Discover the most breathtaking bird photography ever shared on Instagram―now in a stunning gift album.Birds of Instagram brings together a curated collection of awe-inspiring avian portraits from some of the platform’s most talented photographers.Edited by renowned ornithologist David Allen Sibley, this book transforms the small-screen magic of Instagram into a vivid, large-format experience that reveals every feather, hue, and detail.Inside, you’ll Hundreds of extraordinary bird images from every corner of the globe, showcasing species in their natural habitats.Expert commentary and anecdotes from Sibley, offering insight into bird behavior and photography techniques.Contributor highlights, including Instagram stars like @jc_wings, @benknoot, @jessfindlay, and @sdmdiving, whose work has captivated bird lovers worldwide.Technical details and location notes for each image, plus Instagram handles for further exploration. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, photographer, or simply someone who marvels at nature’s beauty, this book is a celebration of creativity and biodiversity―a perfect gift for wildlife enthusiasts and social media fans alikeThis stunning collection features work from some of Instagram’s most talented bird photographers, collectively reaching an audience of hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide. Each contributor brings a unique perspective and style to capturing avian Oleg Alexeyev ― @oleg_alexeyev_photoGanesh Balakrishnan ― @the_lord_of_the_lightGlenn Bartley ― @bartleys_photo_workshopsKevin Biskaborn ― @kevinbiskabornPeter Brannon ― @peter.brannonDrew Buckley ― @drewbphotographyDigvijay Chaugle ― @birdboyVincent Chiang ― @vincent_ckxGreg Christoph ― @gregxophJohn Crawley ― @jc_wingsMark Eastment ― @markeastmentphotographyJess Findlay ― @jessfindlayElijah Gildea ― @elijahs_photographyHeinrich Human ― @heinrich_humanVishesh Kamboj ― @visheshkambojjBen Knoot ― @benknootRobert Kreinz ― @rkreinzKimmo Lahikainen ― @lahki_birdsJames Lowe ― @jameslowe783Eli Martinez ― @sdmdivingRina Miele ― @rinamieleGururaj Moorching ― @gururaj_moorchingJason Ogbourne ― @jasonogbourneRobert S. Parker ― @robert.s.parkerShelley Pearson ― @shelley_pearson_Pradeep Purushothaman ― @pradeep.wildlensAnanth Ramasamy ― @ananth.ramasamyScott Rolph ― @aussiebirdphotographyStefano Ronchi ― @stefanoronchiErik Ruiterman ― @erikruitermanJuho Salo ― @aussiebirdphotographyPraveen Siddannavar ― @praveensiddannavarFranka Slothouber ― @frankaslothouberAlecia Smith ― @alecia_birdsGeorgina Steytler ― @georgina_steytlerFemke van Willigen ― @ajoebowanAlice Worswick ― @alice_worswick
I do not own a $2,995 dollar foldable smart phone. My phone flips open like the 1960's Kirk-to-bridge thingee. My Etch-A-Sketch took better pictures.
Needless to say, no Tick-Tock, no Inner Tube, no Blue Teeth, no "X" (formerly known as Prince.)
When I spotted the multicolored BIRDS OF INSTAGRAM on a Library sale table, I recognized the word "Instagram" as something that might be bad for me. I was reluctant to even pick it up. "What fresh out-of-hell-technology is this now," I queried. But I poked it. No electronic noise sounded. No flashing lights. I used a pencil to fip the cover open. It was just a book. A real book.............. And an extraordinary book at that. No batteries or recharging required.
World famous ornithologist and author David Allen Sibley along with photojournalist Chris Gatcum collected some of the worlds most beautiful avian photography originally posted on Instagram. Amateur and semi professional photographer's work. Comfortably viewable size prints capture the extraordinary color and details not always seen on those less expensive little phone screens. Location ( when available) is provided along with camera model, lens type, film speed and photographer name. Text is minimal.
Serious eye-candy for the back yard birder. Inspiration for the aspiring nature photographer. An all too brief glimpse of the incredible beauty and diversity of those with which we share the planet.
Birding and birds are a special treat to me so a book that offers glimpses into so many species' lives should be a treat, especially when the title has it that these are extraordinary images. And yet why after reading this do I feel like I have been let down?
The main problem for me is that although the book does cover a great lot of birds - pretty birds, odd looking birds like the drunken expression parrot, local birds and foreign birds - most of the photographs seemed just rather standard. Yes I understand how difficult it me to snap photos of birds, especially the more elusive wary ones, but where was the extraordinary at?
My main issue with this book, though, was just its formatting and I am not sure if it was since of its digital formatting or not. There was no separate actual organization although all the pages on the same spread were in the same position whether they were eating, perching, portrait, etc. A few of the spreads were given to full photographs of the subjects.
But the reason why I gave this photographic book such a low rating is since of the captions. They were all over the place with most on the same page spread but just as much were on either the prior or the next page. And there was even one that had been put on the next page when there was plenty of room for it to have been included on the prior page instead.
And what was with the whole wordiness of these captions? For me I wish the binomial names had been tacked on behind the common name and then of course keep the location. And although I know credit should be given where credit is due I honestly think the photographer, the handler and any equipment specifics should have been tucked in the back for the curious. Then maybe, just maybe, the captions may have been put on the same page as the photograph that it was for and just perhaps there may have been other small blurbs explaining the back story of the picture.
Otherwise overlooking all those the book did a great job in providing birds to readers who are curious and want some feathered eye candy. And even though so many were quite ordinary in their capture, there are still a few extraordinary that shouldn't be bypassed by the curious reader.
I loved everything about this book. What a gift to see birds from all over the world. I’m amazed by the talked all the photographers have! I learned a lot to from the quotes of photographers spaced throughout. The pictures are just stunning. I highly recommend this book and I’m happy to have it on my shelf!
I probably wouldn’t have bought this book if my favorite birder and author David Sibley hadn’t written the Introduction and edited it. But, despite the title, I’m glad I did. A sumptuous feast of bird photos for people who prefer to stay off small screens. Wonderfully organized and arranged by David and a great gift for someone who’s just getting into birds. I will also point out that this book is much more global than What It’s Like To Be A Bird which focuses on birds of North America only. So prepare to be visually stunned by many of the pics.
Beautiful professional photos taken in exotic locales I will likely never get to visit. But the title is a bit deceptive, and I probably would have been more entertained by snapshots of people’s pet birds doing funny things.
It's a book with fantastic pictures of birds around the world. It's pretty, it's funny, it's colorful, it gave me more birds that I'm desperate to see, I read it in an afternoon, what's not to like?