The Glitter in the Green: In Search of Hummingbirds

Dunn's vast love letter is as gleaming and mesmeric as its tiny subject. His travels to observe the often elusive family Trochilidae take him from the smoky air of an Alaska besieged by wildfire, to coastal Santa Marta, Colombia. The book ... is as much an ode to our world writ large as it is to one of its most captivating birds * Vanity Fair * ~ The Glitter in the Green braids the cultural history and daunting needs and feats of these wondrous birds with vivid accounts of the author's sometimes hazardous, far-flung mountain, forest and island expeditions ... Exceedingly well-researched and packed with fascinating lore, it should appeal to avid birders and general readers alike -- Heller McAlpin * Wall Street Journal * ~ Ever thoughtful and engaging, Jon Dunn pursues these dazzling creatures through dust and jungle to the chillier shores at the far end of the world -- Benedict Allen ~ Enticing ... brilliant ... a warm-hearted and enthusiastic triumph of nature writing, passionate yet expert, human and humane as well as biologically spot on, freighted with life that is troublingly exciting, and sparkling with its subject ... a memorable and essential book -- Tim Dee ~ An adventure-filled, continent-spanning travelogue ... By carefully peeling back layers of history to find shimmering hummingbirds hidden within, Dunn has created essential reading to understand human obsession-past and present-with these remarkable creatures -- Jonathan C. Slaght ~ This is more than a bird book ... It combines one person's adventure with arguably the most spectacular group of birds in the world: hummingbirds! The immensely talented writer Jon Dunn follows these highly diverse jewels from Alaska, down the Americas to Tierra del Fuego, and weaves an environmental and cultural dialogue around these hummers and the human-dominated world they live in -- Dr. Joel Cracraft The author chronicles his travels from his home in the Shetland Islands to the Americas in search of this alluring bird... A mesmerizing, wonder-filled nature study that also serves as a cautionary tale about wildlife conservation. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review * ~ An engaging history of the species ... This inviting narrative describes the author's search for the rare Mangrove Hummingbird in Costa Rica, as well as others threatened with habitat loss in Cuba and Mexico ... An essential book for bird watchers, especially hummingbird lovers, as well as anyone interested in natural history -- Mark Jones * Library Journal * ~ A delightful and rich adventure into hummingbird territory, recounted with a deftly literate touch. A glittering treat -- Dominic Couzens, author of 'A Bird a Day' ~ A rich, fascinating and absorbing book, combining personal adventure with the natural history of the most magical birds on the planet -- Lev Parikian, author of 'Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear' and 'Into the Tangled Bank' ~