John James Audubon's passion for birds inspired a national movement to protect birds and their habitats. As a child, John collected bird nests, unique stones, bits of moss, and other items of interest and developed his talent for creating dramatic bird portraits and skills for observing them in the wild. Using his abilities as an acute observer, skilled writer, and exceptional artist, Audubon wrote and illustrated a book, Birds of America. Cataloging all these creatures took enormous time and effort—but even more difficult was finding a way to publish it. To make his book a reality he had to persuade wealthy investors to support his dream. Audubon became a larger-than-life figure and dubbed himself "the American Woodsman." Years after his death his artwork is still considered a major accomplishment that inspired a greater interest in American birdlife. Includes 21 hands-on activities and valuable resources for budding ornithologists hiking in his footsteps.