The Zen Birdfeeder

Where's My Birdfeeder?

Book Review: Whose Butt?

The "Whose Butt?" title sure catches your attention, doesn't it?   And you won't find a single animal face on the front or back cover of this book (other than the author's). 

Yup, it's a children's book by naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela highlighting the back end of 10 wild animals.

I'm very familiar with Stan's work, we carry a number of his adult titles in our Wild Birds Unlimited shop.  His series of state guides is very successful, in fact his Birds of New York Field Guide is the top-selling field guide in our shop.  But can he "bring it" to a children's book?

The motivation to produce the book, they state, is that even successful wildlife photographers like Stan end up with a lot of butt shots when their subjects fly, run, or dash away.  So instead of hitting delete, Stan decided to make the best of all those rear end shots by writing a children's book focusing on animals' butts.

Of course, Stan has nice images of his subjects from the front side as well, as he reveals what animal owns the butt on the previous page.  Ten animals are covered, giving the reader the opportunity to guess whose derrière they're seeing, and 3-4 facts are provided about the animal.  At the end of the book are 2 pages of additional facts about the featured animals.

Kids will have fun guessing the animal and but they'll have more fun being able to freely talk about butts without getting in trouble.  It may bring out a little bathroom humor, but at least they're learning something in the process.

"Whose Butt?" is a unique concept and cute book, but I wish it had been a little longer than its 44 pages, either showing more butt (meaning more animals) or more images and fun facts.

I still think this would be a fun book for the 5 or 6 year old in your life.  Just get ready for the giggles!

WHOSE BUTT?
by Stan Tekiela
Published by Adventure Publications 2012
ISBN 978-1-59193-374-8
$14.95

DRAWING:
Comment on this post to have your name entered in a drawing to win my review copy of Whose Butt?  Entries close January 31, 2013.  Winner will be notified by email.

Congratulations Elaine who won my review copy of Whose Butt?  Thanks to everyone who commented.

In accordance with Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255, it is disclosed that the copy of the book read in order to produce this review was provided gratis to the reviewer by the publisher.  The book is also sold at a retail shop owned by the reviewer.

3 Simple Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors

1. It's better for the birds.

The American Bird Conservancy estimates that free roaming cats kill 500 million birds every single year.

 

2.  It's better for wildlife.

Cats kill more wildlife than just birds.
Frogs, snakes, lizards, chipmunks, and squirrels also fall prey to outdoor cats.

 

3.  It's better for your cat.

The Animal Planet website states that the average life expectancy of an indoor cat is 12-15 years.
Outdoor cats live only 2-5 years.
(She's not supposed to be on the counter)

 

WBU - Saratoga Springs Customer PIC OF THE YEAR Competition

We love when the customers of our shop, Wild Birds Unlimited - Saratoga Springs, NY, share their bird images with us.  We get them via email and but mostly we get them posted by fans of our Facebook page.

We highlight these images on our store website, then we select a PIC of the WEEK and a PIC of the MONTH.  Now, we're in the process of finding out what the PIC OF THE YEAR image will be.

Voting is going on right now, in-store only.  So if you can, stop by our shop and cast your vote for one of these wonderful images.

Congratulations to all our contestants! 

Baltimore Oriole by Mary Foss Bullard

Eastern Phoebe nestlings by Ellen Pemrick

Common Loons by John Richichi

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Sandy Sullivan

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Maggie VanZandt

Pine Siskins by Kathy & Paul Pacco

Northern Cardinal by DeRonda Hastings

Snow Goose by Roberta Reeves

Voting is only in-store, but if you're not in the area, still feel free to comment on your favorite for PIC OF THE YEAR!  It won't be included in the voting but I'm sure our contestants would like to know what you think!

Angry Birds Week: Feisty Finches

Welcome to Angry Birds Week at The Zen Birdfeeder blog! 
All this week, I'll feature my version of angry birds, right from my own yard!  I hope you enjoy!

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Pine Siskins are notoriously feisty!
Here one taking on an American Goldfinch.

Angry Birds Week: Unruly Redpolls

Welcome to Angry Birds Week at The Zen Birdfeeder blog! 
All this week, I'll feature my version of angry birds, right from my own yard!  I hope you enjoy!

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A feeder perch is a prized possession
for a hungry Common Redpoll!

Angry Birds Week: Grumpy Grosbeak

Welcome to Angry Birds Week at The Zen Birdfeeder blog! 
All this week, I'll feature my version of angry birds, right from my own yard!  I hope you enjoy!

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When Evening Grosbeaks passed through my yard a couple months ago, some of them demonstrated less than gentlemanly behavior!

Angry Birds Week: Bickering Blue Jays

Welcome to Angry Birds Week at The Zen Birdfeeder blog! 
All this week, I'll feature my version of angry birds, right from my own yard!  I hope you enjoy!

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Sometimes the feeder is only big enough for one.  The Blue Jay on the left was on the feeder first and had no intention to share his food!

Angry Birds Week: The Mad Sparrow

Welcome to Angry Birds Week at The Zen Birdfeeder blog! 
All this week, I'll feature my version of angry birds, right from my own yard!  I hope you enjoy!

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Remember the "Mad Bluebird"?  Well here's my answer to that famous mad bird, this one an American Tree Sparrow that has been in my yard this winter.  Does he look mad enough to you?