Over the Counter #196

What books caught my eye this week as they passed over the library counter and under my scanner? This week it's beautiful coffee table books.

First up was Dawn to Dark Photographs: The Magic of Light.

From the publisher, National Geographic:

"Full of exquisite, one-of-a-kind photographs depicting the wonders of nature and the world as only National Geographic can—this stunning photo collection charts the changing light over the course of a day, from dawn to midday to evening and night.

The world's best landscape photography and photojournalism stunningly depicts the passage of a single day, from dawn's first light to the closing moments of sunset. Experience shimmering mornings and opaque nights through the eyes of our finest photographers in this gloriously uplifting volume—the latest entry in National Geographic's best-selling annual photography collection. Daybreak whispers mauve over a long ocean horizon. The morning sun twinkles in a drop of dew. The broad heat of midday radiates over a beach strewn with sweat-baked sunbathers. A slender crescent moon caresses a gnarled tree standing alone on the heath.

National Geographic Dark to Dawn Photographs gives readers a front-row seat to the world's wonders, from its most imposing cityscapes to its most pristine landscapes. Selected from the portfolios of the most celebrated photographers, the images in this book are strikingly arranged to depict the beauty and majesty of light in all its variations. Short legends accompany every photograph to explain the picture, the scene it conveys, or how the shot was captured, along with inspiring quotations from literature. With the widest possible array of perspectives, close-ups, and details, these photos present a new experience of time and light. Large-format pages and a simple, striking design play up the photographs as they demand. Chapters dedicated to each phase of the day show distinctly different yet harmonizing visions, with unique insight and perspective from photographers, confirming that around the world and throughout all time, the passage of light from dawn to dusk, from morning to night and back again, connects us all."

Next up was Bear: Spirit of the Wild by Paul Nicklen:

Also from National Geographic Publishing:

"Following on the heels of his National Geographic blockbuster Polar Obsession, Paul Nicklen turns his keen photographic eye to North American bears. Stunning images shot by the renowned photojournalist are enriched with personal accounts by noted environmentalists, providing a glimpse into the endangered realm of North America's bears: the grizzly, the polar bear, the black bear, and the rare all-white spirit, or Kermode, bear.

Paul Nicklen, wildlife photojournalist, showcases his stunning photography for National Geographic with this collection of North American bears: the grizzly, polar bear, black bear, and the rarest spirit bear. Evocative storytelling combines with Nicklen's landmark photographs to reveal the truths and myths about these amazing creatures, and sheds light on their threatened ecosystems. Years of photographing bears in their habitat have given Nicklen a special understanding of these majestic mammals: the polar bear, ranked most popular species on Earth; the grizzly, feared and misunderstood; and the black bear, as well as its precious white counterpart, the spirit bear.

Nicklen believes that sharing knowledge and stories about bears will impact the way we think of them, and thus ensure their future. Well-known environmentalists such as Wade Davis and Sylvia Earle, filmmaker Werner Herzog, and Nicklen himself contribute essays to enhance the message of Nicklen's photographs. Quotes from literary figures punctuate the pages, offering insight into the magnificence of these impressive mammals. An epilogue takes a global look at the future of bears."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)