jtaoor S THE weather improves and you spend more time outdoors, particularly with children, you soon discover sunscreen is no protection for the ego. Adults are usually shy about displaying their ignorance, but kids point at every bird, tree and Jandmark and loudly inquire, “What's that?” “4 don’t know,” may be an honest answer, but repeating it constantly makes for a long day that's heil on your self-esteem. Simply keeping track of the in- credible variety of bird life in the Lower Mainland is a full-time job _that just got easier thanks to the Vancouver Natural History Socie- ty’s publication of A Bird Watching Guide to the Vancouver Area (Cavendish Books, $12.95). In addition to a wealth of data on other areas, the book has sec- tions devoted to five North Shore tocales: Maplewood Flats, Light- house Park, Ambleside, Seymour and Cypress parks. It's immediately obvious that one of the advantages of living on - this steep foreshore, or- nithologically speaking, is that you can go from viewing shorebirds tike grebes and herons to hand- ‘feeding gray jays and tripping over blue grouse in a matter of minutes. Most of the best areas for bird- - watching are coincidentally great spots for family walks and picnics, and spotting birds easily falls into the larger pattern of an enjoyable day in the woods or at the beach _ — something the kids can make a game of that also enhances everyone’s knowledge and appre- ciation of our natural ‘environ- ment. CHENIN BLANC — BROWN ~ BROTHERS 1991 $71.95 (Australia) Most of us got to know Chenin ‘Blanc from clumsy, foxy bargain- gargles exported from the Kiwi Isles and The Land of Oz in the past — wines that would make it hard to believe they were cousins of the crisp, smoky Fouilly Fumes of the Loire. This may not be Pouilly Fume, but it’s not trying to be, unlike the Californian versions, and it’s a far cry from the candied cheapies of yore. For those who are weary of bone-dry oaky whites, this is heaven. An orchard in a glass; full, softly rounded fruit, with a clean non- stick finish. Perfect for summer afternoons in the banana-lounger. ERRAZURIZ DON MAXIMIANO SPECIAL RESERVE CASERNET SAUVIGNON 1888 $23.55 (Chile) Yes, | smashed the piggy bank and just in time; this was one of the fast two bottles at Park Royal -LDB and they had to dig around in the back for it. Not cricket to recommend a wine that seems to be in short supply, but.all the more reason to get around and drive the staif crazy. Beg, borrow (don’t steal). wheedle wine, trade your first- born, but grab as many as you can - carry of what must be the bargain “of the year in this price bracket. — By John Moore John Moore BOOK REVIEW Not to mention that it doesn’t require several thousand dollars of investment in equipment; a good pair of binoculars is an accessory. (If you want to lie in a swamp all night with an infra-red telescope to get a glimpse of the elusive red- headed williwagger, that’s up to you, but you don’t have to.) Don’t turf your Audubon field guides. The work of 24 local experts, this book is packed with informa- tion at the expense of pretty pic- tures, but it’s so minutely focused on local areas that you'll have a much better handle on where and when to look for certain species. The only obvious sin of omis- sion, since they wander as far afield as Golden Ear Park, Roberts Bank and Point Roberts in Washington, is their failure to mention the Squamish River estuary, home to one of the largest and most accessible concentra- tions of bald eagles in North America from November to March, not to mention the rare trumpeter swan, etc. One of the areas mentioned is that green Mecca for families in summer, Stanley Park. The park, of course, contains a great deal more than its abundant bird life, and local author Mike Steele mas compiled an ingenious and informative guide to the park itself (Heritage House, $14.95). Weaving historical anecdotes in- to an almost step-by-step Cook's tour of the seawall and trails, Steele has produced a guide that is likely to be more of a revelation to residents who think they “know’’ the park than to tourists. Out-of-town guests you take on the obligatory tour of the park are apt to ask even more pointed questions than kids, as most of us have discovered to our embar- rassment. Do you know why the nine o'clock gun is fired? Do you know how Siwash Rock or Halleluja Point got their-names? Do you know anything about the contentious, even violeni, his- tory of Deadman’s Island, home of HMCS Discovery? i didn’t. i do now. Packed with fascinating anec- dotes that will impress your guests and excellent historical and con- temporary photographs, trail maps, etc., you don’t have to wait for company to call to use it. You’re guaranteed to find a dozen things you didn’t know and haven't done in as many pages. A DETECTIVE KIT THE EAMILY © CAN USE TOGETHER. IT'S FUN. AND GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, TOO. Eco’s Houschold Hazardous Products Detective Kit shows you how. -Many school children know Eco, the ecosaurus, asa crusader for the environment. 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