Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The sight of brightly colored butterflies fluttering among the flowers is one of life's genuine delights, but there is so much more to see and understand about these fascinating insects if you know where, when and how to look and that is the value of this book.
More than three decades ago Rachel Carson wrote a small gem of a book, The Sense of Wonder, calling for us to nurture our childhood sense of wonder of the natural world and to introduce children to it, teaching them how to see it. However, we all need guides to see beyond the shallow glance and these guides are hard to come by. There are many nature books filled with useful facts, but rare books do exist that seem to say, "Come with me and let me show you marvelous things." This is one of them.
First, browse through the beautifully printed pages and you will see an incredible collection of exquisitely crafted photographs. Sara Bright is a master of the art of capturing these elusive subjects. The quality of light, detail and composition is often breathtaking and always informative.
Then - read Paulette Ogard's captivating prose as she expertly leads you through the chemical and structural strategies of butterfly survival in their different habitats and niches. Immerse yourself into the very accessible text and you become aware of a four- stage life cycle composed of particular host plants and ingenious defensive adaptations. Then, look back at the photographs and see what you missed at first glance. Did you notice that frass chain? Fortunately, the photographer is also an expert lepidopterist and captured these details.
I live in Alabama and I look forward to using this exciting resource with my grandchildren to enhance our knowledge and enjoyment of nature's wondrous diversity. But don't pass up this book if you live in other regions. While it can be used for identification purposes in much of the Southeast, with the exception of earth's polar regions, butterflies cover the globe and their stories have similarities. Time invested in this book will sharpen your powers of observation of these "flying flowers" anywhere.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Butterflies of Alabama: Glimpses into Their Lives (Gosse Nature Guides)
Butterflies of Alabama is a full-color, richly illustrated guide to the 84 known species of "true" butterflies (Papilionoidea) found within the state\'s borders. For more than 14 years, the authors have made a close study of these showy, winged stars of the insect world, pursuing them in a great variety of habitats, rearing them, and photographing their remarkable life cycle stages—egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalid or "cocoon"), and adult.
Each species account is accompanied by color photographs of live subjects in their natural habitats. Close-ups reveal fascinating details of camouflage, mimicry, coloration, and warning devices. The engaging text explains the highly evolved relationships between butterflies and the plants upon which they depend as well as the specialized adaptations that enable their survival within specific environmental niches. Included are range maps, flight times, caterpillar host plants, adult nectar sources, and identification tips—abundant information to tantalize budding as well as experienced butterfly watchers. In addition, pertinent conservation issues are addressed and appendices provide an annotated checklist of the state\'s butterflies, a list of accidentals and strays, information on butterfly organizations, and recommended further reading.
With its non-technical language, simple format, and beautiful images, Butterflies of Alabama is accessible and appealing to anyone who appreciates Alabama\'s amazing natural wealth.
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