Description
The southernmost tip of Africa is home to a vast and shifting population of birds whose soaring movements and flocks are closely followed by a human flock: the entranced and captivated ornithologists, birdwatchers and seekers of wilderness. If the bird writings of Le Vaillant turned a generation of young European readers into ornithologists this remarkable collection of birding curiosities written by some of our most intrepid bird observers will convert a new generation of South African readers. Enter gently and quietly into this world of birds and absorb these stories told by those who have been watching and listening, who can tell their bishops from their butchers. There is a story here for everyone. Contributors include Vernon Head, Mel Tripp, Peter Sullivan, Morne du Plessis, Claire Spottiswood, Raymond Rampolokeng, John Maytham, Ross Wanless, David Letsoalo, Alan Kemp, Mark Brown, Peter Sullivan, Peter Steyn, Rob Little, Peter Ryan, Richard Dean, Warwick Tarbortan, Mark Anderson, Susie Cunningham, Dave Allen, Callum Cohen and Adam Riley.
About the Author
Vernon R. L. Head is chairman of BirdLife South Africa, one of Africa's biggest and most influential conservation organizations. Vernon was born in Cape Town (South Africa) in 1967. He grew up in a bungalow near the sea. He studied architecture, winning national and international awards for design and creative thinking. When not working on environmental matters, he is either designing special buildings, or traveling the world looking for the rarest birds. This is his first book.
Reviews
"Watching wild birds upon the land, inside a cloud or deep within an ocean is to see differently. There is something about the movement of these creatures that connects us to a primordial past of answers. Such is the language of feathers. And it is this way of seeing that proffers stories coming from birds, each one made and told in glorious diversity of thought, each one an instruction, a message or an idea, like the new songs trees make every time the wind moves between leaves. In our frenetic world of walls - the high borders of sovereignty and greed; the low boundaries of misunderstanding and misguided aspirations - are to be found the freedoms that come on wings beyond walls. This very personal collection of tales is important: an offering of moments in Nature that we hope will inspire contemplation. Perhaps it is time to slow down for a minute, searching for a pause in the day, time to listen ... time to look." - Vernon RL Head
Book Information
ISBN 9781431425792
Author Vernon R.L. Head
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Jacana Media
Publisher Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 144mm * 15mm
About the Author
Vernon R. L. Head is chairman of BirdLife South Africa, one of Africa's biggest and most influential conservation organizations. Vernon was born in Cape Town (South Africa) in 1967. He grew up in a bungalow near the sea. He studied architecture, winning national and international awards for design and creative thinking. When not working on environmental matters, he is either designing special buildings, or traveling the world looking for the rarest birds. This is his first book.
Reviews
"Watching wild birds upon the land, inside a cloud or deep within an ocean is to see differently. There is something about the movement of these creatures that connects us to a primordial past of answers. Such is the language of feathers. And it is this way of seeing that proffers stories coming from birds, each one made and told in glorious diversity of thought, each one an instruction, a message or an idea, like the new songs trees make every time the wind moves between leaves. In our frenetic world of walls - the high borders of sovereignty and greed; the low boundaries of misunderstanding and misguided aspirations - are to be found the freedoms that come on wings beyond walls. This very personal collection of tales is important: an offering of moments in Nature that we hope will inspire contemplation. Perhaps it is time to slow down for a minute, searching for a pause in the day, time to listen ... time to look." - Vernon RL Head
Book Information
ISBN 9781431425792
Author Vernon R.L. Head
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Jacana Media
Publisher Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 144mm * 15mm
