The Nature Of Winter

During winter, dark days of wild storms can give way to the perfect, glistening stillness of frost-encrusted winter landscapes – it is the stuff of wonder and beauty, of nature at its utmost. In The Nature of Winter, Jim Crumley ventures into our countryside to experience firsthand the chaos and the quiet solitude of nature's rest period. He bears witness to the lives of remarkable animals such as golden eagles, red deer and even whales as they battle intemperate weather and the turbulence of climate change. In the snow Jim discovers ancient footsteps that lead him to reflect on the journey of his personal nature-writing life – a journey that takes in mountain legends, dear departed friends and an enduring fascination and deep love for nature. Simply, he evokes winter in all its drama, in all its pathos, in all its glory. "Connoisseurs of nature and good writing will be enthralled by his first-person wildlife encounters. His accounts...are written with dazzling clarity, lyrical tilt and a story-teller's skill." BBC Countryfile Magazine, Book of the Month "This book is all luminous moments, small delights and bright meditations drawn from the northern cold... there is deeply indigenous wisdom here... Crumley invites us to linger a while and witness frosty gifts made vivid by the warmth of his conversation." Miriam Darlington, BBC Wildlife Magazine "Inviting and informative...Crumley has earned himself the enviable position of our foremost nature commentator... Meditative... bewitching... outspoken... persuasive... a true winter's tale." Rosemary Goring, Herald "A very timely piece; it is a book full of passion and love for [the] natural world ... It celebrates nature... in all its glory." Sean Barrs, Disclaimer Magazine

With these handy paperback reference guides, illustrated throughout with black-and-white line drawings, nature watchers know what to look for and how to interpret what they see. Whether carried into the field or consulted at home, these books provide readers with fascinating facts and insights into the behavior of birds and wildlife. And that's not all. With new Stokes projects under way ... with information about Stokes activities available on-line at www.StokesBooks.com...you can be certain that more and more readers will be relying on Stokes guides.

Winter is no time to limit nature activity! In Discover Nature in Winter, informative background on winter stargazing, wildlife behavior, deciduous and coniferous trees, melt-freeze cycles, and much more are paired with hands-on explorations that bring this season to life—no matter where you live. These simple, nonintrusive activities require only common household items—pencil, notebook, magnifying glass, bug box, ruler—and a bit of natural curiosity.

Calling all nature explorers! Grab your wellies and learn all about the natural world around you with this colourful spotter guide. Gruffalo Explorers is packed with fun spring and summer themed outdoor activities and hundreds of stickers - a brilliant book for all the family.This activity book is the perfect size for even the youngest nature lovers and fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved Gruffalo. It's full of great activities that are based around seeing and engaging with nature and the outside world. This fun sticker activity book is about stopping, seeing, listening and collecting in a way that's accessible and fun, with activities that link into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of the curriculum.

After a fifteen-year career as a sled dog racer, musher Dave Olesen turned his focus away from competition and set out to fulfill a lifelong dream. Over the course of four successive winters he steered his dogs and sled on long trips away from his remote Northwest Territories homestead, setting out in turn to the four cardinal compass points—south, east, north, and west—and home again to Hoarfrost River. His narrative ranges from the personal and poignant musings of a dogsled driver to loftier planes of introspection and contemplation. Olesen describes his journeys day by day, but this book is not merely an account of his travels. Neither is it yet another offering in the genre of “wide-eyed southerner meets the Arctic,” because Olesen is a firmly rooted northerner, having lived and travelled in the boreal outback for over thirty years. Olesen’s life story colours his writing: educated immigrant, husband and father, professional dog musher, working bush pilot, and denizen of log cabins far off the grid. He and his dogs feel at home in country lying miles back of beyond. This book demolishes many of the clichés that imbue writings about bush life, the Far North, and dogsledding. It is a unique blend of armchair adventure, personal memoir, and thoughtful, down-to-earth reflection.

"Your discovery adventure guide to nature in the winter"--Cover.

This is the fourth (and final) volume in Marcia Bonta's seasonal musings on the natural world surrounding her 650-acre home in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. It explores the often hidden beauty and outdoor life of North American winters.

Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize, a pilgrimage through the shapes and shades of autumn. In autumn nature stages some of its most enchantingly beautiful displays; yet it's also a period for reflection – melancholy, even – as the days shorten and winter's chill approaches. Charting the colourful progression from September through October and November, Jim Crumley tells the story of how unfolding autumn affects the wildlife and landscapes of his beloved countryside. Along the way, Jim experiences the deer rut, finds phenomenal redwood trees in the most unexpected of places, and contemplates climate change, the death of his father, and his own love of nature. He paints an intimate and deeply personal portrait of a moody and majestic season. "A delightful meditation." Stephen Moss, The Guardian "Breathtaking...this magical pilgrimage visits enchanting and hidden places...with characteristic moments of close observation, immersion and poetry Crumley witnesses the melancholic textures and haunting transformations of this most beautiful season. This nature book is a delight." Miriam Darlington, BBC Wildlife "Crumley always manages to combine an extraordinary depth of...knowledge with vivid warm writing and a clear love of what he is writing about....Crumley is one of an endangered species – the real naturalists. Enchanting." Sara Maitland, BBC Countryfile "A cornucopia of autumnal delight." Polly Pullar, The Scots Magazine "A book that quietly celebrates life, at the very moment life is most quietly celebrating itself." Brian Morton, Herald "A love song to earth's reviver and replenisher." Dundee Courier