Product description

The Picture Book - by René Nauta and Aaldrik Pot

The Picture Book is a comprehensive reference work for adults on the footprints of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates found in north-western Europe. The 452-page book covers the prints of over 100 species with more than 700 photographs and over 350 drawings.

The Picture Book was created by René Nauta and Aaldrik Pot. They worked on it for more than three years, but it actually contains more than forty years of experience in searching for prints and tracks.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 24 x 18 cm
• 452 pages
• Full colour

The outline of The Picture Book:

We start with a general introduction in chapter 1.

The 2nd chapter describes how different feet all developed, where to look for prints, how to look at a found print? What is a 'mid-foot cushion' and what is 'negative space'?

Chapter 3 is the core of The Picture Book, in it you will see the prints of mammals, birds, reptiles/amphibians and invertebrates.

Chapter 4 explains the ways of walking; step, trot, jump canter, gallop, jump and hop.

Chapter 5 deals with materials and resources; how to make good pictures and drawings? What other ways can you collect prints, such as soot boards, plaster and ink prints, trace beds, etc.?

Chapter 6 looks at applications in the field; how can prints be used for research and monitoring? We briefly discuss 'trailing'; following a fresh track.

Chapter 7 explains their use in education and gives all kinds of tips.

In the final chapters you will read, among other things, a photo justification, bibliography, links, etc.

Chapter 3, as mentioned, is the core of the book.
The prints of mammals are covered most extensively with about four pages for each species (about 40 in total). Besides a description of the species, the features of the fore and hind feet are discussed. Then there is a series of six photographs of 'prints from the field', on different substrates. Finally, there is a comparison page between species whose prints are very similar.

The footprints of a large number of bird species or bird groups are also covered in detail.

Of the amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, the most common prints and footprints are covered. And here too, the confusion and differences between the various species are addressed each time.

The Picture Book is the second edition of EXTRA. René and Beke Olbers had previously published the Bushcraft Handbook. This already contained a chapter on prints and tracks, but now there is a whole book just about prints.

We think The Print Book will become the new standard work in this particular field. So a title that should not be missing from the bookshelf of any Bushcrafter and nature lover!