I chose five big books as my five gold rings in 2011, they are still with me, still well used and well loved. Carolyn’s Shade Garden joined me last year with my-Thanksgiving-oak-forest. Last year the books were big in size. This year tends to dynamite in small packages AKA field guides (you won't notice that I've used poetic license to count today, I'm surrounded by books on all sides!)
SASOL birds of Southern Africa. Ian Sinclair et al. Second edition 1997.
Roberts' birds of Southern Africa. Fifth edition 1984.
Guide to the flora of the Cape Peninsula. M.R. Levyns. 1966.
Restios of the fynbos, by Els D. Haaksma and H. Peter Linder. 2000.
West Coast. South African Wild Flower Guide 7. 1996.
Karoo. South African Wild Flower Guide 6. 1994.
INSECTS
Field guide to the insects of South Africa, by Mike Picker et al. 2004.
BIRDS
Birds of the South Western Cape, by Joy Frandsen. 1982.SASOL birds of Southern Africa. Ian Sinclair et al. Second edition 1997.
Roberts' birds of Southern Africa. Fifth edition 1984.
FYNBOS on the mountains
Wild flowers of the Table Mountain National Park. South African Wild Flower Guide 12. 2006.Guide to the flora of the Cape Peninsula. M.R. Levyns. 1966.
Restios of the fynbos, by Els D. Haaksma and H. Peter Linder. 2000.
WILD FLOWERS beyond Cape Town
Namaqualand and Clanwilliam. South African Wild Flower Guide 1. 1981.West Coast. South African Wild Flower Guide 7. 1996.
Karoo. South African Wild Flower Guide 6. 1994.
Hottentots Holland to Hermanus. South African Wild Flower Guide 5. 1985.
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| Field guides for the Western Cape |
I first ‘met’ Carl Larsson at IKEA, on greeting cards. Which I couldn’t bear to give away. I have had them perhaps for 30 years. Fascinated by the quality of the light, the detail, and the life so different to mine. I’m an IKEA fan, still very much a part of my life. Chairs, tables, bookshelves, vases!
Just in case this
is new to you – the 12
Days OF Christmas. Sung
here by the Muppets. Or
Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters.
I invite you to join me. My theme is simply to play with the
numbers from one to twelve. Just one day or as many as you like. You are
welcome to (write a new post or) trawl your archives for that post YOU love,
that never got the exposure it deserved. A photo, WITH title/caption/words. Or
only words for a change? You are also welcome to come back some time in the
future and join in.
Not just a comment? Give me a
link to your … five books?
---~~0~0~0~0~0~~---
Pictures and words by Diana of Elephant's Eye
- wildlife gardening in Porterville, near Cape Town in South Africa
(If you mouse over brown text, it turns shriek pink. Those are my links.)
Looks like a collection of wonderful guides.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you Diana.
I've been enjoying your 12 days. I've joined in here:
ReplyDeletehttp://dreamingofroses.blogspot.com/2011/12/12-gifts-from-garden.html
not counting Diana. No wonder your wildflower wednesdays are so wonderfully informative!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have so much information about your area's plants. I have been re-reading parts of The Education of a Gardener by Russell Page, From Concept to Form in Landscape Design by Grant W. Reid, The Poetics of Gardens, and my sister just send me Seeing Trees and Hardy Succulents.
ReplyDeleteOh, and nothing to do with gardening, but I've been dying to recommend it: if you like history, The Forge of Christendom about Europe in the dark ages by Tom Holland is great.
Have a wonderful 2012!
I think both you and me 'sprouted' about the same time at Blotanical? It's been great knowing you. Happy New Year 2012, dear Diana!
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to post on the 12 days of Christmas. My five current reads (just finished, part-way through or waiting on the bedside for their turn) are "The Submission" - a novel set in post-9/11 New York which explores the controversies and subtleties involved in the selection of a memorial garden; "Flora's Garden: British Gardens in India"; Tom Turner's "Asian Gardens"; "The Hare with Amber Eyes" - the best-selling biography is fascinating on memories and people and places; and William Dalrymple's "The Last Mughal." Your list makes me think I need to get some practical field guides to supplement my history books!
Happy new year! Jill
My latest field guide, a Christmas present, is "Ferns of Southern Africa", a whole new field to explore and one which has fascinated me for years! Wishing you and the Ungardener and all your loved ones a memorable 2012 for all the right reasons! Thank you for your wishes.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Diana - I have the same bird book and the rest are on my wish list. Thanks for the inspiration - I used your "Create a Link" - not sure if it worked. Happy New Year to you and the Ungardener.
ReplyDeleteGardenGirl - I've linked you in to today's Sixth.
ReplyDeleteDiana your books look like mine but from a different part of the world...I can see why you love Carl Larsson...they are beautiful from days gone by.
ReplyDelete