2009 Natural History Documentaries

pliers · #1 (**permalink**) 22-12-2009, 07:27 AM

There have been some amazing wildlife programmes and documentaries during 2009. Here are a few Ive enjoyed.

Highland Haven, worth it for the Black-throated diver shots alone.

Bear Man, Lyyn Rogers, up close and personal with Black Bears

Life, more from the maestro David Attenborough.

Land of the Lost Volcano, a visual feast, so many new species.

Yellowstone, stunning scenery viewed through the changing seasons.

How about your favourites, I'm sure there are others Ive not included.

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 22-12-2009, 08:41 AM

I was watching Life - 'Primates' on BBC IPlayer last night, and I think the most touching moment was when we saw the ape waiting to 'borrow' the hammer stone to break a nut.
It really brought home how closely related we are, but at the same time made me aware that it is for this very reason the Plymouth Breathren religious cult, do not allow their children to watch mainstream TV, David Attenborough being the devil as far as they are concerned. It is just so sad.

Neil.

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 22-12-2009, 09:09 AM

The first thing that springs to mind is the stag beetle scene in Life, what the male does to the female after mating was priceless.

Last chance to see was quite good, again the funniest moment comes to mind - that scene involving a hand reared Kakapo and Mark Cawardine!

pliers · #4 (**permalink**) 22-12-2009, 07:21 PM

Got to agree guys Life is a very high standard and When David Attenborough finally gives up, it will be hard to find a presenter of his quality.

Monkey Orchid · #5 (**permalink**) 23-12-2009, 06:59 AM

I really enjoyed Last Chance To See - I thought the two-presenter format with Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry worked well.

Andrea - Queen of Mantas (Natural World) was a fascinating documentary, and the footage of these beautiful creatures was absolutely stunning.

I agree that David Attenborough is the quintessential TV nature presenter. I always enjoy his work. For me, Life is not as strong a series as others: although visually stunning, the writing is patchy and sometimes I've felt it lacks a cohesiveness that you get in series which David Attenborough has actually written rather than just narrating. But I have enjoyed the 'how they filmed it' bits at the end. And the episode about plants was fantastic.

Lastly, I somehow managed to miss Victoria Falls - The Smoke That Thunders when it was on... But I'm guessing that it was probably a real winner as it was filmed by Charles Hamilton James, who gave us My Halcyon River, probably my favourite wildlife one-off documentary of all time. Did anyone catch it?

pressld2 · #6 (**permalink**) 23-12-2009, 08:02 AM

Life was excellent all the way through. Being a bit of a techie I also enjoy the little segments they put at the end of these programmes to show how they got the footage.

I really enjoyed Spring and Autumnwatch. I'm new to these programmes as I've never watched them in previous years and it was great to see the spotlight on British wildlife.

Radio Gibbon was a very interesting episode of Natural World too.

Dave P.

partyboy · #7 (**permalink**) 23-12-2009, 10:49 AM

both springwatch programmes vastly improved by the addition of chris packham.
Yellowstone was my highlight of the year closley followed by Last chance to see.
Surprisingly David Attenboroughs Life programmes did not excite me as i am a huge fan of his.

hammock monkey · #8 (**permalink**) 23-12-2009, 05:52 PM

Bearwalker was my highlight without doubt. Prof Lynn Rogers has become a bit of a hero of mine after reading his work.

I'm also a huge fan of Sir Dave but I felt that Life was a bit low on new content, and the sound effect dept wasnt up to the usual standard. Adding motor car noises to a scrambling rodent isn't really necessary, the animals are amazing enough as they are!

Certain scenes were breathtaking though, the whales swimming towards the diver (above, below and to either side of him) was jaw-dropping. Really made me want a massive flat posh telly!

pliers · #9 (**permalink**) 23-12-2009, 06:17 PM

I did get the feeling that Life was basicly a looking back series, but the quality of the photography and making of part lifted it up above most series. I think we are spoiled by such high quality work. I agree that i found Autumnwatch more enjoyable.

I used to really enjoy Tracks, short items well presented.

thebeard · #10 (**permalink**) 24-12-2009, 12:09 PM

Life was incredible, especially the 'creatures of the deep' and the birds and plants episodes.

Lost land of the volcano was very interesting, lots of interesting wildlife shot in an interesting format

highlight for me has to be the natural world Highland haven, absolutely brilliant documentary, well shot and well narrated. brill!

more next year please!