Beyond Our Senses
Bank Swallows
Beyond Our Senses is a 27-minute documentary exploring the lives and hidden sensory world of bank swallows. Journey into a world beyond human perception.
Each spring, the bluffs of Lake Michigan are transformed by thousands of bank swallows returning from South America to carve colonies into the eroding cliffside, pair off, and raise the next generation.
With remarkable senses guiding their survival, swallows perceive:
Ultra-violet light
Nearly 360º vision
Earth’s magnetic field
Time more slowly than humans
Subtle changes in air pressure and altitude.
Filmed with sweeping beauty and intimate detail, this show follows the colonies through a season of triumph and loss - from acoustic courtship displays, fragile eggs, predators, intruders, and the relentless need for each couple to capture 7,000 insects a day to feed their chicks.
Available in fulldome…
… theatrical, and standard screen formats.
A story about the hidden life of a bird in your neighborhood. One of the few cosmopolitan birds, the bank swallow lives and migrates worldwide.
For Planetariums & Educators
Beyond Our Senses: Bank Swallows is a scientifically grounded film that brings animal behavior, ecosystems, and sensory biology to life.
•Aligned
Meets NGSS standards
Developed with a PhD Biologist
•Classroom-Ready
Lessons
Coloring pages
3D print files of bank swallow
Citations
•Impactful
Sparks curiosity and helps students grasp abstract biological concepts.
Shout Outs
Soundtrack by Dave Olson
The soundtrack was created by the master composer Dave Olson. He used a combination of analog synths and digital tools to create the immersive soundscape.
Harper’s Island Nature Preserve
The nest cam footage was kindly provided by Harper’s Island Wetlands Steering Group in Cork Harbour, Ireland. The researcher Jim Wilson is conducting a long-term study on bank swallows there.
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The Core Team
David Andrew Busse - Creator
David is a four-time Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award-winning video producer and filmmaker based in Wisconsin. His work blends stunning visuals with immersive storytelling that invites audiences to rediscover the natural world.
Jack Chapman - Co-Writer
Jack brings deep storytelling expertise as a producer, director, and story consultant with credits on National Geographic and BBC series. He is available as a story consultant and would love to hear from you to collaborate.
Luke Tyrrell, PhD - Science Advisor
Luke's deep knowledge guided the presentation of scientific information, and his research on vision in swallows is featured in the film. He is an Associate Professor at SUNY Plattsburgh and received his PhD in Biological Sciences from Purdue University.
Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium
The team at the planetarium helped convert this project from a theatrical screen to a full-dome, immersive experience. They play full-dome shows throughout the year and are located on a gorgeous nature preserve.
CI Design
CI Design provided production support in the form of equipment, collaborators, stock footage, and more. They provide clients with creative solutions for their marketing needs every day.CI Design
CI Design provided production support in the form of equipment, collaborators, stock footage, and more. They provide clients with creative solutions for their marketing needs every day.CI Design
CI Design provided production support in the form of equipment, collaborators, stock footage, and more. They provide clients with creative solutions for their marketing needs every day.