By ANNE-MARIE EMERSON By day Wanganui man Paul Gibson is an accountant; by night (or at least, in the weekends and holidays) he's an avid photographer and bird-watcher. These two enthusiasms have combined to produce an impressive book, New Zealand Birds: A Diverse Selection, which had its official launch in Wanganui lastnight. The book features 280 of Mr Gibson's spectacular bird photos 180 of which were taken in the Wanganui region. The book is designed for the amateur bird-watcher. It doesn't contain technical details about each bird, just basic facts. "This is a book for ordinary people to use. School kids would be able to read it." Not every New Zealand bird is listed but each group of birds is represented. "For instance, I don't have all 20 or so species of albatross, but I do have about four." Exotic birds as well as natives are detailed. Mr Gibson spent two years working on the book. As well as taking all the photos, he wrote the text and designed the book himself. "My original plan was to cover just Wanganui birds, but it was going so well and I was enjoying it so much, I had to keep going!" The self-published book will be sold in bookstores nationwide, for $49.99. PICTURED: Wanganui amateur photographer and bird-watcher Paul Gibson with his new book, New Zealand Birds: A Diverse Selection, which was launched in Wanganui last night.
