natural history

Cross section diagram showing cooling air pathways through the termite mound Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Termite mound from near the equator Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Woodpecker skull with hyoid structure and tongue Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Polar bear with detail of the skin and fur, and SEM scale detail of guard hairs. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Hexapod Snow flea Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua with curved tail Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Gecko foot anatomy showing branched setae under magnification.  This microscopic branching is what makes gecko feet so sticky.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Aryee (BBC Books).

Mosquito mouthparts diagram featuring an Anopholes female mosquito.  These mouthparts allow the mosquito to break skin, and access blood without disturbing the host. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini.  These aquatic microscopic animals are almost bomb proof, and certainly are some of the toughest animals on planet Earth.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Blue mussels Mytilus edulis with byssal threads on wooden piling.  Illustration includes barnacles and limpets, and some bladder wrack seaweed.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Web stabilimentum showing cruciate type, in the web of the orb spider Silver agriope Agriope argentata. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Small-leaved or Small leaved Lime Tilia cordata sketchbook page

Silver birch Betula pendula sketchbook page with a focus on the leaves

Pear sprig with blossom, leaves and fruit Pyrus communis

Oak sudden death Phytophthora ramorum fungi and algae pest on Oak tree Quercus

Oak spangle galls from wasp Tilia platyphyllos and Silk button galls from wasp Neuroterus numismalis on Oak leaf Quercus robu

Oak Quercus robur sketchbook page including flowers and young leaves

Magnolia sprig Magnolia grandiflora in flower with leaves not yet out

Sea Buck-thorn Hippophae rhamnoides shrub pen and ink with colour wash

Sea Buckthorn shrub Hippophae rhamnoides.  Pen and ink illustration shows elongate leaves, low shrubby growth habit, and berries.

Lilac Syringa vulgaris tree pen and ink.  Illustration shows the tree in full bloom.

Lilac Syringa vulgaris tree pen and ink.  Illustration shows the tree in full bloom.

Magnolia tree Magnolia grandiflora tree pen and ink with colour wash.  Illustration shows the tree in flower, before the leaves appear.

Magnolia Magnolifia gradiflora tree, showing the tree in full flower, before the leaves appear.