California's San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys and the nearby Sierra Nevada Foothills are host to abundant, varied, and often surprising plants and wildlife. This fully illustrated guide pairs over seven hundred meticulous line drawings with descriptions of the birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates, plants, and fungi that mak

First Heyday edition 2005, originally titled Magpies and Mayflies: An Introduction to Plants and Animals of the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills.

“A stunning work of wonder and beauty that will delight every naturalist, this guide presents the subtle and grand spectacles of nature throughout the central valley and foothills. Scan through the precise and lively illustrations to find plants and animals you have seen but never known, then follow the text for fascinating insights, curious details, context, and backstory. Every page opens a new window into a world worth saving.”—-John Muir Laws