⚫㊐✨Heather Mc Erlean❦㈦㊏
asked
Jeffrey McKinnon:
Thank you for writing this book. Though I didn't win the free copy, I would like to thank you for giving people a chance to win it. My questions are: 1. What is your favorite animal in the water? 2. Do you have plans to write any other books on this same subject? What inspired you to write this book?
Jeffrey McKinnon
Heather: Sorry you didn't win! Thanks for your question.
I am hard pressed to pick a favorite animal but here are a few thoughts. I am enraptured by Lake Baikal's sponges, which look like leafless little green-limbed trees and form a forest along the bottom in parts of Baikal--but in fact are simple (and ancient) animals with algae living in their tissues. I love encountering diving birds underwater and have wonderful memories of swimming with a cormorant in Lake Malawi. I am also very fond of Lake Matano's sailfin silverside fish, which I worked on for years in Sulawesi.
More books: I have ideas for books on related topics, though not the same one. Hopefully "Our Ancient Lakes" is well received and the publishers are keen to have more from me. I am very grateful for the interest the book has so far elicited on Goodreads.
Inspiration: I really decided to write the book when I saw Sulawesi's Lake Matano becoming more and more distressed and disturbed--I felt I had to do something beyond basic research and local outreach. I also thought ancient lakes simply deserve more respect and celebration. They are neglected wonders! Finally, I love to read myself, and wanted to try my hand at making a contribution of my own. Non-fiction writers who have inspired me include Gerald Durrell, Farley Mowat, E.O. Wilson, Eugenie Clark, Jonathan Weiner, and more recently Ed Yong, Jim Costa, Steve Austad, Dolph Schluter, Andrea Wolf, Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Tim Flannery; but there are many more and I also read plenty of fiction, lately more poetry as well.
I am hard pressed to pick a favorite animal but here are a few thoughts. I am enraptured by Lake Baikal's sponges, which look like leafless little green-limbed trees and form a forest along the bottom in parts of Baikal--but in fact are simple (and ancient) animals with algae living in their tissues. I love encountering diving birds underwater and have wonderful memories of swimming with a cormorant in Lake Malawi. I am also very fond of Lake Matano's sailfin silverside fish, which I worked on for years in Sulawesi.
More books: I have ideas for books on related topics, though not the same one. Hopefully "Our Ancient Lakes" is well received and the publishers are keen to have more from me. I am very grateful for the interest the book has so far elicited on Goodreads.
Inspiration: I really decided to write the book when I saw Sulawesi's Lake Matano becoming more and more distressed and disturbed--I felt I had to do something beyond basic research and local outreach. I also thought ancient lakes simply deserve more respect and celebration. They are neglected wonders! Finally, I love to read myself, and wanted to try my hand at making a contribution of my own. Non-fiction writers who have inspired me include Gerald Durrell, Farley Mowat, E.O. Wilson, Eugenie Clark, Jonathan Weiner, and more recently Ed Yong, Jim Costa, Steve Austad, Dolph Schluter, Andrea Wolf, Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Tim Flannery; but there are many more and I also read plenty of fiction, lately more poetry as well.
More Answered Questions
⚫㊐✨Heather Mc Erlean❦㈦㊏
asked
Jeffrey McKinnon:
I will definitely be getting your book. I have read some Ed Yong and know of Aimee Nezhukumatathil. I looked up each and their books. Thank you for the answers. I cannot wait to read your book. If you had to pick from all other books, which one or more would you say are the best to start with in order to get a deeper understanding of the problems we face protecting this earth?
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