Land of Birds is a stunning new book of New Zealand bird illustrations. Using the structure of a naturalist's journal, Niels Meyer-Westfeld has created a very personal and sensitive tribute to this country's remarkable birdlife.
The heart of Land of Birds is his beautifully detailed illustrations of birds, covering all of our best-loved wetland, sea and forest species. The main illustrations are supported by beautifully rendered sketches and working drawings.
Accompanying the illustrations is text from the author, which provides information about the species, and anecdotes about the process of creating his artwork. His text is also an impassioned call for a greater awareness of the wider threats that so much of our endangered birdlife faces in New Zealand.
Land of Birds will appeal to anyone with a passion for New Zealand's flora and fauna, particularly birds, as well as those with an interest in illustration and art.
Niels Meyer-Westfeld trained in Germany and worked as a graphic designer in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand in 2002. He was a senior designer at NZ Post before joining his wife's fashion business in charge of marketing, web development and graphic design. Niels has always had a passion for nature and illustration, and his growing fascination with New Zealand's unique natural history led him to develop this series of bird drawings. He lives with his wife and two sons in Wellington.