Book Review: ‘The Spirit of Birds’ by Mark Smith

The Spirit of Birds

The Spirit of Birds by Mark Smith isn’t your standard coffee table book. While it has all the ingredients for being placed in the category of the merely decorative tomb that could grace your living room this holiday season: hardcover, large format, and replete with lush colour photographs, it separates from the norm in many ways.

Smith’s work differs from the usual in a number of extradorinaiy ways. Thematically, creatively, and the overall intelligence that imbues the book’s text, not only elevate it above the run of the mill coffee table book, but it also makes it a pleasure to read. Most of the time the text in these books is secondary to the photos – barely above the level of captions or explanatory notes.

In The Spirit of Birds Smith has done something far more significant. Each photograph is accompanied by a short essay not just about the subject matter, but other related topics. In one case it could be about the trek he had to make to actually locate the bird and what he encountered on the way in. (The photo of the Great Grey Owl’s text starts with his guides asking him how much pepper spray he’s brought with him in case of grizzly bear encounters). Or he could talk about the environment the bird lives in – each case provides a kind of context for the photograph and the subject matter’s appeal.

Smith’s writings on the birds he photographs takes the readers on journeys around the world and in a variety of environments and conditions. From deep in the heart of a boreal forest, swampy ponds covered in lily pads, to the oceans. Almost anywhere you’d expect to find birds living their lives you’ll find Smith has travelled.

In each description of a particular bird Smith does more than talk about the physical characteristics or its zoological significance. Instead he introduces them like friends. We learn about their personalities, their quirks and their foibles. He has obviously developed an intimate and caring relationship with his subjects over the years and he shares that with us.

From the intelligence and mischievousness of the crow – the photo of a crow sitting on the back of a flying eagle pulling its feathers like a rider would pull a horse’s reins is hilarious – to the beauty of the two Black-Necked Stilts sharing a caring embrace in the middle of a swamp. Each of the photos and the accompanying text are a revelation and a wonder.

All of us have watched nature shows or seen photos of animals or birds which have caused us to gasp. The Spirit of Birds takes us beyond gasping to the place of connection. Smith pulls us into their world so effectively that instead of seeing them as something different or separate from us we accept they have more in common with us than we thought.

They love, they worry, they court and they have a sense of humour. These are sentient beings who fill our world with their robust energy and beautiful colours. From the smallest humming bird to the largest raptor each are unique characters who make the world a far more interesting place.

Smith’s obvious love for his work and his subject matter – can you imagine squatting in a swamp being eaten by mosquitos for hours on end on the off chance you might capture an image – is transmitted in every word he writes and every picture he takes. For those who’ve never really thought about birds before this book will be a revelation. For those who already have a fascination with these amazing creatures The Spirit of Birds will serve as a wonderful affirmation of your belief in their unique nature.

The Spirit of Birds by Mark Smith isn’t your ordinary collection of bird photos – it will leave you spellbound. It’s not often you actually read that book laying on the coffee table – but this one will compel you to read it cover to cover.