Fresh out of grad school and recently married, John and Colleen Marzluff left Arizona 20 years ago for a cabin in the mountains of Maine. Their mission: conduct a first-ever study of the winter ecology of the Common Raven, under the tutelage of biologist Bernd Heinrich.

In “Dog Days, Raven Nights,” the couple chronicle their three-year endeavor and share the unique challenges and joys of raising, training, and racing the sled dogs that assisted them in their work.

The Marzluff’s book and research will be featured in the next edition of San Juan Nature Institute’s Arthur Whiteley Lecture Series, Thursday, Feb. 13, at the UW of Friday Harbor Labs Commons, at 7 p.m.

Accompanied by Evon Zerbetz’s linocut illustrations, “Dog Days, Raven Nights” is a behind-the-scenes look at adventures of field science and an insightful exploration of relationships, animal and human.

For more on San Juan Nature Institute and the Whiteley Lectures, visit, www.sjnature.org.