Living Among Giants - (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When most people walk among giant sequoias, they look up, marveling at the sturdy branches and canopy sprawling hundreds of feet overhead. As a naturalist and artist, however, Shirley Spencer likes to look for the less obvious beauty in her surroundings. And in a sequoia grove, that means bringing her curiosity and keen powers of observation to the diverse plant life that thrives among these famous Californian trees.

In this appreciation of flora commonly found in a sequoia grove, she introduces us to species such as the delicate California azalea and the showy mountain dogwood, the hardy whiteleaf manzanita and the strikingly crimson snow plant. Each two-page spread features an eye-catching watercolor portrait complemented by detailed descriptions. This curated collection of trees, shrubs, flowers, and spore-bearing plants, makes a welcome keepsake or companion for a stroll among the giants and will have readers spotting botanical treasures at every turn.

About the Author

Shirley Spencer has lived and worked in the Sierra Nevada since 1979. She specializes in watercolors with an emphasis on Sierra Nevada landscapes and botanical illustrations. She is a National Park Service naturalist during the summer season, leads outdoor adventures for Yosemite Conservancy, and is also the author/illustrator of Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada and co-author (with her husband Mark) of Southern Yosemite Rock Climbs.