Author: Miriam Darlington Publisher: Tin House Books ISBN: 1953534848 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 327
Book Description
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
Book Description
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: Leigh Calvez Publisher: Sasquatch Books ISBN: 1632170256 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
“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: Miriam Darlington Publisher: Guardian Faber Publishing ISBN: 9781783350759 Category : Owls Languages : en Pages : 352
Book Description
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: Enric Sala Publisher: Disney Electronic Content ISBN: 1426221029 Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 233
Book Description
In this inspiring manifesto, an internationally renowned ecologist makes a clear case for why protecting nature is our best health insurance, and why it makes economic sense.
Author: Tony Angell Publisher: Yale University Press ISBN: 0300213743 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 224
Book Description
“A charming personal account, accompanied by nearly 100 illustrations, that underscores how owls and other birds enrich our lives.”—Kirkus Reviews Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award For a quarter of a century, Tony Angell and his family shared the remarkable experience of closely observing pairs of western screech owls that occupied a nesting box outside the window of their forest home. The journals in which the author recorded his observations, and the captivating drawings he created, form the heart of this compelling book—a personal account of an artist-naturalist’s life with owls. Angell’s extensive illustrations show owls engaged in what owls do—hunting, courting, raising families, and exercising their inquisitive natures—and reveal his immeasurable respect for their secret lives and daunting challenges. Angell discusses the unique characteristics that distinguish owls from other bird species and provides a fascinating overview of the impact owls have had on human culture and thought. He also offers detailed scientific descriptions of the nineteen species of owls found in North America, as well as their close relatives elsewhere. Always emphasizing the interaction of humans and owls, the author affirms the power of these birds to both beguile and inspire. “Endearing…provides a lot of fascinating information about these reclusive creatures.”—The New York Times Book Review “Angell writes (and draws) with the absolute authority of one who has studied, rehabilitated, lived with and loved the animals his whole life.”—The Wall Street Journal “Steeped in the tradition of Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon, it blends taxonomy, ornithology, biogeography and autobiography.”—Times Literary Supplement
Author: Jonathan Meiburg Publisher: Knopf ISBN: 1101875704 Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 401
Book Description
“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: Miriam Darlington Publisher: Granta Books ISBN: 184708589X Category : Nature Languages : en Pages : 219
Book Description
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: AQEEL AHMED Publisher: AQEEL AHMED ISBN: 199824010X Category : Fiction Languages : en Pages : 71
Book Description
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: Colin Meloy Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 0062093533 Category : Juvenile Fiction Languages : en Pages : 419
Book Description
For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia comes the first book in the Wildwood Chronicles, the New York Times bestselling fantasy adventure series by Colin Meloy, lead singer of the Decemberists, and Carson Ellis, acclaimed illustrator of The Mysterious Benedict Society. Wildwood captivates readers with the wonder and thrill of a secret world within the landscape of a modern city. It feels at once firmly steeped in the classics of children's literature and completely fresh. The story is told from multiple points of view, and the book features more than eighty illustrations, including six full-color plates, making this an absolutely gorgeous object. In Wildwood, Prue and her friend Curtis uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval—a world full of warring creatures, peaceable mystics, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. And what begins as a rescue mission becomes something much greater as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood. The bestselling trilogy from Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis consists of Wildwood, Under Wildwood, and Wildwood Imperium.
Author: Miriam Darlington
Author: Stacey O'Brien
Author: Leigh Calvez
Author: Miriam Darlington
Author: Enric Sala
Author: Tony Angell
Author: Jonathan Meiburg
Author: Miriam Darlington
Author: AQEEL AHMED
Author: Colin Meloy