Since self-publishing “Nature of Bend: A Field Guide to Plants and Animals” in 2016, LeeAnn Kriegh has seen the guide around Central Oregon. She’s spotted it being carried with dog-eared pages in Shevlin Park and perched in one of her neighbors’ windows, where its resident uses the book to identify birds passing through her backyard.

On Thursday, Kriegh publishes a fresh edition of the guide with updated facts, photographs and a new design by independent nonprofit publisher Mountaineers Books.

And unlike when she self-published the first edition in 2016 and “Nature of Portland” in 2020, Kriegh has worked with a team to edit, proofread and design the book. She’s also worked with a considerable number of specialists and photographers to bring the title to life.

“The book was only possible thanks to dozens of naturalists who spent hours and hours with me teaching me things and reviewing every word I wrote. Dozens of photographers were so generous — amateurs and professionals — to share their photos. This whole book was a community project,” Kriegh said.

More than 350 species

The cover photo features a shot of Shevlin Park by Bend-based fine art landscape photographer Mike Putnam. Kreigh’s friend and wildflower aficionado, M.A. Wilson, has posthumously permitted Kreigh to use her catalog of thousands of photographs taken over the course of decades. And Sue Anderson supplied the photos of butterflies spanning six pages,

The book covers over 350 species of wildflowers, birds, wildlife and plants in an approachable writing style that covers key details, such as size, bloom time, where to find the species and the best time of year to spot it. It also goes further, with natural history and ecology tidbits.

“The book is about learning the stories behind species, sort of like getting to know your human neighbor. You learn their name first and that’s great. But they’re not your friend because you know their name. They become your friend when you learn a few more things about them and you start to care about them and feel a kinship with them,” Kriegh said.

Writing nature guides has taught the author to become a “slower, more curious and far happier hiker,” according to the bio at the back of her book.

Delighting in spring

It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the publication of “Nature of Bend” falls smack dab in the middle of spring. May 1 is the halfway point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.

“My favorite season used to be fall, but the more I learn about nature, spring just fills me up more and more,” Kriegh said.

Recently, she’s delighted in the early blooms of the Oregon Grape, a flower that is vital to pollinators such as bumblebees.

Kriegh looks forward to the bird songs of spring because she can identify the species and knows their background, a form of knowledge that deepens the experience and sense of connection while spending time in nature.

“I wrote the book because I was so curious about the plants and animals in this area, which are so different from even where I was coming from, the west side of Oregon. And the more I learned about our local species, the more fun I was having outside on all my outdoor adventures and I wanted to share that with other people,” she said.

Treasure hunts

Near the end of the book are twelve treasure hunts across Bend, where species listed throughout the book are likely to be seen and experienced. With popular spots such as Pilot Butte, Shevlin Park, Smith Rock State Park and Suttle Lake, Kriegh offers a checklist of trees, wildflowers, birds, amphibians and reptiles, labeled easy, medium and hard to find.

For those interested in diving deeper into the world of birdwatching, she recommends downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app, which offers quick identification for all levels of bird watchers by identifying birds with photos, sound or by location. Kriegh is also a fan of BirdCast, a website that tracks the nocturnal migration patterns of birds by county or state, a useful tool for determining the kinds of species that may be arriving in Central Oregon.

The author is hosting an event at Roundabout Books in celebration of the book’s release on May 8, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 or free with book purchase.

She’ll also be speaking at Worthy Brewing at 6 p.m. May 29 and signing copies of the book at Worthy Garden Club’s Hope & Resistance in the Natural World event. Details are forthcoming for the free event, for which registration is required to attend.

“Nature of Bend” is available for purchase at Roundabout Books, Barnes & Noble and mountaineers.org.

If You Go

What: Author event at Roundabout Books

When: 6:30 p.m. May 8

Where: Roundabout Books & Cafe, 900 NW Mt. Washington Drive, #110, Bend

Cost: $5 or with book purchase

Contact: roundaboutbookshop.com/events or 541-306-6564

If You Go

What: Pub talk and book signing presented by Worthy Garden Club

When: 6 p.m. May 29

Where: Worth Brewing, 495 NE Bellevue Drive, Bend

Cost: Free, registration required

Contact: worthygardenclub.org or 541-316-0080