Growing up, conservation scientist Louise K Blight was drawn to books about extinct or endangered species, which led her to a career in biological research. Since research and academia are largely concerned with observing and measuring the external world, Where the Earth Meets the Sky comfortably coexists with more human thoughts and experiences.

This is Blight’s first non-academic book, a personal and immersive reflection on a summer spent researching penguin populations in Antarctica. Along with the expected research details of environmental conditions, bird behaviour, eggs, chicks and breeding cycles, Blight shares her day-to-day lived experiences and adventures. (Deciding which boots and gloves to wear to keep out the cold, playing scrabble, parcels of chocolates, books and coffee arriving from loved ones, unexpected flooding of living quarters, sharing a glass of red wine with pilots and volunteers, bunking with her research peers.)

However, the book also explores Blight’s inner world in the context of the isolation of Antarctica and the role of human relationships. ‘It’s something about relying on another person for your survival.’ In an indifferent wilderness, Blight finds comfort, solace and profound insight as she contemplates the cycles of life and death, penguins and nature, and finding her place in the pale monochromatic beauty and solitude of Antarctica. She arrives home transformed and encourages readers to ‘proceed with an open heart’ in conversation with nature.

Reviewed by Mark Parry

Read an extract from Where the Earth Meets the Sky here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louise K. Blight is a conservation scientist with a PhD in zoology from the University of British Columbia. An adjunct professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Environmental Studies, she is also co-chair of the birds specialist group of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, the expert national body that assesses threatened species. Louise lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, with her partner, their dog, and two indoor cats.

Read more about Louise Blight’s work.

Visit the publishers website here.