“Painted Wings & Feathered Things in the Smokies” (1 hour, for all ages) is an overview of some of the butterflies (and skippers) and birds you may see in the Smokies, including in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas, as well as across America. Various elevations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains attract at least 240 species of birds, 60 are year-round residents in the park. We share with you several you may glimpse – birds that perch on limbs, fly low over fields, swoop on prey, tap on trees, catch fish or swim.
 
Segment one is a brief introduction to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge, and why there is such diverse wildlife there. Segment two is all butterflies and skippers! Butterflies that seek out sunny flowers are shown in their splendor on beautiful wildflowers such as asters, New York ironweed, common milkweed, butterfly weed, mistflower, bull thistle, etc.  BUTTERFLIES include – Black Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, Buckeye, Pearl Crescent, Pipevine, Tiger Swallowtail, Longwing (plus male butterflies puddling for reproductive purposes) and SKIPPERS include – Longtailed, Silver-spotted, and Fawn-spotted. The long Butterfly and Skipper segment is presented with lovely music and no narration.
 
Segment three is extensive and includes many birds, presented with nature’s sounds, lovely music and limited narration, and bird calls and songs with tons of bird behavior. Birds presented include many PERCHING BIRDS (passerines / songbirds – birds that are yellow, birds that are blue, barn swallows, cardinals, towhees, crows, nuthatches, robins, indigo bunting, eastern meadowlark, titmouse, wren, etc.), HUMMINGBIRDS (ruby-throated), UPLAND BIRDS (northern bobwhite, ruffed grouse, wild turkey – don’t miss these action scenes), birds near water (mallards, geese, herons, kingfisher), woodpeckers (of the 7 listed we show long sequences of downy, red-bellied, pileated – what personality), raptors (eagles, falcons, hawks and owls are shown or listed, with long sequences of barred owl, eastern screech owl, cooper’s hawk - majestic).  This DVD is a wonderful addition for anyone interested in nature and wildlife, the Great Smoky Mountains AND birds and butterflies! © 2021 Kate Marshall Graphics, Inc.