Nature at Night - by Charles Hood (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Nature doesn't simply stop for 12 hours when the sun goes down. This popular science book explores the mysteries of the natural world that most of us never see. In Monterey, night-feeding dolphins chase nocturnal squid which have made a vertical migration to the surface while manta rays beat the waves with their wings to make the bioluminescent plankton light up so they can see (and eat) it. In Borneo, bats nestle into pitcher plants. High above the Indian Ocean, transcontinental dragonflies migrate from India to Africa. Desert plants pulse and flex as they mend tissue and redistribute water in the darkness. Charles Hood takes us on several journeys to observe the rich, diverse wildlife that come alive under the cover of night"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A new world awakens in the dark, filled with spectacular bioluminescence, moon-kissed flora, and diverse wildlife--all captured in this spectacular photography book.

While old tales warn us that danger lies waiting in the dark, there is actually an abundance of thriving, colorful life. Solar winds brighten the sky with Northern and Southern Lights. In the desert, elegant datura blooms at night, enticing moths to help with pollination, while in the Rockies grizzly bears make a meal of the insects to sustain them during hibernation. In the ocean, night-feeding dolphins chase nocturnal squid which have made a vertical migration to the surface. In the jungles, jaguars hunt by moonlight while night monkeys swing safely through the trees.

Experienced naturalist and photographer Charles Hood captures it all, sharing his nocturnal adventures all over the world, with insight, wit, and over 240 stunning photographs. Open your senses to this darkened world, which is strange yet familiar--and more beautiful than you ever imagined.

Review Quotes

"Naturalist Charles Hood brings a refreshing playfulness to his exploration...Nature at Night is a propulsive read that is both informative and extremely accessible." --BookPage

"Hood doesn't just explain the lively world of nighttime nature; he also invites readers to experience it for themselves... Hood's obvious enthusiasm for the profuse life of the night is infectious, and his celebration will brighten every reader's life--and night."
--Shelf Awareness

"A naturalist's cabinet of curiosities in book form, filled with humorous anecdotes, wild diversions and interesting wildlife adventures. Hood is exuberant in his love for the wild and that spirit shines through on every page." --Cool Green Science

"A must-read for wildlife lovers and those curious about what goes on in the dark."--How It Works

"Hood is an enthusiastic advocate of participating in citizen science and provides guidance for amateur explorers. Perceptive and witty, with beautiful color photos throughout, this book will inspire readers to observe and explore the night."--Booklist

"Explores and explains night with a voracious and playful curiosity that is impossible to resist."--Vanessa Lowe, Host and Producer, Nocturne

"Get ready to see the night in a whole new light!"--Zia Nisani, PhD, Professor of Biology

"Masterfully blends science, humor, and passion to reveal the extraordinary life that awakens when the sun sets."--Michael Hawk, Founder of Jumpstart Nature

"Well-researched, frequently humorous, and always joyful."--Michael Guista, author of Brain Work

About the Author

Charles Hood is a poet and naturalist. The author of over twenty books, he has been a factory worker, a ski instructor, a dishwasher, and a nature guide in Africa. Nature study has taken him across all fifty of the US states and to eighty countries, from New Guinea to Borneo to the South Pole. Along the way he has been lost in a whiteout in the Himalayas, contracted (and survived) bubonic plague, and published more than seven hundred photographs. His titles with Timber Press include Wild LA, a field guide to reptiles and amphibians, and a guide to the best roadside hikes in California. Jane Goodall wrote the foreword to his book Wild Sonoma, and his essay collection, A Salad Only the Devil Would Eat, was named the Nonfiction Book of the Year by the editors of Foreword book review. He lives in the Mojave Desert with two kayaks, two mountain bikes, two dogs, and five thousand books.