Nature documentaries provide a great way to understand the world in which we live. They offer information about the animals that exist, and the different types of ecosystems that they live in. Many nature documentaries are great for children, since they have interesting stories and teach a variety of facts about our natural environment.
Earth at Night in Color
The Earth at Night in Color is a documentary series that documents the nocturnal lives of some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. For example, a lioness in the maasai mara goes all out in tracking lost cubs. Similarly, a group of tiny primates in the Sulawesi jungle find their food. These are just a few of the hundreds of species documented over the course of the series’ eight episodes. The show is produced by a consortium of wildlife conservationists, scientists and film buffs from across the globe.
Beak and Brain
Beak and Brain is a nature documentary that focuses on two very intelligent birds, the New Zealand kea and the crow of New Caledonia. These creatures are capable of solving puzzles and dismantling objects with their beaks.
Producers spent over three years filming this documentary. They spent ten days out in the field for each minute of the film. In addition, they interviewed scientists and conservationists.
This series is not a cinematic experience, but it is entertaining, educational and full of eye-catching artifacts. Each episode tells a story about a different region of the earth. There is also music and atmospheric scenery.
Animal Babies: First Year on Earth
If you are a fan of nature or just a curious animal buff, then Animal Babies: First Year on Earth is the show for you. Produced by the folks over at BBC Two and Tencent Penguin Pictures, this three part series follows six adorable animals through their first year of life. From a sexiest spotted hyena to a awe-inspiring mountain gorilla, each episode of this series is a treat for the senses.
While the Animal Babies: First Year on Earth may be an overhyped show, the show’s three episodes do provide something for everyone. In the most extreme sense, this show takes viewers across four continents, and into the wild, where they’ll learn about awe-inspiring animal behaviors, and the complexities of their environment.
Planet Earth
A nature documentary is a documentary that focuses on the natural world. They can range from documentaries on wildlife to films about climate change. The best ones are ones that capture the wonders of our planet.
Planet Earth was the first BBC natural history documentary series to be shot in high definition. This means that the images are sharp and crisp.
The series consists of eleven episodes. Each episode focuses on a different habitat on the planet. In episode one, for instance, the camera explores the Rockies, the Himalayas, and the Alps.
Dancing with the Birds
Dancing with the Birds is a Netflix documentary that takes a wacky look at the mating rituals of exotic jungle birds. It features colorful males, wry commentary, and fanciful choreography.
Dancing with the Birds is a 51 minute nature film that explores the complexities of mating rituals in multiple bird species. A few of the animals profiled include the flame bowerbird, the twelve-wired bird of paradise, and the king of Saxony bird-of-paradise.
The cock-of-the-rock is an eye-goggling ultra-orange bird with a round psuedo-punker mohawk. The twelve-wired bird of paradise has twelve thin “wire” feathers.
Dynasties
Dynasties is a nature documentary series produced by the BBC Natural History Unit. It follows five endangered species and shows their social and political struggles. The animals’ personalities, relationships, and family dynamics are explored.
In each episode, the story is told through the eyes of a named character. Unlike past shows, which follow groups of animals for brief periods, Dynasties spends a significant amount of time with each individual.
The characters in Dynasties are well-defined, and the series reveals the social relationships of the animals. This allows the audience to get to know the characters, rather than just see them.
Oceans
There are a lot of oceans in nature documentaries. These documentaries capture the rare beauty of the sea and raise awareness about the dangers to our planet.
Ocean’s 8 is a nature documentary that explores the lives of the world’s oceans. It follows the migration of loggerhead turtles, giant whales, and other creatures. The film also highlights the effects of overfishing and pollution.
Aside from a strong message about conservation, Ocean’s 8 offers stunning cinematography. Filmmakers use a variety of cameras to follow sensitive cetaceans. They also focus on the differences between habitats and the impact of seasonal changes on the oceans.
Wings of Life
Wings of Life is a 2011 French-American nature documentary that’s available to watch on the big screen. It is a laudable effort that reveals the finer points of the floral kingdom. This may be the most esoteric film to date, but it’s an enjoyable one, and it has the requisite touch of class. There’s also a bit of wildlife violence, but it’s not overly graphic. In other words, it’s a great movie to watch with your family.
