My son goes to Third Grade at Chapman school, so it was with great excitement that we went and saw the On the Wing documentary this weekend at Cinema21. While we have seen the spectacle of the Vaux Swifts on many occasions, it was a real pleasure to learn more about the birds and the folks who come to see them in this entertaining film.
The Portland Audubon Society site describes the film this way:
- On The Wing tells the story of Vaux’s swifts that have taken up residence in the chimney of Northwest Portland’s Chapman Elementary School. Since the early 1990’s, the event has become a cult phenomenon in Portland, drawing hundreds and thousands of people nightly to watch the amazing display. On The Wing captures the community, energy and excitement of the entire Swifts phenomenon.
What I found striking about the movie was the way these birds have touched peoples lives. I mean, did you know that the school raised money for an alternate heating system just so they wouldn’t disturb the birds? Only in Portland.
The Vaux Swifts are part of who we are and their story illustrates how we can indeed co-exist with Nature. One of the quotes from the film brings it home;
“New York is a city with a park in it; Portland is a park with a city in it.”
I don’t know about you, but that is something that makes me proud to live here.
Cinema21 has extended the run for On the Wing. After today’s 1:00 pm matinee, you can catch it nightly at 7:00pm starting Friday, October 10, for one week only.
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