In the Crosswinds: Birds, Humans, and the Paradox of Place

In the Crosswinds takes readers on a captivating and humorous journey from the woods of western New York to the jungles of Ecuador and the wetlands of Africa, exploring the complexities of land, movement, identity, and belonging.

Join ecologist and avid birder Eli J. Knapp on a quest to rediscover how to connect with the natural world. In the face of restlessness and rootlessness, we look to the birds of the world—creatures that are at once migratory and deeply connected to place—for insight and understanding.

With a rollicking blend of avian science and crackling narrative, In the Crosswinds confronts the all-too-human desire to define our place on a changing planet—and reveals instead the wonder and miraculous beauty of being exactly where we are.

"Fluid, fun and engaging; simultaneously thoughtful and thought provoking. An absolute delight."—James Aldred, Goshawk Summer

"Knapp's witty and intriguing exploration of the avian world invites us to discover our own place amongst these fascinating beings and serves as a reminder of the natural world's enduring power to heal."—Tammah Watts, Keep Looking Up