Further Reading
A selection of recommended titles on nature, wildlife, and the natural history of Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains.
FIELD GUIDE TO THE COMMON GRASSES OF OKLAHOMA, KANSAS, AND NEBRASKA
Iralee Barnard
Profiles both native and naturalized grasses occurring in the southern (Oklahoma) and central (Kansas and Nebraska) Great Plains. A useful guide for ranchers, gardeners, naturalists, and those involved in grassland restoration.
OKLAHOMA BIRD LIFE
Frederick M. and A. Marguerite Baumgartner
Authoritative and engaging, this book is a comprehensive and well-written guide to Oklahoma’s vast and varied bird life.
MAMMALS OF OKLAHOMA
William Caire, Jack Tyler, Bryan Glass, Michael Mares
A science-based reference guide providing information on reproduction, distribution, diseases, physical description, and life history for more than 100 Oklahoma mammal species.
PARKS OF OKLAHOMA CITY: A HISTORY
Bob Blackburn and Brian Dougherty
An interesting and well-researched history of Oklahoma City’s parks and their flora. It’s nicely illustrated with historic images and contemporary photography by Oklahoma’s leading landscape photographer, Kim Baker.
THE VOICE OF THE COYOTE
J. Frank Dobie
Published in 1949, this fascinating examination of Canis latrans still stands as the best and most illuminating creative work on the coyote ever published.
A classic.
PASTURE AND RANGE PLANTS
Fort Hays State University
The indispensable and beautifully illustrated guidebook to Great Plains grasses, forbs, legumes, and woody plants.
RED DIRT COUNTRY: FIELD NOTES AND ESSAYS ON NATURE
John Gifford
A literary meditation on the Oklahoma landscape and the rich biodiversity of the southern Great Plains.
COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIES
Josiah Gregg
A detailed account of the early Santa Fe trade, written by Josiah Gregg who provides fascinating descriptions of the American Southwest, its landscapes, people, and wildlife, during the 1830s.
A TOUR ON THE PRAIRIES
Washington Irving
A foundational text for Oklahoma and western history, A Tour on the Prairies gave the outside world one of its first and best glimpses of the land that would become Oklahoma.
WINTER'S HAWK: RED-TAILS ON THE SOUTHERN PLAINS
James Lish
Author and biologist Jim Lish profiles one of our most ubiquitous and interesting raptors, augmented with vivid photography. A beautiful bird and a gorgeous book.
FOREST TREES OF OKLAHOMA
Elbert Little
A terrific little reference book from 1981 with detailed information on the identification, biology, and range of various Oklahoma trees, both native and naturalized.
THE PRAIRIE TRAVELER
Captain Randolph Marcy
Published in 1859 as a guide for travelers crossing the Great Plains of the American West, this title contains fascinating observations of Oklahoma’s early natural and cultural history.
ROADSIDE WILD FRUITS OF OKLAHOMA
Doyle McCoy
This guidebook provides clear and concise descriptions of Oklahoma trees and shrubs, and their fruits, with wonderfully useful images. Also by this author, Roadside Trees and Shrubs of Oklahoma.
THE BIRDS OF OKLAHOMA
Margaret Morse Nice
Oklahoma ornithology really begins here, with Mrs. Nice’s detailed observations and notes from her studies around the state and especially in central Oklahoma.
FIFTY COMMON BIRDS OF OKLAHOMA
George Miksch Sutton
An instant classic when it appeared in bookstores back in 1977, this title features informational descriptions of 50 Oklahoma birds as well as Dr. Sutton’s personal anecdotes and painting of each species.
TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODY VINES OF THE SOUTHWEST
Robert A. Vines
Originally published in 1960, this title features authoritative descriptions and information for more than 1,200 species of native and naturalized woody plants of the Southwest. Vines is said to have spent 25 years in researching this book for which he traveled more than 250,000 miles by car, foot, and horseback. Covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
