Naturalist's Austin. A Guide to Plants and Animals in Central Texas. 2024. many col. photographs XI, 308 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.

Naturalists Jim and Lynne Weber guide readers to the surprising natural diversity found in the urban wildscapes of the Texas capital city and beyond. 'Naturalist's Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas' provides a tour that includes nearly 700 species of plants and animals native to the region.

The book opens with a natural history overview that aims to underscore the importance of a strong environmental ethic for ensuring the ability of naturally occurring species to thrive within an urban environment-even one exhibiting the type of explosive growth found in Austin. Highlighting features of the area's natural processes (migration, wildfire, caves, aquifers, and others), Weber and Weber present lavishly illustrated accounts of both common and unique plant and animal species, with selected exotics included, that may be found in Austin and the surrounding areas.

Each section in the species accounts opens with an informative overview, and the individual accounts discuss species status, seasonality, descriptions, habitat, and 'fun facts' related to interesting behaviors or adaptations. With vivid photographs throughout, this colorful and informative guide is sure to be a favorite of Texas nature lovers and a resource for the greater appreciation and better stewardship of our natural resources.

Pages 42 to 141 cover botany (trees, schrubs, wildflowers, vines, ferns and allies, yucca, cacti and allies, grasses and sedges, fungi, lichen, and others).