Thursday, April 14, 2022

Book Review - Penguins, The Ultimate Guide, Second Edition - Princeton University Press

 


I have often had the impression that, to penguins, man is just another penguin - different, less predictable, occasionally violent, but tolerable company when he sits still and minds his own business.
Bernard Stonehouse



          I have eight books on penguins on my shelf, including the first edition of this work, plus coverage of penguins in books on Antarctic wildlife,  and a couple others dealing with Roger Tory Peterson's fascination with these birds, and had you asked me whether I need another volume on penguins I might have answered, "No!" How wrong I would have been, and where good reference books are concerned what you need and what you value and cherish are two different things entirely!
     I have long been a great admirer of Tui De Roy and it always strikes me that she and her colleagues possess that rare quality that enables scientists to combine their technical proficiency with the sheer love of nature, with no conflict between the two. 
     The text throughout the book weaves this thread of intermingled biology and science, with an irrepressible joy for penguins. And, oh my goodness, the pictures! The pictures! Every single page is illustrated with stunning portraits of these most enchanting of birds, loved universally. 
     The fact that they are so admired, however, has not prevented the desperate plight of all penguin species, some of which are perilously teetering on the precipice of extinction. To refer to the wisdom of Bernard Stonehouse (surely one of the most under-rated Antarctic biologists) again, "Today it is impossible to think of animals without  concern for man's impact on them."
     To cite from this book, on African Penguins, "However, all does not bode well for their future. From an estimated original population of around 1.5 million, a century ago, today a mere 25,000 breeding pairs remain, and even these numbers are still dropping."
     This dire condition may be extrapolated to all eighteen penguin species worldwide. 
     Rising sea temperatures are reducing their food supply, adults have to travel farther and farther to feed their young, global warming is depleting sea ice so critical to many species, introduced predators such as feral cats, rats, ferrets, stoats etc terrorize penguin colonies, and direct human expropriation of shoreline habitat is a death knell for some.
     There are dedicated penguin conservationists such as Shireen and Francis Helps, who should be an inspiration to us all (p. 112), but it will require more than the commitment of a small number of concerned humans to save some species. 
     In addition to a species-by-species account, entire sections are devoted to Science and Conservation, and as Tui De Roy succinctly states, "Life Between two Worlds."
      One is reminded that anything we can do to ameliorate the status of penguins in our ever more polluted oceans helps every other organism at the same time. Improved fish stocks for penguins means more food for albatrosses, petrels and other seabirds, to say nothing of cetaceans, pinnipeds, fish and other marine organisms. Ultimately, if we can bring ourselves to stop driving food stocks to extinction we too can benefit from better stewardship of the oceans.
     We are indeed part of an integrated web of life, but uniquely we are the only species capable of inflicting damage that may be permanent, or at a minimum endure for centuries.
    If we really cherish these birds that remind us so much of ourselves, then let's extrapolate those sentiments to a commitment to all do our part in the restoration of nature.
     Thank you Tui, Mark and Julie, and all the other contributors for an exceedingly fine book. Its focus is penguins, its message is universal. Let us all pay heed.

Penguins, The Ultimate Guide, Second Edition
Tui De Roy, Mark Jones and Julie Cornthwaite
Hard Cover - US$35.00 - ISBN 9780691233574
240 pages - 9.25 x 11.5 inches (23.125 x 28.75 cm)
Publication date: 19 April, 2022


 

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

60 comments:

  1. Hari Om
    Yet another added to my shopping list... there is something irrestible about Penguins, but this is true of every living critter, if one is prepared to spend the time with them... YAM xx
    L=Love

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  2. ...I like Bernard Stonehouse's take on humans!

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  3. It sounds like a perfect book for you, David. The Penguins looks so cute to me. Lucky you who have another great book in your collection!
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  4. Este libro no lo conocía, gracias por compartir!!!

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  5. Bernard Stonehouse for sure knows both penguins and human beings very well.

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  6. Estoy seguro que Bernard Stonehouse adora mucho más a los pingüinos desde que conoce a los seres humanos.
    Gracias querido amigo por su presentación, tu reseña es meritosa.
    Siempre me han parecido unas entrañables criaturas.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo y estimado profesor David.

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  7. I agree with Angie and Tom.

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  8. Ooooh. I hug watching penguins porpoise through the ways very tightly to myself and will have to check this book out. Thank you. Drat you.

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  9. This sounds like a wonderful book for bird lovers and penguin fans particularly. I'd love to see the illustrations which sound wonderful. I find them very cute and fascinating. Thanks for a great review!

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    1. The tragedy is Jeanie that we are wiping them out, and in the process ourselves too. Remember the immortal lines of John Donne, ".......never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

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  10. This book sounds excellent :)

    All the best Jan

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  11. I personally fear for all of us. The Great Reef, its inhabitants, penguins, people. I believe cockroaches will make it.

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  12. Yes, yes, yes. So much beauty and so much sorrow.
    The quote: "Today it is impossible to think of animals without concern for man's impact on them" is so true. I've never thought of it in such concrete terms, but that's exactly how I feel. I will tell everyone I know, because it is spot on.
    Greetings, Lisbeth

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  13. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who dislikes penguins, which makes what we have done to them even more tragic. Is it possible to take an unappealing phot of these birds?

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    1. It is both tragic and short-sighted, John. When the penguins are unable to find fish, neither will we. How we have plundered the bounty of the oceans is a tale worthy of mythology.

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  14. Reading your text shows how much you love penguins and nature. Sorry the numbers are dropping, this is bad news, man is destroying the earth under his own feet. Hugs, Valerie

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  15. Muy buena reseña este libro sobre los pingüinos, su lectura seguro que es apasionante.
    Muchos besos.

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  16. It is going to be, well already is, tough for so many species. I had hoped penguins would somehow be able to avoid the rush of climate change, but then if I think about it, the polar environments are the ones with the biggest changes. Sadly, my hope isn't going to work out unless there are changes all over the world. My biggest surprise about penguins is how many kids at school did not know they were even birds. Even after watching Happy Feet and March of the Penguins. I wonder how true that is for many adults also? have a great weekend. hugs-Erika

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  17. I have always have a special liking for penguins. They are amazing and beautiful creatures.

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    1. They are, Nancy, and we are systematically creating the conditions for their demise.

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  18. Penguins are so adorable they inspire movies. Some actions do help mitigate the damage we cause. It’s not just the penguin or butterfly that is in danger of extinction. We humans are equally woven into this earthly web, although the penguins and butterflies would likely thrive better without us.

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    1. I don't think that anyone would argue that all flora and fauna would do better if humans were not present.

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  19. They are fascinating birds and it seems that this book does them justice.

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  20. Their message and your message ring loud and clear and sadly probably fall on millions of deaf ears who take no heed to the needs of nature but only to their own selfish desires. We live in a challenging time and we can only hope that common sense and truth will, in the long run, prevail. In the meantime, it is wonderful that there are those who commit themselves to nature and it's preservation. If each of us would do what little we can, there would be hope ...

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  21. Unfortunately, a century has greatly reduced the number of penguins.

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  22. Vous devez avoir vraiment beaucoup de livres sur les oiseaux.
    Encore un qui a l'air très intéressant. Bon weekend

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    1. C'est vrai, j'en ai beaucoup, et je les aime tous!

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  23. Nice review. Seems like a very good book.

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  24. Hi David - what a fascinating man Bernard Stonehouse was ... so pleased you gave us his quote. Excellent book ... Tui de Roy ... amazing bio, the man has ... delighted you introduced us to the new book on Penguins ... they are extraordinary creatures. Humans are not the best animal out there ... cheers and Happy Easter weekend - Hilary

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    1. I am very happy that you already knew of Bernard Stonehouse, Hilary. I am a firm admirer of him, and I bet he would have been a first class fellow to have spent time with.

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  25. It is not without an element of sadness that I come to the realisation that I will never see a penguin in its natural habitat, David. It is with total sadness, however, that I contemplate that on the current trajectory the time is approaching when no one will ever be able to see one of these beautiful birds. One can but hope that we go before they do - they are more deserving than humankind!

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    1. I'll meet you in Santiago, Richard, and we'll head up towards Valparaiso to see Humboldt Penguins and then we'll fly down to Punta Arenas and from there we can go to Seno Ottway for Magellanic Penguins. Deal?

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  26. Hello David,
    Another great book review. I have only seen penguins at the zoo, they are cute.
    I like the Bernard Stonehouse quote. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

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    1. I really think we would be better off if we stop viewing them as "cute" and recognize their place in an ecosystem that is under severe threat of disappearing completely, and the penguins - and ultimately us - along with it.

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  27. Sigh, dear David, it is unfortunately exactly as you wrote in your commentary on Great Bustard courtship - first of all humanity is driving a species to the brink of extinction. If the species is lucky and one of the "popular" animals, near the end massive and expensive efforts are made to save the animal species...
    I think the problem is, while probably most people really do love penguins, only a very small proportion know what to do (and what NOT to do) to help these animals. There is also a section of powerful people who don't care about the environment and only care about money and power. And there is an overwhelming number of people who have no money and no power and little education and just do what the power people tell them to do. These people fish the seas empty, cut down the rain forests, shoot rare species of animals etc. in order to be able to survive or because they want a piece of the pie. And unfortunately most of them will probably never start thinking about endangered species IN TIME, but only when this source of income has dried up...
    But I have not given up my hope that people like the scientists who wrote this book or make wonderful nature films, are able to get as many people as possible to do more (including political decisions, donations...) for nature...
    All the best and happy Easter 🐣🐇🐥
    Traude

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    1. Thank you for a detailed, thoughtful comment, Traude. It is much appreciated.

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  28. I can't wait to see the latest photos of the owlets. It's amazing how fast some birds grow. And I have a birding question also. Yesterday on my way to MIL's I noticed a predatory bird chasing a songbird. I saw them twice. I'd say the songbird was the size of a finch or chickadee. I felt bad for the song bird, but also wanted to pull over and watch this event except they kept flying into the woods and then I couldn't see them. The predatory bird was the size of a crow, maybe just a tad bit bigger, but it wasn't a crow. It had a thin tail and the wings were slightly more bent than a hawk. I've also seen this same bird or bird species fly through my yard once (I spotted this event on the road not too far from my house). Could it have been a merlin? Or is it some type of hawk? I know you didn't see this but would you have any thoughts about what it could be? Hope you're having a nice weekend. hugs-Erika

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    1. Hi Erika: I don't think that the raptor would have been a Merlin if it was the size of a crow, or bigger. Merlin is quite small, but it is a a fierce predator of songbirds and could certainly have been a candidate based on behaviour. The other two possibilities would be Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, with a large female Cooper's Hawk being the most likely. It is always a dramatic experience to witness a predator/prey sequence.

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    2. Thanks David. I'm trying to get better at identifying raptors and appreciate your answer!

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  29. What a wonderful text. My daughter and I love penguins, and it is always the first exhibit at the zoo she wants to see. They're such beautiful creatures and I fear we will soon lose so many of them.

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  30. It's a sad world we live in. As you said, "we are the only species capable of inflicting damage that may be permanent, or at a minimum endure for centuries."
    We are also the only species that can change that. And I feel tremendous grief
    when I think that will never happen.

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  31. You've given a good book review and it's brought out some interesting comments. It's a book I would like to have and a creature I would love to see!

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    1. There are places in the world where it is still quite easy to see a penguin. You just have to go there. Boulder Beach near Capetowm, South Africa may be the easiest.

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  32. Hello David, :=) The book seems like a good read, but what can I do David to help the Penguins plight? I ask myself daily when I'm feeding the birds, what can I do to help creatures that are facing extinction. I feel helpless, for I only do what most people do now with their waste material. I would never throw anything away in the wild made of plastic, or anything for that matter. This is my contribution to saving the environment and nature, but it does not help the Penguin, or other creatures facing extinction. I have seen documentary's about the Polar bear and it's plight and it's heart breaking. I'm sure most people feel like me, they just don't know what to do. What can we all do?

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    1. The first thing we can do, Sonjia is to stop electing politicians who are opposed to climate remediation or even deny that global warming exists. I doubt that we will, however. Across the world we seem to manifest an an amazing willingness to elect people who clearly will cause the speeding bullet to climate catastrophe to accelerate.

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  33. This made me smile. First wedding pressie from a friend: Penguin Island near Perth. And boy, are those sweet guys and ladies! Clever, creative and yes. They seem to accept humans.

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  34. Sadly, I see and read of so many species dwindling in numbers. And more sad...humans seem to not care until it's too late. The book sounds fascinating.

    Thanks for linking in this week

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    1. The situation in Ukraine is just one more example (as if we needed more) that we have little respect for the lives of our fellow humans let alone other life forms with whom we share this deteriorating planet.

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  35. It is certainly a very interesting book. Unfortunately, although the penguins are so magnificent and admired, this does not prevent their numbers from being lower and we are responsible for that.
    As Victor Hugo wrote "It is sad to think that nature speaks and that the human race does not listen to it" a great truth and if we do nothing, we will certainly walk towards our own destruction.

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    1. I am quite sure that we are well on the way, Maria.

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  36. Everyone loves penguins! It’s a shame that humans are so thoughtless. If we did not worship wealth, we might be able to rein in our destructive behaviors.

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  37. Good acquisition. I didn't know about this book. A few years ago a book came out with all the species of penguins, by García Borgoroglu and Boersma (in Spanish), very complete and with all the information on status, species, conservation and reproduction, perhaps this is something similar on the subject. Greetings

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  38. Sounds like a wonderful addition to your library. As long as people think climate change is a hoax, we won't get the proper people in office to actually do something about it.

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