Afield, Forty Years of Birding The American West by Alan Contreras; 2009; 144 pages; Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR; 978-0-87071-420-7; 6/9/09-6/11/09

I knew Alan Contreras in high school and he was big into birding.  This is a great memoir of 40 years of looking for birds from Missouri to Texas, Arizona, Oregon and the rest of the west.  I am not a big birder at all, but I really enjoyed reading this account of his travels following birds.  Alan speaks eloquently and joyfully of his experiences and his friendships, it is a book that anyone would enjoy.  I remember Alan telling me with excitement of some bird he had found.  I would recommend this to anyone who has a passion for any hobby.  RRRR