Taking the hump
AT FIRST glance, it could be a scene from off the coast of the Galapagos or a point even further south in the Pacific.
But this magnificent humpback whale was committed to film off the Kerry coast, as the verdant hills in the background confirm.
It’s a still from the BBC’s new wildlife programme, Wild Ireland, The Edge of the World, which documents the creatures that inhabit the Atlantic waters just off Ireland’s west coast. The two part documentary, made by the award winning Wicklow film company, Crossing The Line Productions, was screened on St Patrick’s Day to phenomenal acclaim, leaving Twitter awash praise from TV viewers. ‘Congratulations on the most beautiful magical and moving nature documentary I’ve ever seen,’ wrote one viewer. ‘Thank you. Exceptional!’ ‘Phenomenal photography/ cinematography. Simply enchanting and awe-inspiring,’ said another.
Wild Ireland is presented by cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson, who filmed close encounters with humpback whales, basking sharks, blue sharks, red deer and golden eagles along his incredible journey. It began at the Skellig Islands, focusing on the native birds as he navigated the choppy waters off the Kerry coast, before travelling northwards.
Episode one of the two-parter left Stafford-Johnson, who has 30 years’ experience of wildlife filming – in Clew Bay. Part two will see him continue on to the northernmost point of Donegal.
For Stafford-Johnson, the highlight was Skellig Michael – ‘There is nothing like it in the rest of the world,’ he said. Part two of Wild Ireland airs on BBC2 at 11.15pm on Friday.