The front cover. Abrams and Chronicle Books / mediadrumimages.com

By Andrew Corless

 

THIS BREATHAKING new book showcases such stunning shots of the natural world you will be left aching to escape into the wild.

 

A beautiful picture by Baiju Patil captures two tiger cub siblings jostling in the Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra, India.

Tiger Territory – Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra, India.
Baiju Patil / mediadrumimages.com

 

Another image taken in Nairobi, Kenya by Paras Chandaria depicts a Maasai giraffe against a daunting and somewhat sinister city skyline. Bringing into focus the sharp contrast between the natural and industrial world.

 

Equally as mesmerising is the image of an arctic fox as it sleeps peacefully through a blizzard, photographed by Jules Cox in Manitoba, Canada.

Shelter – Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
Jules Cox / mediadrumimages.com

 

These distinguished photographs are just a few of what you will find in Wonders: Spectacular Moments in Nature Photography compiled by Rhonda Rubenstein and the California Academy of Sciences.

An Unexpected Gift- California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), San Rafaelito, Baja California, Mexico.
Alejandro Prieto / mediadrumimages.com

 

Paul Souders, a photographer who is also featured in this book tells us about what it is like shooting in Antarctica.

Camouflage – Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), Etosha Pan, Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Maroesjka Lavigne / mediadrumimages.com

 

“I love photographing in the Antartic,” said Paul.

 

“The wildlife there are quite comfortable with [human] presence.

Shake It Off – Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Memphis Zoo, Tennessee, USA.
Michael Pachis / mediadrumimages.com

 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the world in a near pristine state.”

 

This book collects more than 100 winning photographs taken all over the world. Extended captions explain the scientific phenomena at play in each image, and behind-the-scenes stories from the photographers reveal how they captured these amazing scenes.

Nairobi’s Skyscrapers – Maasai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), Nairobi National Park, Nairobi, Kenya.
Paras Chandaria / mediadrumimages.com

 

Photographer Maroesjka Lavigne shares with us her experience of shooting a black rhinoceros.

Guarding the Family Jewels – Yellowhead jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons), Lake Worth Lagoon, Riviera Beach, Florida, USA.
Steven Kovacs / mediadrumimages.com

 

“It was an unforgettable close encounter with a magnificent yet threatened animal.

The Luckiest Penguin – Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua). Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), Cuverville Island, Antarctica.
Paul Souders / mediadrumimages.com

 

“My heart felt like it was going to explode from adrenaline.”

 

Wonders: Spectacular Moments in Nature Photography compiled by Rhonda Rubenstein and the California Academy of Sciences, introduction by Sylvia A. Earle (Chronicle Books, £26)