There is a delicate balance in nature. Unintended consequences of progress arethe endangerment of that balance and thus of many species of animals. Over alifetime, I’ve watched as more and more of these magnificent creatures have becomeendangered. Some are even on the brink of extinction. What alarm would be soundedif the world were down to its last 4,000 people? Even four million would probably bealarming to those remaining. Yet, many of the animals featured in this book havepopulations that are that dangerously low or lower.The recent fires in Australia have wiped out hundreds of animals including theadorable koala bears. The clearing of the Amazon and burning of brush is creating adisplacement of animal species as well the environmental impact to humans. Theburgeoning cities of America are taking more acreage away from rural communitieswhere animal life has been in abundance, making for the sighting of wild animals inthe cities a growing concern. Changing climate conditions are allowing for a furtherexpansion of animals into otherwise hostile environments further north, for example, the sighting of alligators in the Wolf River in Memphis.New illnesses are threatening other populations of animals such as chronicwasting disease that is threatening deer populations. As the imbalance in nature'scycles grow larger, the threat to animals increases.This book is written with the hope those who read it will care deeply aboutpreserving this splendid fauna of planet Earth. It is also a side wish that people willtake up photography as a hobby of enjoyment and learning. Communing with naturestarts with respect for the creation that surrounds each of us. All creatures great andsmall. We humans need them all. Many thanks for reading this. Enjoy thesemagnificent animals