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.

WILD WONDERS: The Untamed and Enigmatic Animals that Inhabit Yellowstone National Park, gorgeous photo essay

WILD WONDERS: The Untamed and Enigmatic Animals that Inhabit Yellowstone National Park
JULIA COOK
Epic Ink (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$35.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Wild Wonders is an awe-inspiring, photographic tour of the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park, featuring fascinating facts about the creatures and details about where they can be found in the park.

Embark on a captivating journey through the lens of a young and talented woman photographer as she unveils the untamed creatures of Yellowstone National Park.

This stunning collection of wildlife photography is not just a visual feast but an informative guide to the 67 incredible creatures that call Yellowstone home. From the awe-inspiring battles of bighorn sheep to the social dynamics of a wolf pack, Wild Wonders provides you with a comprehensive understanding of, and deeper appreciation for, the wildlife you encounter.

Planning a visit to Yellowstone? This book is your ultimate companion, providing insights into where and when to find these animals within the park. Whether it’s the Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, or the shores of Yellowstone Lake, you’ll be equipped to witness these incredible moments.

In addition to having a diversity of small animals, Yellowstone is notable for its predator–prey complex of large mammals, including eight ungulate species and seven large predators. Immerse yourself in the the world of Yellowstone with breathtaking photographs of animals like:

Bighorn sheep

Bison

Elk

Moose

Mountain goats

Mule deer

Black and grizzly bears

Red foxes

Coyotes

Pika

Beavers

And more!

Take in the stunning images any time you need to reconnect with nature and experience the beauty of the great outdoors. Or, share the magic of Yellowstone’s wildlife with friends and family—Wild Wonders is a perfect gift for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and national parks enthusiasts.

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

My Review: It's astounding to me this book is not topping the sales charts as we get to the Yule gift-giving orgy. It is beautiful; it is timely, being about nature's glories that climate change has out under threat; it is by a talented young woman on a mission. Here is her bio, as provided by the publisher:

Julia Cook is a wildlife photographer and conservationist based in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of Wyoming. Growing up in Cody, Wyoming, less than an hour from Yellowstone National Park, Julia developed a love for nature at an early age, eventually leading her to pick up wildlife photography as a creative outlet. Julia graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2023 with a B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources and a B.A. in History, with human wildlife conflicts and the history of conservation practices in Yellowstone being a particular area of focus throughout her studies. Now working full-time as a wildlife photographer, Julia spends most of her free time in the field photographing various species of wildlife, though grizzly bears are a favorite. Other hobbies include drawing, hiking, fishing, and camping. Julia’s overall goal in photography is to capture impactful images of native wildlife to promote wildlife conservation while inspiring others to spend meaningful time in nature. Julia is also dedicated to ethical wildlife photography to keep wildlife wild and allow them to behave naturally without interference.

What are you waiting for? Go get one! Put it on your coffee table, gift it to your camping/outdoorsy giftee, give it to the grandkid/nibling/teen girl looking for a way to get into STEM fields...nothing like seeing what someone like you has already done to get you moving yourownself.

You want to see some pretty pictures?

grizzly bears are a.maz.ing animals

wolves, otters, beaver, and moose are as well

That's just *one* of Yellowstone's biomes she's put in this book. I'm eager for everyone to go look at this beautiful object, and put it in the hands of someone who will love and delight in it. Like I do, and I think you will.

This image is the one I fell hardest for:

Bison, majestic, gloriously hardy animals we almost exterminated; bringing them back has made me proud to be human, again.

WHAT THE BEES SEE: A Honeybee's Eye View of the World, another gorgeous gift book from Chronicle Books

WHAT THE BEES SEE: A Honeybee's Eye View of the World
CRAIG P. BURROWS
Chronicle Books
$40.00 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Discover the magical world of the honeybee with this deluxe book, featuring 70 stunning images shot with ultraviolet technology.

A comprehensive look into the amazing science of bees, this book collects mesmerizing ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UVIVF) photography of flowers and nature and offers fascinating research that explores every aspect of our relationship with honeybees. Learn about the history of beekeeping, current environmental impacts affecting bees, and the rise of bee products in medical and wellness spaces. As you travel through the world of bees, you'll discover a diverse range of flora showcased in a whole new light through the ultraviolet spectrum, from orchids and anemones to manuka and cactus blossoms. A gorgeous gift for environmentalists and photography fans alike, this in-depth book invites us to reimagine the world from a bee's point of view and better understand its importance to the future of all life on earth.

PHENOMENAL NATURE IMAGERY: Craig P. Burrows has been specializing in UVIVF photography for nearly a decade, and this book includes 70 incredible photos taken using this innovative technique. Burrow's luminescent images capture the magic of nature and showcase flowers glowing in otherworldly blues and teals, simulating how bees and other pollinators become attracted to the plants.

GET THE BUZZ ABOUT BEES: In addition to the incredible UV photography, this book features engaging illustrations and infographics, archival and historical images, and original interviews with over forty of the world’s leading experts on bees and bee products. Organized into three distinct sections on bee ecosystems, bee products and cultivation, and modern medical and wellness advances tied to bees, this in-depth book illuminates the extraordinary role the honeybee has played throughout history and will answer questions you didn’t even know you had.

SUSTAINABILITY GIFT BOOK: This deluxe photobook is a great gift for nature lovers, bee and beekeeping enthusiasts, and anyone who cares about environmental conservation and preservation. Add it to the shelf with books like the National Geographic Photo Ark series by Joel Sartore and DK's The Bee Book.

Perfect for:

Bee, insect, and bug enthusiasts

Nature lovers and environmental activists

Flower and nature photography lovers

People interested in learning about bee products used in medicine, wellness, and skincare

People interested in UVIVF technology and innovative photography techniques

Fans of nature documentaries like David Attenborough’s Life In Color series

Fans of Craig P. Burrows's research and photography

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: This is an absolutely amazing subject. We know we don't experience a lot of the world as it is, most wavelengths of light are invisible to us. The modern world has offered us so many ways to simulate the experience of perceiving the things we're missing that it's become almost routine to see some new image previously unimaginable.

The entire scientific world is agog, for example, over the infrared discoveries the James Webb Space Telescope is making with every data release. Miracles of discovery are taking place in astrophysics, in astronomy, that were inconceivable (that word means exactly what I think it means) a decade ago.

Now it's the Earthbound world's turn.

The author is a horticulturist, an artist, and a photographer who marries all his passions with a scientist's viewpoint. He's been published in National Geographic, so we know he's at the top of his field. His horticultural training, melded to his photographic career, led to the idea of this book.

I've selected some design-heavy pages to go with his absolutely stunning (to me, anyway) photos that marry UV perception to our ordinary perception. I hope it gives you an idea of just what a visual feast this book is. Stunning in the best possible way—I was a bit dizzy from looking at the blends of perception the author and publisher created and presented here.

The text is very much what I expected. The author speaks knowledgeably about the honeybee, its life and its function in nature. He carefully grounds the reader in the reality of the creature's ways and means before waxing lyrical about its very different perception that we call vision.

It is not a kids' book. It's what I'd encourage you to give to your budding biologist, your green-the-world young person, or the shutterbug giftee...the physicist, the gardener, the environmentalist...anyone who loves beautiful books....

It is a lovely thing to have on your coffee table, if you've been extra-good and Santa needs to reward you, too.