Movie Night? Nature Videos: The Perfect Choice!

Growing up in the 1970s, I often watched Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.  I have cozy memories of the host, white-haired Marlin Perkins, narrating long, extended takes of animals in their natural habitat, far removed from human civilization.

Whether it was sunny African savannas or snowy forests, the animals were there, if I waited patiently and watched.  I saw a lioness attack a gazelle.  She dipped her head into the carcass and ate. I saw adorable lion cubs.  I loved it.  Visions of nature from that show have stayed with me all these years, and, likely, have informed my approach to conservation and environmentalism.  I say “likely” since I don’t know where else my inspiration would have come from; I have always been a city dweller.  Maybe that is precisely why I love nature.  Often, we value most fiercely that which we know we lack.

While nothing beats getting outside and experiencing God’s creation with all the senses He gave us, sometimes a video is the next best thing.  From the comfort of our living rooms, we can expand our horizons and see more of the breadth and width of creation than our usual indoor-bound lives allow.  For any number of reasons we may find ourselves inside.  Keep the vividness of the natural world in mind with a good video.  Here are a few I personally recommend: Winged Migration, which has gorgeous original music, and The Journey of the Universe, which examines the miraculousness of our lives here on our “Goldilocks – Just – Right” Earth.  And lastly, a comprehensive, recent overview of climate change challenges and solutions, Before The Flood, hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio.

I’d love to hear about your favorites and feature them in an upcoming Earthly Matters column.  Please send me a message via Facebook or [email protected].

By Monica Lewis

Stewards of the Earth Committee