In this magnificent display of ornithological beauty, readers are given the chance to marvel at the textures and colors of birds in stunning detail—and are rewarded with a new appreciation of art in nature. Deborah Samuel’s photographs are meant to inspire and teach. In this book she turns her lens toward the bird, and her images are as surprising as they are exquisite. From nest to egg to feather, these images are an exercise in seeing and a showcase of what photography can reveal: the impossibly soft feathers of ospreys; the iridescence of a bird-of-paradise; the curved, needle-like beak of a common scimitarbill; and the psychedelic hues of the aptly named resplendent quetzal. Samuel also photographs the nests and eggs of birds, showing us examples of incredible artistry and simple, natural perfection. Accompanying these images are detailed scientific descriptions of Samuel’s subjects, written by Mark Peck, an ornithological expert at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. An index detailing each species—its common and scientific names, size, habitats, and breeding practices—makes this more than a photography book, while the extraordinary images transform it into a sourcebook of colors, shapes, and designs.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 287

Dimensions: 245 x 250 x 30 mm

Publication Date: 21-06-2016

Private paradises nestled in the backyards of homes. Rooftops that act as community gardens. Edible patches of beauty hidden within city blocks. Evergreen shows the verdant aesthetic statement that allows city dwellers to bring nature back into the every day and quenches urban gardening desires. Living with plants is mutually beneficial; beyond the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen, leaves, flowers, and stems bring a warm and individual charisma to any space. Throughout this engaging collection of projects, urban gardening is complimented by a softer side: balconies that add an extra relaxing touch to a morning cup of coffee, flowers that provide calming fragrances throughout the home, or romantic blooms that feed the soul rather than fill a plate. Evergreen also inspires those who already live in the midst of lush horticultural and sustainable oases. Straightforward plans and examples illustrate how to transform unused spaces, both indoors and out, into flourishing and functional patches. Sketched floorplans visually detail a myriad of projects including which plants thrive in dark living room corners or which foliage enjoys the damp environment of a bathroom. The profiles of both professional and hobbyist plant lovers provide an engaging guide to productively getting one’s hands dirty; herb gardens on fire escapes, greenhouses that double as living spaces, and community gardens atop roofs all awaken growing curiosities. From cactus farmers and florists to shop owners and activists, let Evergreen’s cast of characters guide you in making and maintaining a green utopia and in quenching gardening longings.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 256

Dimensions: 240 x 300 mm

Publication Date: 07-09-2016

Roger Evans faces each day on his dairy farm in Shropshire with a wonderful mixture of dry humour, sharp observation and a delight in the natural world and the animals around him. This latest book of his popular diary entries takes his fans through the weeks of the past two years and covers his beloved farm dogs, his cattle, his friends at the pub. He struggles through all weather, survives the ups and (mainly) downs facing everyone in the dairy industry and he encounters several unexpected events along the way. Very funny, uplifting and a joy to read.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 02-09-2016

Maps help us understand and navigate the world. For centuries, maps have become better, more refined, and more precise—there are no blind spots anymore. While Google Maps and GPS systems have become our tools of choice for navigation, contemporary maps have evolved into platforms for cutting-edge illustration, experimental data visualization, and personal visual storytelling. A Map of the World is a compelling collection of work by a new generation of original and sought-after designers, illustrators, and mapmakers. This work showcases specific regions, characterizes local scenes, generates moods, and tells stories beyond sheer navigation. From accurate and surprisingly detailed representations to personal, naïve, and modernistic interpretations, the featured projects from around the world range from maps and atlases inspired by classic forms to cartographic experiments and editorial illustrations.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 245 x 330 mm

A very few pioneer New Zealand families have lived and farmed their land for six, even seven generations. These New Zealanders and their stories, shaped by the land itself, are an important part of the history of Aotearoa. This is the story of one such family whose forebears, Charles and Elizabeth Matthews, arrived in 1842 on the sailing ship London. They settled first in Wellington but, drawn by the pull of the land, moved to Wairarapa and purchased the first acres their descendants still farm today. Seven generations have lived on Waiorongomai. Diaries written by Alfred Matthews, the memoirs of his grandson, Jack, and tape recorded conversations with more recent members of the family, all play a part in this history. It is the story of a family devoted to its farming, the development of one of the country's leading Romney sheep studs and the passing on of a love of the land from one generation to the next. It is also dedicated to all the men and families who have worked on Waiorongomai over the last 160 years.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 382

Beekeeping is about management, control and learning to understand the honeybee. It can also become a very enjoyable and sociable pastime - visiting others' hives and picking up vital hints and tips is all part of the fun - and farming and eating honey that your own bees have produced is a pure delight.Information is given on the basic tools and equipment needed for setting up a hive to detailed advice on when to harvest honey and honey-inspired recipes, from delicious cakes to beauty products. This is an invaluable guide for anyone thinking of keeping bees.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 150 x 212 mm

Self-sufficiency and organic living have never been more prominent and hen keeping is becoming increasingly popular. Part of a growing series of authoritative and inspirational titles, this book provides an introduction to some of the key aspects of aspiring to a self-sufficient lifestyle by keeping your own chickens and benefiting from the produce.You don't need a large garden to keep poultry and an average family only needs a couple of hens to keep them well stocked in fresh eggs all year round. The set-up costs are minimal and you don't need a whole host of expensive gadgets or equipment to care for your chickens. Packed with information on poultry keeping (housing, food and water, daily care, disease prevention and cure, encouraging egg production and breeding), and comprehensive information on breeds.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 150 x 212 mm

Chicken-keeping is an increasingly popular hobby as an increasing number of people discover the benefits of raising chickens and supplying their own eggs. Written by an expert chicken keeper of many years standing, the subjects covered include choice of breed, housing, feeding, breeding, showing and indeed all the many topics the new chicken keeper will want to understand. This practical guide incorporates much of the author’s forty years of experience as a chicken keeper, as well as taking advantage of the knowledge and experience of other enthusiasts. Also included, either because of their relevance, or simply their ability to raise a wry smile, are several snippets taken from poultry books written during the first half of the twentieth century.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 176

Dimensions: 220 x 215 mm

Soon after the introduction of cocksfoot to Banks Peninsula in the mid-19th century, Akaroa cocksfoot grass seed conquered the market - first in New Zealand, then in Australia, and finally in Europe. At the height of the industry, Akaroa cocksfoot was one of the most significant industries in Canterbury, with annual earnings for Banks Peninsula of more than $10 million per annum. It was responsible for the loss of almost all the Peninsula's unmillable forest. And yet, a generation or two later, the Akaroa cocksfoot seed industry has almost entirely disappeared. More than a century after the industry reached its peak, Vaughan Wood celebrates its remarkable story. The history of Akaroa cocksfoot is one that embodies many facets of Canterbury life: the farmers and harvesters, the seed merchants, and the engineering and transport firms. It was shaped by the science, politics and world-trade patterns of the time and is thus a story with more than just local interest, This fascinating narrative includes: * The history of the Akaroa cocksfoot seed industry, from the introduction of cocksfoot seed into New Zealand, through the start of its international success in the early 1880s and its peak around the turn of the 20th century, to the end of the industry in the 1950s and 1960s. * A detailed look at the industry in its heyday, following the journey taken by the seed from the growing crop to the traded commodity. * Recognition of the lasting legacy Akaroa cocksfoot has left on both the landscape and the local seed industry in New Zealand.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 148

Dimensions: 148 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 30-11-2014

Mutton once took pride of place on every dining table up and down the country. It was the nation’s favourite dish. It fed us all, from peasant to King. Whatever happened to it? Bob Kennard explains the decline of this nutritious and lucrative commodity which once made men rich and kept them healthy. But more importantly, he explains why mutton is now poised to make a come-back. Its extraordinary health and environmental benefits are at last being recognised. In Much Ado About Mutton, the author includes all the latest information: • Where to buy mutton today • What to look for in a cut of mutton • Modern and traditional mutton recipes • Appraisal of the best mutton breeds • Directory of UK sheep breeds • Mutton farming around the world • Mutton in literature • Braxy ham, salt marsh mutton, reestit mutton • Mutton’s benefits to the environment • New findings: mutton as a super-meat? Foreword by HRH Prince of Wales

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 20-09-2014