“I've just listened to Bicycling with Butterflies! It's beautiful! Wonderfully subtle sound editing and mixing, and such an emotive story and connection with the Monarchs.” Rob MacKay …. https://followingtheflightofthemonarchs.com
“Obsessed with the Quest is gorgeously put together. Several field researchers tell stories that have you on the edge of your seat and then filled with wonder, the details are so good … Diane reminds you how deeply satisfying it can be to immerse yourself in the textures of the world.” Helena de Groot
Out Now! on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tr7l
Five tenacious researchers and explorers give first-hand accounts of their lifelong passion and all-consuming endeavour - often involving danger, pushing through difficult moments, sometimes with narrow escapes … all in an obsessive pursuit of their goal.
Produced by Diane Hope (Eps 2 & 3 by Florian Bohr).
Exectuive Producer Martin Smith
Episode 1 - Inside the Minds of Chimpanzees
Primatologist Catherine Hobaiter describes her love of the Ugandan rain forests, where she has spent as much time studying troupes of chimpanzees as with her own human family. She recounts moments of amazement, discovery, wonder … and deep tragedy.
Produced by Diane Hope Photo: Catherine Hobaiter
1st January 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ts6k
Episode 2 - Humpback Heat Run
When a female humpback whale becomes ready to mate, nearby males race to reach her. As they charge through the water, they crash into each other, bellowing threats and blowing streams of bubbles. It was into these ‘boiling seas’ that cameraman Roger Munns had to freedive on one lungful of air - hoping to capture footage of this incredible event … without becoming collateral damage!
Produced by Florian Bohr Photo: Roger Munns
2nd January 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001trp4
Episode 3 - Exploring Violent Volcanoes
Italian vulcanologist Dario Tedasco was a graduate student on his first field trip to an active volcano in Hawaii. As he and his supervisor stood close to a vent to sample the volcanic gases, things suddenly got extremely dangerous…
Produced by Florian Bohr Photo: Dario Tedasco
3rd January 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tr7f
Episode 4 - Bicycling with Butterflies
When Sara Dykman set out to follow the Monarch Butterfly migration from central Mexico to Canada … and back … it wasn’t bad weather, bike breakdowns or scary roads that she found difficult …
Produced by Diane Hope Photo: Sara Dykman
4th January 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tsd4
You can find Sara’s book ‘Bicycling with Butterfiles’ at: http://www.beyondabook.org/
Episode 5 - Descending the Five Deeps
More people had walked on the surface of the Moon, than had visited Earth’s deep sea beds when explorer Victor Vescovo started his quest to reach the deepest points in all five oceans - including the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. He was amazed at the diversity of life at such depths - but first he had to overcome some technical issues.
Produced by Diane Hope Photo: Victor Vescovo
5th January 2024: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001tsd3