I’m a documentary junkie!, and most of the documentaries I watch are about the wonder of it all. Guilty, your Honor, sentence me now and may God bless my soul.
I would rather watch a good documentary about the National Parks than I would the latest, must-see sitcom on NBC or ABC. That’s just me, of course, and I’m not implying that those who watch sitcoms for entertainment are falling short of my lofty standards. Different strokes for different folks, and documentaries are how I prefer to rock and roll when watching television.
Which brings me to two documentaries I watched recently which I highly recommend: The Pollinators, and My Octopus Teacher.
The Pollinators
“The Pollinators,” a 2019 film by Peter Nelson, follows migratory beekeepers and their truckloads of honey bees as they pollinate the flowers that become the fruits, nuts, and vegetables which we all purchase at our local supermarket. It is fascinating to watch, meticulously researched and magnificently filmed. Without leaning into the murky world of politics, it manages to present a truthful, accurate depiction of the importance of honey bees to tens-of-thousands of farmers and tens-of-millions of consumers in this country.
The bottom line, implied without being said, is without the honeybee, and a healthy population of honey bees, we are all pretty much screwed.
If you have any desire to learn how your food is produced, and if you find fascination in the workings of nature, as I do, then this film will leave you with a sense of awe and urgency. I highly recommend it.
My Octopus Teacher
“My Octopus Teacher” is a 2020 documentary film by Pippa Ehrlich and James Read, which documents a year spent by filmmaker Craig Foster as he formed a relationship with a wild octopus in a kelp forest off the coast of South Africa.
Yes, I said he formed a relationship with a wild octopus!
The film follows Foster for a year as a friendship is born out of mutual curiosity, a friendship which leads to learning, to understanding, and to appreciation for this incredible thing we call life. Watch this film and you will never again take for granted any living thing on this planet, no matter how small, no matter how insignificant we may think they are.
I literally cried when the female octopus finally died a natural death after giving birth.
What’s the point?
Well, it’s good viewing for one, but more importantly, at least to this writer, both documentaries give insight into this fragile and magnificent world we inhabit. I was blown away by the information I gained from watching “The Pollinators,” and I was deeply-touched by the beautiful bond formed by man and wild creature in “My Octopus Teacher.”
The wonder of it all!
Listen, I’m not a preacher. I’m not some raving radical who thumps his copy of “Silent Spring” and attempts to convince everyone to change their lives and save the planet. I’m just a guy, one of seven-point-six billion “guys,” but a guy who marvels at the beauty we are surrounded by, and who deeply appreciates the wonders of life, this gift of life I’ve been given. With this website, and through articles like this one, and videos and podcasts, I plan on sharing as many wonders with all of you as possible.
Consider it my gift to you all. I hope you enjoy it, I hope it somehow enhances your quality of life, and I thank you for joining my wife and I on our journey.
UPDATE ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
I will have a much longer update coming, perhaps next week, but suffice it to say we are on schedule for Bev taking on this challenge in March of 2023, about ten months from now…or nine….YIKES, time Is flying.
Bev is about 90% done with purchasing the equipment she will need for her five months on the Trail. The research continues as we try to learn everything there is to learn about the PCT. And I have a fairly clear picture of the videos I will be editing and publishing during her time on the Trail as I travel along with her, resupplying her as needed.
I will be “going live” with our Patreon page in about a week; hopefully a few people will find it in their hearts to support us and our creative endeavors. And a timeline has been put together to keep us on track for things like a press release and “teaser” videos as the time approaches.
That’s about it. I am staying busy. Bev and I greatly appreciate your support, and the dogs send their sloppy love.
Bill
Liz, since I have no desire to ever fly again, documentaries allow me to head off to far-off places and, like you, never leave the chair. And I can eat whatever snacks I want to eat without asking a flight attendant. 🙂
We favour documentaries too over sitcoms. I especially enjoy travel information. Through documentaries I can travel the world without leaving my armchair.
You do the same, Misbah! Happy Tuesday to you.
Zulma, I guess it could be roughly described as a documentary, but I don’t have the editing skills to really pull it off. Now a book? That I can do!
Thanks much, my friend. I hope you are doing well.
Hi, Bill.
Sounds to me like documentaries are rubbing off on you. The way you describe Bev’s PCT odyssey, seems like you’re making a documentary of your own. I can’t way to see it.
Have a lovely day.
No problem, Mr. Bill. Take care and have a great day ahead. 🙂
Blessings always!
Misbah, I apologize for being so slow in responding to your very kind message. Thank you so much. I hope this finds you well and happy.
I loved it, Mr. Bill. I enjoyed reading it, but I don’t watch a lot of documentaries. I have watched a few, but I enjoy music more than anything else on this planet. I like to listen to mystics on YouTube as well. That’s a top secret. Don’t tell anyone about this. Wink!
I hope you are doing well. Please take care of yourself and keep smiling.
Blessings to you and your family!
Sue, I barely get any gardening done now, so careful I am not to disturb the worms. LOL Seriously, I think about it all the time.
It’s good to see you writing again, my friend, but I certainly understand why you were away from it all for so long. I find myself facing the same reality.
Hugs and love coming your way
Yes Bill the Bees are certainly essential for the crops, our food and the world at large to function. All is related, all creatures great and small..
Its not until you see such documentaries that you then realise how connected every thing is, and how even an octopus can make you feel emotional..
I often am found saying sorry to little creatures in the garden whose home I wrecked..
Worlds within worlds…. and I often wonder how little we are too on this tiny blue speck in the cosmos…
Bev’s trip sounds awesome.. I will have to look back to see more details of it..
Sending hugs to you both Bill..
Sue x <3
Aww, thanks, Marlene. If you haven’t seen these two, put them on your “for sure watchlist.” I know you’ll love them.
I am spending my spare time learning how to edit videos. It is a bit more complicated than I thought it would be, or I’m a slower learner than I once was. LOL
I am fascinated by the documentaries you shared here. I don’t watch regular television, so I’m not up on the news and the latest shows, but documentaries catch my eye and I will watch a documentary about anything because it’s learning. And, speaking of documentaries, I am excited about the production of Bev on the Trail. The before, during, and after story is one I am looking forward to seeing.