African Wildlife and Environment Issue 67

GENERAL

GOOD READS

Book reviews by Dr John Ledger

Bird Stories Head, Vernon RL (Editor) (2017). Featherings. True Stories in Search of Birds. JacanaMedia, Auckland Park, South Africa. Hard cover, 22x15 , 183 pp, ISBN 978-1-4314-2579-2. R320 This is a collection of 26 short birding stories from the pens of 20 birders whose thumbnail biographies appear at the end of the book. Some of the birders take us all around the world in their quest for the ultimate bird sighting, while others find their pleasure and joy in the grasslands of the highveld, or the silence of the Kalahari. The stories range from the straight narrative to the cryptic and sometimes self-indulgent musings of the avian dreamers, whose thoughts blow on the wind like feathers in a breeze. But such is the nature of the book – it is supposed to be the highly personal expression of emotions, and the deep sense of wonderment that comes when we are touched by a wild creature that is not walled and shackled like the vast majority of humankind. Every individual bird on the planet has a unique look and character, and the rich cast of players that spring from the pages of this little book will keep you hooked for hours. An excellent stocking-filler for your special birding friend!

Geology of Namibia Detay, Anne-Marie & Michel (2017). Geological Wonders of Namibia. Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. Soft cover, 25x21 cm, 144 pp, illustrated in colour throughout with photographs. ISBN 978-1-7758-4294-1. R200

The Garden Route Thomson, Graham & Julie Carlisle 2017). A Guide to the Garden Route. Jacana Media, Auckland Park, South Africa. Soft cover, 24x17, 230 pp, illustrated in colour throughout. ISBN 978-1-4314-2520-4. R260 This is the fifth and latest edition of a book that has been published in different formats since 1997.

This is a picture book depicting some of the spectacular geological features of Namibia. The photographs are superb, and the book is arranged chronologically in geological time, starting 13.8 billion years ago, right through to the twentieth century and Namibia’s heritage of diamonds and other mineral wealth that contributes to the economy of this wonderful southern African country. Namibia is rich in geological treasures, from meteorites, canyons, limestone caves, vast desert landscapes, salt-pan moonscapes, bizarrely shaped rocks, and underwater lakes and reservoirs. Among the latter is the Dragon’s Breath Lake, north-west of Grootfontein on privately-owned land. The lake measures 170 by 140 metres, and lies 100 metres below the arid surface of the land. An area around the Otavi mountains is called the ‘Golden Triangle’, where sufficient underground water can be pumped to sustain viable maize growing enterprises.

It comes shortly after a series of devastating fires that wreaked havoc on the environment and property of this most scenic and diverse corner of South Africa. The silver lining arrived in June 2017 when the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve was proclaimed by UNESCO. This provides international recognition to the area due to its unique natural, historical and cultural attributes. Innovative research, learning, responsible tourism development and project implementation are all part of a biosphere reserve’s activities. The book is a treasure trove of information about the places, plants, tourist attractions and every possible detail about the area and its biodiversity. WESSA is very active in the Garden Route, and this fine publication should introduce many more people to the charms of the coasts and forests of this jewel. Highly recommended, and a great gift!

Invertebrates Guttteridge, Lee (2017). Invertebrates of Southern Africa & their Tracks and Signs. Jacana Media, Auckland Park, South Africa. Soft cover, 21x14 2, 406 pp, illustrated with colour photographs throughout. ISBN 978-1-4314-2157-2. R320 Clive Walker’s iconic book called Signs of the Wild was published in 1981, and has been revised and updated many times in the sixteen years since then. For the first time, it provided the means to identify southern African mammals from the signs they left by their footprints and dung. Now this new book by Lee Gutteridge reveals the signs left behind by a much smaller cohort of creatures, the invertebrates. The book has useful introductory chapters, while the bulk of the content is contained in thirteen chapters that deal with the actual signs left by the activities of the invertebrates themselves. Some examples: Tracks and Trails in Sand and Soil; Tunnels, Burrows and other Excavations; Mud, Stone and Sand Structures; Invertebrate Exoskeletons Found in the Bush; Eggs and Egg Cases; Chrysalises and Cocoons; Commonly Seen Remains of Invertebrates; Signs on Plants and Fungi; Signs Associated with Vertebrates; Wax and Other Protective Structures; Droppings and Frass of Invertebrates; Webs and other Silken Constructions. There is a surprise on every page. Outstanding, and highly recommended!

4 |