Best of
Wildlife

2008

Life in Cold Blood


David Attenborough - 2008
    Join acclaimed naturalist Sir David Attenborough as he travels to the far corners of the Earth to tell the epic story of these animals in this companion to the television series. Discover the secrets of their astounding success--and the profound implications of their uncertain future.Amphibians and reptiles once ruled the planet, and their descendants exhibit some of the most colorful variety and astounding behavior known to the animal kingdom. What are the origins of these creatures? How have they transformed themselves into the beautiful and bizarre forms found today? In this gorgeously illustrated book, Attenborough gets up close and personal with the living descendants of the first vertebrates ever to colonize the land, and through them traces the fascinating history of their pioneering ancestors. He explains the ways amphibians and reptiles have changed little from their prehistoric forebears while also demonstrating how they have adapted and evolved into diverse new forms, some of them beyond our wildest imaginings. And Attenborough raises awareness of the threats global warming and other man-made environmental changes pose to many of these creatures. Life in Cold Blood inspires a genuine sense of wonder about amphibians and reptiles and the marvels of the natural world around us.

Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators


William Stolzenburg - 2008
    Not so anymore. All but exterminated, these predators of the not-too-distant past have been reduced to minor players of the modern era. And what of it? Wildlife journalist William Stolzenburg follows in the wake of nature's topmost carnivores, and finds chaos in their absence.From the brazen mobs of deer and marauding raccoons of backyard America to streamsides of Yellowstone National Park crushed by massive herds of elk; from urchin-scoured reefs in the North Pacific to ant-devoured islands in Venezuela, Stolzenburg leads a startling tour through bizarre, impoverished landscapes of pest and plague. For anyone who has seldom given thought to the meat-eating beasts so recently missing from the web of life, here is a world of reason to think again.

Animal Life: Secrets of the Animal World Revealed


Charlotte Uhlenbroek - 2008
    That thirst will be quenched at least temporarily by the perusal of this 500-plus-page pictorial extravaganza from the folks at DK. Animal Life offers you a visitor's pass into every aspect of animal behavior, from family relationships and hunting strategies to courtship rituals and sex lives. In signature DK style, editor Charlotte Uhlenbroek presides over a rich compilation of texts, side panels, photographs, and other illustrations.

Frog: A Photographic Portrait


Thomas Marent - 2008
    Published to coincide with Amphibian Ark’s “Year of the Frog” and designed to build awareness of environmental change causing many species of amphibians to disappear at an alarming rate. The aim of the year’s campaign is to generate awareness to the greatest species conservation challenge in history.Thomas Marent, author of Rainforest (2006) and Butterfly (2008), started photographing natural history subjects, particularly birds and butterflies, in the mountains of his native Switzerland. He has dedicated nearly half his life to recording butterflies across five continents.

Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species


Paul Sterry - 2008
    Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife allows everyone to identify any of the wildlife found in Britain and Ireland. By only covering Britain and Ireland, fewer species are included than in many broader European guides, making it quicker and easier for the reader to accurately identify what they have found. The book is illustrated with beautiful photographs throughout, featuring the mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates you are most likely to see, as well as all the common plants. Over 1,500 detailed photographs help you identify the plants and animals with ease, and each section is coded with a symbol for quick reference.

Butterfly


Thomas Marent - 2008
    From a butterfly's first struggle to free itself from the chrysalis and take flight, to the life-and-death dramas of courtship, reproduction, protection and defence, Thomas Marent's photography is a celebration of these remarkable creatures and a portrait of some of the 165,000 species spread over almost every region of the world.

The Owl and the Woodpecker: Encounters With North America's Most Iconic Birds (With Audio CD)


Paul Bannick - 2008
    The diversity of these two families of birds, and the ways in which they define and enrich the ecosystems they inhabit, are the subject of this vivid new book by photographer and naturalist Paul Bannick. The Owl and the Woodpecker showcases a sense of these birds' natural rhythms, as well as the integral spirit of our wild places. Based on hundreds of hours in the field photographing these fascinating and wily birds, Bannick evokes all 41 North American species of owls and woodpeckers, across 11 key habitats. And by revealing the impact of two of our most iconic birds, Bannick has created a wholly unique approach to birding and conservation. * Perfect holiday book for all bird-watchers * An in-depth look at two of our most iconic--and important--bird species * Great for photography lovers, conservationists, and backyard enthusiasts alike * Includes a foreword by award-winning artist and writer Tony Angell

The Wisdom of Birds: An Illustrated History of Ornithology


Tim Birkhead - 2008
    In 2007 bird-watching is one of the most popular pastimes, not just in America, but throughout the world, and the range of interest runs from the specialist to the beginner.In The Wisdom of Birds, Birkhead takes the reader on a journey that not only tells us about the extraordinary lives of birds - from conception and egg, through territory and song, to migration and fully fledged breeder - but also shows how, over centuries, we have overcome superstition and untested 'truths' to know what we know, and how recent some of that knowledge is.Conceived for a general audience, and illustrated throughout with more than 100 exquisitely beautiful illustrations, many of them rarely, if ever, seen before, The Wisdom of Birds is a book full of stories, knowledge and unexpected revelations.

Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America


Ted Floyd - 2008
    It introduces a "whole bird" approach by concisely gathering a collection of information about birds into one portable and well-organized volume.2,000 stunning color photographs of birds in natural habitats show the most important field marks, regional population differences, life stages, and behaviors700-plus detailed and up-to-date color range maps show summer, migration, winter, year-round, and rare but regular occurrences of every major speciesA DVD of birdsongs for 138 major species (587 vocalizations in all for 5½ hours of play); each high-quality MP3 file is embedded with an image of the bird, perfect to view on home computers and portable MP3 playersConcise descriptions of habits and ecology, age-related and seasonal differences, regional forms, vocalization, and informative captions pointing out the most important aspects of the bird46 group essays with information outlining taxonomy, feeding, migration, habitats, behaviors, and conservation statusA thorough and accessible introduction to birds and birding includes sections on parts of a bird, plumage and molt, food and feeding, migration, habitats, conservation, tips on bow to become a better birder, and moreA detailed glossary of terms, species checklist, and quick indexThe Field Guide to the Birds of North America is perfectly designed to give birders the most powerful and user-friendly collection of information to carry into the field or wherever they enjoy learning about birds and nature.

Jungle Jack: My Wild Life


Jack Hanna - 2008
    With the kind of work ethic and enthusiasm he's become known for, Hanna brought new life to the zoo, transforming it into the state-of-the-art facility it is today. It was an achievement for which he was well prepared: Hanna was only eleven years old when he got his first job with animals-cleaning cages for the family vet. As a newlywed, he and his wife, Suzi, ran a pet shop and petting zoo, and he later worked for a wildlife adventure outfit. You've probably seen Hanna as a wildlife correspondent with his animal friends on The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, Entertainment Tonight, and Hannity & Colmes. Full of unpredictable animal escapades and the occasional tragedy, this book takes readers on an enjoyable safari through the life of "Jungle" Jack Hanna.

The Book of Indian Butterflies


Isaac Kehimkar - 2008
    Most descriptions are illustrated with color images of specimens from the Bombay Natural History Society's collection as well as with color photographs of butterflies from across the country in their natural habitats. The book also includes color photographs showing the life history of different butterfly groups and their adaptation techniques.Besides highlighting the rich biodiversity of India's butterfly fauna, this book is a highly enjoyable guide for nature lovers. Isaac Kehimkar discusses the biology and identification of butterflies, as well as butterfly watching, photography, and rearing. Written by an expert in the field, The Book of Indian Butterflies is a comprehensive and updated guide to India's butterflies.

Bark: An Intimate Look at the World's Trees


Cedric Pollet - 2008
    Each image is a work of art in itself and is accompanied by a photograph of each tree in its natural environment, along with information about its species, origins, uses, habitat, and location. Cédric Pollet, whose background is landscape design, has combined his scientific and botanical background with his passion for plants to create a highly informative text, which compliments the beauty of his photographs. Bark is ideal for any nature lover.

Snakes of India The Field Guide


Romulus Earl Whitaker - 2008
    It concisely describes more than 150 species of snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous. Many of the species covered are also found in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Snake identification is made easy through stunning photographs and includes many of the color variations found in Indian snakes. Each species account includes description, scalation, natural history, a distribution map and look-alikes. Other sections include snakebite, snake people in India, laws protecting snakes and a complete, up to date checklist. Ashok Captain is an ophidian taxonomist and photographer who is either in the hill forests of India's remote northeast or the specimen rooms at the Bombay Natural History Society. He is particularly fond of the monsoons, umbrellas and leeches. Each book you buy contributes to the printing of “Snakes of India” in 15 Indian languages.

Extreme Birds: The World's Most Extraordinary and Bizarre Birds


Dominic Couzens - 2008
    The species showcased in this book are chosen for their extraordinary characteristics and for behaviors far beyond the typical. They are the biggest, the fastest, the meanest, the smartest. They build the most intricate nests, they have the most peculiar mating rituals, and they dive the deepest or fly the highest. These are the overachievers of the avian world.

Wildlife of Britain: The Definitive Visual Guide


George C. McGavin - 2008
    Explore its extraordinary beauty, diversity and wonder from the comfort of your front room.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 18


Rosamund Kidman-Cox - 2008
    The book showcases more than 120 stunning images from the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition - the most prestigious event of its kind. All the winning and commended photographs are here, selected by an international panel of expert judges and beautifully reproduced in this portfolio.Choosing the winning entries from an incredible 35,000 entries submitted by photographers around the world is not easy. Each year the new collection is eagerly awaited by nature lovers and photography buffs alike - and each year they are not disappointed, as the quality of the images and the ingenuity of photographers reach new heights of excellence.The range of subjects and styles is diverse - from abstract nature images to animal behaviour and portraits to environmental reportage. Together they celebrate the splendour, drama and variety of life on Earth. Each photograph is accompanied by a memorable caption that tells the story of how and why the shot was taken.Being placed in this competition is something that wildlife photographers the world over aspire to. To succeed, they need a mixture of vision, technical ability, knowledge of nature - and luck. All these elements are here in abundance in these inspirational photographs that bring the breathtaking beauty of the natural world to your coffee table.

Face to Face With Wolves


Jim Brandenburg - 2008
    Like you, he is torn between fear and curiosity. His instinct leads him towards the scent of your leather boots. Your instinct is to reach out to this curious white canine. Suddenly, he snarls, and you’re face to face with a wild animal. For years, photographer Jim Brandenburg has observed lone wolves by moonlight, Arctic wolves leaping onto ice floes, and wolves hunting and foraging for food. Packs of gray wolves surround his house in Minnesota. Let him lead you on an intimate journey through their mysterious world, making a persuasive case for the protection of this threatened species, and showing how wolves and humans can live together.

Frogs and Toads of the Southeast


Mike Dorcas - 2008
    Renowned herpetologists Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons provide us with the most comprehensive and authoritative, yet accessible and fun-to-read, guide to these sometimes wet, sometimes warty wonders of nature.Dorcas and Gibbons enumerate the distinguishing characteristics of frogs and toads, including how they are different from other amphibians and the differences between a frog and a toad. Also discussed are the morphology of frogs and toads, the main groups to be found in the Southeast, and their habitats. Individual species accounts contain a physical description of the species plus information about distribution and habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, predators and defense, calls and vocalizations, reproduction and description of eggs and tadpoles, and conservation. Accompanying each account are photographs illustrating typical adults and variations and distribution maps for the Southeast and the United States.Given the recent worldwide decline in amphibian populations and increasing scientific and popular concern for what these declines mean for all other organisms, Frogs and Toads of the Southeast will appeal to people of all ages and levels of knowledge interested in natural history and conservation. The guide will help foster the growing interest in frogs and toads as well as cultivate a desire to protect and conserve these fascinating amphibians and their habitats.Features:Conservation-oriented approachApproximately 250 color photographsApproximately 45 distribution mapsClear description and photographs of each species in both tadpole and adult stagesChapters on identification, vocalizations, reproduction, global diversity (including remarkable species such as the gastric brooding frog, poison dart frogs, and saltwater frogs), and introduced speciesA selection of frog and toad vocalizations at www.ugapress.org/FrogsAndToads

A Life in the Wild: George Schaller's Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts


Pamela S. Turner - 2008
    In this compelling biography, illustrated with Schaller’s own striking photographs, Pamela S. Turner examines the amazing life and groundbreaking work of the man International Wildlife calls “the world’s foremost field biologist.” Schaller’s landmark research revolutionalized field biology, demonstrating that it is possible to study dangerous animals in their own habitats: mountain gorillas in Central Africa, predatory tigers in India, mysterious snow leopards in the Himalayas, and many others. His insights about species and environment led him to successfully advocate for the protection of over 190,000 square miles of wilderness around the world – an area the size of Spain.Packed with grand adventure, intriguing science, dramatic photographs, and Schaller’s own breathtaking descriptions of the natural world and the animals who live in it, this full-color biography brilliantly captures the spirit and passion of George Schaller’s unusual – and inspiring – life in the wild.

Voyages of Discovery: A Visual Celebration of Ten of the Greatest Natural History Expeditions


Tony Rice - 2008
    Superb artwork and photographs spanning three centuries document landmark advances made in the field and bring to life the fascinating stories of the explorers, naturalists, artists and photographers.The book is fully illustrated in color with informative text and captions. Highlights include:Sir Hans Sloane's 1687 voyage to Jamaica, where he collected and recorded plant specimens, including cocoa, which are preserved to this day Maria Sybilla Merian's personal journey to Surinam in 1699, where in brilliant detail she recorded butterflies and exotic insects Charles Darwin's fateful trip to the Galapagos Islands, on which he cataloged finches and fossils William Bartram's fanciful documentation of North American wildlife Matthew Flinders' mapping of Australia, where he was accompanied by Ferdinand Bauer, perhaps the greatest of all natural science artists. The Natural History Museum in London has the world's most comprehensive collection of natural science specimens and artworks. Voyages of Discovery offers readers a privileged opportunity to explore that collection.

A Pocket Guide to Insects


Patrick Hook - 2008
    Illustrated throughout with superb color photographs. Fact boxes & locator maps provide essential information about taxonomy, distribution, & size.

Concepts of Nature: A Wildlife Photographer's Art


Andy Rouse - 2008
    The first part of his book, "Visions," presents the photographs, many never before published, which he feels were the landmarks in his career and in his development from a "one big shot" specialist to an artist who can capture the whole story of a species and its environment. Next, in "Expression," he discusses and illustrates the ideas and techniques that have enabled him to create a series of themed portfolios devoted to a single species or ecosystem, such as those he made in South Georgia and Antarctica. Finally, in "Inspiration," he turns to the work of other wildlife photographers who have inspired and influenced him. There is also an appendix with technical details of the individual photographs. For aspiring wildlife photographers, this book will be a motivation, showing just what can be achieved with skill, patience, and an extraordinary eye for the telling and dramatic shot, and it will also be treasured by wildlife enthusiasts.

Turtles of the Southeast


Kurt Buhlmann - 2008
    In fact, the region is second only to parts of Asia in its number of native turtles. Filled with more than two hundred color photographs and written with a special focus on conservation, this guide covers forty-five species of this nonthreatening, ancient lineage of long-lived reptiles.Heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat comprise the heart of the book. Species accounts cover such information as descriptions of adults and hatchlings; key identifiers including size, distinctive characters and markings; land, river, pond, and wetland habitats; behaviors and activities; food and diet; reproduction; predators and defense; and conservation issues.Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of turtle conservation and the biology, diversity, and life history of turtles. Discussed are distinguishing turtle characteristics; differences among turtles, tortoises, and terrapins; shell structure and architecture; reproduction and longevity; turtle predators and defense mechanisms; and turtle activities such as basking, hibernation, aestivation, and seasonal movement. Useful information about the interactions of humans and turtles is also covered: species that are likely to be commonly encountered, turtles as pets, and more.Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.Features:In-depth descriptions of the forty-two native speciesConservation-oriented approachMore than two hundred color photographsNearly forty distribution mapsClear descriptions of each species, including differences in the appearance of young and mature turtles“Did You Know?” sidebars of interesting turtle factsSize charts; key identifiers; and information about habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation