Nature

Cows are my passion. What I have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows – and china. – Charles Dickens

Cows are one of the most common farm animals on earth, but what many people dont realise is that they are also gentle creatures with a uniquely inquisitive nature. Newly released in paperback, Moo is a collection of quotes from the famous and not-so famous, paired with charming photographs that celebrate the humble cow.

From Thomas de Quincey to Mary Quant, cows have fascinated writers, philosophers, fashion designers, film stars and musicians for centuries. They are hugely sociable creatures, with several strange habits, such as being able to sleep while standing, and spending up to eight hours a day chewing. Moo will open your eyes to their immense variety, their joyfulness, and their surprising tenderness.

With photos of around 50 of the worlds most popular cattle breeds, this is the perfect gift for anyone from bovine experts to folks who happen to find cows cute (youll be surprised by how many famous names agree!).

Pick up Moo today and gain an endearing, amusing insight into the magic of these animals that are absolutely integral to our lives.

Buzz captures bees in all of their moods, from serious (every bee has a job to do) to quirky (they communicate using the waggle dance).

Bees are fun to watch and a delight to listen to. Theyre endlessly fascinating and very photogenic. The lives of bees and humans are intricately intertwined. The bee symbol was part of the Egyptian hieroglyphic language Hindu gods are often associated with bees the Quran records specific instructions to bees there are references to bees in the Bible and Buddhists point out that the bee does no harm, instead taking only what is needed. Ancient civilizations admired the industry, organization and hierarchical structure of bee life. Napoleon adopted the bee as his symbol. And today the bee is a style inspiration for fabrics, jewelry and even architecture.

Throughout our history, most people have generally taken bees for granted. But now they are under pressure. Writers and conservationists have worked hard to raise our awareness of their plight, and nowadays no respectable community is far from a few hives. So progress is being made, but there is much more to do.

This book is a celebration of the life and work of the bee. With quotes from poets and philosophers, Bindi Irwin and Winnie the Pooh, proverbial wisdom and Shakespeare, Buzz reminds us to respect and protect this extraordinary insect.

Getting Closer is a beautifully illustrated discussion of photography as a way of achieving greater intimacy with the natural world. With a focus on birds, the book is directed primarily at photographers (of all levels of skill and experience), but also at birders, people interested in the outdoors, and those who would simply like to achieve a deeper connection with the natural world.

The introduction makes the case for reconnecting with nature in a way that will draw in a wide range of readers, not just photographers. We have to reconnect, as most of us have lost the spontaneous bond with nature we enjoyed as young children and, in the face of impending ecological disaster, reconnecting with nature is our most urgent task.

Getting Closer offers a simple, practical path for readers to begin to ‘rewild’ themselves. This is the focus of the second part of the book, where the author explores ways of becoming attentive to the natural world around you, wherever you may live. Through self-contained spreads on topics ranging from ‘the four seasons’ and ‘winds and tides’ to ‘flight shots’ and ‘colour and texture’, he introduces basic, hands-on techniques that, with practice, will enable readers to both deeply connect with their environment and become proficient wildlife photographers. ‘Top tips’ on each spread provide technical information aimed at more serious photographers.