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.
Renowned wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch (CALGARY, AB) is the author or photographer of numerous books, including Penguins of the World, Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior, Planet Arctic: Life at the Top of the World, Polar Bears: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior, The Great Northern Kingdom: Life in the Boreal Forest, and Alligators: The Illustrated Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation.
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
An unprecedented visual and scientific journey into the secret world of bears.
