Penguin Summer, first published in 1960, recounts the husband and wife expedition to the Falkland Islands in the 1950s to study the penguins and other birds found on these harsh, isolated islands in the south Atlantic. In addition to a description of the birds and their habits, author Eleanor Pettingill describes her and spouse Sewall Pettingill's adventures on the islands and the life of the hardy islanders, all told in an engaging, likable style. Included are 54 pages of maps and photographs.
An acclaimed photographic guide to these marvelous and enigmatic birds—now in a new, updated edition Penguins are perhaps the most beloved birds. On land, their behavior appears so humorous and expressive that we can be excused for attributing to them moods and foibles similar to our own. Few realize how complex and mysterious their private lives truly are, as most of their existence takes place far from our prying eyes, hidden beneath the ocean waves. Now in a new, updated edition, this stunningly illustrated book provides a unique look at these extraordinary creatures and the cutting-edge science that is helping us to better understand them. Featuring more than 400 breathtaking photos, this is the ultimate guide to all 18 species of penguins, including those with retiring personalities or nocturnal habits that tend to be overlooked and rarely photographed. This revised second edition features updated scientific information and some spectacular new photographs. Penguins is the most ambitious book to date by Tui De Roy, Mark Jones, and Julie Cornthwaite. Their travels, spanning more than two decades, have seen them crisscross the southern hemisphere to virtually everywhere that penguins are found, from the sun-baked lava shores of the Galápagos to some of the remotest subantarctic islands, as well as all around the Antarctic continent, where Emperor penguins breed on the deep-frozen sea. A book that no bird enthusiast or armchair naturalist should do without, Penguins includes discussions of penguin conservation, informative species profiles, fascinating penguin facts, and tips on where to see penguins in the wild. Covers all 18 species of the world’s penguins Features more than 400 stunning photos Explores the latest science on penguins and their conservation Includes informative species profiles and fascinating penguin facts
Perhaps nothing about nature calls to us as deeply as wild animals. To see an enormous whale leaping out of the water, the eerily human eyes of a gorilla, or the comical waddle of a penguin; to hear the ethereal howl of a wolf or majestic roar of a lion—these experiences change us. Around the world, animal populations are threatened by loss of habitat, pollution, climate change, overhunting, and poaching—and yet wildlife-based tourism is growing rapidly and makes up as much as forty percent of the worldwide tourism industry today. In Pandas to Penguins, nature journalist Melissa Gaskill profiles twenty-five species and one endangered ecosystem, highlighting local ecofriendly travel outfitters operating in the area for those seeking out their own enriching personal experience with wildlife. She provides basic information about each animal’s behavior and biology, descriptions of the threats they face, and maps, photographs, and first-person accounts of wildlife watching. Each species meets three basic criteria: 1) some level of risk to its survival, 2) a reasonably accessible habitat where travelers have a chance to view the animal in the wild in its natural setting, and 3) responsible tourism that directly benefits the animal or its habitat. More than a wildlife bucket list or an exhortation to “see them before they’re gone,” this guide is intended to identify wildlife experiences that can be life changing for people as well as animals. Extinction is tragic but not inevitable. We can all do something to make a difference, and Pandas to Penguins is an important resource for adventurers and armchair travelers alike.
"Strange geese." That was their description when they were discovered in 1520 during Magellan's historic voyage. Today, penguins are familiar to everyone, yet few researchers have observed them in the remote regions in which they live. Written by an ecologist-behaviorist who has worked extensively in the natural penguin habitat, The Behavior of Penguins is the first general work on the entire family of penguins. Numerous and remarkable field photographs document the author's detailed study of the life cycles and breeding patterns of each penguin species. He brings to light their unusual abilities to go with little food for months, to dive deep in the ocean, and to protect themselves in extreme environments. Müller-Schwarze's comprehensive and fascinating account of penguins also emphasizes the urgent need to protect these birds and their natural habitat.
"The obstacle is the path." "Live the life in front of you." "Be Still. Stay Chill." What better creature to teach us to live in the moment and be flexible and chill out (so we won't flip out!) than the biped birds at the bottom of the earth? Penguins are intuitive, practical, and cooperative; they naturally know the art of keeping chill. Jonathan Chester's renowned penguin photography whimsically illustrates the sage Zen wisdom presented here in every enlightened spread. With their preternatural composure, it’s easy to imagine penguins as little Zen masters. They are patient, tolerant, aware of their surroundings, and live in the moment…all tenets of the Zen philosophy. A penguin’s life is not an easy life, and yet the Zen masters of the Antarctic waddle on. What can they teach us? As this little book shows, quite a lot actually. "To endow animals with human emotions has long been a scientific taboo. But if we do not, we risk missing something fundamental, about both animals and us."—Frans de Waal
A dramatic chronicle of Antarctica's penguins that bears witness to climate changes that foreshadow our own future The towering mountains and iceberg-filled seas of the western Antarctic Peninsula have for three decades formed the backdrop of scientist Bill Fraser's study of Adélie penguins. In that time, this breathtaking region has warmed faster than any place on earth, with profound consequences for the Adélies, the classic tuxedoed penguin that is dependent on sea ice to survive. During the Antarctic spring and summer of 2005-2006, author Fen Montaigne spent five months working on Fraser's field team, and he returned with a moving tale that chronicles the beauty of the wildest place on earth, the lives of the beloved Adélies, the saga of the discovery of the Antarctic Peninsula, and the story—told through Fraser's work—of how rising temperatures are swiftly changing this part of the world. Captivated by the tale of these polar penguins and a memorable field season in Antarctica, readers will come to understand that the fundamental changes Fraser has witnessed in the Antarctic will soon affect our lives.
Penguins are aquatic, flightless birds, which live almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere. Antarctica, where a few species can be found, shows that these fascinating birds are highly adapted for life in the water. The majority of species are found in the temperate zone, and the Galapagos live close to the equator. Rather than wings, penguins have evolved dark flippers, which match their outer body color and complement their white plumage to the front. They are expert “fishermen” who feed on fish, squid, krill, and other sea creatures while they swim underwater. About half their time is spent in the sea, while the other half is spent on land. The Emperor penguin is the largest species and can grow to around 1.1m or 3 feet 11 inches. The Little Blue is the smallest penguin and is sometimes known as the Fairy penguin, measuring up to 40cm or 16 inches. The larger species tend to inhabit colder regions and the smallest are found in temperate regions. This book explores the world of penguins from their evolution and habitats to their feeding and breeding patterns and their long-term survival and conservation.
