Eric Ashby (naturalist)
Eric Ashby MBE | |
---|---|
Born | Cumberland, England | 19 January 1918
Died | 6 February 2003 | (aged 85)
Occupation | Wildlife cameraman |
Awards | Cherry Kearton Medal and Award |
Eric Ashby
Personal life
Ashby was born in
Career
When he was 16, Ashby's first article, "Bird photography: an ideal hobby for boys", was published in
His first full-length film, The Unknown Forest (45 minutes) was shown on the BBC in 1961.[1] Ashby had spent four years of his own time making it.[1] The writer Richard Mabey says that this film "permanently changed the standards for home-grown wildlife documentaries".[2] Among Ashby's other films was 1963's The Major, the BBC's first wildlife film made in colour.[1] Though originally broadcast in black and white, once screened in colour, in 1967, it became one of the Natural History Unit's most repeated shows.[6]
Unlike many of his early contemporaries, Ashby refused to film tame animals, preferring to painstakingly film natural activity,[1] This led to Sir Peter Scott coining his nickname, "The Silent Watcher".[5] Ashby used the name as the title for his second television film.[5] He also developed the habit of making cameo appearances in his documentaries, as a figure half-seen in shadows, watching wildlife.[2] He otherwise kept a low profile, shunning public appearances.[1]
He was awarded the
Bibliography
- —— (1989). The Secret Life of the New Forest. ISBN 0701134046. – Introduction by Richard Mabey
- —— (2000). My Life With Foxes. Robert Hale Ltd. ISBN 978-0709065616. – Foreword by Chris Packham
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Paine, Barry (18 February 2003). "Eric Ashby – Wildlife film-maker authentically portraying New Forest animals". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ ISBN 0701134046.
- ^ "Group History 1965 To 1987". New Forest Badger Group. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ a b c "Eric Ashby". The Telegraph. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Eric Ashby". Wildfilm. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "The Major (1963)". WildFilmHistory. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ "Medals and Awards" (PDF). Royal Geographical Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
External links
- Eric Ashby at IMDb