“Stunning.”

“Awesome.”

“Oh, cool!”

This beautiful photographic celebration of the Florida Everglades is, in part, a tribute to the author’s deceased brother, who provoked those around him to see the beauty in the finest detail. Curzon utilizes wording in such a way as to inspire readers to really see what his photographs reveal. The large coffee table book itself is also impressive, heavyweight and good quality.

About 20 total pages of text are split up into sections throughout the book, such as where Curzon describes his solo trips through the Everglades over the years and his need to participate in the protection of the environment and express his awe of the Everglades’ diversity. His essay on the environment - how it was formed, the people who have used the area and how it has changed over the years to what it is today - is quite engagting. Readers will find information on success stories of environmental efforts as well as current threats to the area. The book closes with resources and organizations connected to the Florida Everglades. At times the author's writing can seem a bit wordy, so don’t expect light reading material.

Of course, one can easily enjoy this book based on the photographs alone. The dream-like lightning strikes, algae-streaked wildlife, detailed shots of scales, feathers, leaves, fauna and parallel sheets of falling rain evoke a sense of reverence in the reader. Check out the reflective raindrops (one of my favorites) and the startlingly intricate design of the blue eyes of the white ibis. Tree snails that look like jewelry, snakes that look like they’ve been sprayed with shellac, gorgeous shots of turtles highlighting their eyes and designs; birds, butterflies and grasshoppers so colorful they look like they were dipped in a box of melting crayons.

Light Fading is distributed by the National Book Network and published by Peter E. Randall Publisher. It offers 320 pages of full color photography for the nature and environment genre buffs. Having been printed in China increases the environmental footprint of the book, which is in hardcover format, cloth bound and with a slipcover jacket. Only one photograph seems to have been altered, and one other photograph is from a contributor – all other images are the original works of Joel Curzon.