Sharon Beals' gorgeous photographs of nests offer a new window onto the life and beauty of birds. Drawn from the collections of the California Academy of Sciences, the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley, and the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, these birds' nests from around the world offer astonishing insight into the intricate detail wrought by nature's most fastidious architects. Lovely images of nests and eggs are set against rich black backgrounds, and are accompanied by fascinating and informative portraits—conveyed through words and illustrations—of the birds that built them. A beautiful volume, Nests is the perfect gift for birders, bird lovers, and anyone captivated by the fleeting and fascinating splendor of the natural world.
Nests
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
In her new book, Nests: Fifty Nests and the Birds that Built Them, photographer Sharon Beals brings to light an often-secreted piece of the lives of birds. From the collections of the California Academy of Sciences, the Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, and the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, she has selected some of most ecologically unique, visually stunning, and just plain ingenious nests built by birds both familiar and exotic, from the marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris) to Kauai's akekee (Loxops caeuleirostris). The nests are, by turn, miraculously intricate, strikingly simple, sinister, strange, or sweet, but all are a testament to the resourcefulness of creatures who lack complex tools but have nonetheless evolved some of the most sophisticated, diverse architecture of any organisms on the planet.
Beals' beautiful photographs, a sampling of hundreds of nests carefully collected and preserved, are a testament to the power of these miniature masterpieces to inspire our imaginations and awaken our powers of observation.
-- Audubon magazine blog
Small architectural marvels were hidden in storage for decades at the California Academy of Sciences until 2007, when artist Sharon Beals began unearthing them from cardboard boxes and wooden cabinets. She wanted to photograph nature's miniature masterpieces-birds' nests-which had been collected over the course of a century from a variety of species. Her images first appeared in Audubon's March-April 2008 issue and on its cover; they soar again in her elegant new book, Nests (Chronicle Books, $29.95). One by one, the structures appear in stark relief on a black background, exposing their exquisite intricacies-colored thread in an Altamira oriole's creation, seashells in a Caspian tern's-and, often, intact eggs. On facing pages, an illustration of the builder perches above companion text describing the species' nesting habits and construction methods. "Each nest is a scientific treasure trove," write the academy's Jack Dumbacher and Maureen Flannery in the foreword. "Each nest is also an amazing work of art." So is Beals's book.
-- Julie Liebach, editors choice, Audubon magazine
"An intricate, illuminating window into the natural artistry of avian architecture."
-- Shelf Awareness
Drawn from the exquisite collections of three California academies and institutes, the nests in these delicate, detailed images reflect the meticulous care and skill of their creators-50 species of birds, each described in facing-page text that is as free of scientific jargon as it is interesting.
-- American Photo magazine
Beals' beautiful photographs, a sampling of hundreds of nests carefully collected and preserved, are a testament to the power of these miniature masterpieces to inspire our imaginations and awaken our powers of observation.
-- Audubon magazine blog
Small architectural marvels were hidden in storage for decades at the California Academy of Sciences until 2007, when artist Sharon Beals began unearthing them from cardboard boxes and wooden cabinets. She wanted to photograph nature's miniature masterpieces-birds' nests-which had been collected over the course of a century from a variety of species. Her images first appeared in Audubon's March-April 2008 issue and on its cover; they soar again in her elegant new book, Nests (Chronicle Books, $29.95). One by one, the structures appear in stark relief on a black background, exposing their exquisite intricacies-colored thread in an Altamira oriole's creation, seashells in a Caspian tern's-and, often, intact eggs. On facing pages, an illustration of the builder perches above companion text describing the species' nesting habits and construction methods. "Each nest is a scientific treasure trove," write the academy's Jack Dumbacher and Maureen Flannery in the foreword. "Each nest is also an amazing work of art." So is Beals's book.
-- Julie Liebach, editors choice, Audubon magazine
"An intricate, illuminating window into the natural artistry of avian architecture."
-- Shelf Awareness
Drawn from the exquisite collections of three California academies and institutes, the nests in these delicate, detailed images reflect the meticulous care and skill of their creators-50 species of birds, each described in facing-page text that is as free of scientific jargon as it is interesting.
-- American Photo magazine
About the Author
Award-winning San Francisco photographer Sharon Beals is author of several books including What Dogs Do and What Cats Are. She lives in San Francisco.
Jack Dumbacher and Maureen Flannery are ornithologists at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
Author and naturalist Scott Weidensaul has written more than two dozen books on natural history.
Jack Dumbacher and Maureen Flannery are ornithologists at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
Author and naturalist Scott Weidensaul has written more than two dozen books on natural history.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Kathy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is not only a beautiful book, the information in it about birds and their nesting habits is fascinating! This book has become one of my treasures. The only negative is that the book was not packed in such a way that the gorgeous shiny black jacket is protected. As a result, it was marred. It should be shrink wrapped at the publisher to keep it from being damaged because the cover is a work of art in itself.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've seen proofs of this book and the author's original prints. This book offers a beautiful set of nests and eggs found in closed museum collections. The color, texture, and sheer ingenuity of these natural, nurturing constructions are amazing, captured in superb still-life images. Who needs art when nature creates such surprising variety? A wonderfully unique gift book, in my opinion (weddings? baby showers)? But keep a quiet, eloquent copy for yourself. You'll never look at birds, or the world around us, in quite the same way again.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Kim
Format:Hardcover
I saw a show of Sharon Beals' Nest photos about a year ago and have not forgotten them. I was pleased to find this book. Her photographs are stunning; quietly and respectfully raising each nest to an iconic level. What's really great about this book, is the information presented behind each nest. (Some of these have been in the archives of the Academy of Sciences in SF for generations.) And more importantly, she describes the fragility of the environments that birds live in. We live in a rapidly changing world and we're losing many of nature's precious treasures. I highly recommend this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nests
The book has nice pictures of the nests. However, the font is very small which makes it difficult for anyone over 40 to read. Read more
Published 10 hours ago by Sherrill Meeker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely beautiful book!
I pick this up every few days when I need a brief escape from the craziness of the world, and read about an industrious little pair of birds with no thoughts aside from carrying... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lisa A. Carlson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bird book
Love it. Very descriptive. Bought it for a friend for birthday and one for myself after seeing it. The photography is amazing - breathtaking to see the 'homes' of the birds.
Published 3 months ago by Shabby chic artist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done.
Gave as gift to a amateur photographer of birds. Great comments but would have liked more information on local US birds.
Published 4 months ago by James Mcleod
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very happy
The book arrived before the holidays which I was very pleased about and it is a beautiful book. The pictures show what beauty nature provides us.
Published 4 months ago by susan marines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply felt, beautifully presented
The other reviews here capture how deeply felt and beautifully presented the nests are. Even a brief look at the book makes that obvious. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jimmy Guterman
5.0 out of 5 stars
An art book and more
You'll want to buy this book for the beauty alone. It's an art book that focuses on the amazing craftsmanship of birds. The photos emphasize the uniqueness of each nest. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lori
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful images.
I am a hiker who travels the many footpaths in the AZ wilderness. Luckily I get the opportunity to see many nesting birds and am grateful to locate this book for its perfect... Read more
Published 11 months ago by C. L. Ruane
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book for any lover of nature.
All I can say is, I hope there is a sequel in the future, for each nest and essay leaves you in wonder and awe. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Thea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and inspiring
Sharon's book is an absolutely stunning. The nests she has photographed are all so beautiful and unique. She puts her own personal stamp on her images as well. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Pamela D Gerard
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