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Couple things are unclear for me on the Spirit ranger variation in the APG.
I've seen this first thing mentioned, but no clear answer. Does the 2nd part of the Spirit Bond ability function only while in a favored terrain? From a balance perspective, I see no reason that it should be restricted in that way. Giving up the animal companion is a significant sacrifice.
Secondly, what sort of action does invoking the spirits to cast a spell on the ranger's behalf take? The wording in the initial part of the ability doesn't mention that the ranger casts the spell, but only that he can "call upon these spirits" to cast the spell. This suggests, possibly, a free action, the same as talking. Later in the ability description however, it says "At 8th level...he can cast an additional spell in this way". I'm on the fence as to whether this would be overpowered or not, considering what you give up to get the ability, the animal companion. I'm leaning toward standard action, sadly (I'll be going Spirit Ranger with my two hand weapon ranger once I hit 4th), but I could be convinced. *wink wink*
Spirit Bond (Ex): At 4th level, instead of forming a bond
with his hunting companions or an animal companion,
the spirit ranger forms a bond with the spirits of nature
themselves. Each day, as long as he is within one of his
favored terrains, the ranger can cast augury (Pathfinder
RPG Core Rulebook 245) as a spell-like ability with a caster
level equal to his ranger level. In addition, he can call
upon these spirits to cast any one ranger spell that he is
capable of casting, without having to prepare the spell. At
8th level, and every four levels thereafter, he can cast an
additional spell in this way. This replaces hunter’s bond.
A strict reading of RAW seems to say that the spontaneous spells are only in your favored terrain. Is that slightly underpowered compared to the similar Arcane Bond (object) of the wizard? Yes, which is why on my table I'd definitely allow a spirit ranger to use his spontaneous spells anywhere.
Comparing it to the Arcane Bond ability, it seems clear that calling on the spirits to let you cast an unprepared spell is subsumed in the actual casting of the spell. It doesn't take an extra action to call them.