Nature and the natural world: general interest Books

Book SynopsisFor anyone looking for a deeper appreciation of the wonderful world of plants! Gardeners are inherently curious. They make note of a plant label in a botanical garden and then go home to learn more. They pick up fallen blossoms to examine them closer. They spend hours reading plant catalogs. But they are often unable to accurately name or describe their discoveries. A Botanist’s Vocabulary gives gardeners and naturalists a better understanding of what they see and a way to categorize and organize the natural world in which they are so intimately involved. Through concise definitions and detailed black and white illustrations, it defines 1300 words commonly used by botanists, naturalists, and gardeners to describe plants.

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Book SynopsisWith dozens of simple prompts and exercises, best-selling author, naturalist, and artist Clare Walker Leslie invites you to step outside for just a few minutes a day, reignite your sense of wonder about the natural world, and discover the peace and grounding that come from connecting with nature. Using stunning photography as well as the author’s own original illustrations, The Curious Nature Guide will inspire you to use all of your senses to notice the colors, sounds, smells, and textures of the trees, plants, animals, birds, insects, clouds, and other features that can be seen right outside your home, no matter where you live. Sketch or write about one exceptional nature image each day; learn to identify cloud types and the weather they bring; or create a record of what you see each day as you walk your dog. Easy, enjoyable, and enlightening, these simple exercises will transform your view of the world and your place within it.

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Book SynopsisIreland''s diverse habitats ranging from forests and farmlands to peat bogs and coastlines is home to about 450 species of resident and migratory birds. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information for anyone interested in birds, and is ideal for field use by residents and visitors alike. Made in the USA.www.waterfordpress.com

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Book SynopsisWhether on a walk a city park, local nature preserve, or national wilderness area, the wonders and healing power of nature are accessible to all. To enhance the experience and foster mindful observation, curiosity, and introspection, poet and nature lover Hannah Fries combines her own reflections and guided mindfulness exercises with a curated selection of inspirational writing from poets, naturalists, artists, scientists, and thinkers throughout the centuries and across cultures, including Japanese haiku masters, nineteenth-century European Romantics, American Transcendentalists, and contemporary environmentalists. Accompanied by beautiful forest photography, and a foreword by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Being with Trees is a distinctive gift that invites frequent revisiting for fresh insights and inspiration.

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Book SynopsisA unique look at the cultural, environmental, historical, literary, metaphorical, and political role of the wolf.Echo Loba, Loba Echo is a story about the metaphor of the wolf and how this is echoed in the lives and minds of people. A metaphor that embodies worldviews colliding, and the collision, the fallout, we live with still. It is a story about wolves? own cultures, survival stories, acts of rebellion, and vital roles in maintaining healthy territories. And it is also a story about what we have been told to forget, or never even know, and what wolves show us about ourselves.Through essay and poetry, the metaphor of the wolf, and loba ? for she-wolf ? is examined the way one might observe the light off a prism, in multi-dimensional ways. The associations are many and diametrically varied. Wolf as scapegoat, villain, outcast, blamed for human violence. Wolf as warrior, guide, mother to stray or orphaned children as well as her own pups. The Ojibwe word for wolf is ma?iingan: the one sent here by that all-loving spirit to show us the way. Wolf (Latin: lupus), which is another word for whore (lupa), for woman. Wolf, another word for backcountry. Yet the choice is not an easy duality, not simply between the notion of wolf as heroine or wolf as devil.

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Book SynopsisWritten amid wildfires and atmospheric rivers, The Middle *extends Stephen Collis's investigation of threatened climate futures into a poetics of displacement and wandering. The fulcrum of a trilogy begun with *A History of the Theories of Rain, The Middle *hikes the shifting treelines of our warming world to reflect on the way all life is on the move. Focusing on the human-plant relationship, each of *The Middle's linked sequences employs various forms of citational practice, rooted in the idea of a poetic commons, a kind of literary seed dispersal where words are blown, carried, and scattered from one textual field to another, akin to all the plants and animals in motion on our dangerously heating planet.

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Book SynopsisFor generations, the deserts of southern Africa have intrigued scientists and travellers alike. Seemingly barren wastes, they in fact teem with life – from ants to elephants, stone plants to the curious welwitschia, dainty dik-diks to towering gemsbok, and cart-wheeling spiders to fog-basking beetles. How do they cope with scarce resources, unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures? How do they protect themselves against predators? And what is the impact of climate change on these life forms and their habitats? Drawing on an earlier edition, published in 1993, biologist Barry Lovegrove answers these questions and unravels many of the mysteries associated with life in the desert. He describes the four arid biomes of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana – Desert, Arid Savanna, Succulent Karoo and Nama-Karoo – and explains how and why such a great diversity of plants, insects, mammals, reptiles and birds successfully exist in these regions. The text is supported by the most recent research, spectacular photographs, and explanatory diagrams and maps. The Living Deserts of Southern Africa is a compelling, in-depth read that is accessible to both the serious student and academic as well as the interested nature lover. Sales points: A fully revised and updated edition of a classic text (1993) on southern Africa’s desert zones; highly readable, entertaining and informative that draws on the latest scientific research; covers the desert regions of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana; stunning full-colour photographs support the text.

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Book SynopsisThis non-fiction graphic novel for kids 7+ takes readers on a thrilling voyage through our universe. Get ready for the ultimate astronomy adventure!It's a beautiful evening when Squeak, Orni, and Castor head out for a weekend of camping. But Squeak has a surprise: he's hosting them all in his observatory, high at the top of a tree. The tree house is delightful—and fully equipped for the most incredible discoveries: in the sky and the stars, through the galaxy and beyond.Readers join the three friends as they explore the night sky, our solar system, and how our universe was created. Super Space Weekend features: Fascinating information about astronomy and space reviewed by scientists, including an astrophysicist and planetary scientist. Discover how to find the North Star, learn about the history of space exploration, and more! Comic-style illustrations: shares Squeak, Orni and Castor’s thrilling space adventures through a graphic novel format Captivating, funny, and highly informative, Super Space Weekend is the ultimate introduction to the world of astronomy.The Science Adventure Club Book Series!Author and illustrator Gaëlle Almerás invites young readers to join her and her hilarious and cast of characters as they explore space, the world's oceans, and more. Presented in an eye-catching graphic novel style, the titles in this series are meticulously researched and vetted, providing top-notch science information that is accessible, awe-inspiring, and always entertaining.Trade Review“A great introduction to astronomy concepts with plenty of friendly humor to keep readers engaged."—School Library Journal“Charming...Edifying and entertaining, this graphic work is likely to launch a love of outer space for many young minds.”—Jen Fobus, Shelf Awareness STARRED review“Perfect for back to school.”—Comics Beat

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Book SynopsisAn ancient and long-extinct volcano lies at the heart of Scotland's capital. It roared into life some 350 million years ago and has been a source of fascination since it was first studied in earnest during the Enlightenment by James Hutton, one of the most significant geologists of all time. Many of Hutton's ground-breaking ideas of how the world works were predicated on the rocks and landscapes of his home city and surrounding area. This book is a fascinating exploration into Edinburgh's geological history over millions of years - including the passage of ice during a great freeze that has left an indelible stamp on Edinburgh's cityscape, the use rocks quarried locally from ancient, now long disappeared seas to create the stunning elegance of Edinburgh's New Town, and the coal deposits and oil shale which were exploited from the Industrial Revolution to the present day.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

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Book SynopsisAfter giving up a hectic life as a journalist in Europe and Hollywood in the late 1960s to return to his boyhood love of nature, Mike Tomkies moved to Eilean Shona, a remote island off the west coast of Scotland. There he rebuilt an abandoned croft house and began a new way of life observing nature. He tracked foxes and stags, made friends with seals and taught an injured sparrow-hawk to hunt for itself. It was the indomitable spirit of this tiny bird that taught Tomkies what it takes for any of us to be truly free. Whether he was fishing, growing his own food or battling through stormy seas in a tiny boat, he learned that he could survive in the harsh environment. This is the astonishing story of daring to take the first step away from urban routines and embracing a harsh yet immensely rewarding way of life which, in turn, led Tomkies to an even more remote location and inspired an acclaimed series of books on various animals and the challenges and joys of living in remote places.

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Book SynopsisPaul Murton journeys the length and breadth of the spectacularly beautiful Scottish Highlands. In addition to bringing a fresh eye to popular destinations such as Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms, he also visits some remote and little-known locations hidden off the beaten track. Throughout his travels, Paul meets a host of modern Highlanders, from caber tossers and gamekeepers to lairds to pipers. With an instinct for the unusual, he uncovers some strange tales, myths and legends along the way: stories of Jacobites, clan warfare, murder and cattle rustling fill each chapter – as well as some hilarious anecdotes based on his extensive personal experience of a place he loves to call home.Trade Review'Excites and enthuses. What Paul Murton succeeds in doing is conveying his love for the Highlands in a way that seems certain to inspire his readers to follow in his footsteps. …A fine mix of history, geography, human stories and anecdotes' * Undiscovered Scotland *'packed with enthralling nuggets about the landscapes, legend and lore across an area that has been pivotal to Scottish history for centuries' -- Susan Swabrick * Herald *'With beautifully illustrated maps and wonderful photos, the book makes for an enticing read and will no doubt leave you feeling inspired and invigorated to explore the much loved Highlands with fresh insights' -- Megan Williams * Scottish Field *

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Book SynopsisThe south of Scotland has a long and turbulent geological past. Perhaps most notably, it marks the place where, 432 million years ago, an ocean, once as wide as the north Atlantic, was compressed by a convergence of ancient lands and then ceased to be. Deserts covered the land with thick layers of brick-red coloured rocks, known as the Old Red Sandstone, piled up and dumped by rivers and streams that crisscrossed the area. Around 432 million years ago, violent explosive volcanic activity gave rise to the prominent landscape features recognised today as the Eildon Hills. In later geological times, the area was blanketed with massive sand dunes, later compressed to create the building stones from which Dumfries, Glasgow and other towns and cities, were constructed. It is also the place where the modern science of geology was born. James Hutton, star of the Scottish Enlightenment, found inspiration from his study of the local rocks. Sites he described almost 250 years ago are still hailed as amongst the most historic and important rock exposures to be found anywhere in the world.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

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Book SynopsisOne of the greatest stories of world exploration ever told. By the late eighteenth century, the river Niger was a 2,000-year-old two-part geographical problem. Solving it would advance European knowledge of Africa, provide a route to commercial opportunity and help eradicate the evil of slavery. Mungo Park achieved lasting fame in 1796 by solving the first part of the Niger problem – which way did the river run? Park died in 1806, in circumstances which are still uncertain, in failing to solve the second – where did the Niger end? Numerous expeditions explored the river in the decades following Park’s death, but not until 1830 was its final course revealed following in-the-field exploration. By then, however, the Niger problem had been solved by ‘armchair geographers’ who had never even visited Africa. Majestic River celebrates Mungo Park's achievements and illuminates his rich afterlife – how and why he was commemorated long after his death. It is also the thrilling story of the many expeditions that sought to determine the Niger’s course and the facts of Park’s disappearance, as well as a biography of the Niger itself as the river slowly took shape in the European imagination. Shortlisted for the Saltire Society History Book of the Year AwardTrade Review'Punchy, eloquent, and infused with forensic research ...This book is in all senses a geographical epic' -- Nicholas Crane, writer and presenter, BBC Two’s Coast and author of The Making of the British Landscape'This deeply researched and sumptuously illustrated book is at once an exciting new biography of Mungo Park, a wide-ranging history of the decades-long efforts by the British to explore the Niger, and an illuminating study of the evolution of geography and cartography as fields of scientific knowledge' -- Dane Kennedy, author of The Last Blank Spaces: Exploring Africa and Australia'A fascinating and illuminating read' -- Megan Amato * Scottish Field *'Both an admirable biography of the explorer Mungo Park and also a thoughtful meditation on early British involvement in West Africa' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'It's always thrilling to stumble across a book that is so well researched and written that as a reader you get the sense it will be the definitive account of the subject it covers for quite some time to come. "Majestic River" is one of those books' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'Mungo Park died in 1806 before realising his mission to trace the course of the Niger. The author looks at the life and legacy of this famed explorer' * The Saltire Society *

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Book SynopsisDublin's Natural History Museum is a uniquely preserved sliver of the past, an intact example of a nineteenth-century natural science collection. While its polished cases and stuffed animals show us what the museum looked like in its heyday, this book is the first detailed exploration of its early history, showing how and why it came into being, and what it meant in nineteenth-century Irish culture. From its earliest days as a small collection at the Royal Dublin Society to the gala inauguration of its new home on Merrion Square in 1857, everyone had an idea about what it was for, and how natural science would benefit Ireland. It was the first public museum in Ireland, a project of the RDS that was supported by central government as an educational venue, and was frequented by ordinary citizens and visitors as well as leading lights of natural science. Its history offers a view of science in Ireland showing that the museum was built over time by donations from citizens and scientific amateurs as well as professionals, and that Irish men of science shaped new knowledge from the raw material in the collections. Far from the aura of genteel nostalgia that continues to attract visitors today, the Natural History Museum of the nineteenth century was an active scientific institution with strong connections to the wider sphere of European science, and shows how participation in natural science was a form cultural activity for the people who engaged with the museum.

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated guidebook to unleash the enchanted explorer in you and help you embark on a voyage through the night to find the wonder and wisdom of nature and creativity. Become the wonder-seeker you truly are as you explore the night. In this magical book, Amy T. Won, artist and guide, takes you on a personal creative night journey, exploring twilight fairy tales and celestial myths, constellations and the cycles of the moon, and personal recollections of the night, such as camping or evening festivities. Amy's dreamy watercolour paintings of the enchanting night are interspersed with practical activities for the reader and fill-in pages to encourage you to record your experience. Through this exploration, connecting to your senses and examining your memories, you can learn your fears and hopes and develop your creativity to find inspiration. Capture the feeling of wonderment and creative flow, explore to your heart’s delight and experience the magic-making. Allow the world around you to whisper in your ears what you wish most to create.

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Book Synopsis_____; Fungi are not like us – they are entirely, magically, something else.; Welcome to the astonishing secret world of fungi.; _____; Fungi can appear anywhere, from desert dunes to frozen tundra. They can invade our bodies and thoughts; live between our toes or our floorboards; they are unwelcome intruders or vastly expensive treats; symbols of both death and eternal life. But despite their familiar presence, there's still much to learn about the eruption, growth and decay of their interconnected world.; Aliya Whiteley has always been in love with fungi - from a childhood taking blurry photographs of strange fungal eruptions on Exmoor to a career as a writer inspired by their surreal and alien beauty. This love for fungi is a love for life, from single-cell spores to the largest living organism on the planet; a story stretching from Aliya's lawn into orbit and back again via every continent.; From fields, feasts and fairy rings to death caps, puffballs and ambrosia beetles, this is an intoxicating journey into the life of extraordinary organism, one that we have barely begun to understand.; _____; ' Accessible, inviting and revelatory… Aliya Whiteley animates the hidden world of fungi in prose as rich and beautiful as the strange organisms she turns her attention to.' - Alice Tarbuck, author of A Spell in the WildTrade Review'The Secret Life of Fungi is a brave foray into the Third Kingdom - exploring the otherness of these life forms, and examining those points at which they impinge on the lifecycle of humankind.' - Linden Hawthorne, author and horticulturistTable of ContentsContents; Introduction ix; Erupt; 1 To Name, To Know 3; 2 A Small Field 9; 3 The Common Mushroom 17; 4 Forays and Feasts 23; 5 Learn, Carry, Collect 27; 6 Saviours 33; 7 Fruiting Cities 39; 8 Weak Seeds Need Strong Friends 45; 9 Cryptic Clues 51; 10 Blanket Coverage 55; 11 Slow Dancers, Thrown High 59; Spread; 1 Nosing 65; 2 Spire 71; 3 The Giant 75; 4 Walking the Floor 81; 5 Old Stones 85; 6 Under Alice 91; 7 Expansions 95; 8 Once Upon a Beetle 99; 9 Seven Ways to Survive 105; 10 Stowaways of the Space Age 117; Decay; 1 Gathering the Dead 125; 2 The Big Stick 129; 3 Fire, Faith and Gangrene 137; 4 Where the Rule Bends 143; 5 Killer Club 147; 6 Underground Visions 151; 7 To Live and Die in Fungi 157; 8 Grasp 163; 9 Onwards, Downwards, Upwards 167; Afterword 171; Dramatis Fungi 175; Bibliography 177; A Reading List of Fungal Fiction 185; Acknowledgements 187; Index 189

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Book SynopsisWhether you're buying a pedigree puppy or rescuing a crossbreed, in this updated edition of Complete Puppy & Dog Care, practising vet Dr Bruce Fogle tells you all you need to know to keep your dog happy. From which breed to choose, to tips for helping your dog bond with the family, as well as health advice and information on nutrition, training and playing, this book has everything you need to know.In Complete Puppy & Dog Care, Dr Bruce Fogle shares the benefit of his 40 years' clinical expertise. Find out how to make the most of your relationship with your dog and look after its health and wellbeing. Choose from the best breeds for a wide range of lifestyles from apartment dweller to allergy sufferer. Assess your dog's personality and ensure a stress-free homecoming for all the family. Solve all familiar and less common problems from dog training, to feeding, exercise, aggression and fearfulness. There is even advice on the latest technology such as DNA testing for genetic predisposition to illness, along with advice on all the newest diets that are becoming popular (including raw and organic), and fully updated lists of contact details for trainers and professional organisations.Packed with information, Complete Puppy & Dog Care is an essential guide for any dog owner.

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Book SynopsisRecovering from surgery, Paul Clements and his wife, Felicity, spent a year in a remote cottage in the woodlands of Montalto Estate, Co. Down. Through the lens of a curious observer and a budding bird watcher, Clements describes in exquisite detail his discovery of the restorative power of nature. Beautifully written, A Year in the Woods is a fusion of social and cultural history, nature writing and memoir. Reflecting back on this magical year spent in the woods through the journal he kept, Clements describes his awakening to the wonder of the woodland and developing his deep connection to nature.Peppered with fascinating folklore and history, Clements celebrates the changing seasons, from harsh winter storms to dry languid summer evenings. Clements is a gifted writer, but it is his detailed and often humorous descriptions of the complexities of nature at his doorstep from the foibles and idiosyncrasies of various fauna, to his awe of nature? s resilience to ever-changing weather conditions that ultimately captivates the reader.

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Book SynopsisThe Natural History Puzzle Book guides you through the history of our incredible world with hundreds of questions certain to confound and amuse children and parents alike.The themed quizzes speed through time and space, testing your knowledge on everything from ancient fossils and dinosaurs to human evolution and the natural world around us.The puzzles come in three levels of difficulty, from easy to difficult. Easy puzzles, like mazes and spot-the-differences, are solvable by all members of the family, from young to old. Others, such as nonograms and bridge puzzles, might need a more experienced puzzle-solver to complete them. However, with fun facts appearing throughout, The Natural History Puzzle Book is an informative and fun read for any budding scientist!Table of ContentsMore than 100 quizzes and puzzles.

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Book Synopsis-----------------------------'Touching and on occasion profoundly moving ... The connections and affinities that fill this book enliven, enlighten and delight.' STEPHEN FRY'Beautifully written and insightful.' RAYNOR WINN'Searle creates a powerful sense of place. You can sniff the air and touch the trees.' MICHAEL PALIN-----------------------------A lyrical journey through life, love and natureWeaving together personal stories, Threads deals with the meanings of intimacy, vulnerability and our affinities with people and places, both wild and tame. It is a deep exploration of the encounters that lend quiet networks of grace to our busy lives.William Henry Searle casts an eye back to episodes spent in close and tender relationships with members of his family, childhood friends, animals and loved ones, in places that range from his father’s scrap metal yards, to the jungles of Borneo, an Oregon river and the Swiss Alps. In thoughtful, elegant prose, Searle celebrates the quiet conversations that nourish us, and the everyday patterns of connection that give meaning to our human existence.-----------------------------'An exceptionally rich celebration of the natural world, by turns rapturous and melancholy, and often – in strikingly original ways – both at the same time.' SIR ANDREW MOTIONTrade ReviewTouching and on occasion profoundly moving ... The connections and affinities that fill this book enliven, enlighten and delight. * Stephen Fry *An exceptionally rich celebration of the natural world, by turns rapturous and melancholy, and often – in strikingly original ways – both at the same time. * Sir Andrew Motion *Beautifully written and insightful. * Raynor Winn *Searle creates a powerful sense of place. You can sniff the air and touch the trees. * Michael Palin *

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Book Synopsis'A practical, no-nonsense guide to getting children back to nature ... Brilliant' Stephen Moss 'A valuable practical guide to helping children form a kinship with nature' Independent Many of us want to spend more time outside with our kids - but what do we do when we're there, and why is a connection to nature so important and wonderful anyway? The Nature Seed is a practical and philosophical guide for anyone with children in their lives. Full of the wonders of sharing the natural world with young minds, it's a manual for finding awe in the cracks of the pavement and magic on a stroll around the block. Whether on an urban walk or in an inner-city park, out in the woods or by the sea, Lucy weaves together stories of how a connection to nature helps children thrive, and Ken draws on his time working with kids outdoors to give you creative, easy and free child-led activities to deepen that connection, from wild art to simple fires, potions, foraging and make-believe. Wherever you live, The Nature Seed offers a radical vision of a new kinship with nature, one that will help all of us expand, nurture and deepen our wild life.Trade ReviewA practical, no-nonsense guide to getting children back to nature - complete with why we need to do so. Brilliant -- Stephen MossIt was just what I needed -- Amy LiptrotSo uplifting and practical, it helps us look forwards rather than be paralysed by fear and angst -- Mary ColwellA valuable practical guide to helping children form a kinship with nature * Independent *A handy guide * New Scientist *Information for the unsure adult to gain some confidence with UK wildlife * New Scientist *Excellent at drawing out the relationship between people and the outdoors ... [helps] anyone with kids in their life share the wonders and magic of the natural world and encourage children to deepen their relationship with it * Bloom Magazine *Praise for Losing Eden by Lucy Jones: Urgent, accessible, moving ... A beautifully written, research-heavy study about how nature offers us wellbeing * Observer *The benefits of experiencing nature may be far greater than is commonly appreciated ... A fascinating exploration of the new science of our connection to the natural world ... written in such lush, vivid prose that reading it, one can feel transported and restored. * New Statesman *Wonderful...This is an important book and one I'll refer back to * Telegraph Book of the Year *Beautifully written, movingly told and meticulously researched ... a convincing plea for a wilder, richer world -- Isabella Tree, author of * Wilding *Praise for Foxes Unearthed by Lucy Jones: Jones's history of our complex relationship with the fox is revealing... to discover there was an 18th-century sport of 'fox tossing' almost makes this worth the purchase alone -- John Lewis-Stempel * The Times Books of the Year 2016 *Brave, bold and honest - finally the truth about foxes -- Chris Packham, broadcaster and naturalistEngaging and hugely enjoyable -- Tom Holland * Times Literary Supplement *A sensitive and illuminating investigation . . . a beautiful book that will change the way you think about the fox -- Rob Cowen, author of * Common Ground *

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Book SynopsisSolace is that feeling of calm and comfort, that sense of peace that is all around us when we are open to finding it. Writer and photographer Catherine Drea explores the solace to be found in nature and creativity. She reflects on loss, the cycle of life and the healing power of family and community. She muses on the joy of finding a place to call home, the escape that travel brings and the exhilaration of plunging into our waters – all the while embracing the therapeutic power of observing the ordinary and the everyday. With the passing seasons, her camera captures fleeting moments in nature – the light and lie of the land with its precious wildlife: among them sentinel robins, elusive Irish hares and serene swans. Solace is quite simply a balm for the soul. ‘In this beautiful book Catherine Drea explores deeply emotive issues, calms the mind, soothes the soul, and focuses her sensitive lens on the wonders of the natural world.’ Alice Taylor, author of To School through the FieldsTrade ReviewIn this beautiful book Catherine Drea, while delicately exploring deeply emotive issues, calms the mind, soothes the soul and, through the sensitive lens of her camera, focuses the eye on the wonders of the natural world -- Alice TaylorCatherine explores the solace she finds in the natural world…Her beautiful photographs enhance the text as she shares the beauty that surrounds her. The verdict: A gentle, meditative book encouraging us to slow down and appreciate the things that connect us. -- Irish Examinerin this moving memoir, photographer and artist Catherine Drea explores solace found in the cyclical nature of seasons and indeed our lives, lives often unfathomable and dark with shadows.… Ultimately a book of seasons where nature photography dominates, the pages are as leaves, each overturn revealing thoughts, wildlife and poetry, both in Irish and English… Although a feminine book, its importance is for all. Amid this technological invasion, is what was once considered New Age/Alternative now becoming mainstream, as humans, spiritual beings, need more than ever to experience magic and mystery in woodlands or under starlit skies? -- Irish ExaminerWhat a wonderful book, not just the photographs which are incredible but also the sentiment in the book … the journey through nature … just a wonderful book -- East Coast FM’s Morning ShowTable of ContentsA word from the author 8 Spring – The lie of the land 10 1 Setting out 13 2 This landscape 23 3 When spring comes 35 4 Nesting 43 Summer – The inner landscape 52 5 The rose-petal path 55 6 An encounter with the wild 71 7 Wild summer 81 8 Lost and found 93 Autumn – Twists and turns along the path 106 9 Seeking light 109 10 Wandering further afield 131 11 Soulfire 143 12 Ripening 155 Winter – Breathing space 164 13 Hibernation 167 14 Healing 181 15 Map-making 199 16 Beginning again and again 213 The poets 224

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be human? And what, if anything, does it have to do with being a member of the animal species Homo sapiens? This dazzling book gets to the very heart of our rather unscientific motivations and prejudices, showing how they are of great use in resolving the world's biggest problems. From beasts to aliens, widespread but often problematic links with six other beings are explored. Deep philosophical questions are tackled, including humanity's common purpose, life's meaning and what it means to be accepted as part of a community. Global in its outlook and illustrated by stunning pictures, Human is a powerful, funny and iconoclastic antidote to post-humanism.Trade Review"From beasts to aliens, this quirkily written and 'iconoclastic' book explores our links with six other beings, tackling such philosophical questions as humanity's common purpose, life's meaning, and what it means to be part of a community."-- "Bookseller"Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Beast 2 Hominin 3 Machine 4 She 5 God 6 Alien Conclusion Timeline References Further Reading Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisShells have captivated humans from the dawn of time: the earliest known artwork was made on a shell. As well as containers for food, shells have been used as tools, jewellery and decorations for dwellings, and to bring good luck or to ward off spirits. Many indigenous peoples have used shells as currency, and in a few places they still do. This beautifully illustrated book looks at the scientific and cultural history of shells, showing how their diverse colourful forms take shape. It examines pearls, the only gems of animal origin, as well as how shells have inspired artists throughout history. The book looks at shells used in architecture and ritual, but also how shells are indicators of changing environmental conditions.Table of ContentsCHAPTER ONE THE SHELL MAKERS CHAPTER TWO TRIBAL SHELL USE CHAPTER THREE SHELLS AND RELIGION CHAPTER FOUR PICKING UP MONEY ON THE BEACH CHAPTER FIVE HOW THE COWRIE GOT ITS SPOTS CHAPTER SIX IRIDESCENT BEAUTY CHAPTER SEVEN SHELLS IN THE ARTS CHAPTER EIGHT MOLLUSCS AND MEDICINE CHAPTER NINE SHELLS IN A CHANGING WORLD REFERENCES SELECT BLBLIOGRAPHY ASSOCIATIONS AND WEBSITES LARGE COLLECTIONS OF SHELLS PHOTO ACKOWLEDGEMENTS INDEX

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Book SynopsisDiscover the wonders of the natural world that surrounds you! Start with In The Garden – where you can build a bird feeder, or an insect hotel. Growing Fun has projects for plants that can be grown in small spaces, such as a miniature garden and a tiny terrarium. The Outdoors Indoors includes craft ideas for things you've collected – a leaf picture frame, a shell wind chime and some pine cone animals! Finally, head to Outdoor Crafts and Games with activities for camping. Here you can find out how to make a treasure trail and a river race game, along with much more. Every project has a skill level of 1, 2, or 3, and comes with easy-to-read instructions and adorable, step-by-step artworks that will guide you along the way.

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Book SynopsisOne of the Guardian's Best Paperbacks of November 'Astonishing ... If by chance you can't meet these 6,042 species yourself, this book is a close second' Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds 'Even readers who wouldn't know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed' Publishers Weekly Noah Strycker set himself a goal: to become the first person to see half the world's 10,000 species of bird in one year. With an itinerary covering 41 countries, spanning all seven continents, and armed with a backpack, binoculars and a series of one-way tickets, he sets out on the greatest adventure in the birding world. Along the way he meets a colourful cast of fellow birders - and discovers a world of blood-sucking leeches, chronic sleep deprivation, floods, war zones, ecologic devastation and conservation triumphs. Vivid, charming and full of wonder, Birding Without Borders is a celebration of passion, exploration and the birders' ethos that, if you keep your eyes and mind open, you never know what you might see.Trade ReviewThe world's greatest birdwatcher * Independent *Lighthearted and filled with stories of exotic birds, risky adventures and colorful birding companions. * New York Times Book Review *Even readers who wouldn't know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed by Strycker's achievement and appreciate the passion with which he pursues his interest. * Publishers Weekly *Strycker's description of a year 'expanded to its maximum potential' will inspire readers to explore the world, "from the tiniest detail to the biggest panorama." ... Colorful but unassuming-and unexpected-lessons for living life fully, presented from a birder's-eye view. -- STARRED * Kirkus Reviews *What an astonishing peregrination. If by chance you can't meet these 6,042 species yourself, this book is a close second. Strycker is the perfect companion-smart, thoughtful, intrepid, and at times, very very funny. I loved the birds and the people he met and was sorry when his journey was over. -- Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of BirdsEvery generation has a few naturalist-writers who have a spirit as unlimited as their talent-that's Noah Strycker. The sheer demographics of his travels are mind boggling; he stretches life to the limits, and he has an ability to describe incidents of travel, landscapes, and people with splendid and self-deprecating intimacy. This book goes to the top of my life-list. -- Howard Norman, author of My Darling DetectiveNoah Strycker is a fantastic birder, savvy traveler, and astute observer. Best of all, though, he is a fine writer. I really enjoyed this book. -- Mark Obmascik, author of The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl ObsessionNoah Strycker's ark is big enough for six thousand birds-and then some!-but just as impressive is the way this gifted gatherer makes room for wonder, joy, and friendship found in far-flung places. This is one of those rare, beautiful books that enlarges the world with adventure and makes it feel, at the same time, like a mysteriously intimate place, inhabited by good people in love with the natural world willing to help a stranger on his extraordinary journey. -- Jonathan Rosen, author of The Life of the Skies: Birding at the end of NatureBirding Without Borders is an absolute tour de force. Every birder knows the day-dream lure of exotic species from far-away places, but Noah Stryker turned that dream into the greatest birding adventure of all time. The story of his round-the-world Big Year is one of joy, adrenaline, exhaustion, discovery, and a global fellowship of those for whom, like Noah, birds are everything. I guarantee it will make you want to grab your binoculars and your passport, too. -- Scott Weidensaul, author of Living on the WindBirding without Borders is about bird nerdery taken to a magnificent, even beautiful extreme. Noah Strycker goes from country to country seeking out five thousand species of birds, and that quest is an adventure in itself. Armchair birders like myself, watching a Pygmy Nuthatch watching me, can appreciate the passion and courage that Noah displays. -- Craig Newmark, founder of CraigslistHighly recommended for anyone interested in travel, natural history, and adventure. * Library Journal *PRAISE FOR THE MAGIC & MYSTERY OF BIRDS: -- . * . *Mr. Strycker has the ability to write about the worlds of man and fowl without simplifying either. ... He thinks like a biologist but writes like a poet, and one of the small pleasures of [The Magic & Mystery of Birds] is watching him distill empirical research into lyrical imagery. ... Part the palm fronds behind his sentences, and you can almost see the British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough standing there in a pith helmet, smiling with amused approval at Mr. Strycker's off-center sensibility. * Wall Street Journal *[The Magic & Mystery of Birds] turns a shrewd, comparative eye on a succession of bird families to explore what [Strycker] calls their 'human' characteristics ... This is an engaging work which illuminates something profound about all life, including our own. * Economist *[Strycker] combines the latest in ornithological science with snippets of history and his own vast experience in the field to hatch a thoroughly entertaining examination of bird behavior ... In Strycker's absorbing survey, we find out how much fun it is simply to watch them. -- STARRED * Booklist *One of the best bird books you'll read this decade. Guaranteed. * BirdWatching *[The Magic & Mystery of Birds] will encourage you to take a closer look at the natural world around you, and perhaps learn more not only about what you see but who you are. * Seattle Times *

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Being Chimp is Adrian Cale''s entertaining celebration of the chimpanzee. Written with fact-filled, often witty reverence and featuring over 100 of the author''s beautiful photographs, it is a fun and informative step-by-step guide to chimpanzee life.

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Book SynopsisThe Florilegium Society at The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney was formed in 2005 to create a unique collection of contemporary botanical paintings of significant plants that represent the history of the living collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. This beautifully produced book is a celebration of 200 years of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, showcasing the botanical richness of these Gardens through the eyes of 64 exceptional Australian and international botanical artists. The stunning botanical paintings are presented chronologically according to the date of each species’ introduction to the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney and its Blue Mountains Garden, Mt Tomah and the Australian Garden, Mt Annan. With paintings of indigenous Australian plants as well as more exotic species from Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe, The Florilegium truly reflects the diversity of the three Gardens. Each painting is accompanied by a botanical description written by Louisa Murray and a historic overview by Colleen Morris detailing the discovery of the featured species, its historic and cultural significance and introduction to the Gardens. With a foreword by Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE, preface by Dr Brett Summerell, RBG Sydney Director of Science and Conservation, and an introductory essay by Beverly Allen. The accompanying exhibition of the same name runs from February – August 2018 in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ‘The standard of the plant portraits is so high and the text so illuminating that this will make a memorable book.’ Dr Shirley Sherwood OBE

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Book SynopsisMichael Viney and his wife Ethna lived in the city, had successful jobs in the media and had just turned forty when they made a life-changing decision: to give up everything for a self-reliant existence on a remote cottage farm in County Mayo, on the West Coast of Ireland. This enchanting chronicle of life on the land follows the highs and lows of one year in the Irish countryside. Since then, for sixty years, Michael Viney's weekly columns in The Irish Times have established his reputation as a uniquely compassionate and informed commentator on the natural world, and undoubtedly one of Ireland's greatest nature writers.Trade ReviewOne of the most beautiful books I've read. * Sunday Tribune *Magnificent * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award and runner-up for Countryfile Book of the Year. For millennia, the passing seasons and their rhythms have marked our progress through the year. But what do they mean to us now that we lead increasingly atomised and urban lives and our weather becomes ever more unpredictable or extreme?In this splendidly rich and lyrical celebration of the English seasons, Nick Groom investigates the trove of strange folklore and often stranger fact they have accumulated over the centuries and shows how tradition and our links with nature still have a vital role to play in all our lives.Trade ReviewGroom's enthusiasm is hard to resist, and his garnering of folklore and customs that, for centuries, guided life through the changing seasons bulges with fascination. -- John Carey * Sunday Times *Wonderful and timely -- Philip Hoare * Independent *It's no exaggeration to say that this is a volume I have been waiting for all my life... I love Nick Groom's passionate plea for us to be aware of traditional connections between human lives, the seasons and the natural world. He provides a cornucopia of knowledge, and an inspirational call to awareness... This is a rich celebration of traditions and a plea for them not to be forgotten. -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail *Groom writes so well and so fittingly... He has taken a classic formula and reinvigorated it, given it new breath and interest. -- Ronald Blythe * Times Literary Supplement *Beguiling... Unexpectedly fascinating * Spectator *Offers far more than trivia and contains details that demand to be shared. -- Max Liu * Independent *A heartfelt exploration of the connections between the seasons and England's traditions and folklore brims with fascinating revelations. * Readers Digest *

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Book SynopsisOn Valentine's Day 1985, biologist Stacey O'Brien met a four-day-old baby barn owl - a fateful encounter that would turn into an astonishing 19-year saga. With nerve damage in one wing, the owlet had no hope of surviving on his own in the wild. O'Brien, then a young assistant in the owl laboratory at Caltech, was immediately smitten, promising to care for the helpless owlet and give him a permanent home. Wesley is the funny, poignant story of their dramatic two decades together.As Wesley grew, O'Brien snapped photos of him at every stage, recording his life from a helpless ball of fuzz to a playful, clumsy adolescent to a gorgeous, gold-and-white, adult owl with a heart-shaped face and an outsize personality that belied his 18-inch stature. When O'Brien develops her own life-threatening illness, the biologist who saved the life of a helpless baby bird is herself rescued from death by the insistent love and courage of this wild animal.Wesley is a thoroughly engaging, heart-warming, often funny story of a complex, emotional, non-human being capable of reason, play, and, most important, love and loyalty.Trade ReviewI LOVE Wesley the Owl! Stacey O'Brien has captured the essence of the soul of an unforgettable owl. This book is destined to become a classic, and will deepen importantly the way we understand birds. * Sy Montgomery, author of The Good Good Pig. *Perfect * The Lady *Wesley the Owl is beautiful, funny, transcendental, fascinating and powerful. I LOVED THIS BOOK! * Lynee Cox, author of Swimming to Antartica. *This fun book reminded me of Marley & Me but with wings. Warm, weird, and wonderful, Wesley the Owl is proof that man's best friend sometimes has feathers. * Mark Obmasick, author or The Big Year *...stunning, unforgettable. Read this book and you will never see owls, or humans, in the same light again. * Kenn Kauffman, author or Kingbird Highway. *A heartfelt journey of life and love with one of nature's wild creatures, Wesley the Owl is a must read story of faith, compassion and selfless devotion. * Jay Kopelman, author of From Baghdad with Love. *Funny, frequently moving and with incredibly insight ... Wesley is ultimately a tale of true friendship, which reveals a woman as remarkable as her barn owl. * Your Choice *

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Book SynopsisThis book opens up a wonderland of natural history for all ages to enjoy, and will spark interest in the intricate web of Africa's natural history, one that is bursting with exuberance, a great variety of life. It covers a vast range of topics that are often neglected, and reveals untold mysteries hidden in this remarkable continent. It is written in a readable and clear style that allows the reader to gain an appreciation of its continent-wide approach, which is based upon half a century or more of knowledge. Delving into the intricate fossil history found in Africa, The Wonder of Africa's Natural History describes some of the largest dinosaurs that walked this earth and extraordinary giant mammals of the Pleistocene, to the largest mammal that still survives to this day. It also encompasses the tiny mites that reside inside animals' ears and the remarkable maggot that finds a home in the sole of the elephant's foot. This book discusses creatures great and small. The remarkable variety of animals described explores their colours, behaviours, displays of weapons and the meanings behind the differences. The book explains the animals' everyday lives, co-habitations, and how the large carnivores live alongside their prey. The reader is transported into their world from birth, through growing up to their social interactions. Fantastic migrations showing the exuberance of life are described from butterflies to wildebeest and elephants and the once huge increases in number of the springbok in South Africa. The Wonder of Africa's Natural History unfolds a great diversity of life from swamp to forest, rivers and lakes, each with their particular creatures. It shows how an antelope or the bizarre naked mole rat can survive in arid environments. It transports us across the vast panorama of the beautiful plains of Africa, revealing how they are exploited and how the real battles in Nature are fought among the small species, the myriad of insect forms. The co-evolution of the whole community is an astonishingly amazing tangled web of life, having its origin over 300 million years ago. This book is a natural history to be enjoyed by all.

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Book SynopsisThe Scottish Highlands have a strong appeal to the public imagination. Indeed, as a result of the writings of Sir Walter Scott, they are now symbolic of Scotland as a whole: a land of mountains, glens and lochs, of golden eagles and red deer; a land with a rich cultural history of clans and clanship, of kilts and castles, of crofts, crofting, Highland cows and sheep, of music and dance. But does this imagined landscape relate to the actuality? Is it in fact a wild landscape which has escaped the pressures of the modern world, or does such untrammelled wildness only reside in the mind? The aim of this book is to answer this last question by taking an objective look at the history of the Highland landscape, how it has changed over the centuries and how it is still changing. It challenges the view that the Highlands are, to quote the famous ecologist Frank Fraser Darling, ‘a devastated landscape’ – that is a landscape damaged by centuries of overgrazing and human exploitation. Instead it points out that the evidence suggests that the traditional unwooded Highland landscape of open hill and moor is one of the most natural remaining in northwest Europe, showing only minimal signs of human impact over the millennia; apart, that is, from the areas of human settlement. The occurrence of woodland as only isolated fragments scattered across the land is in fact a key biodiversity feature of the Highlands, distinguishing the far northwest of Britain from most of western Europe, where woodland would undoubtedly be the dominant habitat. There certainly were significantly more trees in the past but the woodland declined naturally over the millennia for a complex variety of reasons. Hence the current approach of putting trees back in the landscape, nowadays termed ‘reforesting’ or ‘rewilding’ is in fact destroying the very essence of the land. Similarly, the current activity of ‘restoring’ peatland can also result in a loss of the naturalness of the landscape. Indeed, loss of natural habitat is seen as a serious global issue, with humans slowly taking over for themselves the whole planet, leaving little space available for the wildness of nature. It is not only reforesting and peatland restoration which is destroying the naturalness of the Highland landscape, but also the continuing encroachment of infrastructure, whether hill tracks, wind turbines, dams, phone masts, ski development, fences, and commercial forestry plantations. At the current rate of attrition, the wild landscape will soon remain only in the imagination, the open hills and moors having been dumped into the dustbin of history. The Highlands, sadly, will be like everywhere else in the world: developed and managed to extinction! Why can we not just let the hills be? After all, this is how they were for thousands of years until landownership entered the Highlands following the Battle of Culloden.

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Book SynopsisPacked with stunning colour photographs, The Woodland Year is an intimate month-by-month journey through Ben Law's yearly cycle of work, his naturally attuned lifestyle and his deep understanding of the wood in which he lives. Each month includes guest contributions from woodlanders in other parts of England and Wales. The Woodland Year provides a fascinating insight to every aspect of sustainable woodland management; the cycles of nature, seasonal tasks, wild food gathering, wine making, mouthwatering and useful recipes, coppice crafts, round pole timber frame eco-building (pioneered by Ben in the UK), nature conservation, species diversity, tree profiles and the use of horses for woodland work. This is a profound book that is both practical and poetic. It describes a way of life that is economically and ecologically viable and sets a new standard for managing our woods in a low impact, sustainable way. As such, it holds some of the fundamental keys to how we can achieve a lower carbon society. AUTHOR: Ben Law has always had a passion for healthy, biodiverse farms and woodlands. Having gained an Advanced National Certificate in Agriculture, Ben became a shepherd and set up a conservation landscaping business, specialising in ponds and wild flower meadows. Bens appearance on Channel 4's Grand Designs is the most watched in the series history, is the hosts and publics favourite episode and was one of the 25 programmes chosen to represent Channel 4's 25th anniversary. Ben visited the Amazon in the late 1980s looking for positive solutions to deforestation and on his return set up and directed the charity, The Forest Management Foundation, working primarily with community forestry in Papua New Guinea. He has also worked for Oxfam as a permaculture consultant. Ben was a founding member of the Forest Stewardship Council and has lived and worked at Prickly Nut Woods in West Sussex, UK, since 1991; training apprentices and running courses on sustainable woodland management, eco-building and permaculture design. He runs a specialist eco-building company, The Roundwood Timber Framing Company Limited. 318 colour photographs

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative and complete guide, by a range of expert contributors, to exploring the natural history of Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Lavishly illustrated in full colour throughout. `Wow! This is a real classic. Every sort of living thing is here, whether it swims, slithers, walks, creeps, crawls, flies or stands resolutely rooted to its appointed spot, safe in the county of the red rose. This is your personal guide to a wonderland overflowing with fascinating, really wild life, there for you and your family to discover.' (From the foreword by David Bellamy.) Take a walk on the wild side in the old county of Lancashire and you will be rewarded with a cornucopia of living things. From the dizzy heights of Leck Fell to deep under the sea in Morecambe Bay, you are in for lots of surprises, big and small. You never really know what you are going to see next, but whatever it is this book will give you all the fascinating facts you could want. Red squirrels in Formby, sealife in Morecambe, birds in Bowland and otters on the Hodder and Ribble; read this book and wherever you wander, a walk in town or countryside will never be the same again. `Wildlife of Lancashire' is aimed at anyone who enjoys exploring the natural wonders of our region, and is packed full of superb images of treasures both common and rare. Intended to stimulate the general reader rather than inform the expert, the book is written in a clear and readable style, making it a real joy to use. The Wildlife Trust has been working for the past forty years to try to ensure that the wildlife of both town and countryside will be cherished by future generations.

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Book SynopsisThis story has its roots in the life of George Owen Millum, who at the turn of the 19th century was the head gardener at Maytham Hall in Kent, the home of Frances Hodgson Burnett, long celebrated for her timeless classic The Secret Garden. The garden in the story was based upon that at Maytham Hall, and George Millum was the model for Ben Weatherstaff, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s fictional gardener. George’s son, George Charles Millum, who like his father was born in the gardener’s cottage at Maytham, also grew up to be a country house gardener – hence the title of this book, written and compiled by his own son with detailed extracts from his diaries.Table of ContentsIntroduction: a life in gardening 1 The American writer and the English garden 3 George Charles Millum, Son of The Secret Gardener 15 Promotion and marriage 27 The diary for 1935 30 The war years and beyond 70 A new position 76 The diary for 1949 80 Epilogue 117 About the Author 118 Acknowledgement 119

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Book SynopsisThis is the work of a man who has known and loved the Scottish Cairngorms for more than 30 years. Jim Crumley marries a poet's instincts to an uncompromising passion for the Cairngorm's arctic character, and for those wildlife tribes which thrive there. He marks nature's rhythms with thoughtful observations of bird and beast, flower and landscape. In the process he strives for a purer empathy with the wilds, seeks out the nourishing bond of man and landscape. Ultimately, the book asserts that the Cairngorms are nature's place. Crumley proposes a radical solution to safeguard the mountains from a threatening array of forces ranged against them. In his conclusion he invokes what Seton Gordon called "the spirit of the high and lonely places".

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Book SynopsisThis is an indispensable guide to the wildlife of Seychelles, covering the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates most likely to be encountered. It features 64 superb color photographic plates, and highlights the many species and subspecies unique to these islands. The first comprehensive photographic guide to the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies, and other conspicuous invertebrates likely to be encountered in Seychelles 64 stunning color photographic plates accompanied by text giving key identification features, behavior, breeding, distribution, population, and conservation status Simple-to-use format and easy-to-read style, aimed at beginners and experts alike Highlights the many species and subspecies unique to Seychelles Notes on conservation status, habitat, and distribution An essential guide for all visitors Contains annotated checklists Written to support local nature conservation

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Book SynopsisFor most people wandering through the beautiful landscape of the Brecon Beacons is pleasure enough, but sooner or later you may ask yourself, what is that little bird or flower that you see on most of your walks? The problem with most guides is that many of the animals, insects, rocks or plants in them are rarities, and therefore probably not the one you have just seen. This guide will help you to identify the ones that you are likely to see on your walks in the uplands of the Brecon Beacons. Don't throw your comprehensive guides away though! Once you can easily identify the things you are familiar with, the rarities will stand out and be much easier to pin down. Also in this series: Nature of Snowdonia by Mike Raine.

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