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Bears of the North

A Year Inside Their Worlds

Wayne Lynch

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An unprecedented visual and scientific journey into the secret world of bears.

In Bears of the North, renowned wildlife photographer, naturalist, and bestselling author Wayne Lynch offers us a work of scintillating science and stunning beauty. Following polar bears, brown bears, and American and Asiatic black bears through the seasons, this journey is an insider's view of hibernation's mysteries and the birth of cubs in winter; the mating rituals and voracious appetites of spring; hunting, fishing, and encounters with neighbors during summer; and the feeding frenzy and exuberant play of autumn...

An unprecedented visual and scientific journey into the secret world of bears.

In Bears of the North, renowned wildlife photographer, naturalist, and bestselling author Wayne Lynch offers us a work of scintillating science and stunning beauty. Following polar bears, brown bears, and American and Asiatic black bears through the seasons, this journey is an insider's view of hibernation's mysteries and the birth of cubs in winter; the mating rituals and voracious appetites of spring; hunting, fishing, and encounters with neighbors during summer; and the feeding frenzy and exuberant play of autumn. Dispelling the stereotypes and untruths—but none of the magic—surrounding these magnificent animals, Lynch comments on the latest scientific discoveries related to the biology, behavior, and ecology of bears. He describes how satellite telemetry has revealed the purpose behind the meanderings of bears and the great distances they sometimes cover on land and in water. He also shows how DNA analysis can teach us about the relatedness of bears within a population, even revealing the identity of a particular cub's father.

Taking us out into the wilds of the tundra and forests to share his firsthand observations of the marvelous bears of the Northern Hemisphere, Lynch describes their survival strategies and the threats they face from habitat fragmentation and global climate change. Lynch's fascinating narrative is enhanced by over 150 gorgeous, original color photographs that capture bears in their habitats, including appearances of the elusive moon bear, fierce polar bear battles, and rare images of mothers' intimate moments with their cubs. Informed by Lynch's nearly forty years of experience observing and photographing bears in the wild, and aided by sophisticated digital photo technologies, Bears of the North is an unrivaled collection of enthralling and informative portraits of bears in their natural environments.

Reviews

Reviews

Extremely well researched....No matter how many years you have researched or managed bears, there will be something in this book that you did not know.

A marvelous book! Lynch's ability to communicate the latest science and his stunning images have merged into a book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in wildlife.

Wayne Lynch is both a wonderful writer and a marvelous photographer. His text is superb and based on extensive research and personal experience with the four species of bears that are the focus of this brilliant book. In addition, he illustrates the behavior of bears with outstanding photographs. I strongly recommend this book.

In Bears of the North, Wayne Lynch provides excellent insight into our current knowledge of bears, especially the four northernmost species. He does this through a masterful combination of narratives from the field, interviews with scientists, understandable explanations of scientific research, and fantastic photographs.

Bears of the North, a product of Wayne Lynch's years of experience and fascination with bears, combines compelling, accurate information with skilled writing and beautiful photos. Lynch does an excellent job of synthesizing scientific literature and incorporating the insights of bear experts.

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
8.5
x
11
Pages
352
ISBN
9781421439419
Illustration Description
167 color photos, 12 color illus.
Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction
The Carnivores
The Bear Family: Family Ursidae
The Polar Bear
The Brown Bear
The Asiatic Black Bear
The American Black Bear
2. January–February–March
A Bear in Hibernation, Down but Not

Preface
1. Introduction
The Carnivores
The Bear Family: Family Ursidae
The Polar Bear
The Brown Bear
The Asiatic Black Bear
The American Black Bear
2. January–February–March
A Bear in Hibernation, Down but Not Out
Den Mothers
Journey to the Ice
On the Sea Ice
3. April–May
Den Emergence
Getting Under Way
Origin of the Sea Bear
Hunters on the Ice
More like Cows than Carnivores
Droppings and Digestibles
Caching and Carrion
4. June
The Mating Game
The Biology of Murder
Coming of Age in Bearland
The Family Breaks Up
Orphans and Castaways
Sunbathing Seals
The Hunter and the Hunted
Ants and Other Edibles
5. July–August
Bears on the Beach
Salmon and Bears
Hierarchy Highs and Lows
The Language of Bears
Bear Rub Trees
A Day in the Life
The Challenge of Living with a Cousin
6. September
The Fall Feeding Frenzy
Packing on the Pounds
The Games That Bears Play
A Bear's Domain
The Brainy Bruin
7. October–November–December
Bedding Down for Winter
Danger in the Den
Snow Dens
The Challenge of Life on the Ice
8. The Unbearable Future
Habitat Loss
Chemicals That Poison
Poaching for Placebos and Profit
The Big Melt
Appendix A. The Tropical Bears
The Andean Bear of the Cloud Forests
The Sun Bear
Giant Panda, the Bamboo Bear of China
The Sloth Bear: The Termite Terminator
Appendix B. Scientific Names of Plants and Animals
References
Acknowledgments
Photo Credits
Index

Author Bio
Wayne Lynch
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Wayne Lynch

Wayne Lynch began work as a full-time science writer and photographer in 1979. Today he is the author of numerous award-winning books and television documentaries and one of Canada's best-known and most widely published photographers. His books include Wild Birds across the Prairies; Mountain Bears; A Is for Arctic; and Penguins of the World. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.