I got the 1st printed copy of my book and I was humbled to get some more editorial reviews on my book from Ornithologist J. Drew Lanham and other birders!

I recently got the first printed copy of my book! I really did cry holding it physically in my hands for the first time. I am very proud of the book and so wish my father and mother lived to see it. My dad who knew of the book was so excited for it. It is bittersweet I couldn't share the first printed copy with him. I was incredibly nervous to see the book in print, since it was my first book, I didn't know what to expect. It was surreal I tell you. The book really came out great in my opinion and was worth all the hard work. I can't wait until it is available in stores this June 18th. I may fall over when I walk into the bookstore and see it on the shelves. I really hope everyone who buys (or loans from the library) and reads a copy, enjoys it too. I also hope it helps those who are grieving or depressed and shows how birds are worth saving and how much joy and healing they can bring into our lives and how they ultimately make our life better. 

Close up photo of the physical printed copy of my first book! - Photo: Melissa Hafting

A sneak peek at the inside of my book “Dare to Bird” - Photos: Rocky Mountain Books/Grace Gorman

I was also honoured to get this lovely review on my book by Black Ornithologist J. Drew Lanham. He is a true inspiration to me. He writes poetry like in his new book Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves but also has done so much to speak out about the difficulties and racism that Black People face out in the field in birding and what needs to change in order to make the hobby more inclusive. (In the book I talk about the trials I have had to deal with because of the colour of my skin as well in this field). I was truly touched by Drew's words about my book!

"Dare to Bird, dares to challenge us to move beyond the politically subjected "colorblind" excuse for not celebrating human diversity and asks us to see the same  colorful world behind the bins as we see beyond the lens; to celebrate ourselves as part of a wider field of view. Inclusion matters ecologically and sociologically and author Melissa "BC Birdergirl" Hafting, crafts conversations that bring joy, bird by bird, in a book that's  as much a work about hope for humanity as it is aspirations for the things with feathers. "
- J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, poet and author.

Faraaz Abdool a Trinidadian bird book author also wrote really touching words:

“An ally to everyone who has ever experienced discrimination while birding, Melissa Hafting’s Dare to Bird is a fascinating window into the ebb and flow of collective joy and grief. These murmurations of our own psyches are illustrated by Melissa’s lived experience and the countless parallels she draws between our existence and that of the birds. Her absolutely stunning photography is the perfect complement, giving all of us the opportunity to be captivated by the same sights she shared with her closest companions.” —Faraaz Abdool, wildlife photographer, speaker, birding guide and environmental advocate; author of Casual Birding in Trinidad & Tobago


I am overcome with emotion to know that so many esteemed birders like my book! It is always nerve wracking exposing your work to the world this way and it means so much to me that people like it so far!

You can read all the reviews and more that will be added at the publisher’s link and also at Amazon (under Editorial Reviews)


My book is finally printed! - Photo: Rocky Mountain Books/Grace Gorman

The book comes out June 18, 2024  and will be available in all local bookstores, libraries, and also online at Amazon.ca  and Chapters/Indigo and in the US at Barnes and Nobles and at Amazon.com 

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 6, 2024 at 12:17 AM

    God girl this looks so good! I love the inside of the book so sophisticated and professional. Happy for you. I ordered my copy from Indigo!!!!!!!!! Beautiful words by Drew I like his work and remember when 9 rules for the black birdwatcher came out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa HaftingJune 20, 2024 at 9:21 PM

      thanks glad to hear you like the look of the book. I worked hard with my graphic designer coming up with the concept

      Delete
  2. Vanessa L.May 6, 2024 at 12:18 AM

    I just wanted to tell you Melissa that as a woman birder of color you really inspire me. I hope to meet you in the field. There are very few women like you my age so adept at birding I'm in awe of your skill and kindess and genorosity to other birders especially beginner birders you are always patient with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa HaftingJune 20, 2024 at 9:20 PM

      Thanks Vanessa for your beautiful words it really means a lot to me. Hope to meet you too out there.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Dowitcher Identification

Image
Birders notoriously find it difficult to tell Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers apart. I have got a request to do an identification explanation on them so here goes, I hope it will be helpful. Short-billed Dowitchers and Long-billed look so similar. Using their habitat is helpful but not diagnostic. Short-billed Dowitchers tend to prefer Salt water and brackish water and Long-billed Dowitchers tend to prefer fresh water. However, I have OFTEN seen Short-billeds in freshwater and Long-billeds in brackish and salt water. Therefore, DO NOT rely on habitat. Another feature many people will tell you to rely on is spotting on the side of the flanks of Short-billeds and barring on the side of Long-billeds. Usually this is a mark that you can use but it is not always as distinct as you like. I have seen Short-billeds with a barred appearance to the flanks. It is only at the side of the breast where you have to look for this diagnostic feature for the spots on a Short-billed and t...
Read more

Hawk Identification Tips from every angle (Sharpie vs Cooper and Red-tailed Subspecies)

Image
I get several questions about the difference between accipiters. The most common ones are between Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks and between Cooper's Hawks vs Northern Goshawks (to a lesser degree). Next, I get many questions dealing with a certain race of buteos the Western Red-tailed Hawk and Harlan's. So I thought I would do a post on these to help answer those questions. I will deal with Cooper's and Sharpies and not Goshawks because they are much more common here and look much more alike. My friend John Reynolds inspired me to write this up. COOPER'S AND SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS EYE COLOUR - YELLOW OR ORANGE? RED? Normally a juvenile Cooper's hawk has a bright yellow eye and a Juvie Sharpie has a orange eye but some cooper's can have a dull yellow eye that looks a bit orangish. Cooper's Hawks usually only transition to the orange eye colour when they are sub adults, so in good light, it's a very very reliable feature. However you ...
Read more

STINT IDENTIFICATION

Image
As per request, here are some tips that I hope will be helpful in identifying and differentiating Red-necked Stint from Little Stint. I will also do a brief intro on Long-toed and Temminck's Stint... if you build it they will come right?😉 Red-necked and Little Stints look very much alike in worn breeding plumage. The amount of Red on the face, throat and breast in Red-necked Stint is vary variable). They look even more alike in non-breeding plumage, that is why it is essential to learn structural differences to separate the two. They are similar to Semipalmated Sandpipers as well as Sanderlings. Both species are often confused for Red-necked Stints. Little Stints rarely get confused with Sanderling because they have a hind toe which helps differentiate it from this species. Sanderlings in breeding or worn breeding are usually confused with Red-necked Stints but they are much larger than Red-necked Stints. Let's first start with Bills in this complicated ID proces...
Read more

*Updated - The most famous Red-tailed Hawk is eating fish on the ground just like a Bald Eagle!

Image
Update - There are plans in the works to make a documentary film on this young Red-tailed Hawk who thinks he's an Eagle. You can read the latest news about that on CBC HERE . Watch this incredible footage of the little Red-tailed Hawk who grew up in a family of three Eaglets and 2 Bald Eagle Parents. He is imprinted now on Bald Eagles. He looks and acts just like one, as you can see here in the video below. He is standing over a large salmon carcass, just like a Bald Eagle would and he's eating the decaying flesh. Red-tailed Hawks like to eat voles and rabbits etc. not fish! Imprinting is usually irreversible according to raptor expert David Bird. However, I hope it's reversible so that he doesn't attempt to mate with a Bald Eagle, as the Eagle would kill him because it would view him as a Hawk. Eagle expert David Hancock said that the bird will likely starve and get killed by an eagle. He said this possibly can be prevented if someone grabs it and takes it to O...
Read more

1 year since I lost my father

Image
My dad and I whom I miss terribly. One year on since I lost him. Today would have been my mother's bday. Her name was Valerie and it is also the first year anniversary of the death of my beloved father, Arne. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think of them. Now for ever more the day of his death will be connected to her birthday, a very sad day but in a way that connection is beautiful to tie them together. My beautiful family before we lost both parents. I put flowers down at their grave to celebrate them both today. I hate that it is one year since I told him I loved him and hugged him. I miss him so very much. I miss his voice, his love and guidance and support. The ground for me feels shakier without his guidance and safety. I hate I will never see him again or talk to him again. Can't believe how quick time passes. This is why it is so important we treasure every single day to the fullest and tell those we love them. I will never forget the day he passed aw...
Read more