I went to see "Winged Migration" today. It's a film that was shot over four years in forty countries to capture the spring and fall migration of birds. I have a terrace where I frequently see flocks of birds overhead, so the subject was interesting to me. The film shows geese, ducks, hawks, eagles, storks, sparrows, penguins, gulls, loons, and several types of birds that I've never seen before, including one type that almost looked like they were wearing identical bad toupees. In making the movie they used helicopters, gliders, balloons, and other methods to capture the flight of birds. The film was augmented by great music and minimal narration. Besides the birds in flight, the film also showed the birds feeding, mating rituals, social order, and such.
* * *
It was really an interesting movie. The rhythmic beat of the wings becomes hypnotic after a while. The birds that can soar really are majestic looking. It's also fun to see their different movements while on the ground or on a pond or lake. Unfortunately, it's also sad to see them get shot out of the sky or to see them get mired in pollution or mud. I don't think that the movie was made by environmentalists, but it certainly makes one appreciate their cause. This is definitely one of the best films of the summer.