The Naturalist's Almanac

Nature is cyclic with the same things occurring at the same time each and every year, whether it be the night sky, migration of birds, or the emergence of miller moths. In The Naturalist's Almanac, Peyton takes you through the year, month by month, looking at the various cycles of nature that are associated with each month. The year starts with wolves and ends with the discussion of reindeer. In between are recaps of weather events, stories of different constellations, and multiple natural history essays about a variety of birds, insects, and other animals. In addition, Peyton talks about the impact of smallpox on the New World, the drama associated with the development of vaccines for polio, irrigation, the problem with longitude, and the determination of the birthday of Earth. The Naturalist's Almanac is a look at nature as we once again make a trip around the sun.

-- Mark M. Peyton