Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Book Review - Color in Nature - Princeton University Press


      Such a fascinating topic and so well covered! If ever there was a book where the illustrations truly complement the text, this is it! The pictures are both numerous and fabulous.
     Seven illustrious academics combine to produce a cornucopia of information, all presented in a highly readable way - easy reading packed with knowledge is a combination that's hard to beat. 


      As is well known, many animals possess vision that significantly exceeds that of humans, being able to see in the UV spectrum denied to us (tetrachromatic vision). A different arrangement of rods and cones means that many species far exceed our ability to see clearly at long distances, or in poor light. Think only of a Red-tailed Hawk, hunting half a kilometre or more above the ground, yet able to see a mouse scurrying through the grass, and descend on it with pinpoint accuracy. A Barn Owl can see - and capture - its prey in almost total darkness, with unerring accuracy.
     The colour of flowers plays a significant role in the ability of bees to locate those containing nectar. Flowers that appear monochromatic to us look totally different to an insect viewing them through the prism (no pun intended) of ultraviolet light. Fish on a coral reef that appear gaudy, and susceptible to predation on a grand scale, are in fact camouflaged well, and derive protection from their chosen home.


     Colour is intimately involved with mating strategies, both overt and surreptitious. Male cuttlefish, for example, modify their colour to mimic a dull brown female, thereby enabling them to approach females closely and "sneak" matings.
     Camouflage is vital to vulnerable organisms, where remaining hidden is the most viable strategy for staying alive. 


      This book covers every aspect of colour in nature, from the fundamental science to the myriad applications throughout daily life, including that of humans. 


     We are influenced by colour in more ways than we realize, or perhaps care to admit, and now that technology can actually produce colours its influence will only grow. No one knows this better than marketers, and others seeking to influence human behaviour. I was even struck recently at just how much the electoral map is referred to as red states and blue states, without naming a political party, yet everyone knows instantly what is intended.
     It's an eminently fascinating book covering an eminently fascinating topic which has relevance to every aspect of life on Earth. I will be referring to it often, and I will cherish its wisdom. I suspect you will too.


Colour in Nature - Princeton University Press
Justin Marshall, Anya Hurlbert, Jane Boddy, Thomas Cronin, Ron Douglas, Sönke Johnsen and Fabio Cortese.
Hardcover - $35.00 USD, ISBN: 9780691258614
288 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)
150+ colour illustrations
Publication date: 29 October, 2024


David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

47 comments:

  1. I know I must have said this before but you give us extremely interesting books to read. Reading makes us understand the living things we don't naturally gravitate to. Fortunately, I was always one of those little girls who though may have been afraid of some, was always encouraged to learn about them. With knowledge, etc., etc. It sent me on a wonderful journey of curiosity. I think that's why I greatly enjoy your book reviews. Thank you David!

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    1. That is a lovely comment, Denise. Thank you very much.

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  2. Sounds like another "necessary" addition to my collection!

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    1. It’s the most commendable addiction in the world, Dorothy.

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  3. Another really interesting book from the Princeton University press. Colour certainly does have a huge influence on our lives. Especially now with all the leaves embracing autumn.

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  4. It looks like a very interesting book. I would enjoy this one for sure :-D

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  5. ...nature has no shortage of colors and they are constantly changing.

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  6. I find all of this information complexly new to me. I never even thought about fish seeing differently than we do or bees either. makes a lot sense also. I have often thought that humans from different continents see colors differently, as in from freezing, extremely heat, all the environments that people born on that continent see what I see as bright, as normal and they see our colors as boring. I know this might not make sense. truly and interesting book and I can see how you will use this a lot.

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  7. Oh wow. Bookie lust ignited. Again.

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  8. That looks very nice.
    Will certainly be interesting.
    Greetings Tinie

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  9. We were talking recently about the color spectrum enjoyed by insects with our grandson. I think I have found a good book to compliment that discussion.

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  10. The colour from the snack is so stunning!

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  11. Las láminas que ilustran el libro, todas son preciosas.
    Un abrazo.

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  12. What you said about the male cuttlefish was amusing. Males will do everything in their power to have sex.

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  13. Love color! This book looks interesting. :)

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  14. I think this and the collection: The little book, I will order them.
    The chameleon tail has captivated me...
    Thanks David

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  15. Well, you know I'm a fan of color and what a wonderful topic for a nature book. I especially love that gorgeous cover!

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  16. What an interesting topic. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. 🎃👻 Buenas noches, David! como estas?
    It's an interesting book, i've always liked books that deal with the connection of color with themes of animal behavior, camouflage, and survival strategies.

    🎃✨ Have a halloween full of mystery and some fun scares.

    Bisous, dear friend. 🕸️🦇👻

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  18. The information that you shared is truly fascinating and totally new information to me. It sounds like a very interesting book.

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  19. It appears to be a very interesting read, indeed. Snakes, however, have never been favourits of mine! :)

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  20. Looks a very nice book, David.

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  21. The colors of nature are so wonderful, David. We see it in everything. Animals, birds, flowers and trees. Especially now in autumn, we see it so clearly.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  22. You have made it again David ! You are a master of book reviews, and that is for sure an interesting topic !
    All the best,
    Lasse

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  23. It seems like a very interesting book David.
    Beautiful illustrations too.
    Greetings Irma

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  24. What a wonderful book !
    Nature is so beautiful....Some see her beauty, others don't...
    Thanks for sharing your find David !
    Have an interesting day !
    Anna

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  25. What a great book, definitely one I would enjoy. The illustrations showing off the colors of nature are beautiful. Thanks for the review. Take care, have a great day!

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  26. A beautiful book that you present to us, with a set of magnificently colored images.
    I took advantage of one of your past suggestions and added to my library the "Bird photographer of the year 2024". It was a good recommendation.
    All the best,
    JR

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  27. A beautiful and interesting topic. Excellent cover!

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  28. Thank you for a very interesting book review!

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  29. Another interesting book. Wonderful review, David.

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  30. ... and the cover of the book is so colourful.

    Many thanks for another great review.

    All the best Jan

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  31. Sounds very interesting. The differences in vision between species is remarkable. And then there’s color blindness in some people.

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  32. Thank you again, David. Colour in nature is a fascinating topic.
    I probably have already mentioned that in Finland we have few wild red flowers because (?) we don't have many pollinators that see the red colour.
    As to electoral maps, before the 2000 elections, the colors changed back and forth depending on the election year and the network, and I remember, in Europe, a Berlusconian TV channel that insisted on using blue for the GOP. :)

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  33. Ah...colour ! A captivating subject, thanks for the review !

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  34. As a lover of nature, I did know that color in nature is seen differently by us.
    I've enjoyed seeing light and nature through different light spectrums by using an infrared camera.

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  35. What a fascinating book! Color is tricky just among humans/human groups and how much more complex when going beyond our own species. I remember how interesting I thought it was back in my earlier days of anthropology, when I learned that humans see and divide/group colors differently. Then I started noticing that Bill will often see something and call it one color and I will see it as a different color. From your excellent and enthusiastic review, it seems like this would be one of those books that stretches my mind a bit. I love those kinds of books!

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