Curious Encounters with the Natural World: From Grumpy Spiders to Hidden Tigers

by Michael Jeffords, Susan Post

Overview

Michael R. Jeffords and Susan L. Post have circled the globe—and explored their neighborhood—collecting images of the natural world. This book opens their personal cabinet of curiosities to tell the stories of the pair's most unusual encounters. From the "necking" battles of mate-hungry giraffes to the breathtaking beauty of millions of monarch butterflies at rest, Jeffords and Post share 200 stunning photographs and their own insightful essays to guide readers on a spectacular journey. Their training as entomologists offers unique perspectives on surprise stag beetle swarms and spider hunting habits. Their photographic eye, honed by decades of observation, finds expression in once-in-a-lifetime images. The result is an eyewitness collection of startling and unusual phenomena that illuminates the diverse life inhabiting our planet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780252082665
Publisher:	University of Illinois Press
Publication date:	06/21/2017
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Michael R. Jeffords is the retired education/outreach director for the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) and was staff photographer for The Illinois Steward magazine. Susan L. Post is a retired INHS field biologist and staff writer for The Illinois Steward magazine, and author of Hiking Illinois. They are coauthors of Exploring Nature in Illinois and Illinois Wilds.

Table of Contents

Foreword Peter H. Raven xiv

Acknowledgments xviii

Introduction: Naturalists Afield-A Lifetime of Curiosity 1

Chapter 1 Amassed Nature 14

Turtle Shingling 18

Hackberry Happenings 20

Japanese Invasion 22

Yellow-Headed Roost 24

Outback Caper 26

Brazilian Caterpillars 28

Monarchs in Mexico 30

Kicking Up a Storm 32

Mite Carpet 34

Pelagic! 36

Milkweed Mass 38

Clown Invasion 40

Emergence! 42

The Red and Green Show 44

Chapter 2 Environmental Fluids 46

May 28, 2011 50

Herptile Sipping 52

Fragrant Fields 54

Spiders, Striders, Hexagons, and Halos 56

Chapter 3 Hidden Worlds 58

Attract or Repulse? 62

Supernormal Stimulus 64

The Egret and the Fly 66

Yard Bot 68

Reality versus Book Learnin' 70

Acorn Weevil 72

Hidden Tigers 74

An Unlikely Pair 76

Sundew Drama 78

Fickle Evolution 80

Stink Bug Babies 82

Mr. Jackman's Bog 84

Aquatic Christmas Ornaments 86

Psychophily 88

The Thin Ones 90

Chapter 4 Moments in Time 92

Grumpy Spiders 96

Frog Relief 98

Lorikeet Lure 100

A Good Thwonking! 102

Sex on the Fly 104

Touched from Above 106

Sands of the Falklands 108

Frolic in the Colic 110

An Encounter with Extinction 112

The Leather Purse 114

Capturing Mystery 116

The Blue Beech 118

Chapter 5 Physical Phenomena 120

Hidden Rainbows 124

Seasonal Lines 126

Tomorrow's Fossil 128

Goblins 130

Superior Ice 132

Lights, Action, Camera! 134

Chapter 6 Seldom Witnessed 136

Cormorant Rookery 140

Always at Trail's End 142

Beaver Sign 144

Winter Stoneflies 146

Victoria's Secret 148

High Salamander 150

Hoatzin Lineup 152

Down the Hatch 154

Demons in the Dust 156

The Last Ottoe? 158

Gulls at Play 160

Chitinous Snack 162

Snake Dance 164

From Above 166

Turkey Tango 168

Chapter 7 Truly Bizarre 170

Beetle Playground 174

Trilobites Today? 176

Did I Just See That? 178

The Scream 180

Colorful Katydids 182

Scavenger Hunt 184

Worm Circles 186

Size Does Matter 188

Sixty-Minute Cruise 190

Life List-Yes or No? 192

Chapter 8 Just Be Curious 194

Bee-eaters! 198

Capybara Encounters 200

Welwitschia! 202

The Stalker 204

Lady's Slippers for Sale! 206

Flying Squirrel Café 208

To See a Giant Otter 210

Chapter 9 Who Knew? 212

All Things Connected 216

The Gingko Effect 218

Green Feathers 220

Paz Tale 222

Olympic-Size Pan Trap 224

Mixed Marriage? 226

Ménage à Trois 228

Lost Ivory 230

Ottie and Bokkie 232

Toy Salamander 234

Endemic Family 236

A Change of Heart 238

Travel Hazards 240

Learning from Leopold 242

Chapter 10 Be Prepared 244

Cock-of-the-Rock 248

Vanessa! 250

Beautiful Musk 252

Bison Migration 254

Rapacious! 256

Conclusion: The End of the Lane 258

Epilogue: Unexpected Surprises 262

Glossary 266

References 272

Index 272