cover image South Sea Islands: A Natural History

South Sea Islands: A Natural History

Rod Morris, Alison Balance, Alison Ballance. Firefly Books, $35 (160pp) ISBN 978-1-55297-609-8

With iguanas that blend into their surroundings so well they're difficult to see and mountains made entirely of volcanic rock eroded by wind and rain, the islands of the South Seas are filled with wondrous sights. New Zealand filmmakers Balance and Morris present an island-by-island view of the region's flora and fauna, explaining their attributes and origins. They cover 13 major islands, including Fiji, Madagascar, Hawaii, New Guinea, Tasmania and Easter Island. Balance's unfussy prose explains the sights to a general audience (e.g.,""We usually think of parrots as bright, tropical birds, but... parrots such as the mountain kea and its forest cousin the kaka are quite drab""). Morris shares 150 full color photos, portraying such dazzling images as a monkey grasshopper with huge eyes and pink wings; and a finch that has evolved a honeyeater's bill feeding on the beautiful flowers of the koli'i plant. Their volume makes a lovely, and informative, introduction to this famous region.