The National Parks, Americas Best Idea by Ken Burns

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Kenai Fjords, Miscellaneous, Photos, Travel 5 Comments

Cameraman Buddy Squires, producer Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.

Cameraman Buddy Squires, producer Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.

I thought I would do a quick reminder that the Ken Burns series on our National Parks will begin airing Sunday evening on PBS.

As you may know, I helped out a bit when Florentine Films was filming in Kenai Fjords back in 2003 – they have been working on this film for sometime.  Ken, Dayton and Buddy were some of the most interesting people I have ever met, and could tell fascinating stories about the people they have met and places they had seen thanks to their past projects.  What doesn’t come across in the television interviews I have seen is Ken’s wonderful sense of humor – the group of us sure had a lot of fun, I don’t think I have ever laughed so much while out in the field!

I had the chance to see much of the Alaska portion of the coverage of this series and it was really well done.  I can’t imagine the research that must go into a project like this.  The series talked at length about people like Adolph Murie, Bradford and Barbara Washburn, Charles Sheldon and Joe Quigley – all people that are well known to Alaskans, but may be unfamiliar to most Americans.  I look forward to learning about similar people from other parts of the United States who may be unfamiliar to me.

I don’t think I’ll have a chance to watch it right now – we don’t get much in the way of TV right now, and we are kinda busy, but I do look forward to watching it once we are back in Alaska.  Here is the PBS site with much more information including times for The National Parks, Americas Best Idea.

Ken Burns pretending to be deeply contaplating a rock as he hams it up for my camera.  He was halarious.  At the time I was sorry my flash didnt fire, but in hindsight, I like the shiouette.

Ken Burns pretending to be deeply engrossed by a beach stone as he hams it up for my camera. He was hilarious. At the time I was sorry my flash didn't fire, but in hindsight, I like the silhouette.

Comments 5

  1. Post
    Author

    I agree – was able to pick it up a bit up here but the picture was very fuzzy. Can’t wait to see the whole series when I get home.

    Thanks

    Ron

  2. It must have been great to meet the crew. I’m green with envy. The series was great. I ended up buying a cheap hd tuner that attaches to my computer by USB (EyeTV 250). I was able to watch and even record the show while I worked on photos. When you’re back you’ll have to watch the series its a must see.

  3. Post
    Author

    It was really fun. This series may just be the reason I buy an Blue Ray player – then I can buy and watch the series at my leisure – I look forward to it!

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