Darwin's Pigeons

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DARWIN’S PIGEONS –
A PHOTOGRAPHIC BOOK BY RICHARD BAILEY

In 1855 Charles Darwin wrote to his friend Charles Lyell, who was planning a visit to Down House, 'I will show you my pigeons! Which are the greatest treat, in my opinion, which can be offered to a human being'

Darwin was captivated by how far this one species could be changed, which led to him keeping and working with pigeons to show the similarity between artificial and natural selection. The humble pigeon was at the heart of his explanation of evolution.

Richard's images show this mass of variation perfectly.
As Darwin said 'the diversity of the breeds is something astonishing'

But, more than this, through Richard's eyes the pigeons take on an anthropomorphization. The different breeds take on different characteristics, some have a conceit about them, an air of self-importance as they puff up their chests and present themselves to the camera.

Darwin found his fancy pigeons to be 'a great treat' and I have no doubt that you will find this series of 'portraits' a great treat too.

Foreword by Randal Keynes OBE.
Randal Keynes is a British Conservationist, author and great-great grandson of Charles Darwin.

Introduction by Mike D. Shapiro
Michael D. Shapiro is an Associate Professor of Biology and Adjunct Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Utah.
His work addresses the genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary change.
Like Darwin, Dr Shapiro uses pigeons in his work and is world renowned for his exploration of the pigeon genome.

Photographs by Richard Bailey
Richard Bailey has been a professional photographer for over twenty years, taking pictures of all things feathered, furry and human.
He lives in London with his wife and three children.

Darwin’s Pigeons by Richard Bailey
BH Editions
160mm x 225mm
Hardback with jacket
96 pages full colour