Wild Body Language; Wildlife Of A Prairie River

The latest wildlife adventures from expert outdoor cinematographer Bill Grunkemeyer offer the usual pleasant mix of action and humor. In Wild Body Language, Grunkemeyer shares his love of observing wildlife with viewers by giving them a visual tour of six basic areas of wildlife body language: 1) alarm, 2) curiosity, 3) love and affection, 4) dominance, 5) mating displays, and 6) play. Drawing on several species, Grunkemeyer shows and discusses the various ways that white-tail deer, moose elk, and pronghorn antelopes show fear; zooms in on an elk calf with a healthy curiosity; observes rams locking horns over some macho baloney; and catches grouse involved in some pretty strange mating displays. Wildlife of a Prairie River focuses on the sights and sounds during spring and summer along the banks of a prairie river. Opening with excellent footage of the Great Horned Owl, the program also includes extensive coverage of the male Sage Grouse (who pops his chest in and out like a Mr. Universe on bennies), and my favorite--the Sharp Tail Grouse. Imagine your typical day at O'Hare--planes backed up to the next millennium. Imagine that these forever taxiing behemoths could use their landing gear like feet and embark on a major 2-year-old tantrum--that's what a flock of Sharp Tail Grouse looks like in miniature; a whole lot of stomping and aimless circling. Returning in the summer, the camera captures the offspring of the Great Horned Owls learning to fly, fox pups having a merry old time, some marvelous footage of the blue heron, and a lot more. Both Wild Body Language and Wildlife of a Prairie River are loads of fun. Highly recommended. (Available from: Grunko Films, 39 Scott St., Sheridan, WY 82801; 1-800-726-5697.)