Golden Guide to Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and Moths of Missouri   Richard and Heitzman

Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars

 Insect/Pollinator Guides

I haven’t found the perfect insect guide, these may be helpful even though they are very general 

Peterson First Guide to Insects

Golden Guide to Insects

Plant Field Guides:

Oklahoma Wildflowers   Doyle McCoy

Roadside Trees and Shrubs   McCoy

Roadside Fruits of OK   McCoy

Field Guide to OK Plants   Tyrl, Bidwell and Masters

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers   Ladd and Oberle

There are also many good field guides for MO, AR, KS and TX; depending on your location you might want to seek those out.

 Books about nature that make you want to go meet the author:

Second Nature   Michael Pollan

Anything by Sue Hubbell or Amy Stewart

 

 

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