What do you think?
Rate this book
Nomads of the Wind: The Migration of the Monarch Butterfly and Other Wonders of the Butterfly World
Behind the fragile beauty of butterflies lie astonishing feats and talents, some familiar, some unknown, many documented here in amazing detail.
Perhaps the most incredible feat of all is the 2,000 mile migration of the Monarch Butterfly. Once a year millions of a special long-living generation of Monarchs migrate from the north-eastern United States and southern Canada to the Oyamel fir forests of Mexico, where they survive the winter. But then, as soon as they feel the first warmth of spring they all set out on the return journey through the Rio Grande and Texas, procreating on the way, until the second and third generations arrive back at the Great Lakes to start the cycle all over again.
Award-winning nature photographer Ingo Arndt has followed them on their journey while the accompanying informative text by Claus-Peter Lieckfeld and Peter Huemer explains the latest research on the migration and describes in detail the transformation from caterpillar to magnificently coloured butterfly.
But this is not the only wonder in the world of butterflies, a world full of surprises. There are butterflies that are masters of disguise and others that are imposters or that mimic their poisonous relatives to protect themselves from predators. Ingo Arndt has photographed them all and in so doing has created a beautiful record of the butterflies themselves, their existence, habits and life cycle. A fitting tribute to this extraordinary species that lights up our lives.
Perhaps the most incredible feat of all is the 2,000 mile migration of the Monarch Butterfly. Once a year millions of a special long-living generation of Monarchs migrate from the north-eastern United States and southern Canada to the Oyamel fir forests of Mexico, where they survive the winter. But then, as soon as they feel the first warmth of spring they all set out on the return journey through the Rio Grande and Texas, procreating on the way, until the second and third generations arrive back at the Great Lakes to start the cycle all over again.
Award-winning nature photographer Ingo Arndt has followed them on their journey while the accompanying informative text by Claus-Peter Lieckfeld and Peter Huemer explains the latest research on the migration and describes in detail the transformation from caterpillar to magnificently coloured butterfly.
But this is not the only wonder in the world of butterflies, a world full of surprises. There are butterflies that are masters of disguise and others that are imposters or that mimic their poisonous relatives to protect themselves from predators. Ingo Arndt has photographed them all and in so doing has created a beautiful record of the butterflies themselves, their existence, habits and life cycle. A fitting tribute to this extraordinary species that lights up our lives.
- GenresNatureNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 16, 2008
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Read
October 12, 2025"I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man." Zhuangzi
Could anything be more serene than a butterfly flitting from wildflower to wildflower in a mountain meadow under the blue skies of a bright summer day? Is it any wonder butterflies across cultures have attained such the significance in the human imagination? As personifications of the soul? As symbols of love, freedom, transformation, happiness or hope? As inspirations of art, poetry, scientific curiosity or philosophical reverie?
The text in Nomads of the Wind describes the fascinating form and behavior of butterflies. It is both delightful and informative. But the gorgeous color photographs of these masterpieces of Mother Nature outshine mere words. The best way to appreciate butterflies is with your own eyes. The next best is through images in a book like this.
Could anything be more serene than a butterfly flitting from wildflower to wildflower in a mountain meadow under the blue skies of a bright summer day? Is it any wonder butterflies across cultures have attained such the significance in the human imagination? As personifications of the soul? As symbols of love, freedom, transformation, happiness or hope? As inspirations of art, poetry, scientific curiosity or philosophical reverie?
The text in Nomads of the Wind describes the fascinating form and behavior of butterflies. It is both delightful and informative. But the gorgeous color photographs of these masterpieces of Mother Nature outshine mere words. The best way to appreciate butterflies is with your own eyes. The next best is through images in a book like this.
August 6, 2023
While the information delivered is clear and interesting, it is the gorgeous photos that make this book worth the time.
March 4, 2014
I used this as a reference for a novella I'm working on. It has fab pics but the writing is really several steps below where I expected it to be. The information appears to be sound...just written in a golly-gosh sort of tone that is better suited for a children's book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews