Natural History Books

Book SynopsisTake a deep dive into the meaning and magic of the ocean’s diverse and colorful treasures with The Wonder of Seashells.This book is a treasury of stories, science, and history about seashells. Sure to delight and surprise, this visual odyssey of the beauty of seashells reveals how shells enhance and inform the world around us. Exploring coasts and shells from across the globe, each unique shell will suddenly become familiar with The Wonder of Seashell’s beautiful illustrations and fascinating insights. Full of realistic watercolor illustrations, The Wonder of Seashells delivers illuminating facts about seashells that are often overlooked. In this book, you’ll find: Common varieties of shells throughout the world and their spiritual meanings The seashell’s role in the world of sea life and the ocean’s ecosystems The significance of their patterns and colors Seashells in history as forms of currency, art, and musical instruments Seashell symbolism and cultural significance in different communities around the world Seashells as sources of intuition and their connection to the spirit world And much more! Perfect for the coastal home or the passionate beach enthusiast, The Wonder of Seashells serves as a showpiece and a captivating reference to the sea’s treasures. Discover the beauty and significance of seashells on the sandy shores and in the deep blue sea.

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Book SynopsisWe often imagine that rarity is special - we seek out the most uncommon wild plants to tick off our lists, while overlooking the extraordinary appeal of the species we encounter day-to-day. Yet it's these plants -the most successful, able to adapt and thrive - which are truly fascinating. Botanist, writer and expert gardener Ken Thompson has set out to chart Britain's fifty most abundant wild plants and reveal the secrets of their success. He explores the roots of their common names, from the dog rose to Yorkshire fog, and explains the key traits that have led them to flourish across Britain. And, along the way, he shares his tricks for making your garden a haven for green life. Stunningly illustrated by Sarah Abbott, Common or Garden is a celebration of the everyday wonder of the plants that you can see, as Thompson enthuses, 'before you even have lunch'Trade ReviewBeing common is actually 'a rare and rather exceptional quality' ... We should value these familiar plants, Thompson writes, because they are the ones we have learnt to use as medicines, in cookery and incorporate into folklore. This charming books zips along at a breakneck pace, much enhanced by Sarah Abbott's jaunty illustrations * Daily Mail *A beautifully illustrated spotter's guide to Britain's most successful wild plants * Countryside *

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Book SynopsisThe art of needle felting can produce endless possibilities of hyper-realistic, almost taxidermic results. With a little know-how, some needles, wool and a few inexpensive accessories, you can learn to needle felt like a professional. Take your needle felting to a whole new level to create a range of lifelike British wildlife. World class felting master Cindy-Lou Thompson of Chicktin Creations will take you through the steps. Covering four different British wild animals, with illustrated step-by-step instructions, Cindy guides you through the process of creating different body shapes, proportions, armatures, coats, and blending, as well as realistic finishing touches such as eyes, nails, ears and detailing. Learn how to achieve a professional finish you will be proud of with different textured coats, blending, clipping, and adding shape and giving a realistic finishing touch with a variety of mediums and methods, some of which Cindy has designed and developed herself. From the author of the best-selling book A Masterclass in Needle Felting Dogs, this follow-up book will teach you new techniques, and inspire you to try new and exciting creations of your own!Table of ContentsChapter 1. Basic information, items used etc. Chapter 2. The Fox, highlighting armature, initial covering, long fur attachment and coat pattern, Fox eyes and texturing wool. Chapter 3. The Hare, highlighting proportions, blended coat, large ears, eyes and finishing off details Chapter 4. The Badger, highlighting an unusal body shape and armature, claws Chapter 4. The Deer, highlighting long thin legs, large ears and a shorter coat.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and up-to-date field guide to the birds of Costa Rica. Graced with bounteous natural beauty Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travellers from all over the world. Birds play a prominent role in attracting visitors, too. The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, and comical toucans that populate tourism posters only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country. The principal objective of this book is to help you correctly identify birds in Costa Rica. Each family of birds is introduced by a brief description that should help the novice birder determine to which group a bird belongs. Nearly every species is illustrated by one or more images, as needed. Corresponding to each species' illustration is a written account on the facing page. The account begins with the unique field marks to look for that will distinguish each species from similar ones. Following the description is information about status, distributioTrade ReviewThe appearance of this new, compact guide to the birds of Costa Rica should spur even more international birders to come to this avian paradise. I congratulate the author and artist on a job well done. -- Robert S. RidgelyThis book is a must for birders visiting Costa Rica. I highly recommend it. -- Victor Emanuel

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Book SynopsisPascal Baudar is a culinary visionary...I am in awe of this book. Get ready to be inspired. Sandor Ellix Katz, author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Art of Fermentation The perfect DIY guide to make your own fermented hot sauce, wild green pesto, plant-based cheese and so much more! Professional forager Pascal Baudar expanded the wild food frontier with his path breaking works, The New Wildcrafted Cuisine and The Wildcrafting Brewer. Now the acclaimed “culinary alchemist” combines his curiosity, research and in-depth understanding of terroir to put forth recipes that explore root-to-stem fermentation of wild ingredients in his latest book on foraging. In Wildcrafted Fermentation, Pascal Baudar describes in detail how to create rich, flavourful foods at home from the wild and cultivated plants in your local area or garden. Baudar includes more than 100 easy-to-follow, plant-based, vegan-friendly recipes: Fennel sauerkraut Wild food kimchi A section on fermenting mushrooms Fermented leaf chips Fermented wild greens pesto Fermented hot sauce Dehydrated spice blends Plant-based cheeses and so much more! The recipes are accompanied by step-by-step photos illustrating foraging, preparation and fermentation techniques for both wild and cultivated plants. For foodies, foragers, fermentation enthusiasts and adventurous home cooks alike, Wildcrafted Fermentation is an indispensable field-to-kitchen guide to crafting cuisine unique to you and your environment. Trade ReviewBooklist— “Baudar’s genial voice guides readers through his preferred methods and conveys his passion for this process, followed by explorations into local, wild ingredients and the ways they can be used. Not every ingredient used is wild, and the 100-plus recipes include room for ingredient variation according to what is available in the reader”s region.”“Pascal Baudar is a culinary visionary who is also excellent at clearly explaining his ideas and methods to make them accessible. I am in awe of this book as well as his two earlier ones. Get ready to be inspired.”—Sandor Ellix Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation“Wildcrafted Fermentation is an amazing, passion-based work! Looking outside at the snow-covered ground, I’m more eager than ever for the return of musk mustards, lamb’s quarters, and other wild plants to add to ferments. And I especially appreciate the use of the Latin names for plants and the cheerful and repeated reassurances that nothing can go wrong—just what a nervous fermenter wants to hear. This is a stunning book.”—Deborah Madison, author of Vegetable Literacy and The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone“Pascal Baudar is back. His distinctive approach to wildcrafting is enhanced this time by connecting wild plants to the transformative power of lactic acid fermentation. In doing so, Pascal elevates commonly found roots, shoots, seeds, weeds, and leaves to foods with astounding flavors. He encourages the reader to explore the ‘flavorshed’ of their own region while understanding how to responsibly be part of their local ecology. The book is exciting, creative, and beautiful. Perhaps more importantly, it offers inspiring, adaptable recipes that employ solid and safe techniques. It is a must-have for both foragers and fermentation enthusiasts.”—Kirsten Shockey, coauthor of Fermented Vegetables, Fiery Ferments, and Miso, Tempeh, Natto and Other Tasty Ferments“With a rare combination of humility and wisdom, Baudar shares his deep immersion into the seam between wild foods and fermentation so that we all may embark on or enhance our own exploration of these lost arts. Risks of error deter many people from attempting either wild food harvesting or home ferments, but Baudar puts all of our instinctive concerns in perspective, cautioning us to follow some basic rules and encouraging us not be afraid to experiment. “My favorite recipe titles include Fermented Forest Floor Paste and Roasted Oak Bark Hot Sauce. Those who doubt the utility of his innovative creations need look only at the earth around them. The possibilities, as he suggests, are limited only by the eye (and palate) of the beholder.”—Evan Mallett, chef/owner, Black Trumpet bistro; author of Black TrumpetTable of ContentsIntroduction: Discovering Fermentation 1. Fermentation Basics 2. Getting Started: Exploring Your Local Terroir 3. Exploring Local and Ethnic Flavors 4. Going Deeper into Local Ingredients 5. Fermenting with the Environment 6. Foraged and Fermented Soups, Pastes, Spreads, and Sauces 7. Wilder Cheeses 8. Creative Dishes and Plating Resources Recipe Index Index

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Book SynopsisHerbs for Pets, by herbalists and holistic experts Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff, is the bible for all pet owners looking to enhance their companion animals' lives through natural therapies. Now in its second revised edition, Herbs for Pets is an indispensable resource, an exhaustive compendium of medicinal plants and natural remedies that hosts an illustrated tour through Western, ayurvedic, and Chinese herbs that grow in North America, including their holistic applications and contraindications, and alternative approaches to treating a wide range of ailments. Remedies in the book are applicable to dogs and cats, as well as birds, small mammals, and even farm animals. The book is organized into three chapters, the first is dedicated to the "Principles and Practices of Herbalism," discussing the many facets of herbs, concerns about toxicity, basic herbal preparation, the ethical use of herbs, the connection between herbs and diet, and using herbs as dietary supplements. Chapter 2, titled "Materia Medica: An A-Z Guide to Herbs for Animals," is an exhaustive 150-page section presenting color photographs and text about the appearance, habitat and range, cycle and bloom season, parts used, primary medicinal activities, strongest affinities, common uses, availability, propagation and harvest, alternatives and adjuncts, and cautions and comments for 65 different herbs (from Alfalfa to Yucca!). The common uses section is extensive for each herb, discussing the nutrient value, various qualities, and ways in which the herb is used for specific treatments. The third chapter of the book is titled "An Herbal Repertory for Animals: Ailments and Treatments" and details remedies for the following: anxiety, nervousness, and behavioral problems; arthritis and hip dysplasia; cancer; cardiovascular problems; digestive system problems; ear problems; elderly animal care; endocrine system and related problems; epilepsy, convulsions, and seizures; eye problems; first aid, immune system care; mouth and nose problems; parasite-related problems; pregnancy and lactation; skin problems; and urinary problems. The authors share over two dozen herbal remedies for various ailments, from asthma and pneumonia to constipation and eye cleaner. A glossary of over 200 terms is included, as are references and a comprehensive index.

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from the hit Painting Happiness, quirky and super-popular Instagram artist Terry Runyan presents a playful follow-up in her same charming, unique style – Painting Cats.Trade Review"Painting Cats is exceptionally 'user friendly' for watercolor artists of all skill levels to embrace techniques and lessons in creative mindfulness." * Midwest Book Review *"A true joy." * GeekDad *"A joyful book will inspire cat-loving creatives to pick up their paint brushes." * Library Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction Why Cats? Why Watercolor? Supplies Let’s Paint Cats Color Let’s Play with Some Techniques Storytelling with Cats Exploring Further Resources Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisFor most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them. Elsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthTrade ReviewSmart, passionate and seditious * The New York Times Book Review *A pioneering study … If you thought it all began with the extinction of the non-bird dinosaurs … think again. * Nature *Under Ms. Panciroli’s adroit tutelage, the Carboniferous and Permian (pre-dinosaur) periods are brought to life … she regularly enlivens this surprisingly readable book with quick and often humorous observations. * The Wall Street Journal *Fascinating ... filled with as many weird and wonderful creatures as any reptilian tale ... there's much here to intrigue. * Geographical *Provides a fascinating and uplifting look at the resilience of life on this planet, through the lens of how mammals came to be. * Writer's Voice *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Isle of Mists and Lagoons 2: A Thoroughly Modern Platypus 3: Like a Hole in the Head 4: The First Age of Mammals 5: Hot-blooded Hunters 6: A Total Disaster 7: Milk Tooth 8: Digital Bones 9: Chinese Revelations 10: Time of Revolt 11: The Journey Home Epilogue: Triumph of the Little Guy Acknowledgements Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA fun present for cat lovers everywhere: a light-hearted self-help guide to help you live more like your catLET YOUR CAT BE YOUR LIFE COACH.Do cats worry about their pension? Nope. Do cats take on work they don't want to do? As if! Do cats rush around hectically when they'd rather be licking their paws and looking out of the window? Please.Cats are free. They are calm, observant, wise, elegant, charismatic and proud. In fact, cats have found nothing less than the secret of how we should all live, whatever species we are! And in this book, Stéphane Garnier will show you what he's learned over fifteen years of closely observing his cat, and teach you all the ways in which you too can apply the secrets of cats to your own life at work, at home and with your friends.Unplug your laptop. Throw away your alarm clock. It's time to live like your cat!

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Book SynopsisLet Lonely Planet take you further than ever before with the world's first and only travel guide to the Universe. Developed with the latest data from NASA, we take you from our home on Earth and out into the far reaches of the solar system, then into our neighbouring stars and planetary systems, and finally into the rest of our galaxy and the Universe. This fascinating journey will help you explore space as you would the world with a Lonely Planet guide. Unique to these pages are wonderful comparisons of Earth with the other worlds of our solar system and even those exoplanets orbiting other stars. You'll discover as much as we know about our celestial neighbourhood, and our place in it. In addition to planets and moons, get to know our Sun, explore the asteroid belt and the Kuiper Belt, and learn what lays beyond, in interstellar space. Outside our solar system, travel to some of the notable neighbouring stars, stellar systems and exoplanets we've discovered. You'll understand how we search for planets where life might exist and the stars they orbit. Finally, discover the edge of the observable Universe. Get to know the structure of the Milky Way as well as an orientation to neighbouring galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy which is visible from Earth. Then explore other galactic formations and learn about galactic clusters and superclusters. By the end of the book, you'll have a sense for the structure of the entire Universe as well as some of the big questions we still have as we ponder our place in it. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

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Book SynopsisA portable, photo-packed guide for all visitors to the country.New Zealand''s dramatic scenery is home to some equally dramatic wildlife, featuring a host of endemics found nowhere else in the world. From giant wetas and the ancient Tuatara to a suite of beautiful birds, including flightless wonders such as the Kiwi and Kakapo, these animals help make New Zealand one of the world''s greatest wildlife-tourism destinations. Although there have been severe losses due to introduced predators, the country has a fiercely determined conservation sector, and the future looks bright.This fully revised and updated second edition of Julian Fitter''s classic photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found on the islands, there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora, with the photography accompanied by concise species texts. Reader-friendly and portable yet covering everything the visitor is likely to see, this book Trade ReviewFor the inquisitive visitor, this photographic field guide is the perfect companion - small and compact. * Birding World *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Author's Introduction Map of New Zealand Map of New Zealand and its Offshore Islands Introduction Geology and Geography Habitats Birds Mammals Amphibians and Reptiles Invertebrates Freshwater and Estuarine Fish The Seashore Native Trees and Shrubs Native Vines, Epiphytes and Parasites Native Herbs Native Grasses, Sedges and Rushes Ferns and their Allies Fungi Bryophytes - Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts Lichens Places to Visit Glossary Index Photo Credits

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Book SynopsisThe clearest and sharpest recognition guide to over 500 invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant fossils from around the world. This comprehensive pocket guide is the perfect introduction to finding, identifying, and collecting fossils. It features more than 500 species of plant and animal fossils, from trilobites and megafauna to dinosaurs and ancient trees. This handbook cuts through the complicated identification process with expertly written and thoroughly vetted text that features precise description, enabling you to recognize a species instantly. Over 1,000 photographs, with illuminating annotations, help you to pick out a fossil''s chief characteristics and distinguishing features, while a colour illustration shows the fossil as a living plant or animal. The detailed introduction explains what a fossil is and how they are classified. Start building your own collection with advice on where to look for fossils, what tools and safety equipment are needed for

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet's USA's National Parks is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hike beautiful Yosemite, marvel at the Grand Canyon and spot volcanoes in Hawai'i; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of USA's National Parks and begin your journey now! Inside the Lonely Planet's USA's National Parks Travel Guide: User-friendly highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices, emergency information, park seasonality, hiking trail junctions, viewpoints, landscapes, elevations, distances, difficulty levels, and durations Focused on the best hikes, drives, and cycling tours Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, camping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, summer and winter activities, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Contextual insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, geology, wildlife, and conservation Over 52 full-color trail and park maps and full-color images throughout Useful features- Travel with Children,Clothing and Equipment, andDay and Overnight Hikes Covers California, The Southwest, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes and Great Plains, New England and the Mid-Atlantic, The South, Florida, Hawaii The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's USA's National Parks, our most comprehensive guide to these US national parks, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's USA for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer. Looking to visit more North American national parks? Check out USA's National Parks, a new full-color guide that covers all 59 of the USA's national parks. Just looking for inspiration? Check out Lonely Planet's National Parks of America, a beautifully illustrated introduction to each of the USA's 59 national parks. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' Fairfax Media (Australia)

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Book SynopsisThe definitive field guide to the rich avifauna of Ecuador.This up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the birds of mainland Ecuador is a valuable resource for anyone exploring the mountains, forests and wetlands of this incredibly bird-rich country. With thousands of beautiful and detailed paintings, accompanied by concise descriptions and accurate maps, this is an indispensible guide to bird identification in Ecuador. Covers every species and most subspecies recorded in Ecuador, including migrants and vagrants, with accurate and up-to-date distribution maps. 291 colour plates illustrating more than 1,630 species, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference. Concise text covering identification, voice, habits, habitats, range, distribution and status.Trade ReviewWins friends from the outset ... very appealing, with enough detail to identify all but the most cryptic birds ... Next time [I visit Ecuador] it'll be Freile & Restall in my backpack. -- Dominic Mitchell * Birdwatch *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Geography and Climate: an overview Bird Diversity Patterns Conservation Bird Topography Plates and Species Accounts Appendix 1: Potential Species List Appendix 2: Checklist of the Birds of Ecuador References Index

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Book SynopsisContaining 146 color photos, this book looks at the mammals and reptiles most likely to be encountered in the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. It includes 89 species of mammal and reptile.Trade Review"The book is uniquely peppered with anecdotes and tips from six local safari guides working in the region. This human touch is a nice feature, and it's likely you'll come across one of the 'Big 6' on safari in the region... Animals of the Serengeti is an accessible and attractive photographic field guide, appropriate for the wildlife enthusiast who is looking for more than simply not going on safari empty handed."--Derek Kverno, Birding in Tanzania "Essential book if you are heading for the Serengeti... Excellent."--Derek Moore, Derek Bird Brain "Animals of the Serengeti: And Ngorongoro Conservation Area by Adam Scott Kennedy and Vicki Kennedy is an easy-to-use guidebook that is also very readable... The book is lightweight with each page filled with pictures and brief scientific explanations for each animal. Still, what I find most intriguing about the book, which I also think you will also enjoy, is the incorporation of short first-hand stories told by local guides... A great read."--Gabriel Thoumi, MongaBay.com "It's an indispensible companion for anyone thinking of making a visit to the region, to enhance your overall experience of the wildlife to be found there and inform you about the characteristics and behaviors that you will observe."--Wild Travel Magazine "A colorful, easy-to-read overview of the fascinating animals to be found on safari in Tanzania."--Library Journal "Filled with vivid anecdotes, Animals of the Serengeti will enable any safari traveler to identify the area's wildlife with ease."--BASE "Animals of the Serengeti is an accessible and attractive photographic field guide, appropriate for the wildlife enthusiast who is looking for more than simply not going on safari empty handed."--Birding Tanzania Blog "Animals of the Serengeti is an accessible and attractive photographic field guide, appropriate for the wildlife enthusiast who is looking for more than simply not going on safari empty handed."--Birding Tanzania Blog "These two guides are keys to prepare you for your journey, whether it is an actual safari or an imaginary one from the comfort of your home."--Dan R. Kunkle, Wildlife ActivistTable of ContentsAbout this book 7 About the guides 10 Geography of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) 12 The great migrations 14 Map of the 'Greater Serengeti area' 16 Where to watch wildlife in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) 20 MAMMALS Lion Panthera leo 24 Leopard Panthera pardus 28 Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus 32 Serval Leptailurus serval 36 Caracal Caracal caracal 37 Wild Cat Felis sylvestris 38 African Civet Civettictis civetta 39 Small-spotted Genet Genetta genetta 40 Large-spotted Genet Genetta tigrina 40 Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta 42 Aardwolf Proteles cristata 44 Striped Hyena Hyena hyaena 45 Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula 46 Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo 47 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus 48 Ichneumon Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon 49 Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus 50 White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda 51 Zorilla Ictonyx striatus 52 Honey Badger Mellivora capensis 53 Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas 54 Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus 55 Golden Jackal Canis aureus 56 Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis 58 Wild Dog Lycaon pictus 59 Pangolin Smutsia temminckii 60 Aardvark Orycteropus afer 61 African Elephant Loxodonta africana 62 Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis 67 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius 68 Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer 70 Bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus 73 Warthog Phacochoerus africanus 74 Plains Zebra Equus quagga 76 Maasai Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 80 Eland Tragelaphus oryx 84 Roan Hippotragus equinus 86 Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia 87 Steinbuck Raphicerus campestris 88 Oribi Ourebia ourebi 89 Kirk's Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii 90 Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus 91 Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula 92 Bohor Reedbuck Redunca redunca 93 Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 94 Defassa Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus 95 Impala Aepyceros melampus 96 Grant's Gazelle Nanger granti 98 Thomson's Gazelle Eudorcas thomsonii 100 Coke's Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus 102 Topi Damaliscus lunatus 103 White-bearded Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus 104 Cape Hare Lepus capensis 108 Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis 108 Springhare Pedetes capensis 109 Unstriped Ground Squirrel Xerus rutilus 110 Grass Rat Arvicanthis niloticus 111 White-bellied Hedgehog Atelerix albiventris 112 Crested Porcupine Hystrix cristata 113 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis 114 Southern Tree Hyrax Dendrohyrax arboreus 115 Bush Hyrax Heterohyrax brucei 115 Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus 116 Lesser Galago Galago senegalensis 117 Guereza Colobus Colobus guereza 118 Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas 120 Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis 122 Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus 124 Olive Baboon Papio anubis 126 Rufous Sengi Elephantulus rufescens 128 REPTILES Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus 130 Savanna Monitor Varanus albigularis 132 Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus 132 Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis 134 Helmeted Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa 135 Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis 136 Striped Skink Mabuya striata 136 Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia 138 Cape Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus capensis 139 Mwanza Flat-headed Agama Agama mwanzae 140 Red-headed Rock Agama Agama agama 140 Blue-headed Tree Agama Acanthocercus atricollis 141 Black-necked Spitting Cobra Naja nigricollis 142 Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis 143 Spotted Bush Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus 144 Velvety-green Night Adder Causus resimus 144 Puff Adder Bitis arietans 145 African Rock Python Python natalensis 146 Further reading and useful resources 148 Acknowledgements 149 Photographic credits 149 Index 150

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Book Synopsis10 matching sweater designs to knit for you and your pet

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated book shares the infinite wisdom of birds, providing inspiration from these small but mighty creatures on how to live bravely and care for the things we love.Taking sixty of the world’s most amazing birds beautifully illustrated by Victorian artist and ornithologist John Audubon, including the proud belted kingfisher, the delicate red throated loon, the elegant snowy egret and the laidback double crested cormorant, this book will share the unique characteristics and strengths that allow these birds to thrive, inspiring us to build with care and spread our wings.

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Book SynopsisIt's easy to see why you fell in love with the idea of adopting a Pomeranian. Distinguished by its vivacity, intelligence, extroversion, and fierce loyalty to its family, this tiny canine can make an excellent companion...for the right person.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Part I: Pomeranians: What’s Not to Love? Chapter 1: Catching Pomer-mania. Chapter 2: What’s in a Pom? Chapter 3: In Search of Your Soul Mate. Chapter 4: The Final Selection: Picking Your Perfect Partner. Part II: When Your House Becomes Your Pom’s Home. Chapter 5: Prepare to Be Pomerized! Chapter 6: Coming Home. Chapter 7: Starting Off on the Right Paw: The First Few Days. Part III: Caring for Your Pom from Head to Paw. Chapter 8: Eating Out of the Pom of Your Hand. Chapter 9: Primping Your Pom. Chapter 10: Maintaining Your Pom’s Health and Happiness. Chapter 11: Doctoring Your Dog. Chapter 12: Traveling with a Pom Pilot (Or Leaving Him in Others’ Care). Part IV: Training Your Pom with TLC. Chapter 13: Saving the Carpets: Housetraining. Chapter 14: Mastering Manners and Basic Commands. Chapter 15: Dealing with Doggy Delinquents. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 16: Ten Cool Activities to Do with Your Pom. Chapter 17: Ten Fun Facts about Poms. Index.

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Book SynopsisA charming memoir exploring the history, landscape and people of rural France, told through the eyes of a Parisian-born Englishman, writer and poet. Adam Thorpe''s home for the past 25 years has been an old house in the Cévennes, a wild range of mountains in southern France. Prior to this, in an ancient millhouse in the oxbow of a Cévenol river, he wrote the novel that would become the Booker Prize-nominated Ulverton, now a Vintage Classic. In more recent writing Thorpe has explored the Cévennes, drawing on the legends, history and above all the people of this part of France for his inspiration. In his charming journal, Notes from the Cévennes, Thorpe takes up these themes, writing about his surroundings, the village and his house at the heart of it, as well as the contrasts of city life in nearby Nîmes. In particular he is interested in how the past leaves impressions--marks--on our landscape and on us. What do we find in the grass, earth and stTrade ReviewIn an altogether different class ... beautifully written, full of wisdom about the balance struck by humanity and the natural world ... Adam Thorpe, a self-described "curator of time", has written a grand little book. I might have added that no holidaymaker this year in France, or further afield, should be without it. But why wait until July or August? Don't postpone the treat. Buy now; this book is a real joy. * The Tablet *A marvellously astute, wry and affectionate account of France and the French – mercifully free of whimsy – and, moreover, written in pitch-perfect English prose. A delight. -- William BoydPart history and part memoir, Notes from the Cévennes is a marvellous evocation of the forgotten Languedoc, and an affectionate portrait of a country and a people. -- Sigrid Rausing * Editor of Granta *A powerful story of cooperation and conflict, both between ourselves and Nature. Living in two places, the ancient pastoral retreat of the Cévennes, and the Roman cosmopolitanism of Nimes, Adam has all the gifts of novelist, correspondent, historian and poet. -- Colin Greenwood * Radiohead *His novels are concerned with how the past and the present, reality and fiction elide into each other, particularly through landscape; and Thorpe, in this series of tightly controlled, involving vignettes, finds evidence of this everywhere he looks … Gleaming with polished insights, this sensitive book is both a warning, plea and salutary reminder that even the tiniest action affects the universal. France profonde, indeed. * Spectator *Erudite and beguiling * The Times *Thorpe has dizzying range as well as style * Daily Mail *[A] deeply engaging book, part chatty memoir, part profound perception of the evidence of previous human existences ... He has, in short, lived a life to which he was not born but which he has taken up and made his own, something many people dream about but few are able to emulate * Times Literary Supplement *Thorpe’s memoir is not part of any herd. Nor does it belong in the fast-and-loose category of potboilers about swapping English life for continental idylls … It is erudite, firmly embedded in its own soil and yet evasive … affectionate, appreciative and perceptive * Observer *Beautifully written and produced, a pure pleasure: learned and attentive and rich in description and full of humour that is genuinely affectionate without being remotely patronising * Irish Times *By turns comic and pensive, Notes from the Cévennes is an absorbing and beautifully composed collection of vignettes, recording Adam Thorpe’s encounters, adventures and meditations over half a lifetime in France … Mr Thorpe captures so well the dark history of France, the conflict of religion, politics and land * Country Life *This absorbing book is written in prose as bright and bracing as the waters of the rivers in which Thorpe loves to swim. Despite the warts-and-all picture, it made me want to pack my bags and head south. * Literary Review *Thorpe allows a sense of folk magic to permeate, and his characters feel rustic in a timeless way because he transmits a real appreciation of the wild and how humans justify our interactions with other beasts … A gentle homage to rural life. * New Statesman *Table of Contents1 Gossamer Threads 2 The Poppet 3 Coming Into Shot 4 Wartime Shrines 5 Our Baker is Missing 6 Reprisal in the Oxbow 7 The Psychological Castle 8 Taking the Postman Hostage 9 Resident Tombs 10 A Flat Above the Cafe 11 All that Rough Muskc 12 Erudition 13 A Local Custom 14 Disaster Area 15 Martins in the Roof 16 A Visit from the City Police 17 Arches and Bulls 18 Defending Wolves 19 A Catastrophe 20 Floodwaters 21 The Ballot 22 Paws, Fingers and Thighs 23 Taking Our Tread 24 Epilogue Footprints Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisA guide to understand, support, and honor the soul missions of our animal companions• 2023 Coalition of Visionary Resources Silver Award• Explains how animals that live alongside humans are lightworkers helping to raise the vibration of collective consciousness and aid in humanity’s ascension process• Shares example stories of incredible animal Wayshowers from around the world whose actions and sacrifices on behalf of their human companions changed them all for the better• Offers meditations, rituals, and transformational soul practices to embrace 5D frequencies, intuit heart intelligence, connect to the Higher Self, and heal the shadowAnimals are natural holders of 5D consciousness. The extraordinary animals who have chosen, at a soul level, to live alongside humans are lightworkers on the front lines of the animal kingdom’s mission to help people to heal, evolve, and assist in raising the vibration of the planet and collective consciousness to 5D.As Tammy Billups reveals, once we become aware of the soul path of our animal companions, we are then able to connect with them soul-to-soul, not only supporting their soul missions but also finding the healing we need to let go of 3D reality. Sharing stories of incredible animal wayshowers from around the world, she explores the many levels of service your beloved animal friends are providing you every day, including during disasters, storms, and pandemics. She shows how they help shoulder the psychological and emotional burdens we are not yet capable of holding on our own and show us the way back to our own hearts. The author offers meditations, rituals, and exercises for applying the teachings of the animal stories shared, including transformational soul practices to embrace 5D frequencies, intuit heart intelligence, connect to the Higher Self, and heal the shadow. Offering ways to embrace and emulate the soul teachings of our animal companions, Tammy Billups shows that, by honoring animals as courageous guides on our ascension to 5D consciousness, we too can become wayshowers in our own rightTrade Review“Shows how to let animals teach you, help you heal trauma, awaken to your purpose in life, and make your soul journey on Earth lighter and full of joy.” * Penelope Smith, author of Animal Talk *“Billups provides unique insights as to the sacred purpose of the animals in our lives that demonstrate how powerful they are and will leave you no doubt about their direct connection to Source.” * Steven Farmer, Ph.D., author of Animal Spirit Guides *“Animal wayshowers are the much-needed guides of these uncertain times. Tammy thoughtfully shares how they invite us to raise our energetic vibration and enter the joy of fifth-dimensional awareness.” * Dawn Brunke, author of Animal Voices and Shadow Animals *“A timely and spot-on guide to the vitally sacred roles that animals play in raising the consciousness of humanity, complete with a road map to get you there. Bravo!” * Lynn McKenzie, author of Bark, Neigh, Meow *“Animal Wayshowers is a well-crafted lighthouse of a book, awakening our path forward beyond 3D into the 5D consciousness of truly living a life of unconditional love and service to humanity. Billups skillfully communicates through each example story our own capacity to love deeper when we open our hearts and minds to the greater possibilities of how our fur friends are guiding us to a world more amazing than we could ever imagine. Time and time again the book moved me to tears and broke my soul open into a deeper understanding of just how perfect our animal companions are. Animal Wayshowers is a road map into ascension, if you are ready, to living in a 5D world.” * Don Reed Simmons, sound therapist and shamanic practitioner and teacher *“Animal Wayshowers is life changing! You will never see animals in the same way again. Billups takes us to a new level of understanding our complex relationship with animals that breaks through the old paradigm of the myth of human superiority as it invites us to recognize them as fifth-dimensional wayshowers for humanity. Through teachings, a stellar illustration of the dimensions, animal stories, and a subtle but profound shift in perspective, you will see with new eyes. Brilliant!” * Carley Mattimore, MS, LCPC, coauthor of Sacred Messengers of Shamanic Africa *“Tammy Billups helps us embark upon a journey to higher consciousness by learning from our beloved animal companions. Animal Wayshowers is filled with heartwarming stories that illustrate the power that animals have on our healing and personal growth. From cats and dogs to rabbits and turtles, we learn that animals are ambassadors of higher consciousness. Throughout the book Tammy demonstrates how the compassion, unconditional love, and pure presence of animals can change us inside and out, while providing practical techniques and approaches for partnering with our animal companions to bring greater healing to the world at large.” * Nicholas Pearson, author of Crystal Basics and Foundations of Reiki Ryoho *“Tammy Billups has done it again, giving us yet another wonderful book filled with profound wisdom, transformative exercises, and inspiring, heartopening stories. Just as the animals in this book hold a higher vibration for their human companions, the energy in these pages will shift you into a higher frequency way of being, and the words will guide and lovingly support you on your ascension path.” * Judith Corvin-Blackburn, LCSW, DMin, author of Activating Your 5D Frequency and Empowering the Spiri *“Tammy Billups has managed to effortlessly capture what we instinctively knew was already true and illustrates it through dozens of real-life stories from around the globe. As a lifelong empath and animal lover, I have experienced what Tammy highlights in her book, and I know the truth of it in my bones. Animals have consciousness, self-awareness, purpose, and soul. Her book gives heartwarming validation, yet also real-world, actionable advice and practices to engage with your companion more intimately and raise your personal frequency. If you want a deeper understanding of the role our animals play in our lives and how they help us heal and evolve, you must read this book!” * Rev. Stephanie Red Feather, Ph.D., author of The Evolutionary Empath *“In her third book, animal healer extraordinaire Tammy Billups once again raises our collective understanding of what underlies the extraordinary connections that many of us have with our animal companions. Billups reveals the biggest insight she’s gained through thousands of healing sessions with animals and people--our animal partners can be our ‘pathfinders,’ too. Packed with too many heartwarming examples to ignore, Billups makes the case that the animals with whom we are destined to share our lives are here for the highest of purposes--to help us heal and evolve.” * Paul Chen, Publisher of Natural Awakenings magazine Atlanta *“Animal Wayshowers will nourish your soul, bring you joy, and subconsciously begin to transform you into an incredible guardian for your animal companion. Highly Recommended!” * Jesse Sternberg, author of Enlightened Dog Training *"I suspect anyone reading this has shared an intensely close relationship with an animal.?Those of us who have wanted to delve more deeply into those relationships on spiritual and sacred levels will find the author, an internationally recognized soul healer, to be a warm and compassionate guide Readers who are skeptical about metaphysics and spirituality can read Animal Wayshowers for the stories alone, but they might find themselves opening to a different world view.?Others already in tune with the principles Tammy expounds will find confirmation.?My advice to all readers, however, is to read this book with an open mind and an open heart." * Sally Rosenthal, Best Friends Animal Society *Table of ContentsForeword: The Bodhisattva Hearts of Our Animal Kin Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D. Introduction: Your Ascension Guides Part I Their Sacred Purpose1 What Is an Animal Wayshower? 2 5D Consciousness Is in the House (or Barn) 3 The Light Warriors of the Animal KingdomAn Expression of Gratitude 4 Wired to Serve Raising Consciousness 5 Disaster ReliefPart II The Sacred Partnership 6 The Divine Collaboration7 Transformational Deep Dives Jumping Hurdles of the Heart: Stephanie & Unicum Transformational Soul Practice: Healing the HeartAngels and Lifesavers: Andrea & Monty Transformational Soul Practice: Releasing Fear 8 The Enlightened Luminaries Shamanic Joy-Bringer: Ruby & Bella Transformational Soul Practice: Connecting to Your Higher Self The Noble One: Elaine & MaverickTransformational Soul Practice: Invoking Self-Forgiveness 9 Sacred Service of the Heart Compassionate Master Healers: Maura & Blue Transformational Soul Practice: Creating Good Karma Healing Sound Maestros: elicity & Bear Transformational Soul Practice: Replenishing Self-Care The Miracle Wolfs: Star Wolf & Vision Wolf Transformational Soul Practice: Connecting with Your Soul PackPart III Your Sacred Work 10 Ease Their Journey 11 Creating Habits and Rituals through 5D Practices 12 5D Healing Modalities for People and AnimalsSound Therapy Interview with Don Reed SimmonsCrystal TherapyInterview with Nicholas Pearson Afterword: The Heart of a Wayshower AcknowledgmentsResources About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller 'Are you ready, Max? If anyone's going to help me do this, it's you.'The heart-warming tale of a life-saving friendship.In 2006, a traumatic car accident changed Kerry Irving's life forever.Suffering from severe neck and back injuries, Kerry was unemployed and housebound, struggling with depression and even thoughts of suicide. He went from cycling over 600 miles a month to becoming a prisoner in his own home.With hope all but lost, Kerry's wife encouraged him to go on a short walk to the local shop. In the face of unbearable pain and overwhelming panic, he persevered and along the way, met an adorable yard dog named Max. As the Spaniel peered up through the railings, Kerry found comfort and encouragement in his soulful brown eyes. This chance encounter marked a turning point in both their lives.In Max, Kerry found comfort and motivation and in Kerry, Max found someone to care for him. This is their remarkable, inspiring story.

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Book Synopsis''Wonderfully intense and honest - a poignant manual of how to grow hope against the odds.'' - Chris Packham, TV presenter and author of Fingers in the Sparkle Jar.Finding herself in a new home in Brighton, Kate Bradbury sets about transforming her decked, barren backyard into a beautiful wildlife garden. She documents the unbuttoning of the earth and the rebirth of the garden, the rewilding of a tiny urban space. On her own she unscrews, saws and hammers the decking away, she clears the builders'' rubble and rubbish beneath it, and she digs and enriches the soil, gradually planting it up with plants she knows will attract wildlife. She erects bird boxes and bee hotels, hangs feeders and grows nectar- and pollen-rich plants, and slowly brings life back to the garden.But while she's doing this Kate''s neighbours continue to pave and deck their gardens locking them away, the wildlife she tries to save is further threatened, and she feels she's fighting an uphill battle. Is Trade ReviewShines a light on the simple brilliance of life. -- Chris PackhamA moving, unpretentious account of starting again. -- Patrick Barkham * Guardian, Books of the Year *A truly inspiring account of transformation, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway made me simultaneously want to read on to the final page, and rush out to my garden. -- Melissa Harrison * author of All Among the Barley *Bradbury makes a passionate plea for us all to follow her example - to ditch the decking and fill our own outside spaces, however small, with plants. -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *Reading this book made me itch to get out into my own garden and peer under piles of dead leaves to look for beetles. A moving tribute to the space Kate Bradbury creates and her skill as a gardener. -- Alys Fowler * The Garden *A glorious thing that is part autobiography, part gardening book and part fierce invective against the sterilisation of our urban landscapes when they are an increasingly important haven for wildlife. * Amateur Gardening *Quirky, passionate and endearing, an inspiring account of bringing a tiny garden back to life. -- Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale and Bee QuestA beautiful story of a garden brought back from the dead. -- Eleanor Morton * Countryman *A very personal story of love, loss and rebirth. -- Fionnuala Fallon * Irish Times *It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me mourn the loss of our green spaces but have hope for the wild places that remain. There is no louder, fresher voice for the value of urban wildlife. -- Jules Howard * zoologist and author of Sex on Earth *Bradbury 'unbuttons the earth' and lets the bumblebees, foxgloves and sparrows return at their own pace. A rallying cry for the wildlife garden. -- Louise Gray * author of The Ethical Carnivore *This is an important and timely book. I defy anyone who reads it not to want to do more to help their local wildlife. -- Brigit Strawbridge, wildlife gardener and bee campaignerA gorgeous - and informative - read. -- Penny McCormick * The Gloss *A wonderful and moving book about how a slice of nature at the backdoor offers refuge not only to the city wildlife but to the garden too. -- Alys Fowler * author of Hidden Nature and The Edible Garden *This is a beautiful, heartfelt book of hopeful wildlife gardening in the face of declining habitats and life's tendency to trip us up when we least need it. * Amateur Gardening *Table of ContentsPrologue: A garden Part One: The Bones, A Skeleton Autumn Winter Spring Summer Autumn Winter Spring Part Two: A Phoenix Spring Summer Species list Author acknowledgements If you want to learn more... Index

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Book SynopsisDestress and escape from your busy schedule with this beautiful coloring book featuring 45 nature-inspired scenes you can fill with your favorite colors.Unwind and release your creativity through the beauty and wonder of nature with Pretty Simple Coloring: Nature Scenes. Filled with 45 delightful drawings of plants and animals, this coloring book is the perfect escape no matter how busy your schedule. The beautiful line art illustrations are easy to see and designed to be quickly filled with your favorite colors. Relax and enjoy your coloring time—no matter how long or short—without the worry of straining your eyes or cramping your hand. Make the most of your free time with Pretty Simple Coloring: Nature Scenes.

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Book SynopsisHow does a mudskipper fish manage to “walk” on land? Why is the Hoatzin also known as ‘The Stinkbird’? And once the female Pipa toad has laid her eggs, where does she put them? The answers? The mudskipper can “walk” using its pectoral fins, the Hoatzin has a unique digestive system which gives the bird a manure-like odour, and the female Pipa Toad embeds its eggs on its back where they develop to adult stage. Illustrated throughout with outstanding colour photographs, Strange Animals presents the most unusual aspects of 100 of the most unusual species. The selection spans a broad spectrum of wildlife, from the tallest land living mammal, the giraffe, to the light, laughing chorus of Australian kookaburra birds, from the intelligence of the Bottlenose dolphin to octopuses that change colour when they dream to the slow pace of the three-toed sloth. Arranged geographically, the photographs are accompanied by fascinating captions, which explain the quirky characteristics of each entry. Including egg-laying mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, cannibalistic insects and other invertebrates, Strange Animals is a compelling introduction to some of nature’s most curious beasts.Table of ContentsIntroduction Asia Tokay Gharial Japanese Macaque Mudskipper Proboscis Monkey Honeybadger Siamese Fighting Fish Tarsier Mekong ray Saiga Golden snub-nosed monkey Colugo Sturgeon Baikal seal Sloth bear Racoon dog Komodo dragon Slow loris Giant hornet Leaf insect Malayan tapir Africa Aardvark Madagascar chameleon (Brookesia) Giraffe Hoopoe Marabou stork Naked Mole Rat Fat tailed gecko Gaboon viper Tree pangolin Giraffe weevil Aye aye Lungfish Tomato frog Aardvark Okapi Springhare Gerenuk Spotted hyena Hammerhead bat Rain frog, Breviceps fuscus Armadillo girdled lizard Mandrill Australia Duck-billed Platypus Red Kangaroo Emu Koala Laughing Kookaburra Echidna Sugarglider Kakapo Tuatara Archerfish Wombat Tasmanian devil Frilled lizard Thorny devil Funnel web spider Peacock spider Turtle frog Frogmouth Dingo Honeypot ant Witchetty grub Weta Kea Kiwi North America American Bullfrog Beaver Red wolf Ghost bear Alligator gar Thorn bug Wolverine Peccary Star nosed mole Alligator snapping turtle Hellbender Ajolote Blue-footed booby Manatee Monarch butterfly Stinkpot (musk turtle) Rainbow snake Virginia opossum Gila monster Coati American White Pelican Central and South America Giant Otter Vampire bat Hoatzin Emperor Tamarin Pipa Pygmy Marmoset Red Howler Monkey Southern Tamandua Three-toed Sloth South American horned frogs Elephant beetle Axolotl Jaguarundi Capybara Pink fairy armadillo Piranha Marine iguana Pink river dolphin Roseate spoonbill Red lipped batfish Spectacled bear Vicuna Europe Iberian ribbed newt Cuckoo Death’s Head Hawkmoth Great Diving beetle Wels catfish Wisent (European bison) Slow worm Puffin Badger Common chameleon Alpine ibex Beluga sturgeon Oceans Narwhal Angler Fish Cleaner Wrasse Sea dragon Megamouth shark Dumbo octopus Blobfish Giant isopod barreleye fish Kiwa Sea spider Sea anemone Parrot fish Nudibranch Hagfish Mantis shrimp Christmas tree worm Stargazer Wobbegong Gulper eel Oarfish Coral Hammerhead shark

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1869, John Muir set out from California's Central Valley with a flock of sheep and trekked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. His journals describe the summer he spent in what would become Yosemite National Park. Celebrating the Sierra's lizards and mountain lions, tall trees and waterfalls, fierce thunderstorms and bears, Muir raises an awareness of nature to a spiritual dimension.John Muir is internationally acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of modern conservation and his vision, passion and integrity continue to inspire readers today - particularly in this, his best-loved book.Trade ReviewMuir's prose is a miracle of immediacy. His books are illuminated by sunshine and starlight. The cold mineral air of the mountains and the resiny reek of coniferous forests lift bracingly off his pages. No other writer is so ceaselessly astonished by the natural world as Muir, or communicates that astonishment more urgently. Muir lived "in an infinite storm of beauty", and his readers live in it with him -- Robert MacfarlaneAn inspirational figure for modern environmentalism . . . his enthusiasm and heart-felt love of nature is immensely impressive. Thankfully the wilderness blooms again in Muir's evocative prose * * Guardian * *Brilliant description is the currency of My First Summer in the Sierra . . . Religious awe and powerful terrestrial awareness mark [Muir's] prose in what is essentially a song to nature's marvels and to our humanness of being * * Scotsman * *The richness of Muir's writing roots deeper into the terrain than any other wilderness writer known to me * * Los Angeles Times * *Muir was a geologist, an explorer, philosopher, artist, author, and editor, and to each of his avocations he devoted that deep insight and conscientious devotion which made him its master * * New York Times * *The great mountain man . . . [John Muir] remains a towering presence in American cultural life, and is internationally acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of modern conservation -- Mark Cocker, author of Crow CountryAs more and more of us grow aghast at what we have done to the world we started with, Muir's reverence and devotion will seem keenly germane, and our regret may be transmuted into a fight for the future -- Edward Hoagland

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Book SynopsisWinter takes us on an intimate tour of the artists, poets, composers, writers, explorers, scientists and thinkers who helped shape a new and modern idea of winter. We learn how literature heralds the arrival of the middle class; how snow science leads to existential questions of God and our place in the world; how the race to the poles marks the human drive to imprint meaning on a blank space. Offering a kaleidoscopic take on the season, Winter is a homage to an idea of a season and a journey through the modern imagination.Trade Review'Gopnik's mind darts about like mercury as he tells his tale' The Times. * The Times *'Often startlingly good ... The perfect fireside companion' Observer. * Observer *'Brilliantly insightful ... Any writer who can take subjects as diverse as Wilson Bentley's snow crystal photographs, Dickens's Christmas stories and the myth that the Inuit have dozens of different words for snow, and find something original and interesting to say about each of them, has to be worth reading' Sunday Times. * Sunday Times *'Makes chilliness worth every minute' The Economist. * Economist *Table of ContentsAuthor's Note. Romantic Winter. Radical Winter. Recuperative Winter. Recreational Winter. Remembering Winter. Bibliography. Permissions. Index.

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Book Synopsis'Kindness and co-operation have played a crucial role in raising humans to the top of the evolutionary tree ... We have thrived on the milk of human kindness.' Observer BY THE AUTHOR OF ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE? 'There is a widely-held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition ... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self-interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals.' Ben Macintyre, The Times Empathy holds us together. That we are hardwired to be altruistic is the result of thousands of years of evolutionary biology which has kept society from slipping into anarchy. But we are not alone: primates, elephants, even rodents are empathetic creatures too. Social behaviours such as the herding instinct, bonding rituals, expressions of consolation and even conflict resolution demonstrate that animals are designed to feel for each other. From chimpanzees caring for mates that have been wounded by leopards, elephants reassuring youngsters in distress and dolphins preventing sick companions from drowning, with a wealth of anecdotes, scientific observations, wry humour and incisive intelligence, The Age of Empathy is essential reading for all who believe in the power of our connections to each other.Trade ReviewHis writing and science are infectiously good -- Adam Rutherford * Guardian *There is a widely held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *A pioneer in primate studies, Frans de Waal sees our better side in chimps, especially our capacity for empathy * Wall Street Journal *Freshly topical ... a corrective to the idea that all animals - human and otherwise - are selfish and unfeeling to the core * Economist *Warm, engaging and empathetic ... the more we learn about nature, the more richly we're able to imagine a better society * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller Have you ever wished you could get the dog in your life to behave better?With experience of training over 5,000 dogs of every breed, Graeme Hall has formulated the golden rules that every dog owner needs to know and he's here to share them with you.In chapters on getting a puppy, kids and dogs, separation anxiety and so much more, Graeme recounts his hard-won, often hilarious success stories and reveals a solution for every dog-related worry. His simple, tried and tested lesson will help you understand your dog and drive better behaviours.The Dogfather has seen it all and he's here to share his secrets.Trade ReviewFunny, enlightening and incredibly moving at times, this absolute joy of a book tells you everything you ever wanted to know about our relationship with dogs. Every four-legged home should have a copy -- Emily DeanInstantly likeable * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis"The Companion Species Manifesto" is about the implosion of nature and culture in the joint lives of dogs and people, who are bonded in "significant otherness". In all their historical complexity, Donna Haraway tells us, dogs matter. They are not surrogates for theory, she says; they are not here just to think with.

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Book SynopsisEverything the first time fish-keeper needs to know to set up a tank. Clear, easy-to-follow instructions help you create and develop your aquarium - whether it''s coldwater, tropical or marine. Charts and tables show how to deal with ailments and diseases, and there''s a guide to the most common fish. There are profiles of over 100 tropical, marine and coldwater fish, as well as plants and invertebrates.Table of ContentsIntroduction 6; 1 What type of aquarium do you want? 8; Coldwater, tropical or marine?; styles of aquarium; cost implications; the demands on your time; conservation and care; your duty; 2 Choosing and locating the tank 22; Aquarium size; aquarium designs; tank construction; aquarium furniture; positioning the aquarium; 3 Equipment 32; Filtration; aeration; heating; lighting; 4 Aquarium Decoration 50; Materials; plants; aquascaping; 5 Setting up your first aquarium 80; Safety issues; water preparation; tank set ups, step by step; tank maturation; 6 Water Quality 100; Water testing; the nitrogen cycle; new tank syndrome; 7 Choosing the fish 114; Fish adaptations; compatibility; buying fish; freshwater fish profiles; introducing fish; 8 Basic fish care 162; Feeding; cleaning regimes; equipment maintenance; problem solving; 9 Health Care 176; Fish anatomy; what makes a healthy fish; disease diagnosis; treating sick fish; quarantining; 10 Breeding 188; Fish reproduction; seperating fish; fry rearing; 11 Marine fish care 198; Marine basics; marine equipment; marine decor; salt mixing; tank set ups; livestock profiles; Index.

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Book SynopsisA stunning book for Christmas, written in Julia Donaldson's perfect, heartfelt rhyme, now as a chunky board book for little ones!

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Book SynopsisA moving and adventure-filled tale of one woman’s quest for the truth about endangered Asian elephants and their evolving relationship with humans. Delving deep into an intricate web of unlikely heroes, power struggles, and living legends, Elephants in the Hourglass takes readers on an extraordinary journey of discovery. In her extraordinary narrative debut, Kim Frank blends personal narrative, vivid descriptions, and meticulous research as she illuminates the ways we seek to survive on our rapidly changing planet. Like Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey before her, Kim is a female adventurer who found her life completely changed as she was drawn deeper and deeper into the plight of a remarkable animal. For Kim, once she learned about the unique plight of the elephants in North India, she was unable to rest until she had learned more. This was a world totally unknown to her. Up until that point, she was an ordinary middle-class mom. After a fraugh

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.

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Book SynopsisMonty Roberts is a real-life horse whisperer-an American original whose gentle Join-Up® training method reveals the depth of communication possible between man and animal. He can take a wild, high-strung horse who has never before been handled and persuade that horse to accept a bridle, saddle, and rider in thirty minutes. His powers may seem like magic, but his amazing “horse sense” is based on a lifetime of experience. In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Roberts reveals his unforgettable personal story and his exceptional insight into nonverbal communication, an understanding that applies to human relationships as well. He shows that between parent and child, employee and employer, abuser and abused, there are forms of communication far stronger than the spoken word that are accessible to all who will learn to listen. This new edition features engaging photographs, a chapter that traces Roberts’s amazing experience gentling with a mustang in the wild, and an Afterword about the remarkable impact this book has had on the world.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for THE WAINWRIGHT BOOK PRIZE 2017Can Britain make room for wildlife? Stephen Moss believes it can. The newspaper headlines tell us that Britain's wildlife is in trouble. It's not just rare creatures that are vanishing, hares and hedgehogs, skylarks and water voles, even the humble house sparrow, are in freefall. But there is also good news. Otters have returned to the River Tyne; there are now beavers on the River Otter; and peregrines have taken up residence in the heart of London. Stephen Moss travels the length and breadth of the UK, from the remote archipelago of St Kilda to our inner cities, to witness at first-hand how our wild creatures are faring and ask how we can bring back Britain's wildlife.Trade ReviewRich with examples of what can be done to help Britain’s wildlife thrive. -- Matt Ridley * The Times *Well-written, lively, lovingly detailed book. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Express *A must-read for nature lovers. * Choice Magazine *A thoroughly good book and a very readable one… Well-researched and well-argued ammunition for our cause. -- Rob Hume * Birdwatch *A must-have. * Country Living *

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Book SynopsisSupporting the work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.Enjoy a heartwarming cat to brighten every single day of the year. From Larry, Downing Street''s chief mouser, to Tama, the cat hired as Station Master of a remote Japanese railway station, Battersea''s A Cat a Day contains 365 stories of fascinating felines to enjoy throughout the year.Beautifully packaged and illustrated throughout with charming illustrations of cheeky kittens and sleepy old toms, this is the perfect book for any lover of our four-legged friends.Produced under license from Battersea Dogs Home Limited to go towards supporting the work of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (registered charity no 206394). For all licensed products sold by Welbeck across their Battersea range, Welbeck will donate a minimum of 20,000 plus VAT in royalties to Battersea Dogs Home Limited, which gives its profits to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.www.battersea.org.uk

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Book SynopsisHoneybees make decisions collectively - and democratically. This book reveals that these incredible insects have much to teach us when it comes to collective wisdom and effective decision making. It presents an account of scientific discovery. It investigates how evolution has honed the decision-making methods of honeybees over millions of years.Trade ReviewOne of Financial Times (FT.com)'s Books of the Year in Nonfiction Round-Up in the Science & Environment list for 2010 "Dr. Seeley is an engaging guide. His enthusiasm and admiration for honeybees is infectious. His accumulated research seems truly masterly, doing for bees what E.O. Wilson did for ants."--Katherine Bouton, New York Times "Although the details are complicated, Seeley's explanations are remarkably clear. The text is abundantly illustrated with figures that are cleverly simplified in comparison to how they might appear in scientific journals. For readers who may be less passionate about the particulars of honeybee life, Seeley also reveals parallels between the way swarms make decisions and how the human brain sorts through conflicting neuron signals to reach decisions. He also provides a few pointers on how rules of honeybee democracy may be applied to decision-making in human groups, with minimal dependence on a leader, vigorous competition among a diversity of viewpoints, and a method for determining a majority-based resolution."--May Berenbaum, Times Literary Supplement "Seeley's work--extended over years and summarized clearly and engagingly here--is a model of biological research that builds bridges to the social sciences, and to the practical arts of institutional design for humans."--Adrian Vermeule, New Republic's The Book "[S]plendid."--John Whitfield, Nature "[E]ngaging and fascinating... Seeley writes with infectious enthusiasm... Honeybee Democracy offers wonderful testament to his career of careful investigation of a remarkable natural phenomenon. The breadth and depth of the studies reported in it should inspire all students of animal behavior."--Science "To illustrate bee decision making, Seeley details how swarms choose a new home. Seeley presents his material with charm, and the bees' system of house-hunting becomes surprising and awe-inspiring."--Science News "In Honeybee Democracy, Seeley carefully narrates his many seasons of experiments using plywood next boxes that could be moved and modified at will. He discovered what bees like in a home, how scouts measure the dark interiors of these boxes and most of all, how the swarm 'votes' to decide which nest to occupy... Honeybee Democracy is a brilliant display of science at work, with each experiment explained and illustrated."--New Scientist "[I]t is a book well worth studying. Within its pages we find out about an important aspect of the life of the honeybee (with some practical implications for beekeepers), how researchers work both in the field and in the laboratory, the objective way in which the experiments are carried out but, most of all, how in the seeking of a new home bees provide us with a model of true democratic behaviour which any group could use to its advantage. Indeed, the last chapter alone, 'Swarm Starts' would make an excellent minibook for anyone who is involved in decision making no matter what position they hold."--Beekeepers Quarterly "Rather than presenting a dry review of his findings, Seeley intertwines them with his thought processes, anecdotes and generous appraisals of students and fellow scientists. His skill in writing a book with so much science in such simple language is admirable. Even a non-beekeeper can understand what he is trying to convey. The photographs are beautiful and the illustrations elegant."--Zachary Huang, Times Higher Education "The year's most enchanting science book."--Financial Times (FT Critics Pick 2010) "Honeybee Democracy, by Thomas D. Seeley, will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about one of the world's most beneficial insects... Seeley, a biologist and beekeeper, presents his excellent understanding of what makes the bees' society work for the survival of the species."--Washington Post "His argument is seductive... [R]eading Honeybee Democracy is a delightful way to spend an evening."--National Post "[O]ne cannot help but be inspired by the beauty of Seeley's hypothesis-driven experimental work. The book is beautifully presented with illustrations, photographs, charts and anecdotes, and succeeds in making the whole field of investigation accessible to the non-specialist... [O]ne is swept away by Thomas Seeley's enthusiasm for a subject that is clearly his passion."--Philippine Rudolf, British Politics and Policy "Seeley shares his 35-plus years of experience working with bees. He presents a very interesting treatise about his research (as well as that of other scientists) on these eusocial insects and their fast and accurate group decision making when choosing the colony's new dwelling place. This very well-written book is also beautifully illustrated, highly informative, and educational."--Choice "[T]his work makes an important contribution to a growing body of literature in disciplines removed from political science or sociology (such as biology in this case). It is felt that this may help us to understand what this enigmatic term or concept 'democracy' might actually be. To finish, this book comes highly recommended to any interested in learning about a new non-human democratic typology."--Jean-Paul Gagnon, Journal of Democratic Theory "Princeton University Press is to be congratulated in producing a book that is great value for the money and beautifully produced. The author is to be congratulated in writing a book that in its content and voice will reach and satisfy both scientists and nonscientists, both bee people and those not yet bitten (or stung). Honeybee Democracy is both easy and enjoyable to read."--Francis L. W. Ratnieks, Animal Behaviour "Seeley writes in an engaging and entertaining style. He also manages to explain complicated facts in easily understandable prose without compromising on the scientific information, and his comparisons with human behaviour and democratic practices are telling... The author aimed to bolster, 'an appreciation of these little creatures'. Mission accomplished. It's hard to not be fascinated by the, 'little six-legged beauties.'"--Uli Ernst, Lab Times "[Honeybee Democracy is] an exceptional combination of memoir, entomology, and political philosophy."--Carl Zimmer, DiscoverMagazine.com's The Loom blog "Reading Tom Seeley's book will give you an understanding of bees which will help your beekeeping... Like all the author's books and papers, this one is worth a place in your bee library."--Adrian Waring, Bee CraftTable of ContentsPrologue 1 Chapter 1: Introdu ction 3 Chapter 2: Life in a Honeybee Colony 20 Chapter 3: Dream Home for Honeybees 43 Chapter 4: Scout Bees' Debate 73 Chapter 5: A greement on Best Site 99 Chapter 6: Buildi ng a Consensus 118 Chapter 7: Initiating the Move to New Home 146 Chapter 8: Steering the Flying Swarm 175 Chapter 9: Swarm as Cognitive Entity 198 Chapter 10: Swarm Smarts 218 EPILOGUE 233 Notes 237 Acknowledgments 261 Illustration Credits 265 Index 271

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Book SynopsisWritten for all dog owners looking for hassle-free walks to enjoy with their dogs, this guidebook is designed and packed with photography - giving dog owners access to 20 of the finest walks in Snowdonia. It includes areas such as: Betws y Coed, Capel Curig, Conwy, Snowdon, Dolgellau and Coed y Brenin.

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Book SynopsisThe paperback of the Sunday Times bestseller that reveals how the earth became the shape it is today. This book will change the way you see the world permanently.The face of the earth, criss-crossed by chains of mountains like the scars of old wounds, has changed constantly over billions of years. Its shape records a remote past of earthquakes, volcanos and continental drift, and the ongoing subtle shifts that bring our planet alive.Richard Fortey introduces us to the earth's distinct character, revealing the life that it leads when humans aren't watching. He follows the continual movement of seabeds, valleys, mountain ranges and ice caps and shows how everything our culture, natural history, even the formation of our cities has its roots in geology. In Richard Fortey's hands, geology becomes vital and exhilarating and unmistakably informs our lives in the most intimate way.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Earth’: ‘A dazzling achievement. Richard Fortey is without peer among science writers.’ Bill Bryson ‘Books with a title this ambitious generally do not live up to their billing. This one does.’ New Scientist ‘“The Earth” is a true delight: full of awe-inspiring details…it blends travel, history, reportage and science to create an unforgettable picture of our ancient earth.’ Sunday Times ‘Read this book because it is, indeed, the best natural history of the first four billion years of life on earth.’ John Gribbin, Sunday Times Praise for ‘The Hidden Landscape’: ‘Don’t drop dead until you have read “The Hidden Landscape”.’ Jonathan Keates, Observer Praise for ‘Life: An unauthorised Biography’: ‘This is not a book for people who like science books. It is a book for people who love books, and life…[Fortey] has written a wonderful book.’ Tim Radford, Guardian

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