Little Big Bend

[randell]

I haven't read the book because it is not out yet, but it will be soon and it looks interesting...

Little Big Bend by Roy Morey
(I'd link to Big Bend Bookstore but they don't have it yet)


It will be available in February 2008.

Plant life in Big Bend National Park is incredibly diverse. The wide range of habitats within the park—desert, foothills, mountains and moist woodlands, river canyons and floodplain—as well as the Big Bend’s three major blooming seasons of spring, summer, and fall guarantee a stunning show of botanical variety throughout the year.

Little Big Bend is not a traditional guide to the area’s common plants. Although it features many species that are characteristic of the Chihuahuan Desert environment, species such as orchids are also included precisely because they are uncommon or rare and therefore a special thrill to find. Plants not seen in other wildflower guides, or those with a limited geographic range that the reader will less likely encounter elsewhere, are pictured here.

This guide describes 109 species found in the United States only in Trans-Pecos Texas; 62 of these occur only in the Big Bend portion of the Trans-Pecos, and 24 of them only within Big Bend National Park. Of the 252 featured species, 71 are considered “sensitive plants”; in Texas, 28 are classified as critically imperiled, 18 as imperiled, and 25 as vulnerable.

The emphasis of this book is on the little in the Big Bend, the overlooked small plants or inconspicuous tiny flowers of larger plants that so often go unnoticed. In a landscape so immense, these plants may be right before our eyes but seldom seen, or they may be tucked away and quite difficult to find. Here, in glowing photographs and insightful text, Roy Morey has brought them to light.

Roy Morey has been photographing Big Bend National Park and state parks since 1986. His photographs have been published in Texas Parks and Wildlife and Rangefinder magazines, and he has exhibited in Alpine, Texas, and at the Barton Warnock Center in Lajitas, the headquarters of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

[xseption]

Seems like an interesting find! You can sign up with Amazon to let you know when the book is available.

I am not familiar with Roy Morey and the web does not have much else on him. Anybody know of his work?

~ edd

[Boojum1]

Oh great, another esoteric botany book I now have to have.  The good news is that it ID's the plants, the bad news is that it probably won't find them for you or give a shortcut, which is also good news for the plants. 

[BOX697]

Hi, people.  My name is Roy Morey.  I registered with Big Bend Chat in November 2007, but this is my first post.

I am the author of Little Big Bend, and I hope you will check it out and give me your comments.  It should be available in March.  The book contains 301 color photos of 252 plant species, and a one-page write-up on each plant.  Suggested plant locations within the park are given for most of the species.

The book is written to appeal to the lay reader -- the Big Bend enthusiast, hiker, plant lover, etc.  E. Dan Klepper (the owner of Klepper Gallery in Marathon) did a nice advance review of the book in the February issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

Let me know what you think.  It is my first book -- I retired from Austin to Terlingua in 1998, and have been working on the book constantly ever since.  But I have been photographing Big Bend on regular trips to the park since 1986.

[Casa Grande]

Hi, people.  My name is Roy Morey.  I registered with Big Bend Chat in November 2007, but this is my first post.

I am the author of Little Big Bend, and I hope you will check it out and give me your comments.  It should be available in March.  The book contains 301 color photos of 252 plant species, and a one-page write-up on each plant.  Suggested plant locations within the park are given for most of the species.

The book is written to appeal to the lay reader -- the Big Bend enthusiast, hiker, plant lover, etc.  E. Dan Klepper (the owner of Klepper Gallery in Marathon) did a nice advance review of the book in the February issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

Let me know what you think.  It is my first book -- I retired from Austin to Terlingua in 1998, and have been working on the book constantly ever since.  But I have been photographing Big Bend on regular trips to the park since 1986.

well all right! welcome aboard and good luck with the book!  We can never have too many libros about the Bend!

[skip44]

I think it is a great book if you are interested in the plants in Big Bend. It has nice pictures and gives locations and time of year each one was seen.

[TheWildWestGuy]

Thanks I think I will add Roy's book to my library when it becomes available.  My previous efforts at botany have largely been failures due to my use of books with black and white sketch's to try to identify plants.  With color photographs I am probably more likely to get the identification correct as long as I can remember to take the book with me to Big Bend... TWWG

[xseption]

Thanks I think I will add Roy's book to my library when it becomes available.  My previous efforts at botany have largely been failures due to my use of books with black and white sketch's to try to identify plants.  With color photographs I am probably more likely to get the identification correct as long as I can remember to take the book with me to Big Bend... TWWG

It seems to be available, new and used:

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Big-Bend-Uncommon-Southwest/dp/0896726134/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Anyone have it already?

[jeffblaylock]

I've got it. Hands down, it's the best resource on identifying plants in the park area. Each species gets its own page with a photo, physical description, and locations within the park. Unlike most guides, where the flower tends to dominate the photo, this book provides photos of the leaves and places the flower in context with the rest of the plant. This makes it possible to make a good educated guess at what unblooming plant you're looking at (or have photographed). Highly recommend the book.

[lighter fluid]

Thanks I think I will add Roy's book to my library when it becomes available.  My previous efforts at botany have largely been failures due to my use of books with black and white sketch's to try to identify plants.  With color photographs I am probably more likely to get the identification correct as long as I can remember to take the book with me to Big Bend... TWWG

It seems to be available, new and used:

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Big-Bend-Uncommon-Southwest/dp/0896726134/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Anyone have it already?

Thanks for the link xseption. I'll have to order this book soon.

[WayneR]

I purchased the book recently thru Amazon and am very impressed.  Even though my primary interest in the botany at BIBE is with the Cactus family, this guide describes all rare and obscure plant species that call this wonderful area home.  Of special interest to me was the expert photographs and habitat descriptions of several members from the Orchid family that can be found in the Chisos.  As was mentioned in an earlier post, the photos typically show the plant structure as well as it's flower so you have a better chance of identifying it in the field (when its not in bloom). 

An excellent reference to add to your BIBE library.  Bravo!   

[TexasGirl]

I third Jeff's and Wayne's comments.  I received the book last week and am enjoying it very much and look forward to using it while planning future trips ('look for...').  For you Austinites, Roy Morey is supposed to be at REI Gateway tomorrow night at 7pm.  Jeff, I'm sure you noticed that your Texas Purplespike location was not listed! 

[Sanjuro82]

Can someone scan and post one or two of the pages so I can get an idea on what the book is like?  I thinking about ordering it.

[Al]

Sanjuro, the author is on this thread.  I'd ask him.

Al

[bdhawk133]

I ordered the book from Amazon for about $13......got it last week! This thing is a friggin textbook! Awesome book though, lots of pictures, and great descriptions!! I definitely recommend to any bender!