Wild and Wonderful: The Wildlife of West Virginia

Two of West Virginia's premier observers of nature combine their expertise to showcase some of the State's most fascinating and beautiful creatures. Through the lens of a camera, Steve Shaluta captures exquisite photos of wildlife while Dr. Edwin Michael uses the lenses of binoculars to describe the same creatures in terms we can all understand.

The authors present a diverse group of West Virginia wildlife that enhance our outdoor excursions. This book features a wide range of the more prominent animals.

While some are now common, others occur only in specific habitats. Some are relatively rare, some are recent newcomers, and some no longer exist in the wild in West Virginia.

Each photograph is accompanied by fascinating facts about the species, with special references to their lives in West Virginia.

Steve Shaluta is a professional photographer and native of Grafton, West Virginia. A former railroad engineer, in 1985 Steve left his 14-year engineering career to turn his photography hobby into his full time job. Steve has had literally thousands of his images published and his framed art prints can be found in businesses and homes throughout the Mid-Atlantic. With over 350 magazine covers, nine books and innumerable published photographic images to his credit, his career choice was obviously a good one.

Dr. Edwin Michael, Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Ecology at West Virginia University, has devoted over 40 years of his life to the study of West Virginia's wildlife. That experience was the basis for his three, historical fiction novels, "A Valley Called Canaan," "Shadow of the Alleghenies," and "Death Visits Canaan."
Dr. Michael was born on Plum Run in Marion County, and attended public schools in Shinnston and New Martinsville. He received a B. S. degree in Biology from Marietta College, and M. S. and Ph.D. degrees in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Michael continues to research and write about the wildlife of West Virginia, especially those living in the high mountains.