In some circles the name Mike Mckinlay conjures up images of raw skateboarding - kickflips off rooftops and tweaked backside grabs over pyramids. As a former professional skateboarder this Kelowna-born ripper became known across Canada in the 1990's and 2000's as a force to be reckoned with. While he can still can be found out there on the streets, in the past few years he's found a new passion, one that you might not expect. He's taken to documentary filmmaking - specifically nature films - trading in time in the raw, loud urban centres for quiet shoots in mostly untouched nature. It's been an interesting transition (skateboarding pun!) that viewers like me truly appreciate.
Over the coming days we're going to bring you a number of the shorts he's filmed/directed/produced, some on his own and others with and for partners like the Wilderness Committee. This first one is called "Precious Frog" and is about the Oregon Spotted Frog and its ongoing battle to stay alive in an ever-growing urban world. It won the Canadian Wildlife Federation's 50th Anniversary Video contest award.
See more of Mike's work at mikemckinlay.com.
