Photographer Robert Clark became fascinated with the beauty and utility of bird feathers while on assignment for National Geographic in 2004. His mastery of the science, photographic possibilities, and 200-million-year history of the plume is evident in “Feathers: Displays of Brilliant Plumage’’ (Chronicle). The striking colors and gorgeous patterns represent a global avian fashion show. Clark’s brief narrative accompanying each image speaks to evolution, courtship, camouflage, and speed (the shimmering wings of the Scarlet Macaw allow it to fly up to 35 miles per hour).

JAN GARDNER