The Film

The American West is changing. Rapidly. The stunning golden eagle, with its seven-foot wingspan and powerful talons, isn’t immune to the challenges that come from this changing landscape. From climate change to sprawl, invasive species to disease, lead poisoning to energy development, these magnificent birds are under threat from many directions and are a species of serious conservation concern.

“Golden Eagles: Witnesses to a Changing West” takes you into the field with leading researcher Dr. Charles Preston and his team in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming as they rappel down cliffs into eagle nests to place leg bands on the birds. Never-before-seen footage of charismatic, adorable eaglets is paired with compelling narration to further the conservation message.

Gorgeous aerials of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem; footage of grizzly bears and coyotes; and dramatic landscapes show the diversity of this habitat. Narrated by renowned naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman, this beautiful documentary, filmed in UHD 5K and 6K and shot on RED cinema cameras, makes the viewer feel like they’re in the field with Dr. Preston for an intimate view of these birds and the science that can help save them. Go behind the scenes at wildlife rehabilitation centers where eagles are treated for lead poisoning, and hear stories of Indigenous peoples’ connections to the golden eagle, told by a member of the Crow Nation.

Cinematographers Melissa and David Rohm carefully constructed their vision for the film by capturing some truly unique and stunning portraits of the eagles and their habitat in the sagebrush steppe. The cinematographers and producers worked closely with Wyoming PBS; the Draper Natural History Museum at The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming; Dr. Shane Doyle of the Crow Nation; biologist Kristin Combs of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates; Ironside Bird Rescue; Teton Raptor Center; and renowned naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman.

Golden Eagles: Witnesses to a Changing West is a production of Wild Excellence Films. www.wildexcellencefilms.com