The Wise Hours: A Journey into the Wild and Secret World of Owls PDF Download

Author: Miriam Darlington
Publisher: Tin House Books
ISBN: 1953534848
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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People Pick of the Week “Unfailingly precise and lovingly poetic. . . . Nature writing of the first order.” —The Wall Street Journal “A beautiful book; wise and sharp-eared as its subject.” —Robert Macfarlane One minute I was sipping my tea by the window. There was nothing but the palest edge of grey light and a wisp of steam from my cup—and then a shadow swooped out of the air. With the lightest of scratches, as if the dawn light was solidifying into life, there it was, perched like an exclamation mark on the balcony: an owl, come to my home. Owls have existed for over sixty million years, and in the relatively short time we have shared the planet with these majestic birds they have ignited the human imagination. But even as owls continue to captivate our collective consciousness, celebrated British nature writer Miriam Darlington finds herself struck by all she doesn’t know about the true nature of these enigmatic creatures. Darlington begins her fieldwork in the British Isles with her teenage son, Benji. As her avian fascination grows, she travels to France, Serbia, Spain, Finland, and the frosted Lapland borders of the Arctic for rare encounters with the Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl, Pygmy Owl, Snowy Owl, and more. But when her son develops a mysterious illness, her quest to understand the elusive nature of owls becomes entangled with her search for finding a cure. In The Wise Hours, Darlington watches and listens to the natural world and to the rhythms of her home and family, inviting readers to discover the wonders of owls alongside her while rewilding our imagination with the mystery, fragility, and magnificence of all creatures.

Author: Stacey O'Brien
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1416551735
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Chronicles the author's rescue of an abandoned barn owlet, from her efforts to resuscitate and raise the young owl through their nineteen years together, during which the author made key discoveries about owl behavior.

Author: Miriam Darlington
Publisher: Guardian Faber Publishing
ISBN: 9781783350759
Category : Owls
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week Longlisted for the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize 2018 A Guardian Book of the Year 2018 The owl has captivated the human imagination for millennia; as a predator, messenger, emblem of wisdom or portent of doom. Owl Sense tells a new story. On 'owl walks' with her teenage son, Benji, Miriam Darlington begins a quest to identify every European species of this elusive bird. From Britain she travels to Spain, France, Serbia and Finland, and to the frosted borders of the Arctic. Along the way, however, Benji succumbs to a mysterious and disabling illness, and Miriam's endeavour soon becomes entangled with the search for his cure. Bringing the strangeness and magnificence of owls to life, Owl Sense is a book about wildness in nature but also in the unpredictable course of our human lives.

Author: Leigh Calvez
Publisher: Sasquatch Books
ISBN: 1632170256
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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“You’ll come away from this riveting book blessed with owl wisdom that will enlarge your world forever.” —Sy Montgomery, author of Birdology and The Soul of an Octopus In this New York Times bestseller, Leigh Calvez explores the night forest to uncover the secret lives of owls in this illuminating book for birders, animal lovers, and readers of H is for Hawk. Join a naturalist on her adventures into the world of owls, owl-watching, avian science, and the deep forest—often in the dead of night. Whether you’re tracking snowy or great horned owls, these birds are a bit mysterious, and that’s part of what makes them so fascinating. In The Hidden Lives of Owls, Leigh Calvez pursues 11 different owl species—including the Barred, Flammulated, Northern Saw-Whet, Northern Pygmy, Northern Spotted, Burrowing, Snowy, and Great Gray. In an entertaining and accessible style, Calvez relays the details of her avian studies, from the thuggish behavior of barred owls—which puts the spotted owl at risk—to the highly unusual appearance of arctic snowy owls in the Lower 48, which directly reflects the state of the vole population in the Arctic. As Calvez takes readers into the lives of these strange and majestic creatures, she also explores questions about the human-animal connection, owl obsession, habitat, owl calls, social behavior, and mythology. Hoot!

Author: Grey Owl
Publisher: Dundurn
ISBN: 1770705775
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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First published in 1935, Pilgrims of the Wild is Grey Owl’s autobiographical account of his transition from successful trapper to preservationist. With his Iroquois wife, Anahereo, Grey Owl set out to protect the environment and the endangered beaver. Powerful in its simplicity, Pilgrims of the Wild tells the story of Grey Owl’s life of happy cohabitation with the wild creatures of nature and the healing powers of what he referred to as "the great Northland" of "Over the Hills and Far Away." A bestseller at the time, Pilgrims of the Wild helped establish Grey Owl’s international reputation as a conservationist. His legacy of warnings against the degradations of nature and the dangers of industry live on, despite the posthumous revelation that he wasn’t, in fact, the First Nations man he claimed to be.

Author: Jonathan Meiburg
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 1101875704
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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“Utterly captivating and beautifully written, this book is a hugely entertaining and enlightening exploration of a bird so wickedly smart, curious, and social, it boggles the mind.”—Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Bird Way “A fascinating, entertaining, and totally engrossing story.”—David Sibley, author of What It's Like to Be a Bird An enthralling account of a modern voyage of discovery as we meet the clever, social birds of prey called caracaras, which puzzled Darwin, fascinate modern-day falconers, and carry secrets of our planet's deep past in their family history. “As curious, wide-ranging, gregarious, and intelligent as its subject.”—Charles C. Mann, author of 1491 In 1833, Charles Darwin was astonished by an animal he met in the Falkland Islands: handsome, social, and oddly crow-like falcons that were "tame and inquisitive . . . quarrelsome and passionate," and so insatiably curious that they stole hats, compasses, and other valuables from the crew of the Beagle. Darwin wondered why these birds were confined to remote islands at the tip of South America, sensing a larger story, but he set this mystery aside and never returned to it. Almost two hundred years later, Jonathan Meiburg takes up this chase. He takes us through South America, from the fog-bound coasts of Tierra del Fuego to the tropical forests of Guyana, in search of these birds: striated caracaras, which still exist, though they're very rare. He reveals the wild, fascinating story of their history, origins, and possible futures. And along the way, he draws us into the life and work of William Henry Hudson, the Victorian writer and naturalist who championed caracaras as an unsung wonder of the natural world, and to falconry parks in the English countryside, where captive caracaras perform incredible feats of memory and problem-solving. A Most Remarkable Creature is a hybrid of science writing, travelogue, and biography, as generous and accessible as it is sophisticated, and absolutely riveting.

Author: AQEEL AHMED
Publisher: AQEEL AHMED
ISBN: 199824010X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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The strange Nephilim lived in the farthest corners of the Enchanted Forest. These creatures that were a mix of people and animals from the forest had amazing skills and were very connected to nature. After years of taking care of the Enchanted Forest, they lived quietly in its beauty. Nephilim had beautiful emerald-green eyes that let them talk to animals in the forest and understand the sounds of wind and water. Their forest village was beautiful, with bridges made of vines, waterfalls, and living tree homes. In the middle of the village, the Nephilim got together at the Great Oak to make important decisions and enjoy their unique way of life. They took care of the forest, danced with fireflies at night, and sang with birds in the morning. Each day was full of surprises and fun. The Nephilim taught all of their children how to use magic and get along with nature. Nephilim's perfect life was in danger from the Shadow wraiths. Because they wanted power in the wrong way, these horrible people took advantage of it and destroyed the forest's beauty. In a never-ending battle between light and dark, the Shadow Wraiths planned to take the magic of the forest, and the Nephilim used their skills to protect it. Malachai, a smart Nephilim who had fallen to dark power, was in charge of the Shadow wraiths. He was against Nephilim and wanted the power of the Great Oak, which made them fight. A young Nephilim named Elara heads a new group of people. She found an old scroll that taught her a lot about forest magic and a secret way to get to the Heart of the Forest, which is a very powerful place. Elara and a group of brave Nephilim set out on a dangerous trip to open the portal again and protect their way of life. As soon as they got to the Heart of the Forest, they used its power to fight Shadow wraiths. They beat the wraiths in a fierce fight and locked Malachai up in a living tree in the forest. After the Nephilim won, their grandmother Elara led them to protect the Heart of the Forest. They had a stronger connection to nature and came up with new ways to talk to the forest and the animals that lived there. Through festivals and traditions, they celebrated their unity and passed on Elara's heritage to future generations. The Nephilim and Malachai watched over the Enchanted Forest for a long time. The Nephilim loved nature and the forest was a safe place for magical beings. Over the years, the story of Nephilim has become a beloved tale of love, friendship, and a strong desire to protect nature's beauty. Because they were able to stay alive in the remote part of the Enchanted Forest, it would always be a magical and interesting place. This is how the story starts: In a secret part of the Enchanted Forest, the Nephilim lived as part of an old magical society. These supernatural people had superpowers and a strong link to nature. They were a mix of humans and animals from the forest. The Nephilim had lived in peace for years while watching over the Enchanted Forest. In the Enchanted Forest, the Nephilim could be told apart from other creatures by their emerald-green eyes that sparkled like old tree leaves. Their presence showed the strange and powerful links between people and the magical creatures that lived in the forest. They were the forest's best guardians because they could hear the wind whispering, the river singing, and the animals' secrets. There was magic in the air in the Nephilim Village, which was right in the middle of the Enchanted Forest. This village showed how the Nephilim lived their unique lives and how peaceful nature can be. They built their homes out of live trees so they would look like they were in the forest. Plants and vines covered the treetop bridges that connected the homes, and the town felt alive with forest life. The Nephilim Village was built around the huge Great Oak, whose branches reached high into the air. This old tree was not only a natural wonder, but also the basis of The Nephilim's way of life. The Nephilim had a strong link to the area they watched over, which was shown by the deep roots of the Great Oak. Nephilim got together under its big canopy to make important choices, talk about the past, and enjoy their unique existence. Nature was always dancing with the people who lived in the Nephilim Village. From dawn until dusk, the Nephilim took care of the people who lived in the Enchanted Forest. Following the forest's rules, they took care of the animals and plants. The Nephilim danced with fireflies and sang songs that went with the plants when the moon was out. Nephilim way of life has been respected for many years. It was taught to all Nephilim children how to use their magic and live in balance with nature. With their old knowledge and experiences, the village leaders took care of and protected the Nephilim's unique way of life. There were some problems with The Enchanted Forest. The Shadow wraiths were a threat to the peaceful lives of the Nephilim. These evil beings, who were the exact opposite of Nephilim, would do anything to get power. They didn't like the Nephilim because they were connected to the magical realm, and they wanted to use the magic in the forest. Nephilim and Shadow wraiths have been fighting between light and dark for a very long time. The Nephilim watched over the forest because they had special skills and a strong link to nature. The Shadow wraiths, on the other hand, planned to use the power in the forest to make trouble. Malachai, a once-good Nephilim who had been harmed by black magic, was in charge of the Shadow wraiths. He was skilled with shadows, and his green eyes, which used to shine like the forest, were now dark. Malachai hated his old clan and wanted the Great Oak's power to make him unbeatable. Even though Shadow wraiths were always a threat, the Nephilim kept living their way. As long as they were together and loyal to the Enchanted Forest, they could fight any evil that came after their world. Nephilim's story developed like a classic tale in this remote part of the magical Forest. It showed the power of harmony, nature, and the unique way that humans and the magical world interact with each other. Their beautiful emerald-green eyes shone like the old trees in the forest, drawing attention to the Nephilim. With these eyes, they could talk to animals in the forest, like old, wise owls and naughty squirrels. They were the forest's best guardians because they could hear the wind and the river's songs and secrets. People believed that the Nephilim's green eyes showed how they felt about the magical world and how much they respected nature's order in the forest. The Heart of the Forest gave them these beautiful eyes as a sign that they were keepers. The eyes of a Nephilim were like the heart of the Enchanted Forest. Besides being beautiful, these green eyes were a big part of how the Nephilim connected with the people who lived in the forest. The Nephilim had a strong link with them because their emerald eyes helped them understand what animals in the woods needed. The Nephilim could understand what animals, like mice running through the trees or deer drinking from a clean stream, were not saying. They formed an eternal bond with the animals that lived in the woods. The green eyes of the Nephilim were a language that all species in the Enchanted Forest spoke every day. They asked wise old owls in old trees for advice about the slight changes in the forest's energy. The Nephilim told the squirrels stories and secrets, which made them laugh and have fun. The Nephilim mingled with both nature and the animals that lived in the woods. The sounds of the air moving through the leaves, the muttering of the river, and the rustling of the grass spoke a language that only they could understand. Emerald eyes led them through these natural melodies, showing them the secrets of the forest and telling them what to do as guardians of its delicate balance. During times of danger or chaos, the Nephilim used their unusual ability to understand what animals were saying in the forest. The bright green eyes would make people feel hopeful and motivated. The Nephilim used their strong link to nature to protect the Enchanted Forest. When the wind or the river sang a warning song, they knew that an attack was coming. The people were moved by the Nephilim's green eyes. They kept telling them about their holy connection to the forest and the huge duty that came with it. They were very serious about their job as the chosen guardians of a magical world. Nephilim’s' green eyes showed how beautiful the Enchanted Forest and its animals were, not just how they looked. These eyes held stories told for generations, tree knowledge from long ago, and shared happiness. They lived to show how strong love is, how peaceful life can be, and how beautiful nature is. In the Enchanted Forest was the beautiful Nephilim Village. They lived in homes made of living trees and waterfalls that blended in well with their settings. The treetop homes were linked by vine-woven bridges, and the community felt alive with wildlife. The Nephilim Village showed that natural and supernatural people can live together. There, the building, and the beauty of the forest came together to take a stunning picture. Over many years, living trees were shaped into homes in the town. The Nephilim respected the forest and wanted to live in harmony with it, as shown by these beautiful homes. To keep the Nephilim safe, strong roots-built walls, beautiful branches-built roofs, and the leaves of the trees made natural canopies. These homes were both useful and nice to look at. Each one was different and fit in with the trees. The sparkling waterfalls in the treetop houses put on a beautiful show of light and sound. These waterfalls gave the Nephilim and people who lived in the bush clean, fresh water and beautiful views. Everyday life in the village was joined by the soothing sound of running water, which reminded people of the Nephilim's deep connection with water. The Nephilim could walk through their village with style because vine-woven bridges joined the homes that were high up in trees. Like the community, these vine bridges were live paths that changed over time. As they blew in the wind, their beautiful designs, which were made by hand, decorated the town. The sounds of the forest came to life as night fell in the Nephilim Village. The trees were lit up by the lovely glow of fireflies flying around. The Nephilim got together under the stars to tell stories, enjoy their special way of life, and connect with the forest's power, which made the town come to life. The Great Oak, a huge tree with very tall branches, was the center of the Nephilim Village. This old tree was more than just a focal point; it was Nephilim’s link to the wild and power. The Nephilim had a strong link to the area they watched over, which was shown by the deep roots of the Great Oak. The Nephilim made important choices and were happy under the tree's thick cover, which reminded them of their job as guardians of the Enchanted Forest. Instead of just giving people a place to live, the Nephilim Village showed their beliefs and care for the environment. It showed that they thought buildings and nature could live together. The village was full of life, having been formed by generations of Nephilim who knew how to balance their needs with those of the jungle. The Nephilim admired the beauty of the Enchanted Forest in this magical society where people and nature lived together. The best time for them was when their homes were mixed in with the trees. The building and environment of the Nephilim Village danced together to show love, unity, and the beauty of nature. With its tall branches, the Great Oak was the village's center. Nephilim got together here to make important choices and enjoy their unique way of life. A lot of Great Oak roots connected the Nephilim to the land they guarded. The Nephilim had a close connection with the Enchanted Forest, which was shown by the Great Oak. Its huge size made them think of their holy job as forest keepers. The Nephilim came here every day to get wise, calm, and find their mission. The Great Oak's big branches and thick leaves made a protective canopy that let light into the meeting area. As the Nephilim talked and celebrated, whispering leaves sounded around them. As they stood under this natural temple, they felt connected to the heart of the Enchanted Forest and at peace. The Nephilim were able to reach the land they had sworn to protect because of the Great Oak's deep roots. The roots showed that Nephilim had a long history of being connected to the forest. They showed that they cared about keeping the Enchanted Forest's delicate balance. Under the Great Oak, choices were made about what would happen to the Enchanted Forest. A circle of Nephilim would meet under the tree's huge branches. Their emerald eyes would show that they were wise and determined. They respectfully and together talked about their choices because they knew they would affect the forest and the people who lived there. The Nephilim were proud of their own way of life at the Great Oak. At celebrations, feasts, and get-togethers held under its tall branches, fireflies lit up the night and the river sang happy songs. The Nephilim remembered how beautiful the Enchanted Forest was and felt safer because of these gatherings. The Nephilim looked to the Great Oak for help and comfort when they didn't know what to do or when things were hard. As they touched the tree's rough bark, they could feel how wise it was. When people were in trouble, the Great Oak seemed to speak forest magic that would calm and strengthen them. Along with being a place to meet, the Great Oak inspired and stood for hope. The Nephilim used its height as a beacon to remind them that they were not the only ones protecting the Enchanted Forest. They felt stronger because of the tree, and they knew that they could never be separated from the forest and its power. The Great Oak and the Nephilim watched over the Enchanted Forest all year. It stood watch over the village, its branches moving with the wind of change and its roots firmly rooted in the ground, keeping the Nephilim on track with their goal. It was fun and exciting to live in the Nephilim Village. It was a holiday every day to honor their special bond with the Enchanted Forest and their love of nature. The Nephilim loved being forest guards and the magic of their lives from dawn until dusk. During the Nephilim's time, they worked hard to make the forest better. They took very good care of the animals in the forest, from tiny bugs to large hunters, to make sure they would live. It was a way of life that was rooted in nature and based on love instead of duty. As the sun went down and the moon lit up the forest, the Nephilim danced with fireflies under the old trees. Their beautiful, ethereal dances matched the magic of the forest. Beautiful patterns of light were cast around them by fireflies, making a scene that made it hard to tell the difference between reality and your dreams. The Nephilim's nighttime dances were more than just fun; they showed that they were one with nature. They danced among the trees to honor the magic that linked them to the animals in the forest and to each other from a long time ago. Fireflies were drawn to the Nephilim's light and joined the dance, making a beautiful pattern.

Author: Miriam Darlington
Publisher: Granta Books
ISBN: 184708589X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Over the course of a year, Miriam Darlington travelled around Britain in search of wild otters; from her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland; to Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall, Somerset and the River Lea; to her childhood home near the Ouse, the source of her watery obsession. Otter Country follows Darlington's search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light, as she tracks one of Britain's most elusive animals. During her journey, she meets otter experts, representatives of the Environment Agency, conservationists, ecologists, walkers, Henry Williamson's family, Gavin Maxwell's heir; zoo keepers, fishermen, scientists, hunters and poets. Above all she learns how to track and be around otters, and that the stillness required to actually see this shy animal can bring many unasked-for wonders. Written in mesmerising prose, Otter Country establishes Darlington as a prominent voice in the new generation of British nature writers.

Author: Jonathan C. Slaght
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 0374718091
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 Longlisted for the National Book Award Winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award and the Minnesota Book Award for General Nonfiction A Finalist for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award Winner of the Peace Corps Worldwide Special Book Award A Best Book of the Year: NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, The Globe and Mail, The BirdBooker Report, Geographical, Open Letter Review Best Nature Book of the Year: The Times (London) "A terrifically exciting account of [Slaght's] time in the Russian Far East studying Blakiston’s fish owls, huge, shaggy-feathered, yellow-eyed, and elusive birds that hunt fish by wading in icy water . . . Even on the hottest summer days this book will transport you.” —Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, in Kirkus I saw my first Blakiston’s fish owl in the Russian province of Primorye, a coastal talon of land hooking south into the belly of Northeast Asia . . . No scientist had seen a Blakiston’s fish owl so far south in a hundred years . . . When he was just a fledgling birdwatcher, Jonathan C. Slaght had a chance encounter with one of the most mysterious birds on Earth. Bigger than any owl he knew, it looked like a small bear with decorative feathers. He snapped a quick photo and shared it with experts. Soon he was on a five-year journey, searching for this enormous, enigmatic creature in the lush, remote forests of eastern Russia. That first sighting set his calling as a scientist. Despite a wingspan of six feet and a height of over two feet, the Blakiston’s fish owl is highly elusive. They are easiest to find in winter, when their tracks mark the snowy banks of the rivers where they feed. They are also endangered. And so, as Slaght and his devoted team set out to locate the owls, they aim to craft a conservation plan that helps ensure the species’ survival. This quest sends them on all-night monitoring missions in freezing tents, mad dashes across thawing rivers, and free-climbs up rotting trees to check nests for precious eggs. They use cutting-edge tracking technology and improvise ingenious traps. And all along, they must keep watch against a run-in with a bear or an Amur tiger. At the heart of Slaght’s story are the fish owls themselves: cunning hunters, devoted parents, singers of eerie duets, and survivors in a harsh and shrinking habitat. Through this rare glimpse into the everyday life of a field scientist and conservationist, Owls of the Eastern Ice testifies to the determination and creativity essential to scientific advancement and serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty, strength, and vulnerability of the natural world.

Author: Nancy Plain
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 0803284012
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Birds were "the objects of my greatest delight," wrote John James Audubon (1785-1851), founder of modern ornithology and one of the world's greatest bird painters. His masterpiece, The Birds of America depicts almost five hundred North American bird species, each image--lifelike and life size--rendered in vibrant color. Audubon was also an explorer, a woodsman, a hunter, an entertaining and prolific writer, and an energetic self-promoter. Through talent and dogged determination, he rose from backwoods obscurity to international fame. In This Strange Wilderness, award-winning author Nancy Plain brings together the amazing story of this American icon's career and the beautiful images that are his legacy. Before Audubon, no one had seen, drawn, or written so much about the animals of this largely uncharted young country. Aware that the wilderness and its wildlife were changing even as he watched, Audubon remained committed almost to the end of his life "to search out the things which have been hidden since the creation of this wondrous world." This Strange Wilderness details his art and writing, transporting the reader back to the frontiers of early nineteenth-century America.