While one volume can hardly do justice to the kaleidoscopic variety of fauna that share the planet with us, what Günther Komnick has done here is to make a selection of birdlife, insect life, mammals, predators and prey, marine and land-based. Komnick has given us a selection of inspired images of creatures going about their daily activities or just merely doing what they do best, hunting for prey, whether it be in the Antarctic, in Asia, in Northern Europe or in the African bush or in deserts, mostly shown in their natural habitat, communing with their fellows, in resplendent colours. To our eyes they even acquire an ethereal quality as the images are almost invasive, providing an intimate glimpse of the animals most unaware of the human intrusion into their lives. Komnick also spares a couple of frames for domesticated animals and pets, photogenic cats and monkeys, ever curious about the world around them.

by Dr Wilhelm Snyman, Auckland, New Zealand