"This book is fabulous and takes you close inside the wild world, where you feel the creatures whispering your old name."—Craig Foster, My Octopus Teacher Learn how to decode the secret conversations of wild animals all around you. From a Yellowstone naturalist and expert in animal language comes “a tantalizing guide to revamping our approach to wild things.” ( WSJ ) Growing up in rural New York, as a young man George Bumann learned to track deer and turkeys as a hunter. Then everything changed. He left his hunting days behind and began an extraordinary journey into the more-than-human world … Humans once relied on the calls of wild animals to understand the natural world and their place within it. Now, this remarkable guide reveals what our ancestors knew long ago—that tuning in to the owl in the tree, the deer in the gully, can tell us important information and help us feel connected to our wild community. In Eavesdropping on Animals , George Bumann shares the fascinating stories and insights he has gained from studying wildlife around the world for more than forty years, the last twenty of which have been spent leading popular programs on animal language and intelligence in Yellowstone National Park. Bumann shares tips, tricks, and advice for readers living in urban, suburban and rural areas and clearly shows us that you don’t need an exotic vacation or a biology degree to have transformative wildlife encounters. Listening to and observing creatures in your own backyard, on nearby trails, and in local parks, seashores, fields, and forests can lead to extraordinary experiences and a profound sense of belonging. Are you ready to eavesdrop on your wild neighbors? Are you ready to learn how to tell a warning call from a mating call, a purr of satisfaction from idle chatter? Then this book is for you! "Bumann's unmitigated delight in being part of wildlife conversations is palpable and contagious...With an abundance of anecdotes and suggested exercises, Eavesdropping on Animals demonstrates the benefits and possibilities that await readers attuned to the wildlife conversations around them." — Shelf Awareness " Eavesdropping on Animals is an essential read deserving of a global audience" — Psychology Today "A Yellowstone wildlife ecologist and artist exhorts readers to open up our senses to the outdoors...Bumann’s notion that wildlife in conversation is as incessant and universal as human communication is pleasing." — Kirkus Reviews “[Bumann’s] enthusiasm for discovering more about the natural world is infectious. [...] This book is a tantalizing guide to revamping our approach to wild things, in the hope of a deeper communion.” — The Wall Street Journal “Be prepared for your sense to be supercharged after reading this insightful look about what nature has to say.” — Montana Quarterly "[Bumann] teaches the reader how to become attuned to wildlife no matter where they are, whether in the city or country, in the woods or outside their home....For those who loved Ed Yong’s An Immense World (2022) or books by Peter Wohlleben, this will be another treasured read." — Booklist "Bumann guides the reader through bursts of connection and discovery in ways that open our eyes and ears, until we suddenly exhale, 'Wow.' There are many of these moments. You will be transformed." —Fred Newman, performer, composer, and live sound artist "In this captivating read, Bumann shares his profound insights on forming a deeper bond with nature by attuning ourselves to its subtle languages. He guides us into a seldom-seen world, where understanding the whispers of the earth opens the door to a life filled with more connection and meaning.” —Casey Anderson, wildlife filmmaker and naturalist “This book is a rare gift for anyone looking to expand their connections to the natural world.” —Steve Kestrel, award-winning wildlife sculptor “Bumann’s reflections invite us to slow down, sit still, and revel in the languages of non-human Earthlings all around us.” —Todd Wilkinson, award-winning journalist and author “This book left me yearning to be in a forest, leaning into the conversations around me.” —Joanna E. Lambert, animal behavioral ecologist and Professor, University of Colorado - Boulder “I’ve spent my entire life listening to the natural world, and after reading George Bumann’s book, I realize I wasn’t really listening at all.” —Jack Horner, Presidential Fellow, Chapman University “Bumann's book is not only an enlightening exploration of animal behavior but also a celebration of the magic inherent in our shared existence with countless curious beings. A captivating read, it will leave readers inspired to embrace the wonder of the world around them.” —Katie Sieving, professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, University of Florida “In Eavesdropping on Animals , naturalist and artist George Bumann has provided a vital off-road map for all of us to find our way—and even perhaps o