Description
Do you love nature? Does your heart swell with joy at the sound of birdsong? Do you find yourself smiling when you see a colourful butterfly, or hear the screeching of returning Swifts? Do you stand in awe at the spectacle of a field cloaked red with poppies? Do you fell the pulse of the wild? Answer yes to any of these questions and this book is for you. Embark on a journey of discovery and become truly Naturally Connected.
Naturally Connected combines Barry’s wonderful nature photographs with his writings in a splendid new book showing much of Norfolk’s spectacular wildlife, and some from further afield. Barry is a lifelong resident of Norfolk where he developed a love of all things wild. In this book he documents his experiences of searching for, photographing and just admiring the beautiful wild creatures he has been lucky enough to dicover in his native county, around the UK, Europe and much further afield. Barry is a keen writer having over 300 published wildlife themed articles to his name. These have appeared in various magazines, blogs and websites, some feature in updated form in this book, although a lot of material has been specially written. He is keenly aware of the growing disconnect between modern day living and the natural world, and hopes this book will help people to become better connected with the splendour of nature.
After all we only need to look.
“Barry’s passion for his subjects is generously shared and superbly accompanied by his own photographs. A book to savour!”
– Martin Kelsey OBE, Birding Extramadura
“Barry’s enthusiasm, combined with his story-telling skills, will enable you to experience the wild world as if you were there alongside him. He delights in both the commonplace and the unusual and rare. Read and, and share Barry’s joy and wonder at some of the worlds most spectacular wildlife sites and sights.”
– David North, Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
MS LEIGH BEEBY –
I would thoroughly recommend the book Naturally Connected by the author Barry Madden its interesting and informative ,a very good read and some amazing photographs to appreciate ,its definately a book to go back to again and again ,there is something for everyone to enjoy ,a lovely book.
Alison Bacon –
This is a wonderful, inspirational book, packed full of interesting informative stories and humorous anecdotes. I’ve lived in Norfolk all my life and had no idea I had so much amazing wildlife on my doorstep. The photographs are outstanding and I loved the way they are used throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading about Barry Madden’s worldwide travels and the diverse wildlife and birds he’s been lucky enough to encounter. A beautifully designed and thoroughly enjoyable book. Highly recommended.
darren archer –
There are many critisism of current nature writing. I went here. I saw that. I went on a path of self discovery (and came out a better/changed person). This is not one of those kinds of books. What you get at the end section is the feeling that you have been into the field with a self-taught naturalist who really knows his stuff. You get the sense of childlike wonder of slowing down, stopping and looking at things as if for the first time. His words are backed up by amazing images on every page. A real treat.
Allan Archer –
This is more a journey than a book. Top class naturalist, Barry, takes you from some of the best wildlife sites Norfolk has to offer and then back to his Norfolk garden, via numerous countries which are renowned for their natural treasures. You really do feel you are with Barry on each of the trips described such is the quality of his informal, yet informative, writing style. And a lot of those ‘natural treasures’ are pictured here through a mixture of stunning pictures and paintings. A highly enjoyable read.
Francis Farrow (via Barry Madden) –
Review: Naturally Connected – Barry Madden
I found many times while reading this book a connection with the writer as my natural history journey has similar elements. Barry Madden through his enthusiasm, curiosity and just joy of the natural world has managed not only to capture ‘moments’ but has brought them to life with his descriptive writing and stunning photographs. If you are used to being out and about among ‘nature’ you will instantly identify with much of the book’s content as the essays explore local places, particularly Norfolk’s RSPB and NWT reserves, and shares privileged encounters with some of its inhabitants or a feature of the landscape. At times you can feel the cold winds sweeping across the Cley marshes from a restless North Sea or hear the rustle of reeds under a wide Broadland sky. It is almost like you are there walking alongside. There is a chapter also on foreign places – those distant areas of the world where iconic wildlife can be seen by those able and adventurous enough to travel. At the present time with travel restricted what a marvel it is to have these places and their incredible wildlife brought to our homes through personal and beautiful descriptive observations to enable us to connect momentarily with those exotic species. If you are one of the many people who have discovered ‘nature’ recently or have had time to rediscover it then ‘Naturally Connected’ is a must read. The connections created by the moments described by a true and talented naturalist will inspire you to make your own connections with the natural world, particularly the wealth of nature still on our door‐ step in Norfolk despite the threats and losses over the years. While we are not all able to express and describe our experiences so eloquently as the author, we will have those personal encounters in our minds, in our hearts, our moments to cherish and to uplift our spirits. This book will start that journey for some and bring delight to those that are already travelling.
Francis Farrow, Assistant Secretary, Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society
Terry Redhead –
It’s a terrific read. The images are spectacular and, although once you start reading it is hard to put down, you can go back to it again and again and uncover another glorious photograph or read another interesting fact
Paul Aldrich –
Just finished reading your book, you should be very proud of yourself as it was bloody marvellous!!. To anybody that has not bought a copy I would urge you to do so. (via Facebook)
Kate Stephenson –
I love it! It’s been keeping me company this summer and it’s just brilliant 🙂
Ray Dack –
Informative, well written, enjoyable, easy to read with a good sprinkling of down to earth humour.
barrymadden353 –
Fatbirder View:
So, you go to all these places, enjoy the birds, count them, tick them off, maybe take photos… what then? There are three stages of any outing or trip whether it be a stolen half hour to get a year tick during your lunch break, or a month touring southern Africa. You plan, you experience and then you re-live it. Sometimes re-living it is a lonely daydream or a whiff of nostalgia, other times you share.
I enjoy birding. I enjoy hearing about other people’s birding and, perhaps more than anything, I enjoy telling others about my birding. Sometimes it’s a quick email to tell my son how I lucked upon an eagle, other times its reiterating a fond memory of an overseas trip with my partner where we recall, each from a slightly different angle.
If I can’t go birding, or indulge my own birding memories, the only thing that can scratch that itch is to hear about other people’s birding. As Barry says himself, writing down his thoughts and experiences and sharing his photos is one of his ways to scratch that same itch.
I recon I can weave a pretty good tale, and recount a birding anecdote but what I cannot do is show others my triumphs or disasters unless they are happy to strain eyes squinting at my smart phone, trying to pick up a blurred outline of a half-hidden bird up a densely foliated tree.
Barry can trump me with some excellent photos whether it be the home-grown stunner of a Short-eared Owl or the extraordinary colours of an exotic Quetzal.
I don’t think there is a poor photo among the hundreds he uses to decorate his recollections; the photos range from really nice to bloody wonderful. I envy and admire those photos.
The only mild criticism I have of the book is nothing to do with the author and photographer… it is literally a heavy book. It looks like a quite normal one but, because the paper quality has been chosen to show off the quality of the photographs in glossy glory, it is weighty heavy-duty stuff. I can understand why the photos are king, they are sumptuous and often carry the narrative. However, the print is slightly (fashionably) grey and the font a size too small, making it harder for older eyes to read. I’ve noticed a trend in book design where darker print is used for headlines or encapsulating paragraphs and this consigns the rest of the text to a less contrasting colour. Its probable another victim of the internet where websites have no such constraints. I think I would have suffered the loss of a few photos to up the print size, or stuck with black print throughout.
Don’t be put off by such a minor quibble. Any birder will enjoy dipping into this compendium of musings and birding days. And so connect with the nature Barry has experienced and cherished.
barrymadden353 –
Rick Simpson – WaderQuest
Excellent read, full of anecdotes and facts. My sort of book.
This is a book for anyone who has ever enjoyed a ‘natural moment’ when you feel at one with the environment around you. Full of interesting facts about life that is right under our noses but largely goes unnoticed. I particularly like the short sections, which mean you can dip into this book when you have a few spare moments without losing any flow and, if like me, you can’t put it down, then you can just keep going. It is worth noting too that the photos are all the authors and pertain to what is written in the text, not as examples, but at records of the actual creature or event. Well worth a read.
Janet Trewin –
What a great piece of work. The observations and detail are fascinating. I particularly like the fact that, since I too am in Norfolk, the locations are either known to me or within easy reach…but , frankly, none of this would be anything like as enjoyable if it wasn’t for the fantastic photography. I too log everything I do and all places I go with pictures. Sadly, mine seldom achieve this level of excellence. It must have taken a scary amount of time to put together. I’m glad you did.