The Feather Quest

A diary of a birder's ideal year follows the author and his wife on their birding trips to the Arctic, the Everglades, the Northeast, the Southwest, and Canada.

As heard on NPR's This American Life “Absorbing . . . Though it's non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever.” —Christian Science Monitor A rollicking true-crime adventure and a captivating journey into an underground world of fanatical fly-tiers and plume peddlers, for readers of The Stranger in the Woods, The Lost City of Z, and The Orchid Thief. On a cool June evening in 2009, after performing a concert at London's Royal Academy of Music, twenty-year-old American flautist Edwin Rist boarded a train for a suburban outpost of the British Museum of Natural History. Home to one of the largest ornithological collections in the world, the Tring museum was full of rare bird specimens whose gorgeous feathers were worth staggering amounts of money to the men who shared Edwin's obsession: the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. Once inside the museum, the champion fly-tier grabbed hundreds of bird skins—some collected 150 years earlier by a contemporary of Darwin's, Alfred Russel Wallace, who'd risked everything to gather them—and escaped into the darkness. Two years later, Kirk Wallace Johnson was waist high in a river in northern New Mexico when his fly-fishing guide told him about the heist. He was soon consumed by the strange case of the feather thief. What would possess a person to steal dead birds? Had Edwin paid the price for his crime? What became of the missing skins? In his search for answers, Johnson was catapulted into a years-long, worldwide investigation. The gripping story of a bizarre and shocking crime, and one man's relentless pursuit of justice, The Feather Thief is also a fascinating exploration of obsession, and man's destructive instinct to harvest the beauty of nature.

A little girl learns a lesson in conservation from her neighborhood birds.

A philosophical picture book from one of China's most celebrated children's authors and 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner Cao Wenxuan. A feather is blown across the sky, meeting various birds along the way, and asking each one, "Do I belong to you?". Cao Wenxuan tells the story of a single feather who is swept away on a journey of discovery and belonging. Encountering a variety of birds, from a kingfisher to a magpie, Feather is hopeful of meeting the bird she belongs to. Again and again, she is dismissed or ignored. Only when she sees that there is also beauty in being close to the earth does fate offer a reunion... Feather is sure to charm young children with a plot at once compelling, meditative, and quietly moving. Roger Mello’s stunningly beautiful, dynamic illustrations will delight readers of all ages.

Quiet Water, a white boy who was adopted by Indians, is finally accepted by the tribal elders when he and his two friends fulfill their coming-into-manhood journey and climb the Sacred Mountain to see an eagle fly.

Dive into the depths of the Egyptian pyramids with Amelia, a young archaeologist, as she discovers a chamber holding a golden egg that could change history forever. Follow a group of explorers as they stumble upon a hidden city in the Amazon rainforest, revealing clues to an advanced civilization. Sail the seas with a young sailor who finds himself aboard a ghostly ship lost in time, trapped in a never-ending voyage. • Embark on thrilling adventures to ancient tombs, lost cities, and enchanted forests. • Join daring explorers as they unravel mysteries and uncover hidden civilizations. • Encounter ghostly ships, phantom crews, and curses that defy time and space. • Discover the power of courage, friendship, and the unyielding spirit of adventure. • Experience the thrill of discovery and the wonder of the unknown in every story. Explore underground caves filled with shimmering crystals and mystical secrets and journey through an enchanted forest where mythical creatures roam free. Join a quest for a legendary golden compass that promises untold riches, but beware of rivals seeking the same prize. "The Mysterious Golden Egg" is a collection of adventurous stories that will transport you to worlds beyond imagination. Each tale is a testament to the power of curiosity and the thrill of discovery. So pack your bags, grab your compass, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

This book is about a young boys journey through life. His quest is to find a mystical feather as designated by "The Prophesies". His attempt to gather this feather and subsequent issues are what his life and our life is about.