Sibley Birds of Land, Sea, and Sky

David Allen Sibley has created a gorgeous collection of 50 postcards featuring a variety of birds. Sibley's illustrations are very reminiscent of the great naturalist John James Audubon. Whether you enjoy letter writing, bird watching, or home decorating, this collection will not disappoint!

First of all, the cards come in a strikingly beautiful (and very sturdy) box sealed with low tack stickers which prevents cards from spilling out during transit. Stickers were easily removed with no ripping of the box or residual adhesive.

Upon removing the lift off lid, one discovers that the postcards are grouped under five tabs:

• Waterfowl
• Woodpeckers
• Wading Birds
• Songbirds
• Owls & Raptors

Be aware, there is nothing ordinary about these postcards. They are a very stiff cardstock (think luxury paper) and have beautifully rounded edges. The design is very clutter free: illustrations of the birds take center stage against a white or softly tinted neutral background.  Both common and scientific names are included on the front of the postcard. One can obviously use these for postcards but these would also be very suitable for framing individually or in groups.

These cards would also make a great reference for bird watchers or even as a lovely supplement for the study of birds. If you plan to let children enjoy these postcards (which I hope you will), you may want to mark the backs with the subcategory for ease of refiling (or you could list the names on the back of the appropriate divider).

This set of postcards would make a lovely gift for anyone who appreciates nature. For those who enjoy traveling, the postcards could also serve as a challenge to find and observe each specimen in nature. As birds are found, postcards could be to put into a small memory album, with notation on the back of where and when the species was found--creating a lasting souvenir of your bird watching adventures!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary "Sibley Birds of Land, Sea, and Sky" from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.