Sneak Peek: Strange, Beautiful Birds' Nests

Constructed from mud, grass, or spiderwebs, perched on high branches, tunneled into sand banks, or even nestled into old hats, birds' expertly crafted nests prove that architectural marvels aren't limited to the human realm.

A fascination with avian ability and a desire to “learn what birds need to be sustained both locally and globally” led photographer and author Sharon Beals to make the portraits of the bird homes featured in her new book, Nests: Fifty Nests and the Birds that Built Them (Chronicle Books, March 2011).

Want a sneak peek of Nests? Check out Sierra magazine's slide show, which features some of our favorites.

--Della Watson