David Hollands Birds Of Prey Of Australia

AUSTRALIA'S BIRDS OF PREY are exhilarating: the effortless soaring of an eagle, the kestrel's hovering precision, the electrifying pace of a hobby and the controlled glide of a harrier - often so slow, that it must surely stall? These sights so inspired David Hollands that in 1984 he wrote his first book, Eagles Hawks and Falcons of Australia. This magnificent new 444 page book is a lyrical account of these unique birds of prey - a culmination of his life's work. Each of the 25 species has its own chapter and the text is brilliantly complemented by 450 of the author's own dramatic photographs.

Swift, powerful and rapacious, eagles, hawks and falcons have fascinated mankind from the beginning of history. Literature and folklore are filled with references to these regal birds which in medieval times were sometimes worth their weight in gold. The award winning first edition has been out of print for many years. There are 24 species of eagles, hawks and falcons in Australia. David Hollands has spent twelve years studying and photographing them in the wild. This is a beautifully balanced blend of writing and photography with an essay on each species: detailed, evocative and drawn almost entirely from the author's own observations. A comprehensive range of photographs and a new detailed Field Guide. For this second edition, chapters have been expanded and many new photographs add visual impact.

This book provides a comprehensive account of all the 80 Australian species. Many make huge and hazardous migrations to and from distant parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Many take on colourful plumage for breeding, while others retain their full beauty throughout the year.

David Hollands first became aware of owls as a young boy upon hearing the quavering hoot of the Tawny Owl which lived, out of sight, in the woods near his home. Their secrets remained undiscovered but then he came across some spectral Barn Owls in an ancient English barn. These were the first owls that he had watched at close quarters and photographed in the night. It was a magical experience and, by then, that first awareness had progressed and become a lifelong passion. David Hollands came to Australia in 1961and for a while, the demands of running a medical practice put a brake on other activities. Nevertheless, his fascination for birds, owls and photography could never remain submerged for long and, in 1999, he completed 'Birds of the Night' -- a comprehensive study in words and photographs of Australias owls, frogmouths and nightjars. However, Davids owl studies continued. There were owls to be pursued around the world and he set out to find and photograph as many as possible. By his own admission, he has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. The authors love of birds extends beyond owls and he has also written books on Australias Birds of Prey and on Kingfishers and Kookaburras. All three books won the Whitley Award for the Best Illustrated Australian Natural History book of that year.

Large-format book, copiously illustrated in full colour featuring 16 species of Australian night birds. Includes information on hearing and vision, hunting techniques, pellet production, bush and camera techniques, and provides a comprehensive field guide.

Much of Australia's wildlife will not survive without hollows for nesting. The complete practical guide with extensive plans. The book is ideal for your garden! With some basic carpentry skills you can build a nest box, and be rewarded by the pleasure of watching the activities of the wildlife that take up residence. Nest boxes are a great idea since they: attract wildlife back into gardens thereby introducing breeding and other enriching activities into our daily lives; may assist populations of endangered species; make an unusual gift for a nature loving friend; provide pleasure for nursing home residents; provide excellent school projects -- especially for woodwork classes. Stacey and Alan Franks have spent years researching the needs and habits of hollow-dependent fauna. The practical advice they give is based on personal observation and experience, as well as information they have gathered from other wildlife experts.

There is nothing to beat the extraordinary wildlife of Australia. Its colourful parrots, its venomous snakes, its abundance of hopping marsupials and the strange, egg-laying Platypus - these are just a few of the players in a story that began hundreds of millions of year ago. Many members of Australia's wildlife live nowhere else on Earth. They are unique, the result of evolution on a continent that has been geographically isolated from the rest of the world for 38 million years. Wildlife of Australia is an account of how these animals have developed in response to changing climates and habitats. It describes their day-to-day habits, where they live, how they find partners and care for their young, and how they protect themselves and find food and shelter. Superbly illustrated with over 550 colour photographs by renowned wildlife photographer Jiri Lochman, the book also contains a list of scientific names, good zoos and wildlife parks, useful websites and books, and a comprehensive glossary. Wildlife of Australia reveals the fascinating worlds of the animals that live all around us on this ancient land but remain largely unnoticed.