Photographer: Gilles Martin; Author: Myriam Baran-Marescot

With nearly 10,000 species of birds scattered throughout five continents, bird societies swarm with diversity.  People have long been fascinated by birds' ability to fly, yet these magnificent creatures boast a multitude of other remarkable and mysterious faculties. Building on more than 20 years of experience travelling and photographing in locations both familiar and remote, Martin offers a breathtaking collection of images of some of the world's most charismatic birds, from Peru's Toco Toucan, to Australia's blue-winged Kookaburra, to the United States' Bald Eagle.

Through his photography and the text of Baran-Marescot, we learn to admire the emperor penguin's capacity for survival, applaud the artistic talents of oceanic birds of paradise, and distinguish a tree pipit from a meadow pipit. Structured around 12 major themes that enable readers to better understand the evolution, migratory habits, and survival techniques of birds, as well as their place in the world, this journey is an essential volume for animal and photography lovers alike.