The Naturalist’s Companion: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife

Dave Hall offers a practical guide to nurturing a connection with animals and birds in wild places in The Naturalist’s Companion: A Field Guide to Observing and Understanding Wildlife. As the founder of the youth-focused educational nonprofit Primitive Pursuits, Hall draws upon more than thirty years of experience as a survival skills guide to write a book about the principles of “thoughtful engagement.” Observing wildlife must be anchored in the ethics of responsibility, respect, and reverence for life. The skills outlined in the book reflect primordial hunting techniques. Hall shares them to inspire people to foster an immersive and purposeful connection with the natural world.

The Naturalist’s Companion is an essential read for anyone who wants to enhance their wildlife observation skills. It is packed with information for novice naturalists and observers in a relatively compact volume. In each chapter, Hall shares personal stories of encounters with wildlife, highlighting his own miscalculations and lessons learned. He offers useful tips, tools, and exercises, emphasizing the importance of understanding and interpreting animal language and behavior.

I found most helpful his description of the process of creating an ethogram with guiding questions to note crucial observations. The book includes dozens of full-color photographs that complement Hall’s straightforward but dynamic writing style, effectively communicating his profound adoration for all living things.