We might think of night in a similar way to the way we think about winter – something to be endured to get out the other side to better times. Leigh Ann Henion might just persuade you that it’s worth doing a few all-nighters to enjoy nocturnal wildlife as her book celebrates the night and its wildlife with examples from Appalachia.
Have you seen fireflies flashing through the night? I wish there were localities on my doorstep to enjoy them again as I remember the impression they made on me in Kenya and New York state – I’d set time aside to have those experiences again.
I’m fairly firmly hooked on moth-trapping now but I’d love to see the enormous cecropia moth described in this book and to attend mothapalooza events to see moths in Appalachian forests.
Salamanders face similar problems to frogs, toads and newts when crossing roads and gangs of people come out to shepherd and herd them across to safety.
There is a lot going on at night and you might just be persuaded that you are missing too many of the best bits if you hide away in a lit building rather than stepping out into the dark.
The author writes with great enthusiasm and takes us to interesting places to meet dedicated naturalists and experience amazing wildlife.
Owls, bats, glow-in-the-dark fungi and glow-worms can all be enjoyed in the UK and the general message that there is much wildlife to be enjoyed after dark is true on this side of the pond. It feels as though there may be more events designed to showcase these wonders in the USA than I know of here. Are our academics and conservationists missing opportunities to enthrall us but maybe we should just step outside and take a look.
The cover? It’s not as good as the contents – I’d give the cover 6/10.
Night Magic: adventures among glowworms, moon gardens and other marvels of the dark by Leigh Ann Henion is published by Algonquin
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