Sage Grouse: Icon of the West

Sage Grouse: Icon of the West
by Noppadol Paothong

2017, 11″x11″, 180 Pages, 180 photograph,
ISBN: 978-0-9840007-3-9

Richly illustrated with photographs by award-winning nature photographer Noppadol Paothong, and accompanied by the text of accomplished natural history writer Kathy Love, this book tells the story of the sage-grouse, its habitat in the vast Sagebrush Sea of the Intermountain West, and the threats faced by both. Although the sage-grouse once flourished in many Western US states and provinces of Canada, in the past century its populations have diminished drastically. Today, fewer than 400,000 sage-grouse remain, and conservative legislation challenging the preservation of public wild lands increasingly threatens the sage-grouse. This book is designed not only to build awareness on the issues threatening the sage-grouse, but to stimulate and inspire readers to join the fight for environmental conservation and wilderness preservation. Bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, and residents of the American West will delight in viewing the beauty of the sage-grouse and emerge with a deeper sense of the many interests affecting the sagebrush ecosystem and the conservation efforts being implemented.

Until May 27, 2018; Noppadol Paothong‘s stunning photographs from ‘Sage
Grouse: Icon of the West’ will be exhibited at the Boone County History and Culture Center in Columbia, Missouri address 3801 Ponderosa St, 65201 Columbia, Missouri.

Nappadol Paothong’s bio: “Noppadol Paothong is a nature/conservation photographer and has been focusing on documenting rare and endangered species. For over a decade, he has worked primarily on grassland grouse and their fragile habitat. He is a staff wildlife photographer with the Missouri Department of Conservation and contributes his images and stories to its high quality publication, Missouri Conservationist, Xplor, and many others.”

ENDORSEMENTS:

Noppadol Paothong’s new book on sage-grouse is stunning! This is a subject that I have always dreamed of shooting and remains one of the last on the wish list. But now after seeing the images and story he has made, I feel my efforts would be futile. The photographs and story are superb and show a rare talent for artful image-making along with a well-researched journalist’s approach. With historical context, biological details, and good documentation of destructive habitat issues, this is the finest and most complete record of the iconic sage-grouse I have seen.

Jim Brandenburg, Internationally acclaimed nature photographer

Passion and commitment are evident page after page in this superb volume by Noppadol Paothong. He demonstrates passion for his craft as a photographer, reaching for excellence frame after frame. He has meticulously amassed the most impressive collection of sage-grouse imagery available. Noppadol is a committed advocate for this bird and its native habitat, threatened in our country by a combination of factors. The worlds of conservation and photography are lucky to have Noppadol working at their side. Thank you on behalf of the birds.

Sabine Meyer, Photography director, National Audubon Society

Previously Noppadol Paothong produced a spectacular book on seven populations of North American grassland grouse, Save the Last Dance, that not only provided the best photographic documentation on these birds, but also revealed their struggles to survive. He has now presented us with an equally impressive book on the sage-grouse, the largest of North American grouse and the species that is suffering greatly from ever-increasing threats on its sage homelands. We owe him a debt of gratitude for this amazingly well-illustrated volume depicting the unique beauty of sage-grouse and documenting their keystone role in the ecology of our threatened sagebrush ecosystem.

Paul A. Johnsgard, Author and professor emeritus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

In a single book, we now have a complete documentation of the most iconic species in the American West. From hatchlings on the nest to adults in flight, this book displays page after page of photographs that have never been seen before. The bar has been set.
Joel Sartore, Photographer/founder, National Geographic Photo Ark

Sage grouse live only in the arid Intermountain West. Vast and austere, this “Sagebrush Sea” is often seen as empty, but it’s actually full of life, and the sage grouse is well adapted to existence there. Still, the species is threatened, and fewer than 400,000 grouse remain. In this vibrant collection, Sage Grouse: Icon of the West photographer Noppadol Paothong captures these creatures in their full glory. Spanning the bird’s life cycle, the images highlight its flamboyant courtship dance while revealing aspects of grouse life never before documented. The accompanying text by natural history writer Kathy Love explores the sagebrush ecosystem, the grouse’s history and the perils it faces. Love also describes the conservation efforts supporters are fighting for. The birds’ famous mating display doesn’t just perpetuate the species, she notes: It “may also perpetuate grouse populations by leading humans to care enough to conserve them.”

Review from National Audobon Society: http://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2017/greater-sage-grouse-youve-never-seen-them

The Birder’s Library: http://www.birderslibrary.com/reviews/books/monographs/sage-grouse-icon-of-the-west.htm

High Country News: https://www.hcn.org/issues/49.22/the-iconic-bird-of-the-sagebrush-sea

Audobon Society: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2017/greater-sage-grouse-youve-never-seen-them

Independent Publisher Book Award for Environment/Ecology/Nature: http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=2302