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Tell us what you think >>
Selected submissions will be posted here regularly, so visit again to read more
comments.
Many people have written in to ask about Mark and the parrots' experiences since filming
concluded; find answers and updates on The
Film, The Parrots Background and Updates and filmmaker Judy Irving and Mark
Bittner's Q&A pages.
8/14/07
Y. Dexter
Mark, While flipping through channels I just happened to catch a portion of your film this morning. We have had our pet cockatiel "Pepper" for 18 years and he is now showing signs of illness. Watching your film brought me to tears because we have been fans of birds for over 20 years and know that they are smarter and more loving than most of the general public will ever know. You get it, so be proud and know that you made a difference. I can't wait to see the entire program. I now want to visit San Franciso just to see the birds. Thank You.
7/31/07
Corine Bowers
Minneapolis, MN
I watched this movie on PBS yesterday. I really loved it. I found myself sobbing at the
end, though and it was hard for me to shake my sad feelings. I'm especially sensitive to
animals and nature.The movie had a magical feel to it, from the visuals to the words.
Kudos to Mark for his fortitude in loving the birds. His carrying of the heavy sacks of
seed up all those steps, just for the joy of sharing them with the parrots. Exceptional.
7/31/07
Bliss Bak
Vancouver Canada
What an intensely beautiful and emotional film. Its centre is love. Even though I sort of
believe Conner was not torn apart, I still fret for him. Mark was right though- Conner's
life was tragic. But I think his death was too. I can't help but feel Connor felt
abandoned and gave up.As for the feelings radiating from Tupelo- that happened with my cat
Max a couple of days before he died. He licked my face all over as he used to and all I
felt from him was a flood of gratitude. So much love. Thank you for this awesome film.
7/3/07
Fazeel Gareeboo
Orlando, Florida
Wow !
This has to be one of the most moving films I have seen ... ever. For me, it's compatable
to, but better than 'My Chinese concubine'. Thank you to everyone involved in bringing
this film to us.
6/28/07
vanessa
orlando, florida
THANK YOU. I just watched the documentary and it was so touching that I'm actually crying.
mark, you are so beautiful. you are a hero. I know what u felt was tupelo talking to you.
I believe animals communicate on a deeper level, without clutter in their minds, no doubt
about it. I call it LOVE. If the parrotts are there, let them live. let's not be
'racist'.. you give me hope in mankind. I loved the end when u cut ur hair. what a perfect
ending to an amazing and powerful documentary. thank u for showing the world who you are.
I loved it when u talked about the waterfall and the drops of water.. so true. u are truly
blessed. i'm jobless and have been homeless and I wait on guidance from God..I could
relate in so many ways. u gave me hope in a lot of things actually. thank u very much. :)
6/28/07
Karen
Melbourne Beach, FL
In my area, Brevard County (the Space Coast), I have seen about 20+ wild green parrots
that reside happily year round in Eau Gallie primarily in a huge, old tree near the
marina. I worry for them during the hurricanes. Wherever the go, they migrate back after
the storm. I visit Key Biscayne quite often near Miami and am told by residents that blue
headed parrots live there like Connor. I will search for them and report back.
6/26/07
ERIKA
NEW YORK, NY
This was the most touching film I have seen in quite a while. Mark makes me belive that
there is goodness in man. What a lucky man Mark is to have been in the company of these
beautiful, quirky birds. Tupelo will live forever in my memory and Marks gentle and loving
walks with her in the garden will be a vision I will not and cannot ever forget. Thank you
Mark for being a true man.
6/22/07
Diane Temple
Appleton, WI
Hello,
I want to tell you how much I enjoyed watching the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill! This
story is just amazing! Mark is a hero for being an advocate for these parrots! I'm going
to have to get the DVD- there's too much in this to remember everything and take it all
in.
Thank you for making this documentary, on of the best I have ever seen!
6/22/07
Jim West
honolulu,Hawaii
Although there have been many great films from independent lens,this one was simply the
best! A sign of a great film is that you cant help thinking about it afterward & for days
to come! I was most taken by the part of the film where mark talked about how he cared
about tupelo in her final days. To carry her out to see flowers and warm in the sun,to
place her next to him in his bed in her final hours to comfort her & care for her with
such love and devotion..wow..the world needs more unselfish people like mark! And i
thought it was such a great ending to have mark and judy become bf & gf by the end of
filming. hmm..perhaps i wont cut my hair until i find a girlfriend too!
6/19/07
Jim West
honolulu, Hawaii
Although there have been many great films from independent lens,this one was simply the
best! A sign of a great film is that you cant help thinking about it afterward & for
days to come! I was most taken by the part of the film where mark talked about how he
cared about tupelo in her final days. To carry her out to see flowers and warm in the
sun,to place her next to him in his bed in her final hours to comfort her & care for
her with such love and devotion..wow..the world needs more unselfish people like mark! And
i thought it was such a great ending to have mark and judy become bf & gf by the end of
filming. hmm..perhaps i wont cut my hair until i find a girlfriend too!
6/11/07
D.K. Heinemeyer
Thank you Judy and Mark for such a wonderfully moving film. I enjoyed everything about
WPOTH, the story line and the gorgeous cinematography. I was hoping the ending wouldn't be
sad, and worried about where Mark would end up. I cried and laughed as the last 15 minutes
unfolded.
It was fascinating to see people develop close bonds with birds, you could see the how
they loved one another. Anyone who thinks animals have no feelings is sorely mistaken. Oh,
how they enrich our lives, I would truly be less of a person without the love of my
(indoor) cats.
6/11/07
JJ Rae
Loved the story and film.
I have some friends on the about.com birding forum- one (in San Diego) has adopted a wild
coot that is unable to fly and migrate with the other coots. He makes a special trip to
the marina to feed him every day, and has been doing this for several years.
The other one lives in England, and takes in corvids that need rehabilitation and/or
ongoing care.
Both are special people, and I think they would make good subjects for your next
documentary.
6/11/07
Paul
Westwego, Louisiana
GREAT MOVIE, Birds Rule !!
We Have Wild Quakers in New Orleans
Years ago when my wife first started talking about getting a bird, I was not in favor of
that idea. A few years ago, my wife ended up with two Parakeets (dark blue and light blue
named Gum Drop and Jelly Bean). Her sons took her to the pet store for Christmas, and when
they came home, those birds were so scared they would not make a sound. I noticed that
when I would run water in the sink, that they would relax and talk to each other. Those
two birds then decided that they wanted to sit on my left shoulder, and that's where they
have been sitting for a few years now. I still tell them that they are a couple of cute
little Con Artists, that just reeled me in. I call them my little "Feathered Friends", and
enjoy being part of their flock.
Those birds have such individual personality, and provide me with both relaxation and
entertainment. They have changed the way that I though of birds, and I enjoy having them.
6/11/07
Las Vegas, Nevada
What a great film! I loved it!
6/7/07
AL MILLHEISER
FLORISSANT, MO
As the owner of 2 parrots, I was naturally drawn to The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill. I
have the DVD version and it includes extras that nearly equal the length of the movie. One
extra is an Homage To Connor which presents a different verson of his ultimate fate. This
version helped me and may help others in dealing with the loss. Do I think parrots share
human emotions such as loneliness, love and grief? Absolutely. This is a wonderful true
story with a spiritual message: we are all God's creatures and share a common
consciousness which is a manifestation of God.
6/7/07
Bill Larsen
Southington, CT
Regarding WPOTH, there appears to be an older film by the same name as Judy Irving's more
recent documentary (aired on Independent Lens - May 2007). How can I buy a copy of the
documentary. All links appear to lead to the older film - who cares about that!
6/7/07
Uma
Toronto, Canada
Thank you to Judy, Mark & Parrots for cocreating this tender and wise film. I am deeply
moved.
6/7/07
Georgiana
Fallbrook, CA
The Parrots of Telegraph Hill was beautiful, poignant, superb. Mark's narrative on the
death of Connor was especially relevant for me.
Some years ago, I had adopted a canary, Sammy, whose owner had died. Sammy was an English
Frill canary, a beautiful little bird, and although I had always had cats, I knew they
could co-exist if I were vigilant and Sammy's cage was secured. Sammy sang all day long,
filling the house with his lovely songs.
One morning I heard a commotion, and was horrified to find Sammy's cage overturned;
Alexander, my cat, was the culprit.
I ran and picked up the cage, Sammy was on the bottom, struggling to get up. As he righted
himself, he burst into song, a song so clear, so pure, it seemed to pierce my heart with
some great truth, or revelation. It was a new song, a song I had never heard him sing
before.
Then he was silent, hunkered into his tiny body, but still alive. He made no sound as I
rushed him to the vet, but he died the next day, as I knew he would.
The remembran
ce of Sammy's farewell melody has stayed with me, but I could never speak of it, it was
too emotional. That song said, "I forgive you, I know you tried, but here we are; don't be
sad".
I could never put a name to the experience until I heard Mark speak of the feelings of
regret he felt coming from Connor, and I knew that what I had experienced with Sammy was
not rare, or random.
We share the world with these wonderful creatures; dogs, cats, birds; wild things in fact
or at heart, and are privileged to be allowed into their lives. They live in the moment
and connect with us in ways that are beyond our deepest knowing of ourselves.
Mark and his birds have left us a legacy of love and personal fulfillment that is truly
extraordinary.
6/7/07
virginia vaeth
nashville, Tn
I never write a channel, ever. But this show was one of the best shows I have ever seen. I
keep replaying the sceen between Mark and the strange man and his stunted questions and
how Mark calmly answers him. It is exactly how life is, in to many shows people are
pressed to answer things right away, acting. In real life people pause and reflect and
though it takes up air time, it is so genuine and real and one of the best sceens I have
ever seen. The tall man wants to attack, he is thinking up ways to upset Mark, but Mark
stands up for what he believes in, and even though they are kind of like pets. It is
obvious he loves all birds, which the director adds later when he describes other birds,
making us think of a large family, how you might have your favorites, you can't love any
of your kids less than the others. I hope you does a ton more movies. I have another
story, of a lady in rural Alabama who was a Christian and decided to write a book about
Prisoners in jail unfairly. Her dealings led her to a man in jail, who she fell in love
with, is so passionate about. He is a black muslim, and she is from the most racist area
of Alabama, where confederate flags wave. They fell in love and got married. She drives to
Nashville every month to spend three hours with him, but the most amazing thing of all, is
she converted to Islam. WHen I spoke to her I find her so passionate, now after two years
of being muslim, she decided to cover, and continue living in rural Alabama. The only
muslim for miles it would be interesting to see how locals treat her. She told me she was
in fear of revealing she was muslim, afraid of being injured. But she is a blue eyed,
southern girl and from what she has told me, she has been accepted, good story, true
story. I would love to see this as a film.
6/6/07
Mimi Kramer
San Diego, California
I am amazed after reading the comments on talkback, how many cities around the United
States (and surely around the world) have flocks of wild parrots that thrive there. Here
in San Diego, there is a wild parrot flock in the progressive community of Ocean Beach. I
had no idea there were ANY others let alone so MANY others!
The most special thing about the film I think, is the under-story of Mark and Judy. How
the flock led Mark to his life's quest, how Judy's life quest led her to Mark and how the
two ultimately came together is just so perfect. My friend and I would call it "leyla,"
which is watching the hand of God at play.
6/4/07
Susanne Wahlquist
Lilburn, GA
My husband and myself (both retired biologists) enjoyed Mark's devotion to his parrots and
the knowledge he gained and communicated very efficiently to all of us. Mark is a true
naturalist albeit self taught from his experiences and books, more than many of those
sporting degrees. Judy has truly created a work of art in film making; she should win an
award. What wonderful footnotes about their marriage and return to the parrots on
telegraph hill. I am so glad to see that Judy is making more films and Mark is writing
about his experiences.
For Mark, just one more thought about Tupelo; what a great life you gave that special
needs parrot. Yes, I believe that he was showing gratitude to you on his last day and also
a "good bye". Sick animals often go off by themselves when they know they are dying and I
believe that was his gift to you to save you going through his last moments so your last
memories would be of him alive (anthropomorphic maybe, but so be it).
6/4/07
amy sheneman
cazenovia, ny
I totally enjoyed watching your program about the wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. I
laughed and cried seeing the love and compassion Mark showed for these precious
birds.
I do rescue of exotic birds and currently have 14 of my own. Among them are 6 Dusky
Conures, one Sun Conure and 3 Blue Crown Conures. I cried and cried for little Connor and
my love for these little conures will go on forever.
Blessing in life to Mark and Judy for what they have given to the world and I pray that
the people of San Francisco will realize the importance of their wild parrot flocks and
protect them and cherish them forever
6/4/07
Debbie
Austin, Texas
Those birds are very special, no matter if they are or not native to the land. They should
be kept alive and well by San Francisco!
6/4/07
Greta Be
Pineville, Louisiana
WOW, I saw it for the first time. Judy you are so lucky, enjoyed the stories of the
parrots, but Mark if you find any more like him please let me know! I can't believe there
are still men like him.
6/4/07
Emily
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
I happened upon The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill late last night and was touched by
Mark's story. I was also thrilled by the update on the website that Mark found his happily
ever after. Great movie, beautiful scenery, wonderful people.
6/4/07
Audrey
I absolutely loved all of the presentation. Mark - whadda guy! As I watched the choice of
camera angles (as it gently panned across your possessions - or lingered on you telling a
heartfelt story)I was thinking - 'This film-person REALLY understands'! So, it was with
great glee I watched as the slowwwwwwww scissors finally whacked away the ponytail - then,
there was the splendid couple. PERFECTION! I hope the two of you will be happy and nesting
for along time! What a fine way for the bird story to conclude.
6/4/07
shannon
edmond,ok
Love the show and your story. Sorry to hear about the Redtail Hawks getting some of the
parrots, but such is nature.I love all birds, including the Redtails(magnificent birds)
I hope they thrive!
Good luck to you both!
6/4/07
BILL FAVERO
LAYTON UT
This program is an example of the finest television has to offer. I cannnot begin to
express the impact this wonderful show has had on my family. To all involved in its
production and showing my heartfelt thanks.
6/4/07
Charlotte Green
For years I'd heard about parrots on Telegraph Hill in the City, and was delighted to hear
of KQED,s support by way of your recient film. I didn't expect that I would be moved to
tears and laughter. The two of you reminded me of the many reasons I live in the Bay Area.
Also, I'm delighted that you two are a pair.
6/4/07
Donna P.
Brea CA
It's difficult to find anything on TV that interests me anymore. This film caught me and I
was fascinated by it. I learned much about those beautiful birds that I hadn't known.
And Mark's comments, philosophy and emotional attachment to these birds came through on
film. Quite an achievement and a great experience for this viewer.
6/4/07
Isis
Merrillville, IN
Fabulous show! Many people in my small world applauded it as well. PLEASE replay the
program on PBS soon.
I truly believe animals have the ability to learn. They are not compromised by just
instinct.
Absolutely, the parrots of Telegraph Hill should NOT be removed from San Francisco!!!!
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