Animal Architecture: Photographs of Natural Habitats Hardcover – Illustrated, April 22, 2014

Thought I knew what would be in this book, but was unprepared for the many different examples and great photographs. These creatures have the ability to make amazing structures.How do they do it (?) is the pertinent question unless we are ready to realize in them the intelligence it must require. Not only is their building time-proven for millions of years but in the true nature of form and function we are witness to the sheer beauty of what to them is a necessity, done for a reason yet astounding in the clarity and precision. I was waiting for this book to arrive so as to provide hoped-for inspiration in a new series of paintings, but now I feel overwhelmed with choices and more than a bit humbled. Excellent book!

I love words.However, there is nothing quite like a picture to really get across something unique. Hence my fascination with picture books that take me places and show me things that I would never be able to experience on my own."Animal Architecture" is one such book and it is, to put it bluntly, amazingstunningawesomegood. That word really does exist. Mostly so I could talk about this book.Ingo Arndt has gathered together some amazing examples of structures built by non-human animals. There are termite mounds, bird nests, beaver dams and structures you've never even heard of but now must know more about.Arndt does an outstanding job of finding just the right picture, from just the right viewpoint, with just the right lightning to sincerely showcase every single structure in the book. This immediately went to pride of place on my living-room table so I can show it off to anyone who comes into the house.Definitely worth the money and worth the time you'll spend lingering over every gorgeous photograph.

I sculpt with clay and bought this for inspiring images for forms and textures.Love it

This is reaching into a wonderful zone not reached by many Photographers. My wife and I looked a one page at a time something we rarely find time to do when it arrived. I instantly ordered a copy for my daughter who is NY Designer and tough to please and sent it to her and she responded the same way we did. The choice of subjects is so special and unique I am sure the aesthetic of the author is the blessed reason. The Foreword is by Jim Brandenburg who writes a very thoughtful essay. Good Luck

Nice book but the photography style is some what outdated. I expected more closed up photographs in the book.

I really loved everything about this book. It deepened my understanding of how really clever animals are. I love that a nest is not a haphazard thing and that I would never be able to copy one. It is a great book to pick up and turn to any page and be gobsmacked by their abilities. I appreciate them even more than I thought possible.

I ordered this book and was very excited. My expectations were met. I love this book. I just got it today and love it already. The photographs are beautiful, and the infromation is interesting, and informative. I know I will enjoy this book for many years to come. I'm 33, I'm kind of a book junky, also a photographer and animal/ living creature fanatic. This book is for you if you are anything like me.

Beautiful but lots of bugs. I thought it would have more mammals and less colonies of insects.