The Splendor of Birds: Art and Photography From National Geographic

(Hardback)

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Description

An elegant collection of the best artwork and photography from the National Geographic archives depicting the magnificence of birds. An elegant collection of the best artwork and photography from the National Geographic archives depicting the magnificence of birds. Bird, nature, and art lovers alike will treasure this sumptuous visual celebration of the colors, forms, and behaviors of the winged wonders who share our world as they have been explored, displayed, and revealed throughout the years by National Geographic. The book moves chronologically so readers witness the tremendous growth in our knowledge of birds over the last 130 years, as well as the new frontiers in technology and observation--from luminous vintage paintings and classic black and white photographs to state-of-the art high-speed and telephoto camera shots that reveal moments rarely seen and sights invisible to the human eye. The wide diversity of pictures captures beloved songbirds outside the kitchen window, theatrical courtship dance of birds of paradise, tender moments inside a tern's nest, or the vivid flash of a hummingbird's flight. Readers will delight in seeing iconic species from around the world through the eyes of acclaimed National Geographic wildlife photographers such as Chris Johns, Frans Lanting, Joel Sartore, and Tim Laman and reading excerpted passages from Arthur A. Allen, Roger Tory Peterson, Douglas Chadwick, Jane Goodall, and other great explorers. Exquisitely produced and expertly curated, this visual treasury displays as never before the irresistible beauty, grace, and intelligence of our feathered friends.

Reviews

"At 10x12 inches, this could be called a coffee-table book. If left to the eyes of guests, however, it likely would become a serious distraction to whatever else the hosts had in mind.It is a beautiful piece of work, exactly what one would expect." Star Tribune (Wingnut blog)

The majority of pages present large, beautiful photographs and illustrations from the National Geographic archives spanning the last 130 years, by skilled artists and photographers...This impressive offering is as much a work of art as it is a book on ornithology.This celebration of the beauty of birds and their importance to humankind and the world is highly recommended for lovers of birds, nature, and art. Library Journal

There has always been a thing, a distinctive way of photographic illustration, called the Geographic eye, and it is well evident in this gorgeous bookIts what the book calls street photography of the wild side, as opposed to mere bird eye candyThere is though, something distinctive and special about National Geographic photography that makes this volume a treasure. 10.000birds

"The pictures were stunning and I learned a lot, despite being able to page through it pretty quickly. Id highly recommend it as a gift for the birder or photographer in your life. I enjoyed this immensely." Doingdeweydecimal.com

"I think its safe to state that it would be most heartily welcomed indeed by most any bird watcher, regardless of their level of interest or expertise in the activity, for the images it presents require no previous understanding of the birds depicted; all that is required is the willingness to sit, peruse, and surrender oneself to a possibility of unbridled wonder." - The Well-Read Naturalist

The diversity of the photos of birds from around the world is amazing, moving from vintage black and white photos to the current day state-of-the-art camera shots. All the pictures are magnificent and some are stunning. Some of the photos are so incredible they seem unbelievable or even surrealistic. The sheer beauty of some of the photos may move you to tears, as they did me. She Treads Softly

[A] visual feast of color, form, and behavior of the winged world chronicled as only National Geographic could doas you turn each page, youre going to take a 130 year journey through time, seeing how art and photography improved with each passing decade, until we arrived at the state-of-the-art high-speed and telephoto camera shots now used which capture sights unseen by the human eyeThis is a book which spurs imaginations, ignites a passion for birdwatching and preservation, and may even serve as the catalyst that turns todays youth into the scientists, explorers and photographers of tomorrow. Jathan & Heather

To truly grasp it, you have to see the photos/artwork up close. The vibrant colors of some of the birds, like cobalt winged parakeets, ostriches, and hummingbirds, really pop on the page.
As I Turn the Pages

This book is absolutely massive, and every page is filled with stunning photographs. You dont have to be an ornithologist to appreciate this gorgeous volume. Instagram: @megabunnyreads

Author Bio

A former National Geographic staff member, CATHERINE HERBERT HOWELL has written more than a dozen books and contributed to dozens of others, including the landmark first edition of National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, now the best-selling birding guide in North America. She also authored National Geographic's Bird-watcher's Bible and Illustrated Guide to Wildlife. Howell lives in Arlington, Virginia, where she tends the native plants of her certified wildlife habitat and volunteers with the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. DR. JONATHAN BAILLIE is Chief Scientist of the National Geographic Society and Senior Vice President of grants, directing funding in the areas of science and exploration. Baillie was the director of conservation programs at the Zoological Society of London, where he was responsible for projects focusing on endangered species and their habitats in more than 50 countries. He is co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) National Red List Working Group and a visiting professor of zoology at the University of Oxford. A enthusiastic bird lover, Baillie does extensive fieldwork including monitoring rare endemic birds in the Gulf of Guinea.