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gavin
08-11-2015, 09:34 PM
Received my copy of this yesterday:

http://media.nhbs.com/jackets/jackets_resizer_large/22/225042.jpg

It is a cracking guide to all 275 UK wild bee species. Bought mine from NHBS, well worth going there rather than the usual tax avoiding mega online retailer as they support conservation work in various ways. Even if it is a little more expensive from them.

http://www.nhbs.com/title/206535/field-guide-to-the-bees-of-great-britain-and-ireland

fatshark
08-11-2015, 09:46 PM
Today's little-known fact ... I went to school with Steven Falk. I'm surprised he's got someone else to illustrate the book as he's an outstanding artist (http://www.stevenfalk.co.uk/costa-rican-hoverfliesweb). He also gives entertaining talks to beekeeping associations ...

The Drone Ranger
08-11-2015, 10:20 PM
Great
That's going on my letter to Santa this year
The fat B'stard still owes me a Porsche

gavin
08-11-2015, 10:20 PM
Impressive - and it works in reverse for him too ....

In this blog he says that his eyesight is not great these days and he now does little painting and drawing.

http://blog.nhbs.com/title-information/naturalist-artist-and-author-steven-falk-on-new-field-guide-to-bees/

gavin
08-11-2015, 10:27 PM
Great
That's going on my letter to Santa this year
The fat B'stard still owes me a Porsche

You'll get a lot more enjoyment from the Steven Falk book. Catch it on special offer until the end of the year.

The Drone Ranger
08-11-2015, 10:36 PM
will do :)

Jon
08-11-2015, 11:02 PM
You used to drive a Porche Gav?

gavin
08-11-2015, 11:49 PM
Had to give them up. Couldn't fit enough bee hives inside.

One gripe about the Falk book - the text is *tiny*. I struggle even with reading glasses.

Except when I *have* had enough sleep and I've put the light on to help - all becomes clear!

Greengage
09-11-2015, 09:07 AM
Brilliant I knew this was coming out soon,it will be on my christmas list too,

busybeephilip
09-11-2015, 10:37 AM
You used to drive a Porche Gav?


Even harder getting hives on the back of a bike :)

Porsche or bike.....Porsche or bike.....Porsche or bike.....Porsche or bike.....Porsche or bike.....

I just cant decide

Jon
09-11-2015, 11:56 AM
No problem carrying a bag of queen cages in the panniers;)

greengumbo
09-11-2015, 01:12 PM
Received my copy of this yesterday:

http://media.nhbs.com/jackets/jackets_resizer_large/22/225042.jpg

It is a cracking guide to all 275 UK wild bee species. Bought mine from NHBS, well worth going there rather than the usual tax avoiding mega online retailer as they support conservation work in various ways. Even if it is a little more expensive from them.

http://www.nhbs.com/title/206535/field-guide-to-the-bees-of-great-britain-and-ireland

That NiHBS do get everywhere.....native bees, four seasons magazines and now a swanky new bookstore ;)

This is a stonking book. Much needed as well and lovely illustrations.

masterbk
14-11-2015, 02:56 PM
My copy arrived today (bought the hardback as a christmas present to myself). Hope to use it to name the solitary bees on dozens of my photos I have taken over the last few years.
Interestingly on page 416 (the 2nd of only 2 sides on the honey bee) he writes that there has been a recent decline in the national honey bee stock through colony collapse disorder. I am surpised that Prof Rob Paxton ( one of several people listed in the acknowledgements) didn't put him right on this

gavin
14-11-2015, 04:12 PM
Yes, sadly his honeybee two pages aren't the best and he does say it is generally regarded as an ancient introduction which doesn't accord with current opinion. Best pass them over in favour of the excellent 99.75% on wild bees.

My earlier comment on Amazon being cheaper is no longer true (unless you have arranged free P&P from them). NHBS is definitely the place to go for all sorts of reasons ... at least for the paperback. However the hardback has now sold out.

fatshark
17-12-2015, 10:48 PM
I recently got my copy of this book (which is excellent). It may have been posted here before, but Steve Falk has a Flikr website with photographs of bees (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/collections/72157631518508520/) (of all types). Well worth a visit.