First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story
This enchanting nature documentary follows the dedicated efforts of a tiny black-chinned hummingbird (nicknamed Honey by filmmakers Don Carroll and Noriko Carroll) to lay, incubate, and hatch two tiny raisin-sized eggs and raise the fledgling chicks. The film begins with remarkable nest-building close-ups; the soft fiber bird home rests on the Carroll's porch clothesline in Las Vegas. Inventive 360-degree macro shots follow the progress, including egg development, incubation, hatching, feedings, nest defense (including chasing away the Carrolls' cat), and first flight. Honey's protective and attentive mothering is enlivened through Noriko Carroll's informative and humorous narration and rich musical soundtrack. This entertaining film includes a bonus making-of feature. Bird and nature fans will be entranced. -- Carol Holzberg (Booklist) --BooklistSTARRED REVIEW - Gr 7 Up Filmmakers spent three years documenting the life of a Black-chinned Hummingbird who had built a nest on a clothesline in the backyard of their Las Vegas home. The female narrator s soft, accented voice is complemented by a delightful musical soundtrack. Outstanding photographic techniques show the life cycle of this diminutive bird, named Honey by the filmmakers. Divided into sections, the film follows Honey as she builds the nest, secures it with spider webs, lays two eggs, waits for them to hatch, feeds the babies, and encourages them to take flight approximately three weeks after birth. The close-up photography is amazing and a delight to watch. The second half of the program, a making of the documentary segment, will enlighten film students and photographers. A range of grade levels can utilize this film, and it will be especially useful in science classes. This documentary is joyous and viewers will be pleased that they were invited into the hummingbird world. -- Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL --School Library JournalFascinating, informative and beautifully filmed. As an ornithologist I was delighted to observe the hatching sequence in such detail; truly magical footage.First Flightis a film all ornithologists, students and backyard birders should experience. -- John Klicka, Ph. D. Curator of Birds at the Marjorie Barrick Museum University of Nevada Las VegasIt is a lovely work, well designed and well executed. Noriko's narration is really charming. The hatching sequence is unique.-- Nancy L. Newfield Author / Hummingbird Bander / NaturalistBeautiful film. Out standing work. The best hummingbird video I've ever seen. --Jesse HendrixOne of the finest hummingbird DVD's ever created. You don't simplywatchit. youexperience it-- Dr. H. Ross Hawkins Founder of --the Hummingbird SocietySTARRED REVIEW - Gr 7 Up Filmmakers spent three years documenting the life of a Black-chinned Hummingbird who had built a nest on a clothesline in the backyard of their Las Vegas home. The female narrator s soft, accented voice is complemented by a delightful musical soundtrack. Outstanding photographic techniques show the life cycle of this diminutive bird, named Honey by the filmmakers. Divided into sections, the film follows Honey as she builds the nest, secures it with spider webs, lays two eggs, waits for them to hatch, feeds the babies, and encourages them to take flight approximately three weeks after birth. The close-up photography is amazing and a delight to watch. The second half of the program, a making of the documentary segment, will enlighten film students and photographers. A range of grade levels can utilize this film, and it will be especially useful in science classes. This documentary is joyous and viewers will be pleased that they were invited into the hummingbird world. -- Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL --School Library JournalFascinating, informative and beautifully filmed. As an ornithologist I was delighted to observe the hatching sequence in such detail; truly magical footage.First Flightis a film all ornithologists, students and backyard birders should experience. -- John Klicka, Ph. D. Curator of Birds at the Marjorie Barrick Museum University of Nevada Las Vegas<BR>It is a lovely work, well designed and well executed. Noriko's narration is really charming. The hatching sequence is unique.<BR> -- Nancy L. Newfield Author / Hummingbird Bander / Naturalist<BR>Beautiful film. Out standing work. The best hummingbird video I've ever seen. --Jesse Hendrix<BR>One of the finest hummingbird DVD's ever created. You don't simplywatchit. youexperiencei<BR>-- Dr. H. Ross Hawkins Founder of --the Hummingbird Society