Nature Docs

I've been right into nature documentaries lately. There is one line in particular, from an hour long show about lions, that made me see things in a way I hadn't really thought of before: it was noted that not all lions are the same to a herd of grazing animals. These animals spend their whole lives together on the same plains and savanna; a zebra comes to know one lion from another, a lion knows what elephant matriarch to steer well clear of, etc.

Anyway, here are a handful of my favourites from the past couple of weeks:





 Chimps of the Lost Gorge (BBC Natural World)

I really enjoy the BBC Natural World series. There's something I like about the narration of these.

Titus The Gorilla King (BBC Natural World)

The life of this Gorilla has been extensively documented, right from the moment of birth to his long tenure as leader of a group. 

Living With Wolves (Discover Channel)

I like these documentaries where a man or woman goes out to live amongst wild predatory animals. I think this sort of cohabitation does a lot to change perspectives; wolves, big cats, grizzlies, and even sharks are not the brutal blood-craving beasts they are often portrayed as. Of course, I wouldn't want to run into a grizzly in the woods, but I think that with a good enough education in their behaviour you could stand a chance of walking away unscathed.

Grizzly Man (Werner Herzog)

Was he unstable? Probably. Was he in over his head? I dare say. But he also lived alone with huge grizzly bears for 13 years, and that takes something I would hazard to guess not very many of us have. This doc is interesting not only for the amazing footage, but also for the human character at the center of it.

you can find the full movie on youtube as well.