Happy birthday to dear David.
It has been one of my life’s great privileges and honours to spend time over the last twenty or so years working with him.
I remember on his 90th birthday we were filming on top of The Shard, and I had bought him a lovely copy of Half Mile Down by William Beebe. He was very excited and insisted on sitting and discussing authors while the filming helicopter was forced to hover and wait.
The next week I received the most beautiful letter from him.
Another unique night was at the Natural History Museum for a film on Wallace. We had the place to ourselves with David and Bill Bailey. That was a true pinch-yourself night.
From flower meadows in Dorset to time in Africa in a magical little camp with the last of the northern white rhinos — the crew all choked up as David read the inscription on the gravestone of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino.
He has a great passion and love for ceramics, and I try to find the occasional piece from his favourite potters. My son loves throwing pots too, and on one occasion, while assisting me, he gave David a pot he had made. David was thrilled, and it still sits on his desk full of paper clips. That was a very special day.
On Gorillas recently, it was so special to hear him talk of those times in the forest. I had brought some of my travel treasures and furniture to dress the room, and he questioned whether I’d been to the charity shop…
Of course, during Ocean we spent lots of time together, and David’s passion for this film shone so brightly. I have such joyous memories of his most powerful pieces to camera, laughter over Portuguese tarts, and such gratitude for the incredible team who, along with David, sang me happy birthday.
Over the last decades I’ve travelled the world. I’ve met hundreds of researchers, scientists, advocates, rangers, and filmmakers — not a single one was not inspired by David.
His positive effect on this world cannot be underestimated.
He is the most remarkable person I have ever met.
Happy birthday, sir.
#sirdavidattenborough
#davidattenborough
Spending this week with Sylvia Earle and the whales of Tonga is about as special as it sounds .
Throw in some amazing scientists, film makers and Tongans.. new friends and old and you get an unforgettable shoot .
I hung above a lone humpback , tail up singing his heart out into the rocky floor of bay that must have amplified his song out into the ocean .
I cried in my mask as the song pushed through my body .
I learnt that each family of whales has a song that evolves and changes a little each season . And it’s thought this has been happening for thousands of years .
I learnt that whales leave footprints .
You can follow their circles of calm water where they have surfaced .
I listened to Tonga’s first female sea captain tell tales of celestial navigation and I learnt of new science where a sample of sea water or even air can reveal the lives that have passed through it .
Black frigate birds above and white terns alongside.
Piglets on the beach
Cockerels at 4.30
Dogs at 4.45
This is a special place .
Thankyou @lucapittalisfilms for the lovely photo .
The Ocean is in crisis.
How do we stabilise it and even bring it back to its former glory ?
I was lucky enough to film the top side for this incredible new film. ‘ David Attenborough: Ocean ‘
with my dear friend @tobynotown , produced by @silverback_films in association with @all3media_int , coming next year to @natgeotv .
#ocean #sirdavidattenborough
Ocean with David Attenborough was created to reach and inspire audiences worldwide with a powerful story of the ocean as never seen before. Launched ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, midway through the UN Ocean Decade, the hope was that the film could play a role in helping turn the tide in favour of ocean restoration. Arksen and 10% for the Ocean are proud to have co-produced and helped finance this film and this report reveals the real-world impact of the film in the months following its release. Through powerful storytelling, the film continues to support a growing movement for ocean recovery, amplifying the critical work of scientists, campaigners and organisations around the world.
Read the full report: Link in Bio
About the film:
Presented by National Geographic, Ocean with David Attenborough is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International and Minderoo Pictures. The film is co-produced by Arksen & 10% for the Ocean, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Revive Our Ocean, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
@silverbackfilms@openplanetorg@natgeotv@altitudefilmuk@reviveourocean@minderoofoundation@arksen@10percentfortheocean@fondationprincealbert2@tobynotown@tobystrong1@jasperdcs@colin.butfield
Today we highlight two world class storytellers whose work has brought the ocean to millions: Toby Nowlan and Toby Strong.
As part of the Ocean with David Attenborough team, producer Toby Nowlan and cinematographer Toby Strong helped shape one of the most impactful ocean films of our time, recognised globally for its storytelling and visual excellence. However, they do more than document the ocean - they help defend it.
Their work captures both the beauty of marine life and the urgency of protecting fragile ecosystems. At a time when the ocean receives less than 1% of global philanthropic funding, their stories are a call to fund, protect and restore.
We are humbled and proud to have both as ambassadors of 10% for the ocean
A lifelong dream has finally come true as I got my key to my home in southwest France .
She is an ancient home with beautiful bones and I am overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of bringing her back to life .
Cherrry blossom on the table and coffee on the fire.
Birds are singing in the bramble overrun garden and sun pours through the windows .
This is a very good day .
Thank you to all who supported and helped me get to today.
Many many more images to come x
Such a joy as ever to film david for this .
I got to spend six months with the mountain gorillas 15 years ago. So I can’t wait to see what this brilliant team has made .
It’s been incredible to premier our film ‘ voices of Pardamat ‘ here in the bush.
Around the world there is such pressure on wild places, indigenous people and wild life , with so many looking for answers as to how all can live and thrive together .
And in Pardamat conservancy, Kenya they may well be living that solution . Stories of agency and hope are so very important right now and this is one .
Huge thanks to all who helped make it , those who were in it and saruni base camp foundation who funded it .
@nickjcarline@finnstrong1@barnaby_taylor_music@hattonator@justinmfrancis@heidifrancis_stylist@saruni.basecamp@seela_gertrude@redearthfixers
