The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida;

The Living Gulf Coast is the first comprehensive nature guide to Florida's Southwest region. The book covers six counties: Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Glades and Hendry. There are more than 160 parks, preserves and eco-destinations covered in this work, with sixty-one of them described in great detail. Not only does the book describe these outstanding destinations, it also covers all the major birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians found throughout the region. The bird section includes 291 species with 120 of the most commonly encountered birds covered in exacting detail. It also includes all the major mammals and eighty-eight snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodilans found in the unique ecosystems of Southwest Florida. With more than 600 full-color photographs of wildlife, campgrounds, rivers and parks this is an essential tool for exploring everywhere from the Florida Everglades to the aquarium at Mote Marine. This book is an absolute must have for any nature lover, birder, biker, hiker, kayaker, canoeist or naturalist planning to visit Southwest Florida.