Many of you already know this, and see it on a weekly basis or more often as he posts answers on this forum to impossible questions about fauna, flora, and all things in the natural world. Don Kurz is a walking encyclopedia - in all my years being around all sorts of people in jobs relating to the outdoors at all skill levels I've never seen anything like him. If you ever spend five minutes outside with him you will understand this. He is known as being an expert on wildflowers and trees (and has written many books about them), but he also knows about nearly anything else you are likely to encounter in the natural world - like for instance Mike Hall's lacewing eggs just this morning - where in the world did he learn about those and why does he know that? I've asked him hundreds of questions about anything and everything in the many years that I have known Don, and I think only one time he did not know the answer. Unbelievable. He is as close to being a genius as it gets when it comes to outdoor subjects.
Don spent many years roaming the forests, streams, and prairies of his adopted state of Missouri to find, acquire, and protect as many natural wonders as possible while working as the Natural History Chef for the Missouri Conservation Department - he worked on the purchase of 80 individual tracts of land for the state while he was on their payroll. In the process he learned a great deal about Missouri - like where all the really neat and scenic places were, where the best places were to find wildlife, wildflowers, waterfalls, big trees, scenic vistas, etc. Don easily knows more about Missouri than anyone else - no contest.
As luck would have it (for us!), he just happens to be an accomplished photographer as well - something you hardly ever see him display here. What that means is that while he knows everything about everything, he also knows what LOOKS good and photographs well - a fact that is lost on so many other scientist/outdoor worker/administrator types.
Several years ago Don came to us with an idea to publish a guidebook containing 100 of the most scenic and interesting areas in Missouri. I had long admired Don's work with wildflowers and was eager to work with him on this project. It took a few years for Don to get everything put together like he wanted for this book (he leaves NO stone unturned!) - with detours to write and publish several other books (including the Illinois Wildflower guidebook and a couple of field guides for Missouri) - and he had to deal with the death of not one but both of his beloved parents.
After all of these years I am happy to report that Don has completed his incredible guidebook to 100 scenic areas in Missouri - each listing includes a map (I got to sleep with the college sweetheart that drew all 100 of the maps!), one or more color photos, GPS, directions, and a complete description of the area, plus why the area is important and what you are likely to see there (and even the best time to go!). This includes waterfalls, wildlife areas, prairies, woodlands, caves, and gosh, the list goes on and on. I got to pour through hundreds and hundreds of his photographs to select the best 118 that were used in the book - all the while anxious to get out of the office and up to MISSOURI with my camera!
To give you some idea of his photography, we had at least 14 different photographs that would have made great covers for this book (often a publisher struggles to fine ONE that will work), and it was a tough job to narrow them down to a handful, and then finally after a long voting process, to the final image that you see on the cover above. And speaking of that photo - it shows a small portion of a mile-long run of granite boulders that churn with whitewater - can you just imagine this place in the winter and spring?!
That is one of the neatest things about this new guidebook - it is a roadmap for nature photographers to find the most scenic spots! And on top of that, it just happens to be a great little picture book too. The only problem right now is that we just sent the files off to the printer in Seoul, and the printed version of the guidebook won't be available until sometime in October - come to think of it that will be just in time for fall colors in Missouri!
We are quite fortunate to have someone of Don's character and expertise sulking around the halls of this nature forum...
Count me in! I'll be ordering one in October. I appreciate the knowledge and the willingness to share that vast info with all of us! Thanks Don for everything!!!!
Tim,
I am just guessing here but is that cover shot the Johnson Shutins? I have never been there but I always get good reports about that spot from my Mo connections.
Amen to our good fortune having Don as a contributor and resource! I am really looking forward to getting a copy of this new book - so many beautiful places in Missouri at which to point a camera. I plan to put the book to good use this fall. And speaking of fall - what about having our annual gathering in Missouri this year? Any thoughts...I'll post a separate thread later.
Not only is Don uber-knowledgeable, he seems to be as gracious with his knowledge as he is proficient. I've never had the pleasure of meeting Don, but over and over I am impressed with his willingness to share his vast talents with those of us lesser folks here on the forum without making us feel inadequate, nor reprimanding us for not having one of his books at our fingertips all the time. What a genuine gentleman he seems to be!
Thanks, Don and congrats on your latest accomplishment!
Hey Bob - one of the things that I have learned in the past few weeks working with Don's new guidebook is the fact there are quite a few "shut-ins" in Missouri, Johnson being the most popular (before it got washed away!). The one pictured on the cover is the longest in the state, although I don't recall the name - have to go to the other building and find a pdf of that darn guidebook and look it up! They have the Missouri state whitewater championships there each spring.
Hey Bill - perhaps we can all go camp at Don's house for a spring gathering and shoot some shut-ins! I hear he always has a large flock in the back yard that we could BBQ...
Posted by Rod Kissinger on August 2, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Congrats Don!
I've always admired your gracious willingness to share your expertise with us on this forum.
Can't wait to see the book.
Can we pre-order?
Tim, thanks for the recognition! I now have crossed off that book accomplishment on my bucket list. Ha
Also, thanks to Mike, Bill, David, Tom, and Rod! I am pleased to be able to help assist such an accomplished group of nature photographers with the i.d.s of their remarkable photos.
Tim has done a great job with the design and layout of the book. If I am not mistaken, that cover image is from a 6x7 image that I submitted and he cropped out the left side to make for a more dramatic scene. Kudos to Tim!
The photo is of the St. Francis River Shut-in Natural Area at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, the longest shut-in in the Midwest. It is a wonder walking amongst the granite boulders and composing hundreds of shots as the river flows through the area. New compositions are always present with each visit as the river's height influences its flow amongst the boulders. This is definitely a must see at anytime of year!
I want a copy also. A great cover image also. I have always wanted to paddle and photograph the St. Francis. I look forward the getting a copy my daughter is headed to Iowa for college so I will be going through the state more in the next few years. Congrats Don on the book. I hope you guys do well with it.
Posted by Dena Sanders on August 3, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Congratulations Don! I've been looking forward to this every since I heard you were writing it. Can't wait to get my copy!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on August 3, 2009 at 10:07 AM
When you start with as much knowledge as Don has, add in years of research and beautiful photography, then top that off with Tim & Pam's book publication experience and attention to detail .... well I can only imagine how good and helpful this guidebook will be!
I want one too ... make mine an autographed copy please!
We don't do pre-orders - too much paperwork to keep up with - also since we don't charge credit cards before items ship sometimes with pre-orders the credit card can go out of date and that just creates more headache for us. I'll post a notice here when the time comes - it will be another couple of months, although I may release a digital version that would be available for download before the paperback is available.
Since several of you asked about it, I just wanted to let you know that this book is now available for pre-order from our web site - the books are in route from the west coast and will arrive within the next week or so. We won't have any autographed copies for a while, but as soon as we get Don to Cloudland for an autograph party then we'll be sending out autographed copies. If you happen to run into Don between now and then you could possibly club him over the head - I sent him two advance copies of the book!
Posted by Tim Buchanan on October 7, 2009 at 1:00 PM
What? I thought you already knew where every place in your back yard was! I won't be able to make it up this fall but will use Don's guide to find many great places next spring...
Discussion
17 repliesDon spent many years roaming the forests, streams, and prairies of his adopted state of Missouri to find, acquire, and protect as many natural wonders as possible while working as the Natural History Chef for the Missouri Conservation Department - he worked on the purchase of 80 individual tracts of land for the state while he was on their payroll. In the process he learned a great deal about Missouri - like where all the really neat and scenic places were, where the best places were to find wildlife, wildflowers, waterfalls, big trees, scenic vistas, etc. Don easily knows more about Missouri than anyone else - no contest.
As luck would have it (for us!), he just happens to be an accomplished photographer as well - something you hardly ever see him display here. What that means is that while he knows everything about everything, he also knows what LOOKS good and photographs well - a fact that is lost on so many other scientist/outdoor worker/administrator types.
Several years ago Don came to us with an idea to publish a guidebook containing 100 of the most scenic and interesting areas in Missouri. I had long admired Don's work with wildflowers and was eager to work with him on this project. It took a few years for Don to get everything put together like he wanted for this book (he leaves NO stone unturned!) - with detours to write and publish several other books (including the Illinois Wildflower guidebook and a couple of field guides for Missouri) - and he had to deal with the death of not one but both of his beloved parents.
After all of these years I am happy to report that Don has completed his incredible guidebook to 100 scenic areas in Missouri - each listing includes a map (I got to sleep with the college sweetheart that drew all 100 of the maps!), one or more color photos, GPS, directions, and a complete description of the area, plus why the area is important and what you are likely to see there (and even the best time to go!). This includes waterfalls, wildlife areas, prairies, woodlands, caves, and gosh, the list goes on and on. I got to pour through hundreds and hundreds of his photographs to select the best 118 that were used in the book - all the while anxious to get out of the office and up to MISSOURI with my camera!
To give you some idea of his photography, we had at least 14 different photographs that would have made great covers for this book (often a publisher struggles to fine ONE that will work), and it was a tough job to narrow them down to a handful, and then finally after a long voting process, to the final image that you see on the cover above. And speaking of that photo - it shows a small portion of a mile-long run of granite boulders that churn with whitewater - can you just imagine this place in the winter and spring?!
That is one of the neatest things about this new guidebook - it is a roadmap for nature photographers to find the most scenic spots! And on top of that, it just happens to be a great little picture book too. The only problem right now is that we just sent the files off to the printer in Seoul, and the printed version of the guidebook won't be available until sometime in October - come to think of it that will be just in time for fall colors in Missouri!
We are quite fortunate to have someone of Don's character and expertise sulking around the halls of this nature forum...
I am just guessing here but is that cover shot the Johnson Shutins? I have never been there but I always get good reports about that spot from my Mo connections.
Thanks, Don and congrats on your latest accomplishment!
Dave Hatfield
Hey Bill - perhaps we can all go camp at Don's house for a spring gathering and shoot some shut-ins! I hear he always has a large flock in the back yard that we could BBQ...
I've always admired your gracious willingness to share your expertise with us on this forum.
Can't wait to see the book.
Can we pre-order?
Rod
Also, thanks to Mike, Bill, David, Tom, and Rod! I am pleased to be able to help assist such an accomplished group of nature photographers with the i.d.s of their remarkable photos.
Tim has done a great job with the design and layout of the book. If I am not mistaken, that cover image is from a 6x7 image that I submitted and he cropped out the left side to make for a more dramatic scene. Kudos to Tim!
The photo is of the St. Francis River Shut-in Natural Area at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, the longest shut-in in the Midwest. It is a wonder walking amongst the granite boulders and composing hundreds of shots as the river flows through the area. New compositions are always present with each visit as the river's height influences its flow amongst the boulders. This is definitely a must see at anytime of year!
Best,
Don
I want one too ... make mine an autographed copy please!