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Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Ingenuity of Animal Survival

During my winter travels, my companion book is Winter World; The Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich.  I am just going to quote the back cover, because I certainly couldn't describe this book
any better!
                                                                                                                                                                     
"The animal kingdom relies on staggering evolutionary innovations to survive winter. Unlike their human counterparts, who alter the environment to accommododate physical limitations, most animals are adapted to an amazing range of conditions.  In Winter World, biologist, illustrator, and award-winning author Bernd Heinrich explores his local woods, where he delights in the seemingly infinite feats of animal inventiveness he discovers there.

Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal SurvivalBecause winter drastically affects the most elemental component of all life - water - radical changes in a creature's physiology and behavior must take place to match the demands of the environment.  Some creatures survive by developing antifreeze; others must remain in constant motion to maintain their high body temperatures.  Even if animals can avoid freezing to death, they must still manage to find food in a time of scarcity or store it from a time of plenty.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with the author's delicate drawings and infused by his inexhaustible enchantment with nature, Winter World awakens the wonders and mysteries by which nature sustains herself through winter's harsh, cruel exigencies."

There, I couldn't have said it better myself!!  I will add, however, that Bernd adds an element of personalism to the writing of this book.  (Is personalism a word?  It is now!)  And he writes in a manner that all readers can understand.

Just click on the book above to link to Amazon.com to check it out!  Check out the other books I recommend by clicking on the in my sidebar!

8 comments:

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Karen: I was saying the same thing this week as I put out food for the neighborhood deer.

Anonymous said...

Yes, its a very good book. I too have read it, and will have to pull it out and look at it again. Its like an artistic view of science. Thank you for the reminder.

Unknown said...

I'm adding this book to the list I already have to check out the next time I'm in my favourite bookstore. This sounds like something I'd LOVE to read.

Carrie P. said...

Nature is an awesome thing and I am amazed at how God has equipped animals to survive winter. Looks like a good read.

Unseen India Tours said...

This is seriously a nice book to read !!

Audrey said...

LOVE the pictures of the Deer below! You got pretty close :)

Mark Kreider said...

Very nice photography... I never knew that mistletoe looked like that!

Tammie Lee said...

thanks for sharing about this book, it sounds wonderful. Your deer photos below are wonderful as well!