Owls in the Ice. How the World's Largest Eagle Owl Was Saved

This is a book about the fish owl, one of the largest owls in the world. And it is an American's book about Russia. The feathered giant inhabits pristine forests near water bodies rich in fish, and such conditions can still be found in Russia's Primorye region in the Far East. That is why the meeting between aspiring ornithologist Jonathan Slat and the mysterious and rare bird took place here—a meeting that changed the scientist's life. Together with his Russian colleagues, Slat sets out to search for fish owls with the goal of devising a plan to save the endangered species. They face frosty nights camping in tents, wild snowmobile races over melting river ice, hopes and fortunes, and frustrating mistakes. The main characters of the book are the fish owls: nimble hunters, devoted parents, performers of mesmerizing duets—they are impossible not to love alongside the author. There are also “secondary” characters—people accustomed to surviving in the harsh conditions of taiga forests. Many things in Russia are strange to the American, and this adds a unique flavor to the stories of the daily lives of field researchers and the (often excessively) hospitable residents of Primorsky Krai. Dramatic and lyrical scenes, sharp and ironic observations—all in the narrative are subordinated to the idea of the beauty and vulnerability of the wild nature.