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Nocturnalia: Nature in the Western Night
Don’t be afraid of the grab a flashlight and rediscover your sense of adventure!
Darkness is something humans strive to keep at bay, but under the glow of twilight a nocturnal universe stirs to life. Nightshade blossoms bloom, javelinas parade down city streets, fox eyes gleam under the cover of the forest, and tiny sparrows fly incredible distances, guided by the stars. Naturalist Charles Hood and bat biologist José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca unravel these enigmas in Nocturnalia, inviting readers on an environmental romp through the wonders of the Wild West. Their sundown dispatches, featuring over 100 photographs from California and the American Southwest, take us from the astronomical canopy overhead, to the flora that unfurl under moonshine, to the creatures that go bump in the night.
With practical tips for the budding nighttime naturalist, the authors invite citizen scientists of all stripes to expand our knowledge of this final frontier and our understanding of life on Earth. Exploring the evolutionary adaptations of owls, bats, and other nightlife animals; the natural history of nighttime plants; and the celestial patterns that regulate this after-dark kingdom, Hood and Martínez-Fonseca lift their lanterns to illuminate the exquisite and intricate inner workings of nature after nightfall.
Darkness is something humans strive to keep at bay, but under the glow of twilight a nocturnal universe stirs to life. Nightshade blossoms bloom, javelinas parade down city streets, fox eyes gleam under the cover of the forest, and tiny sparrows fly incredible distances, guided by the stars. Naturalist Charles Hood and bat biologist José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca unravel these enigmas in Nocturnalia, inviting readers on an environmental romp through the wonders of the Wild West. Their sundown dispatches, featuring over 100 photographs from California and the American Southwest, take us from the astronomical canopy overhead, to the flora that unfurl under moonshine, to the creatures that go bump in the night.
With practical tips for the budding nighttime naturalist, the authors invite citizen scientists of all stripes to expand our knowledge of this final frontier and our understanding of life on Earth. Exploring the evolutionary adaptations of owls, bats, and other nightlife animals; the natural history of nighttime plants; and the celestial patterns that regulate this after-dark kingdom, Hood and Martínez-Fonseca lift their lanterns to illuminate the exquisite and intricate inner workings of nature after nightfall.
- GenresNonfictionNature
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Charles Hood
17 books8 followersCharles Hood has studied birds and natural history from the Amazon to Tibet, and he has seen more than five thousand species of birds in the wild. A widely published poet, he has received numerous fellowships and writing awards, and his most recent artist-in-residence positions were with the National Science Foundation in Antarctica and with Playa Arts in Oregon. He has also been a visiting professor in England, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea and a research fellow with the Center for Art and Environment at the Nevada Museum of Art. Currently, he is a teacher of writing and photography at Antelope Valley College in the Mojave Desert. - Author bio @ Heyday Books
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 26, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Charles Hood’s "Nature at Night" offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the vibrant, often unseen world that flourishes after dark. Blending scientific curiosity with poetic observation, Hood transports readers into the nocturnal realm, where creatures emerge, ecosystems shift, and a quiet yet profound transformation unfolds beneath the moonlit sky.
The beauty of Hood’s approach lies in his ability to make the darkness feel alive. He introduces the reader to a stunning array of nighttime wildlife—from bioluminescent organisms to elusive predators—each carefully examined through the lens of ecological wonder. What sets this book apart is its ability to translate complex environmental processes into accessible, vivid narratives that captivate both seasoned naturalists and curious newcomers.
Rather than merely cataloging nocturnal species, Hood crafts an immersive experience where the atmosphere itself plays a vital role. The rustling leaves, distant owl calls, and the silent shimmer of glowing fungi create an almost cinematic sense of place. His evocative writing allows readers to feel as if they are walking through moonlit forests, standing at the edge of shadowed wetlands, or watching the quiet drama of the natural world unfold in the depths of midnight.
Beyond exploring the creatures of the night, Hood subtly interrogates how human perception is shaped by light and darkness. He challenges the notion of daytime dominance, revealing how entire ecosystems thrive beyond human vision. In doing so, "Nature at Night" becomes more than a book about wildlife—it’s a meditation on observation, patience, and the beauty of discovering what often goes unnoticed.
"Nature at Night" is not simply a guide—it is an invitation. An invitation to step beyond artificial light and embrace the mysteries that unfurl when the world dims. Hood’s lyrical storytelling and deep scientific knowledge make this book an essential read for anyone fascinated by the unseen rhythms of nature.
For those who revel in ecological exploration, poetic science writing, or simply the quiet wonder of the night, "Nature at Night" offers an unforgettable journey into the beauty of the dark.
Charles Hood’s "Nature at Night" offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the vibrant, often unseen world that flourishes after dark. Blending scientific curiosity with poetic observation, Hood transports readers into the nocturnal realm, where creatures emerge, ecosystems shift, and a quiet yet profound transformation unfolds beneath the moonlit sky.
The beauty of Hood’s approach lies in his ability to make the darkness feel alive. He introduces the reader to a stunning array of nighttime wildlife—from bioluminescent organisms to elusive predators—each carefully examined through the lens of ecological wonder. What sets this book apart is its ability to translate complex environmental processes into accessible, vivid narratives that captivate both seasoned naturalists and curious newcomers.
Rather than merely cataloging nocturnal species, Hood crafts an immersive experience where the atmosphere itself plays a vital role. The rustling leaves, distant owl calls, and the silent shimmer of glowing fungi create an almost cinematic sense of place. His evocative writing allows readers to feel as if they are walking through moonlit forests, standing at the edge of shadowed wetlands, or watching the quiet drama of the natural world unfold in the depths of midnight.
Beyond exploring the creatures of the night, Hood subtly interrogates how human perception is shaped by light and darkness. He challenges the notion of daytime dominance, revealing how entire ecosystems thrive beyond human vision. In doing so, "Nature at Night" becomes more than a book about wildlife—it’s a meditation on observation, patience, and the beauty of discovering what often goes unnoticed.
"Nature at Night" is not simply a guide—it is an invitation. An invitation to step beyond artificial light and embrace the mysteries that unfurl when the world dims. Hood’s lyrical storytelling and deep scientific knowledge make this book an essential read for anyone fascinated by the unseen rhythms of nature.
For those who revel in ecological exploration, poetic science writing, or simply the quiet wonder of the night, "Nature at Night" offers an unforgettable journey into the beauty of the dark.
July 30, 2025
Unexpectedly very funny. Convinced me to take a night hike even though I don't live in the desert or in the west.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews