Planet Earth

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 05:12 PM

Below is a still from a new BBC series, Planet Earth. I watched the first episode last weekend and was humbled by the grandeur of nature. There really is no need to watch the fantastic fiction of Hollywood; tales of the struggles of the varieties of life on Earth far surpass any story a human mind can concoct.

The series is a classic BBC quality production. Davis Attenborough narrates and, get this for novelty, he is not seen in camera shot once - No, the stars of the show are the animals, no need for the wonderful Mr Attenborough to sully his himself with self-promotion.

Here's a link where you can watch clips.

BBC - Science & Nature - Planet Earth for non-UK users

Check out the "polar bear swim" clip in the Living Organisms section.

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 05:27 PM

This is a chimpanzee named 'Mr Benson', that's just the name I have given him though, not sure what his real name is. Humans have about 95% common DNA with handsome brutes like Mr Benson - In fact I feel closer to him than I do to many humans, e.g. those that appear as game show contestants.

**man with no head** · 11-11-2006, 05:30 PM

The resemblance to your avatar is uncanny.

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 05:37 PM

This is a Tibetan Fox - He's doing nothing to allay the 'sly fox' tag with that expression - Not sure I'd trust him to look after my cornetto whilst I went to the lavatory.

This weeks program is The Great Plains....which somehow is Episode 7 in the series, turns out I missed the first 5 shows back in March; bloody BBC, they're hopeless.

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 05:48 PM

Here is a shark at lunch....'Bloody hell, seal again!, I could murder an omelette'.

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 05:56 PM

And here's a seal hunting for penguins...I know it looks like they are having fun splashing about, but trust me they are not.

**Gerbil** · 11-11-2006, 06:29 PM

^ I wouldnt place much money on the penguin.

Anyway 'flightless birds'??? What the fcuk is all that about anyway? What's the point of being a bird if you cant fcuking fly?

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 06:34 PM

^I thought about that - Surely there would have been an evolutionary benefit for penguins to maintain the ability of flight, even if only for short distances. I guess that they need so much blubber to protect them from the cold that they would need an enormous wingspan, or some form of jet-pack.

**Gerbil** · 11-11-2006, 06:36 PM

^ Evolutionary benefit for seals obviously, as the little fcukers are easier to catch now.

**Agent_Smith** · 11-11-2006, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Anyway 'flightless birds'??? What the fcuk is all that about anyway? What's the point of being a bird if you cant fcuking fly?

Evolution, so the theory goes anyway. Seems they used to fly but evolved in an environment where flight was unnecessary and swimming more important. Maybe in a few hundred thousand years they wont have wings at all, just flippers or something.

Sorry, redundant post

**Gerbil** · 11-11-2006, 06:38 PM

THe reverse could have been frightening. I mean who wants flying seals, walruses and orcas?

**danbo** · 11-11-2006, 06:43 PM

There was a scene in the show of a polar bear attacking a pack(?) of walruses, and it from the point of view of the walrus it must be the most bloody terrifying thing imaginable. It was weird because I was feeling sorry for the walruses; but the polar bear wasn't able to catch one and was injured in the attempts and when he couldn't hunt any more, he laid down close to the walruses, laid down to die. And then I felt sorry for the polar bear....Why can't we all just get along....

**Agent_Smith** · 11-11-2006, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Gerbil

THe reverse could have been frightening. I mean who wants flying seals, walruses and orcas?

Have you ever flown coach on American Airlines?

**Hootad Binky** · 12-11-2006, 10:20 AM

Forutnately, according to George Carlin, the planet is fine!

Apparently Gaia created us to leave a layer of plastic on its surface.

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