Treasure: Michael Runtz' Wild by Nature

Treasure: Michael Runtz' Wild by Nature

A spectacular, lost series of Canadian natural history documentaries resurfaced recently and deserves your eyes.

Image Credits: The title image for this post was captured from Episode Six of the series, “Life in High Places”—one of the episodes that’s been floating around online the longest and fed my obsession with finding the rest.

Carolyn reminds me that modern humans use YouTube playlists rather than badly SEO’d blog posts to find their curated content packages these days, so you’ll probably want to go directly here. Or, at least, skip past my blather and get to the videos.

… But in case you’re also the obsolete type, hello. Tea?

Context

I heard about Michael Runtz through friends at Carleton University in 2009 when I was already at OISE working on my M.A., and more and more I think if I’d encountered him as an undergrad, today I’d probably be typing this on a wood-panelled Corona, vaguely probing the last of the season’s righteously-endured deer and horse fly bites, and contemplating my fuel and rations stockpile for overwintering in a lonely and isolated observation post. —But, you know, in a good way.

I’ll gush about Runtz at greater length soon, but what you should know for now is that he’s a Canadian naturalist, ornithologist, wildlife photographer, conservationist, author, and recently retired lecturer of legendary standing at Carleton. As an educator and communicator, his joy, obvious wonder, respect, and gentle humour pervade. I was able to enjoy one of his courses vicariously through Carelton’s CUTV open lecture program, but I learned he’d also written and produced a nature documentary series in the late 90s called Wild by Nature. This turned out to be infuriatingly difficult for me to find online beyond a few snippets, so I eventually mostly gave up hope, returning to the search a couple of times a year since then and reliably renewing my frustrated melancholy.

… Until this summer, when I suddenly found them! Roland Pirker, one of the fabulous videographers who accompanied Runtz onsite for the series started posting his portfolio on YouTube, among which was (eventually, tortuously) the full thirteen-episode run. It requites my archival/acquisitive drive beyond reason to have and watch these videos after so long, but better than that, I was thrilled to share them with my wife and son, and to see Runtz’ approach to appreciating nature available again for a new generation.

Please try them. Maybe we’ll see you outside!

Programme Listing

The episode descriptions below are copied from a 2019-2020 catalogue file (.xlsx) for McIntyre Media Services’ Can-Core academic video subscription service, which I found hosted on the British Columbia Electronic Library Network. I couldn’t find Wild by Nature listed or hosted directly on the site otherwise I’d be linking directly to that, but all of this is to say that I’m not the author of these descriptions.

Episode 01: The Rites of Spring

After a long and quiet winter, the northern forests come alive with animal activity in the spring. We’ll make an early visit to Algonquin Park and take an in-depth look at Spruce Grouse, Moose, and Gray Jays, and some of their spring courtship rituals. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 02: World in a Marsh

A marsh is a rich habitat supporting a wide array of fascinating plants and animals. In this episode, we’ll visit several marshes, including one that is man-made, and have a look at some of their inhabitants including Common Moorhens, Ruddy Ducks, Muskrats, Virginia Rails, and Red-winged Blackbirds. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 03: Due South

The Great Lakes cradle the most southern part of Canada, providing it with a warm climate that allows southern plants and animals to survive there. In this episode we visit one of the world’s most famous bird migration sites, Point Pelee National Park as well as Rondeau Provincial Park and Pelee Island, where the endangered Blue Racer snake resides. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 04: Oasis of Life

The Beaver is one of the most amazing animals in Canada, one that creates its own distinct living environment. In this episode, we’ll examine the amazing diversity of life found in a beaver pond, both in the water and in the dead trees standing in the pond. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 05: Beauty and the Beasts

Wildflowers are beautiful plants, they have a lot of devious pollination strategies which include the participation of a wide array of animals and insects. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 06: Life in High Places

In Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, we investigate life above the tree line. The adaptations of high altitude plants to unimpeded wind and cold temperatures will be examined, as well as how animals survive in this inhospitable environment. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 07: Worlds Afloat

This episode visits the floating world of bogs and fens, and explores the unusual plants and animals that call these habitats home, including carnivorous wildflowers. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 08: The Toothed Ones

Dragonflies and damselflies may have changed little in appearance in the 250 million years they have been on Earth, yet they have evolved many fascinating behaviors. This episode explores the flying, feeding, courtship and egg-laying rituals of this diverse and beautiful group of animals. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 09: The Tides of Life

A million Semipalmated Sandpipers migrate through the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia each summer. In this episode we will explore the relationship between this phenomenal shorebird and its prey, a tiny invertebrate known as a mud shrimp. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 10: Webs of Intrigue

Viewers meet a diverse array of predatory insects and spiders as we delve into the world of insect predators. With special emphasis on spiders, we will meet some that hunt on the ground, in the air, by ambush, and some that build incredible webs. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of naturalist Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 11: The Howls of August

In this episode we will explore the mystique associated with timber wolves and their howls. Viewers will learn why wolves howl and how we enjoy, interpret, and exploit these songs of the wild. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 12: The Journey

One of the most intriguing aspects of birds is the incredible journey many undertake each year. This episode examines migration and the role that bird banding plays in resolving the intricacies of this phenomenon. Three different types of banding operations are shown; for baby terns, songbirds and hawks. Wild By Nature is the brainchild of Michael Runtz, who has dedicated his life to the study and interpretation of the Canadian outdoors.

Episode 13: The Rut

Moose are one of the largest animals in the world and possess a very complex life history. We will look at the most compelling aspect of this animal’s life - the fall mating behaviour known as the rut. In this episode, Michael finds and interprets moose and the signs of the rut, and calls in an amorous bull.