Conquest of the Skies: The Nature Documentary Reaches New Heights

March 23, 2015


I have become the biggest fan of David Attenborough’s nature documentaries. The science is always fascinating and the photography is better than anything I’ve ever seen, in both content and image quality.

Conquest of the Skies takes these qualities to new heights – literally.

It’s a three-part series on the evolution of flight, from the earliest fossil dragonflies to the newest, cutting edge research on migration of painted lady butterflies and starlings’ synchronized flight. Insects, lizards, birds, and bats all get their moments in the spotlight.

The visuals are mind-blowing. The producers filmed the series using 3D high speed cameras, then slowed the images way down to reveal the subtle movements in every wing beat. CGI overlays help explain the physics of flight, revealing how different species have adapted different flight strategies to suit their lifestyles. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

Check it out – you won’t be sorry.

Have you seen Conquest of the Skies? What’s your favourite nature documentary? Do you prefer BBC, National Geographic, or the Discovery Channel? Share in the comments!

Locust MigrationAnd for junior nature lovers, check out my book Locust Migration, containing cool flight and life cycle info on some truly creepy insects. For ages 6-9! 



4 Comments on ‘Conquest of the Skies: The Nature Documentary Reaches New Heights’

  1. You find such cool stuff! I did not know about this show!

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    1. Tech Support stumbled onto it somehow. He’s an Attenborough groupie, too. 🙂

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  2. Don’t have one single favorite, but near the top of the list is “Last Chance to See” (Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine) because of the great section on the kakapo. I’m fascinated by this flightless parrot of New Zealand.

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    1. Oooh, Stephen Fry! I’m in. For the parrots, too, of course. 🙂

      Reply | 

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