In a remote and forgotten wilderness, one of nature's last great mysteries unfolds: the birth, life and survival of a million crimson-winged flamingos. Against the dramatic backdrop of unforgiving, never-before filmed landscapes, we follow the birth of a tiny flamingo hatchling, and the perils and fortunes of her life in the extraordinary 'other world' of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania.



The first title to be released under the new Disneynature label, THE CRIMSON WING will take you on a breathtaking and beautiful journey through a story that only nature itself could tell.

To download tickets simply go to www.seefilmfirst.com and enter code: 482610

The film starts at 6.30pm. Seefilmfirst tickets must be changed for cinema tickets at the cinema Box Office by 6.15pm. There will be a Q&A with the films producers and director at the end.

Where
Cineworld Haymarket
63-65 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4RL

When
6.15 for 6:30pm, 21 September, 2009

This formidable documentary follows overweight, middle-aged, alcoholic Slovenian daredevil environmentalist Martin Strel on a journey down the Amazon. Facing crocodiles, toxic waste, whirlpools, giant anacondas and piranhas, Strel attempts to swim the length of the mighty river, a seemingly impossible challenge that John Maringouin (director of a coruscating 2006 documentary about his father, Running Stumbled) captures in vivid style.

Preview Wednesday 2 September with a Q&A session featuring Martin Strel.

Preview of Big River Man and Q&A
Wednesday 2 September 2009 at 6:30pm
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts
12 Carlton House Terrace
London, England SW1Y 5AH

Meerkats at London Zoo

Meerkat or Mongoose (Suricatta suricata)
Highly sociable, these mongooses live in extensive burrow systems. One of the group acts as sentry on a high vantage point, while the others forage for food. Black hair around their eyes enables them to scan the bright sky for predators and a variety of calls warns the group to hide when danger is near.

ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo.It was opened in London on April 27, 1828,and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually made open to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 755 species of animals, with 15104 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park (the Regent's Canal runs through it).The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved. As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853), first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows', 'Friends', 'Members', entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.

Western lowland gorilla at London Zoo

Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
The largest apes, gorillas are threatened by deforestation and the bushmeat trade. They are gentle, social primates. A silverback male leads a group of several females and their offspring.

ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo.It was opened in London on April 27, 1828,and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually made open to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 755 species of animals, with 15104 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park (the Regent's Canal runs through it).The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved. As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853), first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows', 'Friends', 'Members', entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.

Sumatran tiger at London Zoo

Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Their stripes provide good camouflage in the tropical forests where they live. They also have spots on the back of their ears that they use for signalling. Sumatran tigers are smaller and darker than the Amur (Siberian) tigers that are kept at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.

ZSL London Zoo
ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo.It was opened in London on April 27, 1828,and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually made open to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 755 species of animals, with 15104 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

It is managed under the aegis of the Zoological Society of London (established in 1826),and is situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park (the Regent's Canal runs through it).The Society also has a more spacious site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire to which the larger animals such as elephants and rhinos have been moved. As well as being the first scientific zoo, ZSL London Zoo also opened the first Reptile house (1849), first public Aquarium (1853), first insect house (1881) and the first children's zoo (1938).

ZSL receives no state funding and relies on 'Fellows', 'Friends', 'Members', entrance fees and sponsorship to generate income.

The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai (Coptic: sina; Egyptian Arabic: sina سينا; Arabic, sina'a سيناء; Sinin in most Semitic languages, Hebrew: סיני‎ Sinai) is a triangular peninsula in Egypt. It lies between the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the south, forming a land bridge from Africa to Southwest Asia. Its area is about 60,000 km². The Egyptians call it the Land of Fayrouz.

Just found out, about the "Americano" (A Kevin Noland film). I think I may have seen the trailer before but the premise and acting seemed rather trite, so I think I blanked it initially.

Jaysus, Dennis Hopper has this guy been involved in anything decent after "Easy Rider" and the the clever casting of Blue Velvet? He really makes it difficult to believe that he was the mastermind behind Easy Rider.

The "Americano" is more relevant for me now; as in July I'll be Running with the bulls, and I got corporate sponsorship for this gig, baby. Seems that the organisation are going to contribute to a team away day(s). So we can participate in the running.

Slight downer as apparently ladies cannot participate??!!. Sounds like a good chance that I may have to apply my learnings from The Bruce Lee School of Disguise to ensure that as many of the team can be involved as possible.

In discussion with people that have done the run previously, it transpires that my contingency plan of turning, facing the bulls, horn grabbing, somersaulting on to the bulls back and riding it into the arena (cheered by both the locals and tourists alike) may be a bit of a pipe dream. Apparently harassing or touching the beasts is frowned upon.

Some top tips for an enjoyable near death experience:

1. To admit anyone under the age of 18 into the course as minors are totally prohibited from running or participating.
2. To go over the police barriers which the authorities see fit to erect.
   
3. To place oneself in the zones and areas of the itinerary which are expressly indicated by the agents of the authorities.
   
4. To hide oneself before the release of the bulls in corners, dead angles or doorways of houses or establishments located throughout the length of the course.
   
5. To leave open the doors of the houses along the course, the owners or tenants of the said property being responsible for this.
6. To enter into the route in a state of drunkenness, under the effects of drugs or in any inappropriate state.
7. To carry objects which may impede the correct running of the Bull Run.
8. To wear clothes or shoes which are not appropriate for the run.
9. Call the animals or distract them in any way and for whatever reason in the course or during the rounding up in the Bull Ring.
10. To stop in the Bull Run or station oneself on the walls or barriers or in the doorways in such a way as to impede the run or the defence of the runners.
11. To grab onto, harass or mistreat the animals or obstruct their exit enclosure by any action during the amateur bullfight.
12. To take photographs from the streets, walls or barriers without due authorisation.
13. Any other action which may impede the normal running of the Bull Run.

Source - www.spanish-fiestas.com

On the Americano site find the Pamplona link. This will reveal a small map of the village pf Pamplona with key locations plotted for you.

Read more at www.americanothemovie.c...

Whilst researching, I found this clip. Awesome...