First published in 1944, this delightful collection of stories, poems, and nature facts is centered on three children and their uncle who takes them on nature walks, unveiling the delights of the countryside throughout the seasons. Poems by Enid Blyton as well as classic works by Wordsworth, Keats, and others are accompanied by lush illustrations of various animals and plants. A field guide to common birds and plants is also provided, making this a must-have for nature lovers young and old.
A treasury of nature facts and trivia for every season: “Get ready to be amazed, delighted, and enlightened.”—Chip Ward, author of Canaries on the Rim: Living Downwind in the West Did you know that: We all have follicle mites living on our faces? In India, the humble pigeon is a symbol of lust? Jumping spiders sometimes watch TV with you? Healthy garden soil has the same characteristics as a good chocolate cake? The North Pole rarely points north? The caterpillar of the silver-spotted skipper blasts its frass (poop) five feet outside its nest? This collection of fascinating but little-known facts of nature will connect you with the rhythms of the universe even if you live far from the wild—and enlighten you every day of the year. Also included are good tips for gardeners as well as a rundown of what constellations you can see in the night sky each month.
Packing an off-kilter sense of humor and keen scientific minds, authors Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson take off with renowned artist Alexis Rockman on a postmodern safari. Their mission? Tracking down the elusive Tasmanian tiger. This mysterious, striped predator was once the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. It had a pouch like a kangaroo and a jaw that opened impossibly wide to reveal terrifying choppers. Tragically, this rare and powerful animal was hunted into extinction in the early part of the twentieth century. Or was it? Journeying first to the Australian mainland and then south to the wild island of Tasmania, these young naturalists brave a series of bizarre misadventures and uproarious wildlife encounters in their obsessive search for the long-lost beast. From an ancient cave featuring an aboriginal painting of the tiger to a lab in Sydney where maverick scientists are trying to resurrect the animal through cloning, this intrepid trio comes face-to-face with blood-sucking land leeches and venomous bull ants, a misbehaving wallaby who invades their motel room, and a crew of flesh-eating, bone-crunching Tasmanian devils gorging on roadkill. They bond with trappers, bushwackers, and wildlife experts who refuse to abandon the tiger hunt, despite the paucity of evidence. Sifting through local myths, bar-room banter, and historical accounts, these environmental detectives sweep readers into a world where platypus’ swim, kangaroos roam, and a large predator with a pouch was–or perhaps still is–queen of the jungle. Filled with Alexis Rockman’s stunning drawings of flora and fauna–-made from soil, wombat scat, and the artist’s own blood–Carnivorous Nights is a hip and hilarious account of an unhinged safari, as well as a fascinating portrayal of a wildly unique part of the world.
This includes over 100 of Tim's favorite scenic locations all across the state. There are prairies, bluffs, caves, mountain vistas, wildlife viewing areas, wilderness areas, waterfalls, hiking and canoe trails, scenic drives, nature centers, and swamps--including eight beautiful cypress swamps in The Big Woods region alone (where the Ivory-billed woodpecker was rediscovered). The guidebook is filled with stunning color photographs, plus maps, descriptions, difficulty ratings, and GPS coordinates. This is a must for anyone who wants to explore the most scenic parts of Arkansas!
I Love Dirt! presents 52 open-ended activities to help you engage your child in the outdoors. No matter what your location—from a small patch of green in the city to the wide-open meadows of the country—each activity is meant to promote exploration, stimulate imagination, and heighten a child's sense of wonder. Jennifer Ward is the author of numerous acclaimed parenting books and books for children, inspired by nature. "Jennifer Ward has created a book that will serve to gently introduce parents to nature, even as parents are using it to help guide a child into the narural world. Children—and parents—learn to observe, as well as appreciate, the basic joys of getting their hands dirty and feet wet. Discoveres become shared experience."—from the forword by Richard Louv
A groundbreaking exploration of our most complex and mysterious emotion Elation, mood swings, sleeplessness, and obsession—these are the tell-tale signs of someone in the throes of romantic passion. In this revealing new book, renowned anthropologist Helen Fisher explains why this experience—which cuts across time, geography, and gender—is a force as powerful as the need for food or sleep. Why We Love begins by presenting the results of a scientific study in which Fisher scanned the brains of people who had just fallen madly in love. She proves, at last, what researchers had only suspected: when you fall in love, primordial areas of the brain "light up" with increased blood flow, creating romantic passion. Fisher uses this new research to show exactly what you experience when you fall in love, why you choose one person rather than another, and how romantic love affects your sex drive and your feelings of attachment to a partner. She argues that all animals feel romantic attraction, that love at first sight comes out of nature, and that human romance evolved for crucial reasons of survival. Lastly, she offers concrete suggestions on how to control this ancient passion, and she optimistically explores the future of romantic love in our chaotic modern world. Provocative, enlightening, and persuasive, Why We Love offers radical new answers to the age-old question of what love is and thus provides invaluable new insights into keeping love alive.
Inspirational quotes and spiritual nourishment for nature lovers, hikers, and campers—now collected in one portable package! Features selections from Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, John Muir, and others. From simple walks and hikes in the woods, to longer treks and camping, we eagerly search for opportunities to escape into nature. This beautiful collection of inspired readings is perfect for taking along the trail, reading around the campfire, or even contemplating in your own backyard. The Nature Lover's Quotation Book captures the imagination and the senses, while pondering the words and wisdom of some of the greatest writers and thinkers about the natural world. From Thoreau and Muir to Roosevelt and Whitman, discover imagination, poetry, and prose about the wonders of the great outdoors!
With a Foreword written by prominent Australian Christian leader, Tim Costello AO, this book combines high-quality photos of nature, interesting scientific background and Biblical reflections in a totally unique way. Readers may be drawn to see the natural world and God as perhaps they have not done so before. Forty-four stunning photographs reveal incredibly diverse aspects of God's creation—His ‘first book’—inviting both appreciation and contemplation. Of these, 34 are accompanied by firstly, a background explanation with relevant scientific detail and secondly, a reflection inspired by the image. In writing the reflections, the authors, both Bible college graduates who have served in full time Christian ministry, have drawn from various parts of God’s ‘second book’—the Bible. The reflections consider not only what has been recorded about creation, but also about its Creator, humanity and our role and responsibilities. The text addresses such questions as is the order, precision, diversity and beauty in nature merely random or accidental? What is the purpose of nature-creation? What parables for life are there in nature? What do natural disasters, death and decay—parts of nature that cannot be ignored—mean? How should we respond to nature? What perspective should Christians bring to creation care? For people of faith, this book provides valuable insights and inspiration for daily meditation, prayer and responsible action. For those who simply love nature and recognise how significant it is, this book offers thought-provoking perspectives on beautiful images of the natural world. This book would be a great gift for such people as well as those with whom you would simply like to share, through the images, something of the sheer beauty of nature both here in Australia and elsewhere along with thoughtful text. Endorsement: 'What a delightful book! A Nature Lover's Guide to Seeing God is an invitation to see the wondrous world of God's creation through the complementary lenses of science and faith and to be drawn into the worship of the God glimpsed in the beauty of nature and revealed above all in the person of Jesus Christ. Each stunningly beautiful photograph is accompanied by scientifically-informed observations alongside insightful biblical reflection and prayer. This is a book to savor. Your eyes will be opened afresh to how extraordinary is this earth that we too often take for granted and how extraordinary is our Creator and Redeemer God.' Dr Jonathan Moo (Associate Professor of New Testament and Environmental Studies at Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington. Author of a number of books including Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World. Co-authored with Douglas J. Moo. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2018.)
For anyone who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors: hikers, mountain climbers, snowboarders, kayakers, campers, beach-lovers, tree-huggers and more.
