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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation
Discover the astonishing truth about our aquatic cousins: how they
think and what they know, their experiences and unique behaviours,
and the many things we have in common. There are 33,000 species of
fish on our planet, and that number is constantly increasing. In
context, that is more than all the species of mammals, birds,
amphibians and reptiles added together, making fish the most
numerous vertebrates on our planet. Waters worldwide are teeming
with these elusive creatures, but how much do we really know about
them? Grouped into thematic chapters - including the Dangerous and
Deadly,Unusual Giants and Mini Marvels - in this comprehensive book
biologist Doug Mackay-Hope profiles the secret lives of 50 of our
most interesting underwater cousins in an insightful and
myth-busting study, complete with charming watercolour diagrams and
expert insights. Learn about the White-Spotted Pufferfish, whose
spines hide a deadly toxin, or the Ocellate River Stingray, who
lurks in the rivers of South America and who can kill with just one
touch of it's barbed stinger. Meet Bargibant's Pygmy Seahorse, who
measures just 2cm in length, as well as the enourmous Whale Shark,
which grows to around 13m in length. Be fascinated by the wierd
creatures of the deep ocean, such as the Peter's Elephantnosed Fish
or the kaleidescopic Picasso's Triggerfish. With a foreword by
Jeremy Wade, presenter of River Monsters and Mighty Rivers, and
official fish aficionado, this book is a complete compendium of
fascinating fish facts, with maps showing where in the globe they
can be found, plus facts on how they live, hunt and escape
predators. Beautiful illustrations and photographs accompany each
entry, as well as interesting facts on how they evolved to adapt
tochanging environments, making this book the perfect guide to all
things aquatic.
A simple strand of paracord can save your life. Find out how in
this book! Whether you're camping, hiking, or simply on a walk and
find yourself in an emergency situation, cordage is one of the most
useful and important items a person can have. From the same author
who wrote the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping & Outdoor
Survival Guide, Bryan Lynch teaches readers the basics of survival,
7 ways to carry paracord, and 30 ways it can save your life, from
creating fire, collecting water, and repairing gear to its medical
uses. Don't limit yourself and learn the history of how paracord is
made, what it was originally used for in the military, why it's so
popular and useful, and why you'll always want to have it on you.
Trust us, you'll want to know.
OS Explorer is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map and is
recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking,
horse riding and off-road cycling. The OS Explorer range of OL maps
now includes a digital version of the paper map, accessed through
the OS smartphone app, OS Maps. Providing complete GB coverage the
series details essential information such as youth hostels, pubs
and visitor information as well as rights of way, permissive paths
and bridleways.
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Fool's Paradise
(Paperback)
John Gierach; Illustrated by Glen Wolff
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R381
R355
Discovery Miles 3 550
Save R26 (7%)
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Ships in 18 - 22 working days
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If John Gierach is living in a fool's paradise, then it's a
paradise that his regular readers will recognize and new fans will
delight in discovering. Laced with the inimitable blend of wit and
wisdom that have made him fly-fishing's foremost scribe, "Fool's
Paradise" chronicles the fishing life in all its glory (catching
your biggest fish ever) and squalor (being stranded in a tent
during a soaking rainstorm). In Gierach's world, both experiences
are valuable, and both evoke humor and insight.
Fishermen everywhere will understand Gierach's quest to discover
and explore new waters (and then not to divulge the best locations
to anyone), the unlikely appeal of winter fly-fishing ("the ice
fishing shanty served the dual purpose of group therapy and the
neighborhood tavern"), how impossible it is to predict the best
fishing ("Everything that happens is entirely familiar, but I don't
always see it coming"), or even the absurdity of the entire
exercise ("day after day, you're casting a fly that doesn't look
like anything to fish that aren't hungry and may not even be
there"). Braving trips on small prop planes and down "Oh-My-God"
roads alike, Gierach and his fishing buddies pursue bull trout in
British Columbia, steelhead in the Rocky Mountains, and pike so
fierce that a wise fisherman wears Kevlar gloves for the obligatory
trophy photo.
But as with any activity that depends on unspoiled wilderness,
change is constant. Gierach sees this happening both in the
landscape ("You never get to point at a meadow full of browsing
mule deer and say, 'You know, all this was once condos.'") and at
lodges that now require guests to sign liability waivers ("[I] had
a brief vision of herds of lawyers coursing over the tundra in
search of litigation"). Just the same, he is always awed by the
experience of nature, or as he puts it: "You're on a lovely, remote
wilderness river in the Alaskan backcountry. There are people who
would make this trip and not even bring a fishing rod."
Musing on the enduring appeal of fishing, Gierach theorizes,
"We're so used to the fake and the packaged that encountering
something real can amount to a borderline religious experience."
Equal parts fishing lore, philosophy, and great fish stories,
"Fool's Paradise" may not be a perfect substitute for actually
being out on the water, but it's surely the next best thing.
From mastering your technique and setting your pace to walking in different climates and terrains, this practical guide has everything you need to transform your health and fitness. Get moving with step-by-step introductions to new ways to walk and do it right with science-backed training programmes for all levels. Boost your mental healthLengthen your lifeImprove mobility & flexibilityReduce your risk of disease Begin your low-impact, high-reward regime today for a happier, healthier, and longer life.
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