Rick Cech: Changing the Way We Appreciate Birds and Butterflies

Rick Cech (pronounced Check) is the principal author and photographer of Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide (Princeton, 2005). He wrote "A Distributional Checklist of the Butterflies and Skippers of the New York City Area," and co-authored the National Audubon Society Regional Guide to Florida. A life-long field observer, Cech brings innovative perspectives to the study and appreciation of natural history. He played a formative role in the Sibley Guide series, as well as the National Audubon Society Interactive CD-ROM Guide to North American Birds. He has been a frequent contributor of articles and photographs to American Butterflies, and edited The Anglewing, an early NABA publication.

Rick's photography is widely published, in articles and books (including more than 950 in Butterflies of the East Coast) as well as in photo exhibits and displays. He has led nature trips since the early 1980s, and makes regular presentations to natural history and botanical organizations across the country.

Cech's work emphasizes butterfly biology and ecological considerations, stressing the importance of conservation and the protection of vanishing species and habitats. Some of his specific accomplishments include the following:

Rick Cech Biography

Natural History Author

• Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide - Princeton University Press, with Guy Tudor (2005)
• The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior - Principal introductory author (2003)
• National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida - Introductory text (1998)
• A Distributional Checklist of Butterflies in New York City - Comprehensive guide to where and when to find butterflies within a 50-mile radius of New York City (1993)

Natural History Consulting

• Chanticleer Press - Principal Naturalist Consultant (1994-1999)
• National Audubon Society Interactive CD-ROM Guide to North American Birds - Primary consultant including coordination of song recording feature (1996)
• Butterflies of New Jersey (1994) and Butterflies of California (2006)
  Consultant for pre-publication review

Natural History Photography

• Butterflies of the East Coast: An Observer's Guide - Shot 950 photos in this breakthrough guide (2005)
• Cover Photos:
  National Audubon Society Field Guide to Butterflies (2002)
  National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida (1998)
  American Butterflies (Winter, 1995)
  Where the Birds Are (1990)
  
• American Museum of Natural History - The Butterfly Conservancy Photos for ongoing live butterfly exhibit (1998-present)
• Butterfly Photography Workshops - NYC Audubon Society; North American Butterfly Association Biennial Meetings (1996 & 2000)
• Audubon Regional Guides: California, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
• National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Insects, Trees, Wildflowers - Scholastic, Inc. (1998-1999)
• Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo - Butterfly Zone exhibit