Canticle Of The Birds

About the Book

From a life-long interest in nature, the author shares her love of nature and her understanding of the intricacies of the natural world through her observations of the plants and animals in three familiar settings. A formal training in Biology has given her a rare insight into the important vital processes that influence the actions and interactions of birds, mammals, insects, and plants as the seasons change. She tries in her own mind to come to grips with the predator- prey relationship and to explain to the reader the importance of this vital process that makes life on earth possible. Part one is especially rich in bird lore as she observes the birds at her feeder while watching her young children grow in their understanding and knowledge of the natural world surrounding their home in a small town in east central Wisconsin. The middle section takes place in the north woods where she spends time trying to blend into the wildness of the national forest setting at a rustic hunting cabin and observe birds and other wild animals without intruding on their lives. The last part contains selected observations at a small lake in the sand country near Shawano, Wisconsin. The book concludes with short anecdotes about nature originally printed in the “Lake Flyer” the newsletter of the Winnebago Audobon Society. Written by one of the states leading naturalist, and environmentalist, this book is the rare culmination of years of observations and reflections going back to the 50s.

About the Author

BIO for Janet Wissink Janet Wissink was born and raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Bird watching and drawing have been lifelong interests. An active member of Winnebago Audubon Society, she has served the chapter in many capacities but most often as the editor, graphic artist and illustrator for the newsletter. For 14 years she was art director for Wisconsin Sportsman Magazine and its four other publications. She and her husband, Steve, published I for a few years. Janet recently designed and illustrated trail signs for two nature areas in the Oshkosh Area School District. BIO for Katherine Rill Nature has always been a part of my life, says the author Katherine D. Rill. She was born Katherine Emeline Dorney in Milwaukee in 1925. She received her BS-Ed degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1947 and taught biology in Clintonville where she met Russell A. Rill. They were married in 1950 and raised two children, a son Jeffrey and a daughter Teresa. They moved to Oshkosh in 1971 where she went back to college and received a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Inventory.