Vanishing Act: Endangered Animals and Disappearing Environments

by Art Wolfe

The worlds preeminent nature photographer creates magical images of wildlife in camouflage. In this astonishing new book, legendary wildlife photographer Art Wolfe turns to one of natures most fundamental survival the vanishing act. His portraits show animals and insects relying on deception, disguises, lures, and decoys to disappear into their surroundings and so confuse the eye of the predator. In a world where nothing is as it appears to be, a lion blends into the tall grass in the late afternoon sun, a harp seal disappears against his snowy backdrop. Pastel orchids can suddenly morph into predatory praying mantises; lizard heads become tails. What at first appears to be a torn and decomposing leaf on a forest floor in Peru suddenly sprouts legs and starts it is a leaf-mimic katydid. Spotting each hidden animal amid Wolfes clever compositions is both a fun and informative game. At a time when many species are performing permanent vanishing acts due to habitat loss and human encroachment, this book showcases the beauty and evolutionary brilliance of animal behavior and artfully illustrates the tenacious will to stay alive in an eat-or-be-eaten world.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Science, Art

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Over the course of his forty year career, photographer Art Wolfe has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations. His photographs are recognized throughout the world for their mastery of color, composition and perspective. Wolfe's photographic mission is multi-faceted: art, wildlife advocacy, education, and journalism inform his work.

Wolfe is the host of the award-winning television series Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge, an intimate and upbeat series that offers insights on nature, culture, and the realm of digital photography. It now airs worldwide. He was also featured in the 2015 Canon Australia/National Geographic Channel production Tales by Light, now streaming globally on Netflix.

Since his first publication in 1978, Wolfe has released more than 100 books in all editions; 2014 saw the release of his magnum opus Earth Is My Witness; this mega project features Wolfe's favorite photos taken so far and is garnering international accolades and awards. In 2015 it was published by National Geographic in France (Hymne à la Terre) and Germany (Eden). Published in Fall 2021 is Night on Earth.

Numerous US and international museums and galleries have featured monographs of his work as well his traveling exhibitions, Travels to the Edge, and Beyond the Lens. Earth Is My Witness is now a traveling exhibit in Europe. Wolfe has been a contributor to many group exhibitions.

Education is a major component of Wolfe’s work, whether it is about the environment or about photography. He leads photographic tours worldwide and has created the streaming course Pathways to Creativity.

Wolfe's photographs have appeared in the world’s top magazines such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, Audubon, GEO, and Terre Sauvage. Magazines all over the world publish his photographs and stories, and his work is licensed for retail products and advertising, as well as products such as USPS stamps, of which he has three, including the latest Forever Stamp commemorating the US National Parks.

Along with his numerous book and television awards, Wolfe is the proud recipient of the Nature's Best Photographer of the Year Award, the North American Nature Photography Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Photographic Society of America’s Progress Medal. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Wolfe maintains his office, stock agency, and production company in Seattle, Washington. His fine art work is available online at artwolfe.com.

Reviews

[Kris Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book with 125 images of animals camouflaging themselves against predators. Of course one of their their main predators being mankind. Art Wolfe has traveled the world to capture these images of animals in their natural habitats. This book was published in 2005. Sadly, some of the animals listed are now on the endangered list. This is large book with big vivid images but be prepared to pour over the images to find the animals. A magnifying glass is sometimes necessary, which only adds to the fun of this brilliant book. Every image has a description and a short story and a blurb about the location, animal, etc. As picture books go it is very informative , entertaining and all around fun read.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gorgeous book is primarily wildlife photos wherein the wildlife is invisible at first and second glance. Almost a 'Where's Waldo' effect. The companion text is all at the back, next to a thumbnail. The photos are beautiful, the book was perfect for breaks when the physics got too dense for me, and it was fun for the whole family. It makes one wonder how many animals one is staring right at every time one leaves the house. Especially when we are walking up Mount Hood, in the National Forest.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking so hard at one picture that when I noticed the immense gray wolf hidden in plain sight I jumped back a bit. Very cool.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have watched his show on PBS and find his photography amazing.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book and others at http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable wildlife photographs.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some really beautiful photographs of animals blending in with their habitats. They are all astonishing!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book with stunning photography--there are some real stumpers in there that will get you good! A perfect addition to the coffee table too.