Swift as a Shadow
by Rosamond Wolff Purcell
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"In the early nineteenth century there were so many passenger pigeons that the sky darkened when they flew overhead; it took three days for flocks to pass. They were killed by hunters or disappeared when their oak and beech habitats were destroyed. The last bird, named Martha (only the last of any species seems to merit a human name), died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1905." Here, in photographs and words, are stirring reminders of wild beauty that is no more, as well as profiles of species show more whose survival is in peril. Rosamond Purcell's seventy spectacular color photographs--taken primarily at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, Holland, which holds the world's most extensive collection of lost species--tell a haunting and foreboding tale. show lessTags
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Swift as a Shadow:Extinct and Endangered Animals is part science book part art book. It is the result of photographer Rosamond Purcell's invitation to photograph the extensive taxidermy collection of a Scandinavian natural history museum. Purcell chose to only include extinct and endangered animals in the book which makes the fact that her images are of stuffed animals rather than living creatures more significant. Especially for creatures extinct so long and preserved so awkwardly that it is clear the it's only remaining likeness is a poor representation of the original creature.
Each photo is accompanied by a brief description of the animal, where it lived and how its existence was cut short or is at risk. There a lot of interesting show more details, like the Laughing Owl's fatal affinity for accordion music and the Bush Wren's extinction being single-handedly orchestrated by a cat named Tibbles. show less
Each photo is accompanied by a brief description of the animal, where it lived and how its existence was cut short or is at risk. There a lot of interesting show more details, like the Laughing Owl's fatal affinity for accordion music and the Bush Wren's extinction being single-handedly orchestrated by a cat named Tibbles. show less
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