[TV-tip] Galapagos (BBC2 - 22.00 uur)

quote:

Born of Fire

The Galapagos islands are a fascinating microcosm of our planet and home to some of the most astonishing creatures found anywhere on Earth. With spectacular cinematography from land, sea and air, blending rugged, volcanic landscapes with intimate animal behaviour, this ambitious series from the BBC Natural History Unit brings this remarkable archipelago to life in a captivating way.

The Galapagos are no ordinary islands. They lie almost a thousand kilometres off the coast of South America, astride the equator, and are plumbed directly in to the heart of planet. They are the product of a volcanic hotspot, and from the moment they are born, the islands are carried on a remarkable 3-4 million year journey before their death beneath the waves.

This opening episode travels with the islands through the fascinating stages of their lives, and reveals how creatures have found the most enterprising ways to get to grips with this restless Pacific outpost.

Witness the dramatic eruption of the largest of all the Galapagos volcanoes, Sierra Negra, blowing smoke and ash 7 miles in to the sky - marine iguanas, the worlds only sea-going lizards, leaping off lava cliffs in to treacherous surf - Galapagos giant tortoises, the largest on Earth, being groomed by Darwin's finches and the magical courtship display of the waved albatross.

quote:

One thousand kilometres due west of Ecuador, where four major ocean currents meet, a series of vast undersea volcanoes break the surface of the Pacific. The summits of these volcanoes form 13 main islands and more than 100 other islets and rocks, scattered over 400 kilometres of open ocean. Splendidly isolated and otherworldly in their strangeness, early explorers called them ‘Las Encantadas’ – the Enchanted Isles. Charles Darwin would eventually call them ‘a world within itself’, a near-perfect evolutionary laboratory. But they are now better known by the name of the giant tortoises discovered there. These are, of course, the remarkable islands of the Galápagos.

Accompanying the major BBC2 series, Galápagos is a fascinating, beautifully illustrated account of the islands’ journey through time, and their geological, biological and human stories. Discover why the islands have just the right balance of conditions needed to create one of the most varied ecosystems on the planet – a paradise for scientists and nature-lovers. Take a close, detailed look at the stunning variety of animal and plant life, from blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds to lava lizards and giant tortoises, in the islands’ many distinct habitats – an embarrassment of riches for such a small area. And for anyone planning – or even just dreaming of – a visit to the Galápagos, a comprehensive gazetteer section is included, with essential wildlife, geology and visitor information.

A living museum of natural history, born from fire and ultimately destined to die beneath the waves, the islands of the Galápagos exist on an endless geological conveyor belt. They are a harsh home, resisting man’s attempts to exploit them, and they have much to teach us about our natural world – its origins and how we can best conserve it. Both fragile and furious, the Galápagos is unlike any other place on Earth.

quote:

Op vrijdag 6 oktober 2006 20:43 schreef dwerg het volgende:
Vanavond weer.