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***NEW*** The Adventures of Buddy the Beaver:

Buddy Explores the Pond

by Carson Clark, age 10 (with a little help from his Dad, Jim Clark)

Offering a child's perspective of the natural world through the lens of a youth photographer, this story follows Buddy the beaver around his pond. As Buddy’s experiences unfold, his friends are introduced—Dawn the Fawn, Cheeks the Chipmunk, Larry the Land Snail, and Carrots the Rabbit—and each animal’s relationship to the environment is explained. With vibrant photography and informative text, the beaver pond and its inhabitants come to life. View Carson's interview with Lowepro!

"Through the eyes and imagination of a young boy, Carson Clark has crafted a magical story about friendship, the joys of nature, and the importance of wetlands. I can't wait to read more adventures of Buddy the Beaver . . . a job well done!"  —Jeff Corwin, biologist and host, The Jeff Corwin Experience

The Ultimate Guide to Digital Nature Photography

by the Mountain Trail Photo Team

Today's digital cameras are wonderful creative tools for nature photographers, but they can be a challenge to master—a problem that is thoroughly solved by the lessons provided in this guide by 10 of the most respected nature photographers in America. Representing the knowledge of professionals who have produced photography books and calendars, worked for nature magazines, and taught hundreds of photography workshop students, the book offers a step-by-step approach to improve both artistic vision and technical skills. Topics covered include equipment selection, use of digital functions, tips for capturing natural light, rules of composition, and special effects. Practical advice about launching a full-time nature photography career is also included.

"Shows you how to get the elusive 'Once in a Lifetime' shot more frequently than you ever thought possible."  —Christopher Robinson, editor, Outdoor Photographer Magazine 

"A compilation of expert tips and advice by some of today's most talented professional nature photographers."  —Jim Erhardt, founder, Nature Photographers Online Magazine

50 Amazing Things You Must See and Do in the Greater D.C. Area:

The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Guide

by Ian Plant and Joseph Rossbach

Highlighting some of the most breathtaking scenery and wildlife in the eastern United States, this guide to the greater Washington, DC area makes it easy to explore natural beauty spots in central Maryland and northern Virginia over a day or a weekend. With an emphasis on efficiency, all the destinations listed can be reached within a three-hour drive from the nation's capital. To save time, the book goes after the best outdoor experiences, including the best hiking, biking, and paddling in the region; the best vantage points to glimpse birds and animals; and the best times for seasonal events such as the spring bloom and the peak autumn color. From hiking in the Appalachian Mountains or paddling the mighty Potomac River, to watching the winter snow geese migrate on the eastern shore of Maryland, the book provides an inspiring range of adventures, all illustrated with stunning, full-color photos by professional photographers and area residents Ian Plant and Joseph Rossbach.

*NEW* Harper's Ferry: A Crossroads in Time

by Jim Kirby

With contemporary photographs and words, this handsome and groundbreaking book explores the cultural and natural history of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and the surrounding landscape within Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. More than just a collection of photographs, the book chronicles the history of the area; though best known for the 1859 raid, the town occupies a strategic location between the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet, making it an important 19th-century center for river, canal, and railroad transportation. The book explores that bustling bygone era, including the Civil War years, which brought an end to the town’s industrial age. Moreover, the book portrays the present-day town and the area’s scenic attractions, including the rivers and the Appalachian Trail, which passes through the park. Jim Kirby has won nine Virginia Press Association awards for excellence in photography. He is a former photographer for the Reston Times and the Fairfax Journal and currently shoots advertising and editorial assignments for magazines, advertising agencies, and corporations. He lives in Reston, Virginia.

Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway

by Nye Simmons

Filled with detailed information on the best hikes, scenic stops, waterfalls, and historic locations, this is the ultimate guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, one of America's most visited national parks. Information on lodging, way stations, side trips, hiking trails, and attractions of interest is included—ideal for the time-pressed traveler who wants to hit the high points of the park. Full-color photographs, photographer's notes, and photo tips complement the detailed descriptions of the park's attractions, making this handbook both a travel guide and a compilation to treasure.

Between Ocean and Bay: A Celebration of the Eastern Shore

by Jim Clark

Showcasing the extraordinary beauty of the eastern shores of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, this stunning photography book offers a look at a region of abundant wildlife, beautiful beaches, idyllic farms, and quaint seaside communities. From Chesapeake Bay on the west to the Atlantic Ocean on the east, the Eastern Shore provides unrivaled opportunities for recreation, conservation, and solitude and is blessed with numerous protected natural areas and a seasonal gathering of wildlife that has few equals on the North American continent. This breathtaking collection reveals the complex ecosystem and wild inhabitants of this special place through words and images, showing the Eastern Shore’s life and land as never seen before, and includes detailed photographer's notes and extended captions describing how and where each photograph was taken.

Cades Cove: Window to a Secret World

by Bill Lea

One of the most popular destinations within Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Cades Cove, and this book showcases its splendor and provides an intimate glimpse of the history behind the beauty of this special place. Preserved by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to look much the way it looked in the 1800's, Cades Cove's pastoral charm, numerous historic cabins, barns and churches, and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities attract over two million visitors each year. Whether planning to visit the park or seeking a keepsake from a recent visit, readers will find this guide packed with stunning photography and insights. 

"This stunning and intimate work gives you the feeling of walking in the photographer's footsteps."  —The Franklin Press

"For more than two decades, Bill Lea has been routinely slicing off parts of Cades Cove and taking them home with him."  —Knoxville News Sentinel

"The book includes breath-taking scenic views, animals with personality . . . full-color palette sunrises, shadowy mountain crests and clutches of fog fingers hugging log cabins."  —Blount Today

Chesapeake: Bay of Light

by Ian Plant

Following in the footsteps of Captain John Smith’s voyages from 400 years ago, this book, filled with breathtaking photographs, captures the wild, untamed beauty and hidden and forgotten locales of the Chesapeake Bay. Peppered with quotes from Captain Smith and with powerful essays that speak of the harrowing plight of the Bay and the recent attempts at resuscitation, this keepsake presents the abundant wildlife and waterways of one of America’s most celebrated natural treasuries.

"Invigorating . . . [shows] how extraordinarily enriched and beautiful the Bay still is."  —The Washington Post

"This beautiful collection of photos and essays . . . describe the bay's beauty and the dangers that threaten this extraordinary natural resource."  —The Baltimore Sun

"I can't keep my hands off  Chesapeake: Bay of Light . . . a totally beautiful effort that is worth every penny."  —The Washington Times

"Chesapeake: Bay of Light . . . is a beautiful testament to the estuary's glory and fragility. The book is a treat."  —Richmond Times-Dispatch 

"Light fascinates photographer Ian Plant and catches your eye as you leaf through this gorgeous book . . . a sumptuous visual feast."  —Chesapeake Bay Magazine 

"Photographer Ian Plant and author Tom Horton beautifully capture the Bay's changing moods."   —Chesapeake Life Magazine