natural history

Downy birch Betula pubescens showing flowers, catkins, leaves, fruiting scale, fruit, male catkin scale, and male catkin flower.  Elements are combined into one layout with annotations. Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Black spruce Picea mariana cones flowers needles layout with text Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Blossom of Rowan Sorbus acuparia.  Close up illustration of a cluster of flowers.

Rowan Sorbus aucuparia sprig showing opposite leaves and blossom.

Dahurian Larch Larix gmelinii tree showing krummholz symptoms due to arctic conditions Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

White Spruce Picea glauca tree showing bushy growth Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Black Spruce Picea marinara tree showing krummholz symptoms due to arctic conditions Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Downy Birch Betula pubescens tree showing krummholz symptoms due to arctic conditions Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Crack willow tree Salix fragilis showing it’s bushy habit Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Rawlence (publ. Jan 2022)

Jack Pine Pinus banksia tree showing straggly lower branches Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Ralence (publ. Jan 2022)

Siberian larch Larix sibirica tree Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Ralence (publ. Jan 2022)

Balsam poplar Populus balsamifera tree showing thinner branches due to the krummholz effect on northern trees pen & ink botanical illustration Illustration from “The Treeline: The last forest and the future of the planet” by Ben Ralence (publ. Jan 2022)

Flik flak spider Cabrennus rechenbergi facing us. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Flik flak spider cartwheel diagram,  showing Cabrennus rechenbergi and its unusual movement. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

DNA showing unravelling strands.  Pen and ink diagram.

Animal cell which is dissected to show key organelles and the nucleus.  Pen and ink diagram. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Dissecting microscope diagram.  Pen and ink line drawing. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Compound microscope illustration.  Line diagram Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)    

Tabby Cat Felis catus looking at the viewer and sitting on grass. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Bactrian camel Camelus bactrianus with a kneeling Dromedary Camelus dromedarius. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Electric eel Electrophorus electricus; complete animal and longditudinal cross section showing the three electric organs; namely Sach’s, Hunter’s and Main organ. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Electric eel Electrophorus electricus; complete animal and longditudinal cross section showing the three electric organs; namely Sach’s, Hunter’s and Main organ. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Pangolin Manis javanica on a log with background foliage, searching for ant nests to destroy and eat. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Waterloo International Station diagram showing how the roof echoes the curve of a pangolin Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)