Each to their own. The appeal of wildlife programmes does baffle me a bit but then so does the appeal of X Factor so I’m clearly or of step with the majority. I saw the trailers and thought I’d swerve it and then it was on when I came in the room and it seemed as dull as I had expected (I wasn’t watching it properly though). It just seems like the BBC is using money they could be spending on things like Parks & Recreation.
Totally. I thought the Beeb did brilliantly in explaining not only the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’. I never knew that there is this trench off Monterey which is as deep as the Grand Canyon, stuffed with marine life and which attracts mammals that will eat a ton of food a day. It was also fascinating to hear how Monterey Bay has come back from being almost bereft of the big beasts to what we saw over the last week. Awesome stuff.
The Beeb is almost untouchable for nature on TV. On a recent cruise, we had the producer of The Human Planet – Dale Templar – as a guest speaker. She told us – and illustrated – all about how these shows are researched and then filmed. It is quite astonishing what the cameramen will do to get the shots that so enthral us.
Agree with you Vulpes. In fact to the point where a holiday along the West Coast of the USA has gone from a possibility on a list to a high probability for next year. The intriguing thing is that much of that marine life is also off the coast of the UK. The GLW and myself along with two friends are going Whale watching in Whitby in a couple of weeks – apparently we have a high chance of seeing Whales. Looking forward to it. Oh and Fifer you are right the BBC is untouchable in this regard.
Don’t do what we did. Driving down Highway 1, the newly married GLW shrieked, “A whale! over there! ” I pulled over and we watched for 20 minutes before realising it was a rock.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been on that boat with Mark Carwardine twice now, watching whales off Baja California.
It’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a life changing experience.
The man himself is a proper nice bloke; witty, incredibly knowledgeable, self-effacing and very good company.
I’ve got this to come back to, as I’m currently in Boston (Mass., not Lincs) but am looking forward to it immensely.
Having seen a North Atlantic Right whale this week, and bubble feeding Humpbacks, I’m feeling very privileged just now.
The whalewatching off Boston is just as good, if colder. We went out for a couple of hours over thanksgiving weekend a few years ago on the Dolphin & Whale research vessel, froze our asses off but saw loads of feeding and breaching behaviour – Fins & Humpbacks mostly. Fabulous yet humbling in equal measures.
johnw says
Each to their own. The appeal of wildlife programmes does baffle me a bit but then so does the appeal of X Factor so I’m clearly or of step with the majority. I saw the trailers and thought I’d swerve it and then it was on when I came in the room and it seemed as dull as I had expected (I wasn’t watching it properly though). It just seems like the BBC is using money they could be spending on things like Parks & Recreation.
Fifer says
Totally. I thought the Beeb did brilliantly in explaining not only the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’. I never knew that there is this trench off Monterey which is as deep as the Grand Canyon, stuffed with marine life and which attracts mammals that will eat a ton of food a day. It was also fascinating to hear how Monterey Bay has come back from being almost bereft of the big beasts to what we saw over the last week. Awesome stuff.
The Beeb is almost untouchable for nature on TV. On a recent cruise, we had the producer of The Human Planet – Dale Templar – as a guest speaker. She told us – and illustrated – all about how these shows are researched and then filmed. It is quite astonishing what the cameramen will do to get the shots that so enthral us.
SteveT says
Agree with you Vulpes. In fact to the point where a holiday along the West Coast of the USA has gone from a possibility on a list to a high probability for next year. The intriguing thing is that much of that marine life is also off the coast of the UK. The GLW and myself along with two friends are going Whale watching in Whitby in a couple of weeks – apparently we have a high chance of seeing Whales. Looking forward to it. Oh and Fifer you are right the BBC is untouchable in this regard.
davebigpicture says
Don’t do what we did. Driving down Highway 1, the newly married GLW shrieked, “A whale! over there! ” I pulled over and we watched for 20 minutes before realising it was a rock.
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks for the tip. I suspect my son and I will love this.
Kaisfatdad says
And I see Earth Unplugged have their own YouTube channel. One more factor that is bound to get him interested
ip33 says
It’s been brilliant and exactly the thing the BBC should be spending it’s ever decreasing budget on.
Bargepole says
This is what the BBC is for.
Deviant808 says
Brilliant stuff. We’re off to California on Friday, so just hoping that the beasties hang around for another week or so.
bobness says
I’ve been lucky enough to have been on that boat with Mark Carwardine twice now, watching whales off Baja California.
It’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a life changing experience.
The man himself is a proper nice bloke; witty, incredibly knowledgeable, self-effacing and very good company.
I’ve got this to come back to, as I’m currently in Boston (Mass., not Lincs) but am looking forward to it immensely.
Having seen a North Atlantic Right whale this week, and bubble feeding Humpbacks, I’m feeling very privileged just now.
Vulpes Vulpes says
The whalewatching off Boston is just as good, if colder. We went out for a couple of hours over thanksgiving weekend a few years ago on the Dolphin & Whale research vessel, froze our asses off but saw loads of feeding and breaching behaviour – Fins & Humpbacks mostly. Fabulous yet humbling in equal measures.
bobness says
That was a reply to KFD obviously, “that boat” being the boat in the clip. Damn my Surface….