An obscure clip of a bird mimicking a chainsaw has been voted the nation's favourite Sir David Attenborough moment.
Remarkably, the talented lyrebird proved more popular than the veteran broadcaster's legendary brush with a group of mountain gorillas.
Sir David, who celebrates his 80th birthday tomorrow, came across the Superb Lyrebird, which gets its name from its colourful tailfeathers that fan out into the shape of a lyre, while he was in Australia filming the 1998 series The Life Of Birds.
The bird proceeded to perform an accurate imitation of a chainsaw, then gave a perfect rendition of the photographer's camera shutter and the crew's car engine and car alarm, as well as a dozen other birds.
It won nearly a quarter of 13,000 votes cast in an online poll to find Britain's favourite Attenborough scene.
The encounter with the gorillas made it into the second spot, with 17 per cent of the vote.
This was the famous occasion in 1979 when Sir David astonished viewers of the Life On Earth series by sitting with the animals in their natural habitat in Rwanda.
He was groomed by the huge creatures - which had never been seen on television before - and had his head checked for fleas, and one young male even jumped on to his lap.
At the time, as he stared into the eyes of one of the gorillas, Sir David said: "There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than any other animal I know."
Third in the poll, with 15 per cent, is an episode of The Life Of Mammals in which a blue whale surprised Sir David while he was in a boat off the west coast of America.
The full results of the online poll will be revealed at 7pm tonight in Your Favourite Attenborough Moments on cable channel UKTV Documentary.
Commence:
The guy is brilliant. He has brought the Natural world to the masses in a way no one else has. He does not need to go jumping onto crocodiles or giving himself the nickname mad or crazy.. He is just David (or if you want to be formal, :Sir") Attenborough. He makes nature so interesting, I could listen to him for hours. Let's also not forget the team who supports him every step of the way to capture those magical moments we get to see. If they did not do it right then those moments would not be the same. A great team fronted by a strong, intelligent personality.- Eddie Mcwilliams, Cairo, Egypt
He is the top dog.- Allan Playle, Danby, North Yorks
The best. What a joy to watch.- Bernice, Barnstone, Notts
He's amazing, I love the way he talks about the animals.- Catherine, Ossett
Sir David's respectful approach to nature has done so much to educate us about the beauty of our world. I don't begrudge a penny of the licence fee if it pays for programmes of this quality. Many happy returns.- Irene Mills, Coulsdon, UK
Richard Attenborough is a wonderful broadcaster, a joy to listen to, and truly deserves this tribute.- Eunice Reid, Lymm, Cheshire
I wish I could be the winner of a contest where the grand prize was "to have dinner with someone famous, from anywhere in the world". My overwhelming choice would be Sir David Attenborough. No one else comes close. He has provided an open window to millions of us to view the wonders of nature throughout the world. He is one man who it truly can be said has made a positive difference in this world.- Sue Clarke, Sherborne, Dorset
A programme of David Attenborough's is one I would choose positively not to miss. He opens the wonders of the natural world up to everyone's amazed gaze like no-one else. Thanks, Sir David; you've made made millions of people happier for being astonished at the glorious variety of nature. Don't stop- Holly Russell, Hindhead, England
How would the general public ever be able to view such wonderful programmes if it were not for the magic of Sir David Attenborough. What an extraordinary talent he is.- Marie Lockhart, Newtownabbey. Co.Antrim
Happy birthday and more series on nature, Sir David!- Chris, Newcastle
Sir David has been a legend in TV. I grew up loving the Zoo Quest series and have followed him ever sinceMany Happy Returns Sir David.- David Humphreys, Hong Kong
Thank you! For the hours of entertainment and the education you have passed on to millions like me.- Rod, Narellan, NSW, Australia, Temporary normally UK
Happy Birthday Sir David, your programmes are wonderful, please keep it up.- Mary Jones, Clacton on Sea, UK
I have admired David since I was a child. - Nicki Kirk, rotherby, uk
The Queen may be the Queen, but you Sir, are the King!Many happy returns...- Elizabeth Taylor, chorley lancs uk
Happy Birthday Sir David, one of my biggest memories is of the Komodo Dragons when I was a girl and seeing you a few years ago in Hyde Park. I look forward to many more amazing programmes.- Sheena Fisher, South West Wales
Don't know what size of shoes David takes, but it will take an exceptional pair to fill his.- Ms M King, Kirkcaldy, Fife
Fantastic! I have two Amazon parrots that constantly amaze me with their verbal skill, but the lyrebird is wonderful, as you are Mr. Attenborough. I have enjoyed your films all of my life.- Jennifer Rogers, Conway, Arkansas, USA
David Attenborough has been my hero for decades, and the film of the Lyre bird is one of the reasons.- Daniela Ford, Placitas, NM, USA
Irreplaceable, enchanting, magical. A gentle genius. Happy Birthday.- Ms Monaghon, Westmeath, Reublic of Ireland
Words cannot explain the sheer beauty and enchantment David Attenborough has brought to the lives of many. Bringing the many fruits of the world to our television, sir David has captured nature in all its glory including the harrowing truths of the animal kingdom and how humans have affected Earth's many living societies. My favourite two series are life in the undergrowth and life of plants, however every series is full of facts from our diverse world. Capturing the world in a truly magnificent light, David Attenborough is the king of the animal world. Well done David I hope your legacy lasts in the hearts and souls of the world forever.- Rachel, Hertfordshire
Unbelievable. I called in the whole family to watch it. We were all amazed!- Thomas Sugg, Katanning, Western Australia, Australia
As a life long nature film-oholic I have no idea how many hours Sir David have made me spend glued to the screen. His name always is a trademark of excellent British quality productions showing nature as it is - in contrast to a flow of otherwise glossed and over dramathised productions. Our world truly is wonderful!But, the lyebird - I'm sorry. I didn't believe it. No bird or man can make the sound of a falling tree like that. I have to see the raw tapes to believe it.- Grunde Grimstad, Oslo, Norway
The guy is brilliant. He has brought the Natural world to the masses in a way no one else has. He does not need to go jumping onto crocodiles or giving himself the nickname mad or crazy.. He is just David (or if you want to be formal, :Sir") Attenborough. He makes nature so interesting, I could listen to him for hours. Let's also not forget the team who supports him every step of the way to capture those magical moments we get to see. If they did not do it right then those moments would not be the same. A great team fronted by a strong, intelligent personality.- Eddie Mcwilliams, Cairo, Egypt
He is the top dog.- Allan Playle, Danby, North Yorks
The best. What a joy to watch.- Bernice, Barnstone, Notts
He's amazing, I love the way he talks about the animals.- Catherine, Ossett
Sir David's respectful approach to nature has done so much to educate us about the beauty of our world. I don't begrudge a penny of the licence fee if it pays for programmes of this quality. Many happy returns.- Irene Mills, Coulsdon, UK
Richard Attenborough is a wonderful broadcaster, a joy to listen to, and truly deserves this tribute.- Eunice Reid, Lymm, Cheshire
I wish I could be the winner of a contest where the grand prize was "to have dinner with someone famous, from anywhere in the world". My overwhelming choice would be Sir David Attenborough. No one else comes close. He has provided an open window to millions of us to view the wonders of nature throughout the world. He is one man who it truly can be said has made a positive difference in this world.- Sue Clarke, Sherborne, Dorset
A programme of David Attenborough's is one I would choose positively not to miss. He opens the wonders of the natural world up to everyone's amazed gaze like no-one else. Thanks, Sir David; you've made made millions of people happier for being astonished at the glorious variety of nature. Don't stop- Holly Russell, Hindhead, England
How would the general public ever be able to view such wonderful programmes if it were not for the magic of Sir David Attenborough. What an extraordinary talent he is.- Marie Lockhart, Newtownabbey. Co.Antrim
Happy birthday and more series on nature, Sir David!- Chris, Newcastle
Sir David has been a legend in TV. I grew up loving the Zoo Quest series and have followed him ever sinceMany Happy Returns Sir David.- David Humphreys, Hong Kong
Thank you! For the hours of entertainment and the education you have passed on to millions like me.- Rod, Narellan, NSW, Australia, Temporary normally UK
Happy Birthday Sir David, your programmes are wonderful, please keep it up.- Mary Jones, Clacton on Sea, UK
I have admired David since I was a child. - Nicki Kirk, rotherby, uk
The Queen may be the Queen, but you Sir, are the King!Many happy returns...- Elizabeth Taylor, chorley lancs uk
Happy Birthday Sir David, one of my biggest memories is of the Komodo Dragons when I was a girl and seeing you a few years ago in Hyde Park. I look forward to many more amazing programmes.- Sheena Fisher, South West Wales
Don't know what size of shoes David takes, but it will take an exceptional pair to fill his.- Ms M King, Kirkcaldy, Fife
Fantastic! I have two Amazon parrots that constantly amaze me with their verbal skill, but the lyrebird is wonderful, as you are Mr. Attenborough. I have enjoyed your films all of my life.- Jennifer Rogers, Conway, Arkansas, USA
David Attenborough has been my hero for decades, and the film of the Lyre bird is one of the reasons.- Daniela Ford, Placitas, NM, USA
Irreplaceable, enchanting, magical. A gentle genius. Happy Birthday.- Ms Monaghon, Westmeath, Reublic of Ireland
Words cannot explain the sheer beauty and enchantment David Attenborough has brought to the lives of many. Bringing the many fruits of the world to our television, sir David has captured nature in all its glory including the harrowing truths of the animal kingdom and how humans have affected Earth's many living societies. My favourite two series are life in the undergrowth and life of plants, however every series is full of facts from our diverse world. Capturing the world in a truly magnificent light, David Attenborough is the king of the animal world. Well done David I hope your legacy lasts in the hearts and souls of the world forever.- Rachel, Hertfordshire
Unbelievable. I called in the whole family to watch it. We were all amazed!- Thomas Sugg, Katanning, Western Australia, Australia
As a life long nature film-oholic I have no idea how many hours Sir David have made me spend glued to the screen. His name always is a trademark of excellent British quality productions showing nature as it is - in contrast to a flow of otherwise glossed and over dramathised productions. Our world truly is wonderful!But, the lyebird - I'm sorry. I didn't believe it. No bird or man can make the sound of a falling tree like that. I have to see the raw tapes to believe it.- Grunde Grimstad, Oslo, Norway
No comments:
Post a Comment