018 / / JANUARY 2017
Capturing the moment
Featuring jaw-dropping images like this
otherworldly picture of a Portuguese man o’ war,
The Magic Moment by Anna Levin showcases the
work of some of the world’s best wildlife
photographers, and asks them how they get their
perfect shots. The author likens photographers to
hunters: ‘[who] stalk and track and shoot.’ The
stories in this book certainly confirm that view,
with tales of spending hours in treetops to catch
baby owls being fed, or braving 80kph winds
huddled with penguins, or trying to avoid camera
equipment being bitten by curious beluga
whales. Thankfully, the results were well worth it.
White Star Press, £Wo r d s &
pictures
BOOKThe best of this month’s
books, apps and TVWords: Yashi Banymadhub. Photographs: Istock , Solvin Zankl, Plastic Oceans LtdHearts and flowers
Botanical sex is far from innocent. In fact, those
delicate summertime blooms are devious and
cunning, using trickery, bribery and even disguise to
get what they want. In his hilarious and revealing
book, author Michael Allaby reveals the surprising
truth about plant reproduction. For example, did you
know the papaya has three different genders – male,
female and hermaphrodite, which can self-pollinate
as its flowers contain both male stamens and female
ovaries – or that avocado flowers can switch from
male to female and back again, or that some trees are
pollinated by giraffes? Gutsy and frank, this is a fun,
light and enlightening read. You’ll never look at your
garden roses in the same way again.
Filbert Press, £14.BOOK