Overview

"Joseph W. Taylor BORN TO BIRD is a biography of the foremost North American amateur ornithologist and conservationist in the mid-twentieth century. BORN TO BIRD examines Joe Taylor's life path as a journey toward his true self. This transformation came slowly. He was born to economic and social privilege, yet an unanticipated destiny with birds awaited him.Birdwatching began for Joe at age eight. Early on, he conformed to a traditional pattern of education and employment. Nevertheless, beneath this apparent comfort lay a developing obsession with birds. His skill with bird identification blossomed, as did his curiosity about birds and their habitats. By the time he was an adult, Joe had become a serious birder.In the late 1940s, he began to visit wildlife refuges. Often in solitude away from the pressures of family and commercial obligations, he created plans for bolstering the national pursuit of birdwatching. At the same time, he began to compile a list of the numerous bird species which he had personally identified. He joined the life listing ""600 Club,"" an elite group dedicated to the identification of bird species. At the close of his life, he had seen over 729 individual species.As his awareness about ecological problems grew, Joe made a pivotal decision to break with all traditional expectations and begin a new life. In his mid-fifties, he abruptly retired from business and began wholeheartedly to embrace naturalist pursuits. His significant contributions to the study of birds, his tenure on many conservation boards, twenty-six-years as president of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania and his collaborative formation of the American Birding Association are evidence of his dedication. The manifest transformation of his life was complete.This monomythical journey is something we all have the potential to realize. Are we living out our dreams, choosing our true passion over safe decisions or expected demands? One's life contains infinite choices, some planned, others circumstantial. A life transformed from expectation into passionate dedication is an inspiration, not only for birders but also for us all."

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Reviews

"""Joe Taylor was a birding legend and in 1972 became the first person to have seen 700 wild bird species in North America - an incredible feat at the time. Born to Bird chronicles Taylor's adventures across North America in pursuit of birds and seats you at the board table as plays foundational roles in America's leading birding organizations. Follow Joe and his wife Helen on exciting and sometimes calamitous trips in pursuit of birds - from the Bristle-thighed Curlew (600!) at Curlew Mountain, Alaska, around the continent, and all the way back to Attu for Gray-spotted Flycatcher (700!). The author provides deep access to her larger-than-life father from Taylor's own tape recordings, field notes, photographs, and travel journals. And she warmly demonstrates Joe's place in the birding community with quotes and articles from friends and colleagues. Readers will enjoy visiting this special time in American history when birds were abundant and birding was just gaining popularity."" -- Laura Kammermeier, Cornell Lab of Ornithology ""The only person to see more than 700 bird species, the Babe Ruth of amateur ornithology is Joseph W. Taylor."" - Mark Starr, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle ""Great work, Joe! You are truly assured of a place in the Birding Hall of Fame!"" - Stuart Keith, American Museum of Natural History""It is no exaggeration to say that there would be no American Birding Association without Joe Taylor."" - Lawrence Balch, president, American Birding Association""Hawk Mountain was his domain, the intrepid birder who led the evolution of birding in North America as a serious sport."" - Frank Gill, director, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary"

Joe Taylor was a birding legend and in 1972 became the first person to have seen 700 wild bird species in North America - an incredible feat at the time. Born to Bird chronicles Taylor's adventures across North America in pursuit of birds and seats you at the board table as plays foundational roles in America's leading birding organizations. Follow Joe and his wife Helen on exciting and sometimes calamitous trips in pursuit of birds - from the Bristle-thighed Curlew (600!) at Curlew Mountain, Alaska, around the continent, and all the way back to Attu for Gray-spotted Flycatcher (700!). The author provides deep access to her larger-than-life father from Taylor's own tape recordings, field notes, photographs, and travel journals. And she warmly demonstrates Joe's place in the birding community with quotes and articles from friends and colleagues. Readers will enjoy visiting this special time in American history when birds were abundant and birding was just gaining popularity. -- Laura Kammermeier, Cornell Lab of Ornithology The only person to see more than 700 bird species, the Babe Ruth of amateur ornithology is Joseph W. Taylor. - Mark Starr, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Great work, Joe! You are truly assured of a place in the Birding Hall of Fame! - Stuart Keith, American Museum of Natural History It is no exaggeration to say that there would be no American Birding Association without Joe Taylor. - Lawrence Balch, president, American Birding Association Hawk Mountain was his domain, the intrepid birder who led the evolution of birding in North America as a serious sport. - Frank Gill, director, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Author Information

"Ann Taylor, author, editor and designer has been creating public and private books for decades. Producing books is her passion. Joseph W. Taylor BORN TO BIRD, a biography of her father, combines all these skills. Joe Taylor was the foremost ""life lister"" of North American birds in the late twentieth century. Traveling with him on numerous birding expeditions schooled Ann in the art of birdwatching which compelled her to write and compile this personal narrative. Born in the East, Ann's childhood was infused with birds - in conversations, on feeders, in Audubon engravings, even stuffed! Educated at Vassar College and the New School University, her book creation skills have been utilized by publishers such as Alfred A. Knopf and Paul S. Eriksson. Her books focus on biography, travel, art and genealogy. In her eighties, Ann writes at her desk in Scottsdale, Arizona and at her wilderness retreat in the Bradshaw Mountains. She has organized a book club for countless years, loves loom weaving and is devoted to Tai chi chuan. Her family and friends are often recruited to critique her imaginative concepts. Even her cat must listen to the latest pages!"

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