The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest

If you are planning a visit to the shore in the Pacific Northwest, this guide will be a great book to have along.

It opens with an introductory section that discusses tides, intertidal habitats, harvesting shellfish, and protecting our marine resources, as well as how to use the guide. This is followed by 15 pages of clear, close-up, colored photos of shells for identification purposes.

Fourteen more sections follow, covering the fauna and flora of the Pacific Northwest shores. These sections include sea anemones, hydroids, jellies, marine worms, molluscs, arthropods, fish, seaweed, flowering plants, and more. Each exemplar gives both the common and the scientific name, description, size, habitat, range, and other notes, and each includes one or two beautiful, close-up color photos of the specimen.

The back matter includes an illustrated glossary, an extensive glossary, further readings, and an excellent index.

The text is very readable and not overly scientific while still respecting the science. The photographs are perfectly beautiful. Whether you are simply interested in life along the seashore or are traveling to the Pacific Northwest, this would be a wonderful addition to your library.