Antarctic Wildlife - by James Lowen Paperback

About the Book

First published in 2011 by WILDGuides, Ltd.

Book Synopsis

An essential photographic guide to antarctic wildlife

Antarctic Wildlife is the definitive identification guide to the birds and marine mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, and Beagle Channel. This easy-to-use photographic field guide enables visitors to this unique region of the world--newcomer and seasoned traveler alike--to identify with confidence the penguins, whales, seals, seabirds, and other stunning wildlife they encounter on their journey. Full-color photographs show typical views of each species of bird or marine mammal, together with the terrestrial plants likely to be seen. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, give tips on where to look, and highlight interesting facts. This one-of-a-kind guide also includes introductory chapters that cover the wildlife of each Antarctic environment by season, as well as information on tourism and Antarctic cruising that will help visitors get the most from their trip.

Antarctic Wildlife is a must-have photographic guide for travelers taking the standard cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the great white continent, and for anyone interested in the diverse wildlife found in this remote part of the world.

• Covers the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, and Beagle Channel
• Features full-color photographs throughout
• Describes key identification features and gives tips on where to look
• Includes an introduction to Antarctic environments and information on Antarctic cruising

Review Quotes

"[A] fantastic guide . . . rich in photography. . . . The penguin behaviour gallery is a joy."-- "Birds"

"A must have guide for those visiting Antarctica!"---Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report

"An eminently practical, accurate, useable and indispensable field guide perfect to bring on your Antarctic cruise. Or even just to keep on your bedside table. . . . There's a lot of information effortlessly packed into this little powerhouse of a guide. . . . When it comes time to cruise, though, Antarctic Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide is the one to grab."---Cathy Taibbi, Examiner.com

"Definitive identification guide. . . . Easy-to-use. . . . One-of-a kind guide. . . . Must-have guide for those visiting Antarctica!"-- "Guardian.co.uk"

"Does the job admirably. . . . Stunning colour plates. . . . Detailed and yet written in an easy-to-read and interesting way."-- "World Birdwatch"

"For those who are contemplating that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Antarctic, this book provides a handy photographic guide to the birds and mammals that you are likely to encounter. . . . It will be invaluable on deck. It provides more than enough information to satisfy the general visitor, and would serve very well as a field guide for birders."-- "Birding World"

"I could write this review in just two simple sentences. If you have already experienced the Antarctic, then after reading James Lowen's visitors' guide, you will be packing your bags and booking your next visit. If you haven't been there before, you will still be packing your bags and booking your visit. It's as simple as that. Antarctic Wildlife is a clean, concise and very practical guide to the wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage and Beagle Channel. . . . A refreshing view of this fascinating continent."---David Lindo, Birdwatching Magazine

"I would . . . recommend this book to travellers and experienced naturalists, as the information on the natural history of the area is very good."---Geoff Catpentier, Ontario Birding News

"Ideal guide for the first-time visitor. . . . The moment you pick up this book it feels good . . . exceedingly well-chosen images. . . . Buy it and then start saving for your trip!"-- "Birdwatch"

"It's difficult to appreciate far off consequences of things like melting polar ice-caps, rising ocean levels, and other effects that happen far away or too slowly for the eye to see. That's one reason why I think books like James Lowen's Antarctic Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide are so important. They help provide context for and appreciation of the Antarctic as more than an abstract concept. . . . Antarctic Wildlife is a window offering a view of the southern end of the world. . . . By revealing its treasures, Lowen reminds us why even the most remote places on Earth are worth defending."---Brad Sylvester, Yahoo! News

"Recommended for either the real-world or armchair traveler interested in the natural history of the Antarctic. . . . Portable and approachable."---Jean E. Crampon, Library Journal

"Specifically designed for anyone travelling from Ushuaia to the Antarctic and who has even the slightest interest in wildlife."-- "Wildlife Extra"

"Spectacular. It covers all wildlife within Antarctica, not just birds. But for the birders reading this, the section on birds is done well."---Jerry Liguori, Utah Birders blog

"Takes a quite different approach from that of all previous guides to the area. . . . High-quality photographic images, skillfully arranged. . . . For those with a general interest in natural history and wanting a small guide, the book succeeds admirably."-- "British Birds"

"Thanks to this book, I now want to go to Antarctica more than ever! And if (hopefully, when) I go, it will not be without this book. Antarctic Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide should be required for any cruise-based visitor to the great white continent. And if you want to risk being compelled to pay big bucks to go on such a cruise, I'd also recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in the wildlife of Antarctica."---Grant McCreary, Birder's Library

"The book is a must for wildlife enthusiasts who are planning a trip to the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic. However, someone with an interest in this part of the world will find it a nice addition to their library."---FHB, Wildlife Activist

"The identification text is split into two sections, one basic summary for the amateur and beneath this a more detailed description for the avid enthusiast. The supporting images are excellent, chosen for clear field identification, and it's impressive to note that the author took many of them himself. . . . This is an excellent field guide, well laid out with photos and easy-to-access information. . . . It will definitely accompany me on my next trip to Antarctica."-- "Luxury Travel Review"

"This book joins a short list of good quality guides that concentrates on the Antarctic region. . . . Hundreds of superb illustrations. . . . If you are headed far, far south, you will certainly want to have this attractive, informative, and handy book with you."-- "Avian Review"

"This handy ID guide comes as a timely aid to anyone venturing into the Southern Oceans. It covers the areas usually included in tour itineries, from the southern Tip of Argentina to Antarctica proper. The book uses a photo-montage style for the illustrations, an increasingly popular method, which works well here and covers everything from lichens through to whales and birds, so a truly comprehensive guide. Essential for anyone visiting the area."-- "About Birds"

"This is a well-done guide and an excellent purchase for academic and large public libraries."---Frederic F. Burchsted, American Reference Books Annual

"Those of us planning a trip to Antarctica will take this book along and turn to it first when an identification question arises. Those who have already been to Antarctica will wish this book had been with them."---Barbara Williams, IOS Wings Over the Prairie

"With a soft flexible binding perfect for thrusting into a knapsack, this book is a primer for all manner of wildlife one might encounter on the seventh continent. . . . Features glorious full-color photos and is chocka-block with charts and indices, tips on choosing a cruise and the best spots to seek out wildlife, as well as an examination of the environmental threats to the region's indigenous residents. With a lively map as end papers, this book works just as well for the armchair traveler as for the hearty explorer."---Christopher Schoppa, Washington Post

About the Author

James Lowen is a wildlife writer, photographer, and lecturer. He is the author of Pantanal Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide to Brazil's Great Wetland. An Antarctic naturalist guide for Polar Star Expeditions, he lived in Argentina for a number of years before moving back to the United Kingdom.