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About this book
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About this book
Step into Nature is a week-by-week Irish nature diary that serves as a personal invitation to explore the wonders of the natural world. Author and naturalist Rachel McKenna guides readers through every season, showcasing the fascinating wildlife that surrounds us, from the 'vibrant fungi of January' to the 'intricate ecosystems of old stone walls.'
With engaging prose, McKenna strikes the perfect balance between information and inspiration, enhancing the reader's understanding of the natural world. The book is beautifully illustrated with McKenna's stunning photographs, such as the striking image of a 'rare pink grasshopper resting on the seed head of a bird's foot trefoil on Finnamore Lake in Lough Boora.' The addition of hand-drawn sketches further enriches the reader's experience.
Step into Nature encourages readers to actively engage with the natural world by taking the time to stop, look, and notice its beauty and complexity. McKenna emphasises that noticing nature is an active choice that can enrich our lives and deepen our connection to the world around us.
This book will appeal to a wide audience, from experienced naturalists to neophyte nature enthusiasts. It opens doors to a new generation of readers who wish to discover the wonders of nature in their own corner of the world and inspires them to preserve it for future generations. Step into Nature is a must-read for anyone seeking to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world and foster a sense of stewardship for the environment.
Customer Reviews
Biography
Rachel McKenna is a dedicated naturalist and citizen scientist who has been involved in documenting species with the National Biodiversity Data Centre and several special interest groups, such as 'Insects and Invertebrates of Ireland', 'MothsIreland', and 'British and Irish Sawflies'.
Rachel is the Senior Executive Architect in Offaly County Council and the author of three books on architecture. Her most recent work, Traditional Architecture in Offaly was shortlisted and received an Honourable Mention in the Katharine Briggs Award 2023. Her other publications include Flights of Fancy: Follies, Families and Demesnes in Offaly (2017) and Geashill: The Evolution of its Architecture (2012).
By: Rachel McKenna(Author)
432 pages, colour photos, colour illustrations
"The author gives a lovely descriptive sense of what is expected, for example, starting in January which is a "generally cold, grey month in Ireland". Each week and month proceed similarly and gives an honest appraisal of Ireland and what might be expected, for example when the author describes visiting a "damp, uninspiring day" at Clara Bog in June. All this narrative is not overly intrusive and adds character [...] I was taken aback by the detailed and beautiful artwork of nature which appears liberally throughout this book – all illustrated and designed by the author! [...] What I love most about this book is the sheer scale of diversity of Irish biodiversity covered within. The Index alone is 21 pages, a testament to the book's coverage. There are groups of species covered in this book I don't think I have ever seen in other 'popular' publications such as, for example, caddisflies, gall-living insects, hoverflies, lacehoppers, sawflies, and various varieties of plant and fungi. It truly is a deep dive into Irish nature."
– Hugh B. Feeley
"Step into Nature is a monthly guide to what's out there. McKenna resists the urge to write too much – or too enthusiastically – about different species; instead, she offers just enough to whet our appetites and motivate us to go out and discover more. She draws our attention to the stuff that grows around us but is easily ignored. In the cold months of January, she writes about the colourful fungi nestled in the decaying leaves. The names are glorious: candlesnuff, glistening inkcap, scarlet caterpillarclub. There's a photograph of an orange gelatinous mass, a fungus known as "yellow brain" (aka witch's butter), which feeds off fungi that grow on fallen branches and gorse. Step into Nature calls our attention to the richness of life and reminds us that noticing orchids, ragged robins and birdsong is an active choice..there's a world of beauty that's freely available to all of us, if we decide to see it."
– Ella McSweeney, The Irish Times
