Natural History Books

Book Synopsis A beautifully presented, practical gift guide for all surf seekers. Explained with fascinating, easy-to-understand commentary from surfer and scientist Easkey Britton, this guide helps you soak up maximum vitamin sea. The book is divided into six main sections – each filled with exercises, ideas and fun facts to help you reconnect with your oceanic roots and create special moments by the sea… Reading the Sea – watch waves, move with the tides, understand rips and currents, getting to know the sea and your limits.What the Sea Does for Us – appreciate the food, feel-good factors, and even medicines that the sea has to offer. Plus learn about its fundamental role in climate control.We are Ocean – explore the multi-sensory environment the sea has to offer.The Power of the Sea to Heal – from seaweed and ocean plasma to social change and ocean therapy.The Sea is Calling – try your hand at beach combing, wave play, rockpooling, bird watching, searching for jellyfish and bioluminescence and swimming in the sea.Things to Do for the Sea – with guides to beach clean-ups, sustainable foraging, restoring coastal habitats and inclusion and diversity ideas to make the sea accessible to all, you’ll have everything you need to be the hero our seas need. Taking an inclusive global outlook on the subject, and complemented by Maria Nilsson’s captivating drawings, this timely book will show you the benefits of doing things by and for the sea – and how those benefits can spill over into your daily life.Trade Review‘If you have been unable to visit the coast during the last year due to the pandemic, this lovely book is a small step towards soothing your seaside cravings’ -- Country Life‘There’s something for everyone in this exploration of the sea’ -- Devon Life

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Book SynopsisWalking guide to the South Downs National Park, with 20 best routes chosen by the park rangers. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 10 km and can be completed in less than 4 hours.20 best routes chosen and written by National Park rangersWalks from 2 to 10kmDetailed description for each walk with highlights clearly marked on the map along with an accompanying map and photographsGeneral information about the National Park plus basic advice on walkingThis and the South Downs National Park Pocket Map (ISBN: 9780008439200) are the perfect companions for exploring this superb walking area of South East England.Trade Review“Walking guides from Collins will have you expertly traversing the landscape like a park ranger.” – Great British Life

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Book SynopsisMaking the most of the longest days of the year.Summer is a season of sun, heat and daylight that brings activity to all corners of life, from plants bearing fruit to animals and birds feeding their young. It also brings people together in the open air, whether on holiday, a day trip to the beach, celebrating the longest day of the year or just making the most of the weather. Through inspirational quotes, interesting facts, fascinating trivia The Little Book of Summer explores what makes three months of every year summer as well as our relationship with the great outdoors and with each other during the warmest season of the year.'Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language' Henry JamesIf you can hear crickets chirping on a balmy summer evening, you can use their chirps to determine the temperature. Crickets are cold-blooded creatures and chirp at a frequency consistent with the air temperature. For a Celsius reading, count the number of chirps over 25 seconds, then divide that number by 3 and add 4. For Fahrenheit, count the number of chirps in 14 seconds, then add 40. Table of ContentsLazy Summer Days • Balmy Summer Nights • Summer Romance… or Summertime Blues • The Summer Solstice and Midsummer • Other Summertime Customs • International Festivals.

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Book SynopsisIn this enchanting work of scientific exploration, acclaimed science author Frank Ryan explains how metamorphosis - the intricate trick of nature by which caterpillars transform into butterflies - reveals secrets that are shaking the scientific world. Ryan brings to life the work of pioneering naturalists who have traced metamorphosis in myriad species, from amphibians to marine creatures, even human puberty, to rewrite some of our longest-held beliefs about evolution. Lyrical and provocative, The Mystery of Metamorphosis offers a new understanding of some of the most ancient miracles of the nature.Trade Review"A well-researched piece of popular science... Ryan successfully shows that a deeper knowledge of metamorphosis could have far-reaching consequences." * The Big Issue *“A brilliant book…a superb story, some excellent scientific insights, and a fascinating theory. Recommended.” Brian Clegg * PopularScience.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisTenerife is a remarkable island, dominated by Mount Teide, an active volcano higher than any mountain in mainland Spain. The island has extraordinary volcanic landscapes, and thousands of species of plants and animals that are found only there. The authors' love of Tenerife stems from its enormous variety of habitats with their complex plant and animal communities. They have explored the island from the laurel forests of eastern Anaga to the cliffs of Los Gigantes in Teno, from the semi-deserts of the extreme south to the richly vegetated slopes along the north coast, and from remote black sand beaches to the lavas of Las Canadas and the craters of Teide and Pico Viejo. Local Spanish experts have guided them to remote places and have contributed accounts of their own special interests. most studied of all volcanoes.Trade Review'...remarkable book. An excellent map at the beginning of the book displays the physical features and natural habitats on Tenerife. The book is a botanist's dream, detailing hundreds of different plants... I have never read a book with so many descriptive photographs identifying the many plants... Natural History of Tenerife is a reference book that must be unparalleled in its field. In my opinion its value extends beyond the normal reference book because of its usefulness to the visitor to the island in finding and sharing the joys of its wildlife. I consider it a must for any Tenerife tourist with an interest in nature'. Wildlife Detective - The blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- `...Philip and Myrtle Ashmole's endeavour was to describe the flora and fauna of Tenerife. It is something they have succeeded admirably in doing, in what can only be describe as a labour of love. ... a comprehensive, detailed and lavishly illustrated account.' John O'Groat Journal

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Book SynopsisNature is one of the best medicines for difficult times. An intimate awareness of the natural world, even within the city, can calm anxieties and help create healthy perspectives. This book will inspire and guide you as you deal with the current crisis, or any personal or worldly distress. Melanie Choukas-Bradley is a naturalist and certified forest therapy guide who leads nature and forest bathing walks for many organizations in Washington, D.C. and the American West. Learn from her the Japanese art of "forest bathing": how to tune in to the beauty and wonder around you with all your senses, even if your current sphere is a tree outside the window or a wild backyard. Discover how you can become a backyard naturalist, learning about the trees, wildflowers, birds and animals near your home. Nature immersion during stressful times can bring comfort and joy as well as opportunities for personal growth, expanded vision and transformation. The "Resilience Series" is the result of an intensive, collaborative effort of our authors in response to the 2020 coronavirus epidemic. Each volume offers expert advice for developing the practical, emotional and spiritual skills that you can master to become more resilient in a time of crisis.

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Book SynopsisA cloudspotter's interactive journal. Our interest in clouds is more profound than we ever thought. Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society and author of A Cloud A Day has been spreading the word via social media and hugely popular TED talks, and the response has been revelatory. Following on from his very successful A Cloud A Day book, he wants readers to take time each day to look at the shifting skies. To take a moment, as he says. Then, using the prompts and space in the journal, record the cloud, weather, and importantly their thoughts on that day. It is the perfect mindful occupation. To help readers understand the clouds they are looking at, the book includes a hugely useful pin wheel device – a cloud selector – at the back of the journal. The device allows the reader to visually match the cloud they see in the sky with the cloud in the selector device, which has all the information about that particular cloud they need. From the cloudlets of the altocumulus clouds to the rarer Lacunosus cloud (holes surrounded by fringes of cloud). In amongst the prompts and spaces are stunning images of clouds with bits of poetry, science and folklore. It is the ideal interactive journal for those interested in clouds and the weather but also for those looking for the perfect way to spend 10 minutes of the day to reconnect with nature and the passing of the seasons. Praise for A Cloud A Day: '[This] charming little volume reminds us that self-care is as available as a glance out the window, no matter your age or infirmities' The New York Times ‘A confident celebration of our ever-changing skies... I defy anyone who reads it not to start taking furtive peeks out the window.’ Robert Leigh-Pemberton, Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisFully updated and expanded, this third edition of the top-selling Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa now features more than 520 of the trees and shrubs – indigenous and naturalized exotics – commonly found in the region. Each of the four sections – trees, shrubs, palms and mangroves – is arranged in alphabetical order according to scientific name. The book features: an informative introduction to families. Species accounts describing the plants’ habitat, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit. General and commercial applications and uses in traditional medicine. Almost 2,000 photographs depicting the species, its fruit, flowers and bark. Glossaries, both textual and illustrated, of botanical and medical terms. An invaluable ID guide to the trees and shrubs in gardens, parks and along roadsides of East Africa.

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Book SynopsisDay Walks in Cornwall features 20 circular routes between 7.2 and 13.7 miles (11.6km and 22km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Researched and written by experienced authors Jen and Sim Benson, and covering the extremities of this stunning peninsula, the walks reach areas from Bude to the Isles of Scilly, and from Rame Head near Plymouth to Lizard Point on the southernmost tip. Taking advantage of the South West Coast Path, discover a unique view of the charming coastline at every turn in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Explore Chapel Porth caves, and countless coves, archways and waterfalls, or simply immerse yourself in a leisurely stroll along white sands and blue waters. Head for the Merry Maidens stone circle in Lamorna, examine the serpentinite rock formations at Lizard Point, watch over medieval Tintagel Castle and parade past Cromwell’s Castle. Find serenity overlooking St Enodoc’s Church or soak up the vibe of trendy fishing village St Mawes, nestled in its sheltered bay; you’ll find Cornwall has it all.Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, distance and navigation information, refreshment stops and local information.Table of ContentsIntroductionAcknowledgementsAbout the walksWalk timesNavigationGPSMobile phonesFootpaths and rights of wayComfortSafetyMilitary firingThe Countryside CodeHow to use this bookMaps, descriptions, distancesKm/mile conversion chartCornwall area mapSection 1 West Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly1 Around Tresco & Bryher2 Sennen & Cape Cornwall3 Lamorna & The Merry Maidens4 Zennor, Bosigran & Ding Dong Mine5 Godrevy Point6 Penrose & The LoeSection 2: Central Cornwall & The Lizard7 Around Lizard Point8 Chapel Porth & St Agnes BeaconSection 3: The North Coast9 Trevose Head10 Pentire Point11 Boscastle & Tintagel12 Bude to Widemouth BaySection 4: The North Coast13 Around Roseland14 Dodman Point & Portmellon15 Lansallos & Polruan16 Rame HeadSection 5: The South Coast17 Lanhydrock18 Rough Tor & Brown Willy19 Golitha Falls & Siblybeck Lake20 The Hurlers & The CheesewringAppendix

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Book SynopsisPossibly the most comprehensive and user-friendly ethnobotanical guidebook available in the Pacific Northwest, Gifted Earth features traditional Native American plant knowledge, detailing the use of plants for food, medicines, and materials.

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Book SynopsisThis book has been translated, adapted, and extended from a Norwegian bestseller. It provides a fascinating insight into all aspects of the behaviour of domestic cats. Its accessible and informative style means it is applicable to cat owners, students, biologists, veterinarians, animal nurses and technicians, and others working with cats or wanting to learn more about them. The depth of knowledge provided will enhance cat welfare. Learn about feline behaviour throughout a cat's lifespan, and our role in helping kittens develop into happy, well-balanced adult cats.Read about cat communication, their social interactions, free-roaming and hunting behaviour, and differences in personality types and breeds.Recognize behavioural problems and how to prevent or deal with them to enhance a cat's welfare based on insights into learning theory, emotions and motivations.Learn more about who cat owners are, why and how we keep cats, and how cats can benefit our own mental and physical health.See videos and beautiful colour photographs that complement the explanations in the text.By enriching our understanding of the emotional and behavioural needs of cats, their motivations for pleasure and relaxation, and what stresses them, the reader gains the essential information needed to promote the well-being of cats and their caretakers.

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Book SynopsisA photographic identification guide to 125 tree species most commonly seen in Sri Lanka, perfect for resident and visitor alike. Over 350 high quality photographs from Sri Lanka’s top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, the different habitats and tree structure.

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Book SynopsisThe story of invasive species is really the story of human history, and Eatherley tells it with great verve Fascinating' Daily TelegraphA unique history of plant and animal invaders of the British isles spanning thousands of years of arrivals and escapes, as well as defences mounted and a look to the future.As Brits we pride ourselves as stoic defenders, boasting a record of resistance dating back to 1066.Yet, even a cursory examination of the natural world reveals that while interlopers of the human variety may have been kept at bay, our islands have been invaded, conquered and settled by an endless succession of animals, plants, fungi and other alien lifeforms that apparently belong elsewhere. Indeed it's often hard to work out what actually is native, and what is foreign.From early settlement of our islands, through the Roman and mediaeval period, to the age of exploration and globalisation, today's complement of alien species tells a story about our past.Trade ReviewPraise for Invasive Aliens‘Fascinating … Eatherley has the unflagging curiosity of a Victorian explorer. The man seems to be indefatigable as he hacks away at Himalayan balsam (the pink, flowery weed that lines almost every riverbank in Britain) or goes on patrol for invasive signal crayfish in the River Barle. He’s not afraid to get wet, dirty or tired on his mission to get up close and personal with intruders of all shapes and sizes. It feels as if we are on the front line with him.’ The Times ‘[Eatherley’s] approach to his complex subject is open-minded, nuanced, and free-ranging to the point of wildness’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Fascinating … the story of “invasive species” is really the story of human history, and [Eatherley] tells it with great verve’ Daily Telegraph ‘Eatherley has an impressive grasp of history – both human and natural … [and] Invasive Aliens provides a well-researched overview of this complex and controversial topic. There is plenty here to surprise as well as enlighten’ Literary Review ‘A fascinating, comprehensive and thoughtful compendium of the flora and fauna that have reached our shores over the years … Invasive Aliens is full of extraordinary and often complex stories.’ Country Life ‘Eatherley’s thorough digest of a complex subject is engaging, informative and balanced. It is the first of these which most explains why Invasive Aliens has garnered such a sheaf of book awards. If the journalistic style puts off a few readers, it will please many more because the subject has been presented with verve and panache; I did not expect to be drawn in so comprehensively or to learn so much’ James Robertson, British Wildlife ‘[Dan Eatherley,] a talented naturalist writing with a genuine passion for the subject, has tackled the daunting task of charting the history of alien species in Britain with gusto. The result is an engrossing and utterly entertaining book’ British Deer Society

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Book SynopsisA top-ranked horse trainer's gorgeous, life-affirming memoir that offers profound insight into the fascinating ways both horses and humans seek relationships to survive.Trade Review"Gaffney has a breathtaking and at times nearly otherworldly ability to read horses by closely studying their bodies, and then to capture what she sees with her prose. ...[T]ruly transcendent." -- Jessica Lustig - New York Times Book Review"Ginger Gaffney writes the intricacies of the equine-human relationship as well as I have ever seen it written…She knows a horse’s mind as well as she knows her own. You will remember the tenacious and utterly winning people that populate Half Broke for a long, long time, and you will never forget the horses." -- Pam Houston, author of Deep Creek"Written with clarity and compassion, Half Broke is about the astounding power of horses to heal broken human beings. It shows a side of New Mexico that is seldom seen—the poverty and the struggle, but also the hopefulness and odd beauty of spirit within the people and the horses." -- Leslie Marmon Silko, author of Ceremony"Half Broke is a love song to the broken ones, be they human or beast, and all the ways they find to mend. Ginger Gaffney’s prose is as clean and lovely as the land she describes, and this story is one that hinges on some of the deepest truths. Among them the fact that loving well is the best medicine, and though we may not recover in a way that preserves the person we were, such loss is not without mercy." -- Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart and Abandon Me"Ginger Gaffney is a bold and original talent. This poignant, positive story of human and equine transformation subtly combines the author’s own healing with the challenge of teaching difficult people to work with deeply scared horses. The characters leap off the page and into your heart. Savor this book, and then buy a copy for your best friend." -- Anne Hillerman, New York Times best-selling author of the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito novels"Gaffney pulls off the impressive feat of translating horses and humans. She creates lyricism through experience, landscape, and empathy." -- Gretchen Lida - Washington Independent Review of Books"Fascinating. … [S]ome of the most compelling characters here don’t speak in words: they are horses. And in Gaffney’s story, they come alive." -- Deborah Hopkinson - BookPage""Half Broke" — with its painful candor and spare, incisive prose — is captivating." -- Michael Upchurch - Seattle Times"This book astonished, excited, enlightened, and humbled me. I loved it, loved it, loved it. This marvelous memoir, peopled with folks in serious trouble of one kind or another, and the horses they care for, creatures with their own sophisticated ways of communicating, taught me as much about language as have my seventy-seven years on the planet." -- Abigail Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of What Comes Next and How to Like It"With sensitive, soul-bearing prose, Gaffney weaves together her personal experiences as a horse trainer with the struggles of damaged humans and damaged horses. I was also moved by the depth of vulnerability and intuition of the horses." -- Jonathan Balcombe, author of What a Fish Knows"[A] powerful debut." -- Publishers Weekly"In the pages of Half Broke is the rare gift of story exquisitely told, a book that shows us how to save ourselves by saving what we’ve left behind." -- Nickole Brown, author of To Those Who Were Our First Gods"Half Broke asks us to look at horses and ourselves in a new way. Gaffney’s vivid and engaging stories of 'teaching horses how to feel comfortable in the world of humans' inspires us, like the author, to 'love their world more.' A very moving book for all animal lovers from a true horse whisperer." -- Brenda Peterson, author of Wolf Nation: The Life, Death, and Return of Wild American Wolves"An engaging ... [and] heartening story of healing and interspecies connection." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThis veritable marine treasure trove of a book is richly illustrated by the author, with fifty of the most beautiful, easily encountered, and sometimes astonishing marine organisms found on British coasts, from seemingly exotic seahorses and starfish, to peculiar sea-potatoes and sea lemons. Together, these characterful critters paint a colourful picture of life between the tides: starfish that, upon losing an arm, can grow a new one; baby sharks hatching from their fancifully named ‘mermaid’ purses’; ethereal moon jellyfish pulsating in the current and, on some seabeds, even coral. Beachcombing, overturning a boulder or simply parting the strands of seaweed in a rock pool offer a glimpse into a thriving underwater world of curious creatures. Inspired by the Oxford University of Natural History’s exceptionally rich zoology collections, which contain millions of specimens amassed from centuries of expeditions, this book tells the story of life on the seashore.Trade Review'Beautifully illustrated with an oil painting, each species is depicted in the habitat in which it is usually found. … An enchanting work, suitable for anyone with an interest in coastal UK wildlife.' * BBC Countryfile *'I'm not a natural naturalist but occasionally when you see something bobbing by that isn't shredded plastic, it's nice to know what it is. This book allows you to do this. Chris Thorogood keeps it simple too, with nice big pictures and short but informative explanations of what the creature mentioned is. ... it's always handy to have such a guide.' * Sailing Today *'Science Book Gift Guide 2019: This short book contains 56 gorgeous colour reproductions of oil paintings by the author portraying creatures that can be found at low tide along the shoreline of the British Isles (and in many cases along shorelines elsewhere as well).' * American Scientist *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Visually dazzling fare for browsers of any age…” —School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA profound meditation on climate change and the Anthropocene and an urgent search for the fossilsindustrial, chemical, geologicalthat humans are leaving behindA Times Book of the Year A Daily Telegraph Book of the YearWhat will the world look like ten thousand or ten million years from now?In Footprints, David Farrier explores what traces we will leave for the very deep future. From long-lived materials like plastic and nuclear waste, to the 50 million kilometres of roads spanning the planet, in modern times we have created numerous objects and landscapes with the potential to endure through deep time. Our carbon could linger in the atmosphere for 100,000 years, and the remains of our cities will still exist millions of years from now as a layer in the rock. These future fossils have the potential to tell remarkable stories about how we lived in the twenty-first century.Through literature, art, and science, Footprints invites us to think about how we will be remembered in the myths, sTrade Review‘Fascinating’ Margaret Atwood on twitter ‘What do we owe to the world that comes after us? In this superbly researched and imagined book, David Farrier invites us to expand our sense of deep time to include the deep future’ Caspar Henderson, author of A New Map of Wonders ‘Footprints bears witness to the hastening catastrophe of the Anthropocene, illustrating not just the permanence of the traces humans leave behind, but also the impermanence of the human. Profound, urgent, transformative, it is a remarkable book.’ James Bradley, author of Ghost Species ‘Mr Farrier’s prose glitters … As Mr Farrier notes, even if pollution and consumption ceased tomorrow, their effects would take millennia to unwind. Human life is etched into the fossil record for aeons to come. “The challenge is to learn…to examine our present by the eerie light cast by the onrushing future.” His subtle, elegant book rises to that challenge’ Economist ‘It is an oddly hopeful exploration of deep time and a world doing just fine without us.’ New Scientist ‘Farrier races through the past and makes brief stops in the present before soaring into the deep future, all the while exploring our capacity as human beings to leave traces behind us … It echoes many of the concerns of nature writers such as Kathleen Jamie, Katharine Norbury and Robert Macfarlane, but from a different coign of vantage. Farrier is less nature writer an more ‘smart thinker’ … At its best, there are moments when the eye of the poet and the analyst come together in memorable flight’ Literary Review ‘All decent people want to be remembered well. In the ancient world, moral life was often seen as the effort to be a good ancestor. If that’s how you see things, David Farrier’s brilliant, plangent book will leave you gasping with shame. Our grandchildren (if any survive) will look back on us with contempt’ The Oldie, Charles Foster

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction into the diversity of the environmental movement through great characters in the green sector. The book describes inspiring personal achievements, and at the same time it provides readers with information regarding the history, the main directions and the ethical principles of the environmental movement. Some of the most important characters of the movement from all around the world, are included in the book. As well as the title characters, Buddha and Leonardo DiCaprio, other famous environmentalists like Albert Schweitzer, David Attenborough and Jane Goodall are discussed. Some of the less well-known but equally important environmentalists such as Chico Mendes, Bruno Manser, Henry Spira, Tom Regan or Rossano Ercolini are highlighted in the various chapters. The selection of characters represents all major branches within the green sector, ranging from medieval saints to Hollywood celebrities, from university professors to field activists, from politicians to philosophers, from ecofeminists to radicals.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Charles Darwin and the implications of evolution St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.- Environmentalism gaining momentum: Rachel Carson and ’Silent sping’ Denis Hayes and Earth Day.- Planting trees with Wangari Maathai.- In defense of rain forests: Chico Mendes and Bruno Manser Al Gore’s fight for the environment.- The strong men of environmentalism: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Steven Seagal Movie stars and activism.- Arne Naess and ’Deep ecology’.- Vandana Shiva and traditional agriculture.- Ian Kiernan, Rossano Ercolini, and Bea Johnson Pioneers of ecological economics.- The Greenpeace story Forerunners of animal advocacy Spokesmen for animals: Peter Singer, Richard Ryder, and Tom Regan.- Henry Spira, the hero of animal advocacy.- Animal advocates from Central Europe.- Albert Schweitzer: The man who loved all living beings Talking animals: The capacity of animal minds.- Primatologists Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Biruté Galdikas Ingrid.- Newkirk, Alex Pacheco, and PETA.- John Muir and Yosemite.- Aldo Leopold, the founding father of nature conservation.- James Lovelock and the Gaia-hypothesis.- Their symbol: The giant panda.- Scientists involved in conservation and environmentalism.- Gerald Durrell: How an amateur naturalist developed into a great conservationist Farley Mowat never cried wolf.- David Attenborough, the grand old man of natural history films Jacques-Yves Cousteau: Under the spell of the sea.- Paul Watson, the daredevil of conservation.- Epilogue.- Acknowledgements List of illustrations.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The authors take you on a magnificent journey alongside orcas, bringing these beautiful creatures to life. Numerous perspectives that intertwine science, traditional knowledge and personal experiences reveal how strongly we're interconnected with these majestic, intelligent neighbours that live in the Salish Sea. The emerging picture shows how orcas are an integral part of human existence and fuels my personal and professional passion to do everything possible to help them thrive. These stories seamlessly make the reader a part of the orcas' history and fate." Jay Ritchlin, Director General, BC and Western Canada, David Suzuki Foundation"In Spirits of the Coast ...orca experts, artists, storytellers, and Indigenous wisdom keepers issue an invitation to understand, celebrate, and come together to protect these marvelous marine mammals." Kristine Morris, Foreword Reviews"This book is the perfect blend of science, history, art, folklore and culture. Orcas are a huge part of life on the west coast of Canada and Vancouver Island. The image of the Orca is ever-present. This book is a wonderful trip into the world of these magnificent creatures and what they have meant to us over time." Charlotte Kinzie, Kinzie Things"The book, which is both a history lesson and a proposal for the future, is packed with thoughtful insights, historical perspectives and traditional First Nations stories. It also visually shines, with a wide range of beautiful artwork and photography. It's that inclusion of visual storytelling that makes this book so accessible and a great addition to any coffee table or bookshelf." Vancouver Sun"Its luminous, large-format pages offer everything from Haida storytelling to marine biology, all to show our too-often-ignored kinship with this astonishing animal." Brian Lynch, Georgia Straight"This book is not just recalling the history of relationship between humans and orcas but is laying the groundwork for deciding, each of us, what that relationship could look like in the future." Amy Reiswig, Focus on Victoria"Anyone looking for an introduction to the history, science and cultural significance of the orca could do no better than to start here." Daniel Francis, Ormsby Review"A magnificent journey alongside orcas, bringing these beautiful creatures to life." -- Jay Ritchlin, David Suzuki Foundation

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Book SynopsisEach year, the flowering of cherry blossoms marks the beginning of spring. But if it weren’t for the pioneering work of an English eccentric, Collingwood “Cherry” Ingram, Japan’s beloved cherry blossoms could have gone extinct. Ingram first fell in love with the sakura, or cherry tree, when he visited Japan on his honeymoon in 1907 and was so taken with the plant that he brought back hundreds of cuttings with him to England. Years later, upon learning that the Great White Cherry had virtually disappeared from Japan, he buried a living cutting from his own collection in a potato and repatriated it via the Trans-Siberian Express. In the years that followed, Ingram sent more than 100 varieties of cherry tree to new homes around the globe. As much a history of the cherry blossom in Japan as it is the story of one remarkable man, The Sakura Obsession follows the flower from its significance as a symbol of the imperial court, through the dark days of the Second World War, and up to the present-day worldwide fascination with this iconic blossom.

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Book SynopsisEast Africa is a premier wildlife destination, well known for its mass migrations of herds and fearsome predators. But as iconic are the trees that grow there: among them mangroves, cycads, palms, marulas, acacias, sausage trees, fever trees, toothbrush trees and giant bamboos. This book showcases 100 of the region’s most visible and significant trees, arranged by the habitats in which they occur. It features: Concise descriptions of each tree and its parts, plus notes about the various uses of the tree parts; multiple images showing the full tree and key ID features, including flowers, leaves, fruit and bark; where to see the trees, including the national parks and nature reserves; a brief introduction to the trees of the region and their vegetation zones; colourful, interesting and geared for quick tree identification, this handy guide will enhance any safari experience in East Africa. Sales points: Features 100 of the most commonly seen trees in East Africa. Almost 500 photographs, depicting the full tree and its diagnostic parts; written by two of the region’s most accomplished botanists; will appeal to all tree enthusiasts, as well as visitors to the region’s parks and reserves.

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Book SynopsisBack home in sleepy Pickax, Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese companions, Koko and Yum Yum, are looking forward to country peace and quiet. But their newly converted apple barn home turns out to be not quite the refuge they were hoping for when a corpse turns up in the orchard outside . . . No one in Pickax is sorry to learn that the local headmaster is dead. Though reputedly brilliant, Hilary Van Brook was also arrogant and manipulative, an outsider who managed to offend teachers, pupils and parents alike - just about everybody in town has a motive for murder. Only when a good friend becomes a chief suspect does Qwilleran''s instinct for mystery overtake his desire for privacy - and Koko''s obsession with a set of antique printing blocks is the first clue to a mystery which takes Qwill and his Siamese sleuths on a day out to the races . . .

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Book SynopsisGive your horse a gorgeous look! Charni Lewis provides step-by-step instructions for 30 mane and tail braids for both casual outings and specialized events of all riding styles. Full-color photographs and detailed illustrations bring every twist and turn to life, while also clearly demonstrating proper hand positioning. Get inspired and experiment with a Scalloped mane braid or a Four-Strand Weave for the tail. Not only will your horse look great, the time you spend braiding will help develop that special bond between you and your horse.

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Book SynopsisThe Mesozoic era ranged from 240 million to 65 million years ago. In British Mesozoic Fossils 365 species from this period are classified and illustrated with accurate line drawings. This new edition has been fully revised and updated, reflecting advances in our understanding of the fossil record over the past years.

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the future of the Artemis Lunar Program from the years 2017 to about 2030. Despite the uncertainty of the times and the present state of space exploration, it is likely that what is presented in this book will actually happen, to one degree or another. As history has taught us, predictions are often difficult, but one can see enough into the future to be somewhat accurate. As the Bible says, “Wesee thru the glass, but darkly.”All of the elements of the proposed program are described from several perspectives: NASA’s, the commercial space industry and our International partners. Also included are descriptions of the many vehicles, habitats, landers, payloads and experiments. The book tells the story of the buildup of a very small space station in a strange new lunar orbit and the descent of payloads and humans, including the first women and next man, to the lunar surface with the intent to evolve a sustained presence over time. Trade Review“I was glad to read this book, and I learned some new things from it. I am happy to recommend it to anyone interested in a brief summary of the technical aspects of the Artemis programme as conceived in its early years.” (Ian Crawford, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1282), June, 2021)“The book is an excellent basis to understand the further struggle for human space exploration of Moon and Mars, and allows the reader to form his own well-founded opinion and to grasp the technical problems still to be solved. … A ‘treat’ for insiders, a reference manual for those interested in human spaceflight and an easily digestible book for laypeople. Predicate: Highly valuable!” (Joachim J. Kehr, Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, February, 2021)Table of ContentsFrontispiece Dedication Acknowledgments Preface 1 Introduction 2 The Artemis Lunar Program Overview 2.1 NASA’s Concept 2.2 Summary of the Elements 2.3 The Controversy 2.4 The Budget 2.5 Politics 3 Spacecraft, Landers, Rovers and Payloads 3.1 Commercial Spacecraft 3.2 Commercial Lunar Payload Services 3.3 Commercial Payloads and Instruments 3.4 Lunar Science Participation 3.5 Landing Sites 4 Elements, Crew Landers, Launch Vehicles and Upper Stages 4.1 Propulsion and Power Element 4.2 Habitat and Logistics Modules 4.3 Crew Landers and Transfer Element Studies 4.4 Launch Vehicles 4.5 Upper Stages 5 NASA and Commercial Crew Development 5.1 Crew Selection and Training 5.2 Commercial Crew ISS Missions 5.3 Artemis Missions 5.4 The Next Generation Space Suit 5.5 Commercial Crew Space Suits 5.6 Crew Health 6 Artemis Lessons for Exploration 6.1 Utility of the Gateway 6.2 Sustainability 6.3 Impact on Future Hardware Design 6.4 Long Duration Science Operations 6.5 Launch Vehicle Payload Capability 7 Enabling Technology Advances 7.1 NASA Programs 7.2 Navigation and Precision Landing 7.3 Deep Space Atomic Clock 7.4 In-Situ Resource Utilization 7.5 Lunar Power 7.6 Protection from Radiation 7.7 Advances in Optical Communications 7.8 Lunar IceCube 8 Artemis Influence on Mars Planning 8.1 Mission Concepts and Plans 8.2 Technologies and Capabilities 8.3 Artemis Science Influence on Mars 8.4 Robotics 8.5 Regolith Mining and Processing 8.6 3D Printing 9 Conclusions Appendices 1 The National Space Council’s Role in Artemis and Mars 2 Community Letter to Congress Regarding NASA’s Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program 3 NASA’s Gateway Memorandum for the Record 4 Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit 5 Solar Electric Propulsion and Hall Effect Thrusters 6 Technology 7 Timeline 8 Artemis Mythology 9 The Moon Village Association 10 The Chinese Lunar Program 11 Crew Selection: A History and Prediction 12 Quotes References Glossary About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisThere are more than 1,300 species of bats - or almost a quarter of the world's mammal species. But before you shrink in fear from these furry "creatures of the night," consider the bat's fundamental role in our ecosystem. A single brown bat can eat several thousand insects in a night. This book presents these nocturnal creatures in a new light.

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Book SynopsisWith a scientist's mind and an animal lover's compassion, world-renowned biologist Rupert Sheldrake presents a groundbreaking exploration of animal behavior that will profoundly change the way we think about animals--and ourselves.How do cats know when it's time to go to the vet, even before the cat carrier comes out? How do dogs know when their owners are returning home at unexpected times? How can horses find their way back to the stable over completely unfamiliar terrain?After five years of extensive research involving thousands of people who have pets and work with animals, Dr. Sheldrake proves conclusively what many pet owners already know: there is a strong connection between humans and animals that defies present-day scientific understanding. Sheldrake compellingly demonstrates that we and our pets are social animals linked together by invisible bonds connecting animals to each other, to their owners, and to their homes in powerful ways. Hi

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Book SynopsisRSPB ID Spotlight Bees is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 40 of our most widespread and familiar bees by renowned artist Richard Lewington.Watching a garden busy with bees is one of the joys of summer. But can you tell a White-tailed Bumblebee from a Garden Bumblebee? Or confidently distinguish between a Patchwork Leafcutter Bee and a Long-horned Bee? Britain and Ireland are home to more than 270 species of bees, some of which play an important ecological role through their industrious pollination of our crops and wildflowers.Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification, while the artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field. The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our bees, as well as the conservation issues they are facing and how the RSPB and other conservation charities are workiTable of ContentsIntroducing the UK’s Common Bees Habitats Distribution and Migration General Behaviour, Life Cycle and Diet Conservation Spotlight ID: Bumblebees Honey Bees Flower Bees Mason Bees Mining Bees Leafcutter Bees Plasterer Bees Scissor Bees Wool Carders Mourning Bees Long-horned Bees Nomad Bees Pantaloon Bees

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Book SynopsisA perfectly pitched and packaged adorable magical animal series forbeginner readers.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An unexpectedly delightful and rewarding jaunt into once-cherished, now-decaying living history. Each chapter gives a quick sketch of a species or genus that was formally described from a museum specimen, often decades after it was collected. Most of the creatures--which include lightning cockroaches, squeaker frogs, pygmy bandicoots from New Guinea, ruby seadragons, and 'atomic' tarantulas caught at a nuclear test site in Nevada--have been identified in the past fifteen years or so."--Ira Flatow "Wall Street Journal" "As part of the rising concern for global biodiversity, Christopher Kemp makes clear the value of preserved specimens in basic research. He successfully presents their study as part science, part history, and part adventure."--Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor, emeritus, Harvard University "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "The natural history museums of the world are full of surprises--undescribed species, from flying foxes to king crabs--sitting on their shelves waiting for someone to notice. Kemp vividly brings to life the stories of these specimens, and the people who collect and describe them. The Lost Species will delight any reader who cares about discovery, adventure, and the little-known planet that sustains us."--Richard Conniff, author of The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Natural history museums and their collections come alive with Kemp's inside stories of new species formerly hidden away in museum drawers and jars. Anyone who appreciates discovery and has an interest in museums, history, and biodiversity will find plenty to enjoy in The Lost Species, an intriguing, engaging, and conversational read."--Marty Crump, author of Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog, Adder's Fork and Lizard's Leg: The Lore and Mythology of Amphibians and Reptiles "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Natural history collections are vast, backlogged, error-riddled, or incompletely described. Think of all those expeditions in the 1800s and 1900s. Imagine drawers with thousands of beetles and flies, countless jars of marine invertebrates. What other treasures could those collections still be holding? Well, biologist Kemp wondered about that, too. And he went on a quest to uncover the forgotten collections and chronicled his findings in a book, The Last Species--new species that were only found with the help of natural history museums. . . . Amazing story."--Ira Flatow "Science Friday" "At a time when funding for natural history collections is under siege, Kemp's The Lost Species, which champions the irreplaceable value of these collections in the identification of new species, is a refreshing endorsement of both biodiversity and curatorial taxonomic expertise. . . . Kemp ably demonstrates the vital role that natural history collections and curators with taxonomic expertise play in the documentation of new species and ultimately in the preservation of biodiversity. These collections require maintenance to ensure the preservation of specimens and documentation for the next generation of taxonomists, who will discover more new species. It is my hope that The Lost Species will engender broader public interest and support for these efforts."--Bonnie Styles "Science" "As Kemp showcases these inspiring discoveries, you'll find yourself wondering what undiscovered treasures can be found in your local natural history museum. Clearly there is plenty of unknown biodiversity: currently, only 2 million species have been named out of the estimated 10 million that are thought to be out there (some credible estimates go as high as 30 million unnamed species), but I was amazed to learn that as many as half of all museum specimens are misidentified. Yeow! Clearly, there's a lot of taxonomic and systematic work to be done. This engaging book is a compelling argument for the overall value of natural history museums, and for the importance of studying these collections."--GrrlScientist "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017" "Major natural history museums of the world today collectively hold an enormous, irreplaceable collection of scientific objects numbering in the billions. Among this library of life and culture that has been assembled over several centuries, each piece has its own tale to tell. Christopher Kemp vividly brings several of these stories to life in The Lost Species. He chooses pieces ranging from a lowly nematode worm to the mighty dinosaur Apatosaurus (formerly known as Brontosaurus) to engage us. He presents these specimens to us not only as voucher specimens of Earth's biodiversity, but also as examples of human endeavor surrounding their discovery and eventual study. A great read for anyone interested in natural history museum collections, how they came to be, and what we can learn from them." --Lance Grande, author of Curators "Forbes, Best Biology Books of 2017"Table of ContentsIntroduction The Vertebrates 1. Pushed up a Mountain and into the Clouds: The Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) 2. Beneath a Color 83 Sky: The Ucucha Mouse (Thomasomys ucucha) 3. Going on a Tapir Hunt: The Little Black Tapir (Tapirus kabomani) 4. A Taxonomic Confusion: The Saki Monkeys (Pithecia genus) 5. Scattered to the Corners of the World: The Arfak Pygmy Bandicoot (Microperoryctes aplini) 6. The One That Got Away for 160 Years: Wallace’s Pike Cichlid (Crenicichla monicae) 7. Here Be Dragons: The Ruby Seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea) 8. A Century in a Jar: The Thorius Salamanders 9. From a Green Bowl: The Overlooked Squeaker Frog (Arthroleptis kutogundua) 10. A Body and a Disembodied Tail: Smith’s Hidden Gecko (Cyrtodactylus celatus) The Invertebrates 11. Treasure in the By-Catch: The Gall Wasps (Cynipoidea species) 12. The Biomimic: The Lightning Cockroach (Lucihormetica luckae) 13. Sunk beneath the Surface in a Sea of Beetles: Darwin’s Rove Beetle (Darwinilus sedarisi) 14. The Spoils of a Distant War: The Congo Duskhawker Dragonfly (Gynacantha congolica) 15. A Specimen in Two Halves: Muir’s Wedge-Shaped Beetle (Rhipidocyrtus muiri) 16. Mary Kingsley’s Longhorn Beetle (Pseudictator kingsleyae) 17. The Giant Flies (Gauromydas papavero and Gauromydas mateus) 18. It Came from Area 51: The Atomic Tarantula Spider (Aphonopelma atomicum) 19. The Host with the Most: The Nematode Worm (Ohbayashinema aspeira) 20. From a Time Machine on Cromwell Road: Ablett’s Land Snail (Pseudopomatias abletti) 21. In Sight of Land: Payden’s Isopod (Exosphaeroma paydenae) 22. A Ball of Spines: Makarov’s King Crab (Paralomis makarovi) Botanical 23. In an Ikea Bag: The Custard Apple Family (Monanthotaxis Genus) The Others 24. Waiting with Their Jackets On: The Fossils (Paleontology Specimens Collected by Elmer Riggs) 25. The First Art: The Earliest Hominin Engraving (a 500,000-Year-Old Shell) Epilogue Illustration Captions and Credits Notes Index

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