TINY NATURE: Discovering Nature's Hidden World Through the Lens of Macrophotography

TINY NATURE: Discovering Nature's Hidden World Through the Lens of Macrophotography
JAMIE ROSECRANS
Wellfleet Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$35.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Tiny Nature is a journey into the hidden world of the forest floor through the captivating lens of macrophotography. Marvel at the mysterious organisms of the forest floor, revealed in breathtaking macrophotography.

The beauty of the forest goes far beyond trees and wildlife. If you look closely—even closer!—the world beneath your feet holds tiny ecosystems that play a vital role in nature. To see them in all their glory, Tiny Nature harnesses the power of macrophotography. The term “macro” means large, but in photography, it refers to creating large reproductions of small subjects. It is the art of taking extreme close-up photos where the size of the subject on the camera sensor is life-size or greater. With this lens, take a closer look to see the wonders you’ve been missing.

Tiny Nature is a stunning display of the beauty and complexity of the natural world. More than just a photography book, every incredible photo offers insightful narratives that delve into the ecological significance of these miniature landscapes. With a keen eye for detail and an artistic vision, talented macrophotographer Jamie Rosencrans showcases a captivating collection of photographs along with guidance to gain a deeper appreciation for the forest floor. Unveil a mesmerizing microcosm teeming with life, including:

Enigmatic slime molds straddling the boundary between the world of fungi and animals through unique lifecycles and behaviors

Poetically sculptural fungi with a wide diversity and present year-round wherever rain and fungal spores coexist

Romantic, brightly colored lichens, from deep greens to radiant reds, that cling to fences and tree branches

Friendly gastropods such as snails, slugs, and more!

Every leaf, pebble, and tiny inhabitant has a story of resilience, beauty, and the timeless dance of life. Be inspired as you enter the heart of the forest floor and see the sheer wonder of nature’s design.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Not interacting with Meta/Facebook properties does mean I miss Instagram phenoms like @this_forest_floor, aka the author. Too bad...I'd like to see her work on the regular, but will not give fuel to that traitorous fuck Zuck.

I'm glad the publisher made the DRC available. I like interesting takes on Nature. This look at the reality of the tiny stuff we largely ignore is fascinating. A lot of y'all won't enjoy the creepy-crawlies or the moistness of it all. Me, I'm more curious about the weirdos than the cute fluffy boring ones.

contents...no, she doesn't say "icky little moist things" anywhere

What this book will do for the giftee is to discuss the realms of life we don't see much, with someone who knows a good deal about it. The focus is on the weird stuff, the way she takes their picture, the challenges of life at a scale we simply don't experience.

Look at these...really look, see them as the miraculous little survivors they are:

the slime molds

Not for everyone, but I'm not including the soil animals, or the fungi, because they're so very moist. I promise your science nerd giftee that they look great, though.

THE COMPLETE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS: A Definitive and Illustrated History, beautiful object to delight and beguile bird people this Yule

THE COMPLETE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS: A Definitive and Illustrated History
RANDI MINTEOR
Wellfleet Press
$24.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: The Complete Language of Birds offers stunningly illustrated profiles of nearly 400 bird species, covering both their physical and mystical qualities.

Expand your bird knowledge with this gorgeous encyclopedia of nearly 400 bird species around the world, unique for its inclusion of both their physical and mythological characteristics.

If you’re a nature lover who thrives on bird videos and photography, go beyond the scope of standard field guides with this comprehensive reference. Each entry of The Complete Language of Birds provides not only the bird’s name and physical qualities, but also its history, symbolic meanings, and hidden properties from mythology, legends, and folklore.

Within the pages of this colorful volume, you’ll find:

Beautiful illustrations and descriptions of common and unusual birds

Notes on the surprising properties and powers of birds

Discussions of the symbolism and mythological significance of each bird species

Dive into an unusual dimension of historical and arcane knowledge with the study of birds.

A collection of fun and interesting facts about birds gathered from science and culture, the stunning illustrations and lively descriptions make this an engaging guide you’ll return to again and again.

Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, flower meanings, and the stories behind signs and symbols.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Wow. Just...wow.

Even the explanatory notes we begin with are stunning as well as legible and useful.

The "A"s are placed in an impossible composition, but one that very clearly exemplifies the quality of art and design we'll be seeing throughout the book.

The informative "A"s are less elaborate, as one would expect, but no less beautifully illustrated, and clearly legible with the descriptive text being very logically placed and broken into discrete entries.



More opening spreads to drool over. I was especially delighted by the "R"s...that toucan!

My favorite bird: the hoopoe! I hope one day to see one in the plumage. (Don't like to say "flesh" about les birbs, it tends to be misinterpreted by those as do not know me.)

This section is just for fun, of course, and fun it certainly delivered to me. I'm fascinated by the fantasies humans have stitched together out of reality. Some details:

Honest to Gussie! The "Chickharney" had to be dreamt up by someone who ate a bushel of ergot-tainted rye. I don't *think* the synthesis of LSD had been discovered back then....

I left this read feeling genuinely delighted and refreshed. I'm so happy that it's available for a very reasonable price for all y'all's gifting needs this Yuletide...and beyond of course, but the world's economy might necessitate some price hikes next year, so do it now and get the gorgeous for the right price.

Your birding-lover giftee will very likely appreciate and enjoy it. Your coffee table will positively revel in it as an ornament. It's a lovely object with good information in it.