Collection:LPB

Genre: Documentary

Place Covered: St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2009-12-2

Duration: 00:57:25

Subjects: Audubon, John James, 1785-1851 | Nature | BIRDS | Oakley Plantation (La.) | Audubon Pilgrimage | Audubon State Historic Site | LSU Libraries

Contributors:

• Melton, Christina Producer
• Barnes, Liz Associate Producer
• Fortenberry, Rex Q. Photographer
• Ward, Sela Narrator
• Rhodes, Richard Interviewee
• Heitman, Danny Interviewee
• Irmscher, Christopher Interviewee
• Remsen, Van Interviewee
• Seymour, Michael Interviewee
• Smyth, Elaine Interviewee
• Mackey, Elizabeth Interviewee
• Strader, Bob Interviewee
• Butler, Murrell Interviewee
• Webre, Susan Interviewee
• Ouchley, Keith Interviewee
• O'Neill, John Interviewee
• Driscoll, Melanie Interviewee

A 2009 documentary that chronicles the impact of John James Audubon’s stay at Oakley Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, during the summer of 1821 on his “Birds of America” collection. It explores the profound influence of Louisiana’s natural environment and birdlife on Audubon’s development as an artist and writer, as well as Audubon’s undeniable impact on the region and its cultural identity. It includes: a bird survey with ornithologist Michael Seymour of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Audubon Day at LSU’s Hill Memorial Library; the annual Audubon Pilgrimage and Audubon Country Bird Fest in St. Francisville; an interview with wildlife artist Murrell Butler; the transformation of Oakley House into a Louisiana state historic site; an interview with conservationist Keith Ouchley; a look at the extensive bird collection at the LSU Museum of Natural Science; a visit with ornithologist and painter John O’Neill; and an interview with Melanie Driscoll of the National Audubon Society on Louisiana’s designation as an important bird area. Narrator: Sela Ward