Saturday, July 09, 2022

Book Review - Hummingbirds, A Celebration of Nature's Jewels - Princeton University Press

 


     If there is one family of birds that captures universal enthusiasm and delight, it surely must be hummingbirds. Even people who have never seen a hummingbird, (for they are found only in the Americas), and have little chance of doing so, become rapturous over these tiny creatures. As the subtitle of the book says, they are nature's jewels.


     
Glenn Bartley and Andy Swash, both seasoned hummingbird watchers, have presented a fine work here, drawing on their formidable photographic talents and knowledge of their subjects gained from many field trips to the various regions where hummingbirds are found. Bartley, a Canadian, has restricted opportunities to view hummingbirds on his home turf, and Swash, a Brit, no chance at all, which in some ways makes the book even more remarkable.
     At first blush this book might be thought of as "another coffee table book", but it is far more than that. There is extensive, thorough and exacting discussion of all aspects of hummingbird physiology and life style. I was particularly impressed with the excellent examination of colour and iridescence, critical to a true understanding of a hummingbird, yet relevant to all other bird species too. This section is wonderfully illustrated, as is the entire book of course, with accompanying text and diagrams, presented in a way that is easy to understand even for a reader with no prior knowledge of the science behind it. This section alone is worth the price of the book!


     Another chapter that I found especially fascinating was Bartley's discourse on his philosophical approach to photographing hummingbirds and the technical methods used to achieve the desired results. Not for this professional a casual walk - and point the camera randomly! Not at all! A shoot is planned with the precision of a military campaign! Bartley approaches every picture as a complete tableau, not merely an image of a bird, and the results are stunning.
     The photographs used to illustrate the book are proof enough that he has used his knowledge, skill, dexterity, physical toughness and mental acuity to approach perfection in the art of photography. 


     
If I may be permitted one little whinge, I was left wishing that the photographs were more precisely identified. Having visited many of the locations referred to in the book, I would have preferred "Mindo, Ecuador" rather than just "Ecuador"; "Monteverde, Costa Rica" tells me more than simply "Costa Rica".
     I was delighted that the authors paid due homage to Alexander Skutch, that great naturalist of Central America, and one of my ornithological heroes. No contemporary work on hummingbirds would be complete without a nod to Skutch's seminal volume The Life of the Hummingbird. In the annals of ornithology there may have been no keener observer than Skutch. 
      In addition to the photographs, illustrations by Jeanne Melchels enhance the book in so many ways.
     The only factual error I found is on page 174, where it is stated, "The Ruby-throated Hummingbird......breeds from Texas eastwards along the Gulf of Mexico and north along the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia and Québec." Clearly this is incorrect for there are records of this species breeding as far west as western Alberta, and it is a common breeding species in Ontario, Bartley's native province. The map on page 175 shows the full extent of the bird's breeding range, in contradiction of the statement on the previous page.
     The book concludes with a List of Species, with each genus highlighted by a species within that genus - very nicely done.
     In a world beset by loss of diversity, habitat destruction, the poisoning of land, inland waters and oceans, and the unfathomable disregard by Homo sapiens for the very keystones of continued life on Earth, I must leave you with the following dire statement from page 227.

"It is painful for me to think of a world with fewer species of hummingbird. Sadly, such a fate seems inevitable in the near future if conservation and habitat-protection measures are not ramped up dramatically."

     In summary, I think this is a wonderful book. None has pleased me quite so much of late, nor filled me with more foreboding for the future.
     If you love nature even a little, you need a copy of this book on your shelf.

Hummingbirds: A Celebration of Nature's Jewels
Glenn Bartley and Andy Swash
Hardcover - US$35.00 - ISBN 9780691182124
288 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)
550 colour photos - 25 colour and 57 black-and-white illustrations - 7 charts
Publication date: 19 July 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.

72 comments:

  1. ...this year I have a pair coming to my feeder and flowers in my garden. They have taught me patience.

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  2. It looks like a very interesting book, David. I would love to have a hummingbird in my garden. The photos in the book looks very beautiful.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. If it were within my power, Marit, I would arrange that for you!

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  3. Another beautiful book and an interesting review.
    I have never seen a hummingbird in nature. In my country lives Macroglossum stellatarum, a beautiful, large butterfly (moth) from the hummingbird family, which resembles a hummingbird.
    Hugs and greetings :)

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  4. This is a lovely book that seems to be filled with extensive information on the hummer. Thank you for the fine review. Have a great day today.

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  5. Es una maravillosa especie, que solamente he visto a través de fotografías.
    Feliz fin de semana.

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful book!
    Beautiful pictures.

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  7. Glad to hear such a positive review of this book as Franc is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his copy. The photos looks absolutely stunning. I am looking forward to reading it too. After him, of course!

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  8. This book has been available over here since April and, based on your review David, I might just go for it!

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    1. I had noticed that, Richard. It seemed odd to me that a book on birds found exclusively in the Americas would be published first in Europe. Probably something to do with reciprocal arrangements with a UK publisher.

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    2. I have sometimes noticed this with other books that you have reviewed, David. I suspect the reason is that the Wildguides books are a product of a Hampshire, UK company.

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  9. It sounds wonderful.
    That dire statement is frighteningly true. How I wish it wasn't.

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  10. It sounds like a really wonderful book. I am adding it to my X'mas wish list :-)

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  11. Hello David,
    Looks like a great book on the Hummingbirds. The photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing the book review. Have a great day!

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  12. As one who has tried from time to time to photograph the hummers in my yard, I am full of admiration. And, honestly, what is there not to love about these wonderful little creatures?

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    1. They are not the easiest birds to photograph, are they?

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  13. Il doit y avoir des photos magnifiques! Bon weekend

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  14. I love nature and I love books! This looks perfect for me. I see hummingbirds here in Florida but I rarely have a chance to photograph them.

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  15. I'm glad you showed the inside of the book. It really helps bring the review to life-- although your words and high praise are indeed remarkable. This one sounds like a gem.

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    1. It's rarely the PUP sends me pictures of the inside pages. I could take my own I suppose. I agree that it enhances the review.

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  16. Hi David, It sounds like a great book. Your review is inviting to buy the book. Hummingbirds are stunning birds. Gems they are!
    regards Maria

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  17. Have you ever seen them live, Maria?

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  18. Our backyard hummer feeder has been CRAZY busy this year!!

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    1. And that's a good thing, Bobbie. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  19. Querido David a mi como a la inmensa mayoría de las personas me encantaría tener Colibrís en mi jardín, peto como no puede ser siempre es estupendo conocer libros tan interesantes y además parece que sus fotos son geniales. Muchas gracias. Abrazos y besos para ti y para Míriam

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  20. Hummingbirds, I saw a lot in Costa Rica. I love all of them. And I really wish we had some over here. In Australia they have Sunbirds. It is also a very nice one. A bit sturdier then hummers but still. :)
    "The Flat-bellied Osprey"...a good one. I think I keep that name. :) :)

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  21. Sounds like a lovely book to have. It is sad the amount of habitat loss, while not enough people seem to care. It's like, if we bury our heads on the sand, then all will always be well, because we are like children living in fantasyland.

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  22. A congregant in my brother's church attaches tags (name or number) on the tiniest bird. Hard to imagine!

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  23. You are right to say these birds capture 'enthusiasm and delight'. I have been fortunate to see one or two humming birds during my travels in Central and South America. I don't know whether it is their size, colour, iridescence or their ability to hover that excites me the most but if a book can capture some of their attraction then it must be a book worth owning.

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  24. What a wonderful book about the hummingbirds this is.
    I have never seen a hummingbird, they are not found in the Netherlands.
    Greetings Irma

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  25. What a pity that humming birds are not found in Asia. I have not seen one, only in documentaries. The pictures of the birds are colourful from your examples with explanations in good detail. I am sure the details on photographing the birds will be useful for you but totally lost on me!

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    1. You do have sunbirds, there, also very beautiful with many similarities to hummingbirds.

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  26. I always enjoy your book reviews!! Thank you for choosing to participate at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend!
    (Ps...In Ireland, it was too cold for me!! I like the Texas heat)

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    1. I checked your blog, Anni, and it's only a few posts ago that you were bemoaning the blistering heat, and saying that if you didn't manage to get out by daybreak you didn't go out at all. That is what gave me the impression that you did not enjoy Texas heat. It would do me in, I can tell you!

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    2. Yes, I DO stay indoors if I can't get out before midday. But, I can withstand extreme heat much more than cold, damp.

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  27. I, too, am an addict of hummingbirds! One of my enduring memories is having one hover in front of me as if it was checking me out, before quickly darting away again. Beautiful :)

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    1. Next time you have the opportunity try holding a sugar water feeder in your hand and they will generally feed from it without hesitation. With patience you can get them to perch on your finger. I have done it several times.

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  28. Looks and sounds a good book. Enjoy.

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  29. Looks like the perfect book for hummingbird's lover :) We don't have any hummingbird in Europe, sadly...
    Have a lovely week !
    Anna

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  30. Hi David - another desirous book to own and read ... they are stunning birds ... and as our knowledge increases we are now able to understand more about the nuances that each species possesses. It's great that you're so thorough in your reviews, showing us you've read the book ... highlighting the odd inaccuracy. Fascinating one author is a Brit. Covid hasn't helped us here - humanity is out and about ... sadly despoiling much - and with our hot weather, lack of thoughtfulness comes into play. I feel for the authorities, and for those who try and protect nature. All the best - Hilary

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    1. I hope that you were able to enjoy hummingbirds during your time in Victoria, Hilary. Anna's Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird are both quite common there.

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  31. Even your book reviews are filled with nuggets of information, David. I didn't realize that these beautiful birds are limited to the Americas. It certainly seems true that they fascinate everyone -- and look at the tails on the one shown on the book's cover. Wonderful!

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    1. One of the great joys of my life is to have seen 46% of the world's hummingbirds, and I have enjoyed every one.

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  32. A very inspired subtitle chosen!

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  33. Looks like a nice book to have!

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  34. That sounds wonderful! I’m going to check the public library and maybe ask them to get it.

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  35. Hi David, beautiful book of the Hummingbirds. I never saw a hummingbird.

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  36. Sounds like a wonderful book, David. Enjoy!

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  37. Hello David, Your book review is exciting. The photographs extremely beautiful, but I find the small print very difficult to read. I have an appointment to see an eye specialist next week. I hope something can be done to rectify this. I am in awe of all the Hummingbirds you have seen. I have seen a few whilst on vacation in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro to be precise.It was a thrilling experience, but to my regret I was not interested in photography at the time. It was in 1980, and it was a wonderful holiday, and we saw many beautiful flowers and delightful hummingbirds, but if only!!

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    1. Sadly the way that Brazil continues to destroy the rain forest does not bode well for hummingbirds and so many other organisms.

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  38. Nice book... what wonderful birds hummingbirds are. And I'm so glad we get to read such amazing animal documentaries in book or watch in film...otherwise I wouldn't know what a hummingbird looks like.
    Happy watching for you.
    Thanks for the book review...great.

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  39. What a beautiful book!...There are two types of birds that I like the most: hummingbirds and woodpeckers.....I'm blessed to watch hummingbirds from my window kitchen....This book is an ideal gift!........Abrazotes, Marcela

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  40. Un gran libro, lleno de ilustraciones y fotos magníficas, seguramente vale la pena tenerlo. Es uno de mis grupos de aves favoritos. Aquí salió uno hace dos años que es una maravilla, con fotos parecidas a esta publicación. Saludos

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  41. Looks like a terrific book.
    I've never seen a hummingbird in the flesh.
    Happy Monday, David.

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  42. Hummingbirds! Oh, you're right, dear David, probably EVERYONE loves these little jewels. They are responsible for some of the happiness I've had in Cuba, Jamaica and the Southwest of USA. The photos in the book are fantastic. The hummingbirds we saw weren't THAT colorful, but there were some very beautiful, brightly colored ones. There is always a great sigh when you see animals or other beauties of nature and at the same time know how threatened all this beauty is...
    All the best from Austria and have a good time,
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/07/mallorca-reisebericht-teil-1-tag-1-bis.html

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  43. Buenos días, amigo David, muy buena reseña la de ese libro dedicado a esas minúsculas aves que realmente son verdaderas joyas de naturaleza. Al parecer tiene una extraordinaria presentación y gran ilustración de esas pequeñas joyas.
    Un gran abrazo profesor, de tu siempre amigo y compadre Juan.

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  44. Hummingbirds don't come to Hawaii, alas! All we have are pigeons, cardinals, mynahs, doves. A hummingbird here in my trees would be stunning, for sure.

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  45. The photographs in the book looks wonderful.
    Thank you for your thoughts and review.

    All the best Jan

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  46. I learned new facts about these charming birds from your great review alone -- the book sounds wonderful.

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  47. Otro libro maravilloso. Abrazos.

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  48. No hummingbirds here. But that's what makes me so curious about those little birds. It seems like a great book. Beautiful photos and nice review.

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  49. Hummingbirds are extraordinary birds, unfortunately I only know them from television reports and photos on the Net and in books.
    From your review it must be a fantastic book.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You will have to make a visit to the Americas, Maria.

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  50. This looks like a very interesting book, David, and your review is just as interesting. I am always stunned about the variety of this wonderful little bird. We have the Anna's year round here and this year, there are so many in my garden - sometimes it feels like being on a hummigbird highway when I'm out there. Last year I also had a Rufous for a couple weeks here during migration - quite the bully, but nevertheless I enjoyed watching it. Unfortunately no Rufous this year.

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    1. You will have to make a trip to Central America, Carola (Costa Rica is fabulous), or even southeast Arizona where you can see a dozen species.

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  51. David, this book seems beautifully illustrated, nice photos, very colorful. I have never seen a hummingbird in his environment, only on TV. I think they are small and useful creatures.

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  52. The variety within hummingbirds is amazing — their adaptation to many environments is fascinating. It’s so intriguing to think about a species that started in the Andes and spread across two continents. Understanding relationships among bird families is just getting started with DNA analysis so there is much to learn.
    Best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  53. Everyone in my house stops what they're doing when a hummingbird appears in our backyard, and it's especially wonderful when they show up while guests are here who have never seen one. They never fail to delight. I have taken some (surprisingly) wonderful photos, but I'm interested in that section photography,

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