Introduction to California Spring Wildflowers
An easy-to-use, fascinating field guide to the most commonly-encountered wildflowers in California.
In the spring, California’s rolling hills, green valleys, and coastal slopes are colored with wildflowers treasured by both residents and visitors to the state. First published more than forty years ago, this popular guidebook has helped thousands of amateur and intermediate wildflower enthusiasts learn the names of the flowers located in some of the state’s loveliest and most accessible areas—from below the yellow pine belt in the Sierra Nevada westward to the coast. Thoroughly revised and updated throughout, it is now easier to use and more accurate—the perfect guide to take along on outdoor excursions in California and surrounding regions.
Forest of Nisene Marks Trucker Hat
Stay breezy on hot afternoons with a Forest of Nisene Marks trucker hat!
Adjustable (snap band). One size fits most.
The Forest of Nisene Marks Baseball Cap
Find the shade with this classic Forest of Nisene Marks baseball cap!
Adjustable. One size fits most.
Seacliff Mug (Michael Schwab)
This sturdy mug features the beautiful image of Seacliff State Beach by artist Michael Schwab and a bright red interior. 15 oz, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Santa Cruz Mission Mug (Michael Schwab)
This sturdy mug features Michael Schwab’s beautiful image of the Santa Cruz Mission. 15 oz, dishwasher and microwave safe.
Natural Bridges Mug (Michael Schwab)
This sturdy mug features Michael Schwab’s iconic Natural Bridges image, and the interior is a lovely sky blue. 15 oz, microwave and dishwasher safe.
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds
Learning to draw birds can do wonders for your ID skills! The combination of close observation and sharp drawing/sketching skills can help your brain hone in on the small details that separate species. Don’t think your art skills are up to snuff? No worries! Anyone can learn to draw, and this staff favorite is a perfect starting place.
From publisher Heyday:
John Muir Laws’s guide to drawing birds is itself winged, soaring between a devotion not only to art but also to the lives, forms, and postures of the birds themselves. Here, artistic technique and the exquisite details of natural history intertwine, and drawing becomes the vehicle for seeing. As Laws writes, “To draw feathers, you must understand how feathers grow, overlap, and insert into the body. To create the body, you must have an understanding of the bird’s skeletal structure. To pose this skeleton, you must be able to perceive the energy, intention, and life of the bird.”
This how-to guide will perfect the technique of serious artists but also, perhaps more importantly, it will provide guidance for those who insist they can’t draw. Leading the mind and hand through a series of detailed exercises, Laws delivers what he promises: that “drawing birds opens you to the beauty of the world.”
Bring birds, butterflies, treetops, and bugs in close on your next nature walk! These toy binoculars are great for curious kids: they have a real magnification of 4x30mm, but they’re durable (and much less expensive than the grown-up versions!). Ages 6 and up.
Secret Walks and Staircases in Santa Cruz
This book is a treasure trove for locals and visitors alike! Written by a long-time Santa Cruz resident who is passionate about walking and hiking, it includes 44 detailed maps and clear step-by-step route descriptions that are easy to follow, as well as more than 130 photographs of secret spots, plants and animals likely to be seen by the walker. All walks are rated by distance and elevation gain and range from one to more than six miles in length.
Laminated Guide to Northern California Tidepools
Bring this lightweight, waterproof guide covers the intertidal plants and animals found from the Oregon to Central California coast. Bring it along on your next tidepooling adventure, and see what you can identify!