About this item
This meticulously researched and photographed account follows three University of Montana scientists and their interdisciplinary work with osprey: fish-catching birds with gigantic nests and a family that functions with teamwork and cooperation. Today the osprey is studied to monitor the effects of mercury on living things. The osprey hunts in a very small area around its large nest and so scientists can pinpoint where mercury is coming from. In Missoula, Montana, the scientists have been following ospreys for six years, collecting data on the amount of contaminants found on their feathers and in their blood. The rivers and streams in Western Montana are still suffering effects from inappropriate mining activities performed more than a hundred years ago. This man-made pollution is still dangerous to people and to wildlife.
About the Author
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an animal like a wolf, living wild and free, running with four legs instead of only two and with a built-in coat to keep you warm? Or a bird like an osprey or eagle, diving down to snatch fish from a river with your sharp, curved talons, then taking it to feed your hungry chicks waiting in the big nest you've built high up in a tree? Well I have, and I've been lucky enough to be able to learn about these animals and more and share my knowledge with readers of every age. Ever since I was a child I've loved nature and animals. I spent my time out of doors, chasing butterflies and scooping tadpoles out of ponds. So it's no wonder I studied biology and became an author myself, sharing my fascination with the living world with readers. I've expanded into other fascinating areas of knowledge, too, especially historical topics of the American west, such as the Lewis and Clark expedition and the relationships of Native Americans with bison and horses. The lives of wolves and dogs especially fascinate me. Scientists consider them the same species, but wolves are successful at being wild, and dogs have done a great job of attaching themselves to humans. I've explored this relationship from different angles in recent books--"Dog On Board: The True Story of Eclipse, the Bus-Riding Dog," "The Right Dog for the Job: Irah's Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog," "Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance," "Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond," and "Super Sniffers: Dog Detectives on the Job."My one fiction, "Return of the Wolf," available in a Kindle edition, tells the story of how one wolf. kicked out of her pack as one wolf too many, has many adventures as she seeks a new home and a mate to share her life. If you read this book, you'll recognize behavior your dog shares with its wild cousin. "When the Wolves Return: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone" demonstrates the importance of wolves to the natural ecosystem.My interest in animals goes way beyond canines--"Decorated Horses," for young readers, explores a number of ways people over time have decorated their horses for different reasons, and "The Call of the Osprey" explores not only the life of this amazing bird but also research at the University of Montana on dangerous heavy metals deposited in the Clark Fork River from past mining operations. Where do ospreys come into that story? Ospreys feed in fish from the river, and scientists can measure these substances in the blood of osprey chicks.My work has given me the gift of travel to all sorts of fascinating places such as the Galapagos Islands, the Costa Rican Rain Forest, the arctic tundra, the wilds of Tasmania, and more. Since my favorite activity is learning new information, I plan to keep traveling and writing for y
