Polar bears in the high Arctic. Butterflies on Mexico's mountains. Gray whales in Baja California. Golden toads in Costa Rica. Parrots in the West Indies. Albatrosses off the Olympic Peninsula. Whether on their own or as tour leaders for the Smithsonian Institution and other organizations, John and Gloria Tveten have encountered the world's wildlife with an unfailing appreciation not only for animals of all kinds but also for the places those animals call home. For more than two decades, from some of the most beautiful and fascinating locations in the Western Hemisphere, the Tvetens brought their adventures alive for the readers of their weekly "Nature Trails" column in the Houston Chronicle. Here, with contemporary notes and updates, the Tvetens have gathered a sampling of their favorite, most recommended, most unforgettable trips to see wildlife and nature, which also include the Guatemalan Highlands, the International Crane Foundation, the Andes, the Grand Canyon, and Utah's Redrock Country.
With John and Gloria Tveten as your guides, even a walk across an empty lot can turn into a memorable lesson in the abundance of life." "For more than two decades, the Tvetens' weekly "Nature Trails" column in the Houston Chronicle introduced readers to the miracles of nature that surround them every day. Nature at Your Doorstep gathers in one volume some of the best of these columns, revealing the bounty of plants and animals available within the familiar surroundings of home and region. With updated commentaries and original drawings; the Tvetens open our eyes to the plants and animals thriving in the backyard, the park, the campground, or the family's vacation spot." "In addition to neighborhood flowers, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, they also take this opportunity to focus on a particular love of John Tveten's - insects. From butterflies and beetles to mosquitoes and moths, the "six-legged horde" receives admiring treatment, revealing the huge number and variety of bugs that occupy our space. With the Tvetens' intimate and knowledgeable descriptions, you are sure to begin viewing the nature at your doorstep in a whole new way."--BOOK JACKET.
You'll find them throughout the year in Houston—lyre-leaf sage, Drummond skullcap, silver-leaf nightshade, snow-on-the-prairie, lemon beebalm, scarlet pimpernel, plains wild indigo, spring ladies'-tresses, deer pea vetch. These wildflowers and hundreds of other species flourish in this part of Texas, but until this book was published in 1993 no guide had focused exclusively on the Houston area. John and Gloria Tveten spent years seeking out both the common and the rare flowers. They describe here more than 200 plants. A color photograph of each one will make identification easy. The guide is arranged by color, with each entry tracing the history and lore of a species. Many plants—for example, prairie Indian plantain and self-heal—were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Others, like poke-weed and wapato, are edible. Southern dewberry and giant ragweed are used as natural dyes. And some, like rattlebush and milkweed, are poisonous. At the end of each species account is a list of key identifying characteristics for quick reference in the field. Summaries of plant families are also included, as well as tips on where and when to look for wildflowers.
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