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THE AISLE SEAT - by Mike McGranaghan

"NATURE'S MOST AMAZING EVENTS"

Nature's Most Amazing Events is, as its title suggests, amazing. As part of the groundbreaking Planet Earth series, this 2-disc DVD is packed with incredible sights made possible by technological advances in HD cameras, as well as the immense patience of the filmmakers. This particular series of six one-hour episodes reminds me very much of the brilliant film March of the Penguins, as each segment puts us front and center as real animals partake in their natural extraordinary traditions.

The episodes are as follows:


 

  • "The Great Melt" - Follows a group of polar bears as the Arctic ice experiences its annual recession. Also features awe-inspiring footage of beluga whales.
  • "The Great Salmon Run" - The fish make their pilgrimage upstream while grizzly bears wait to eat them.
  • "The Great Migration" - The yearly rains on the Serengeti draws a wide assortment of water-seeking animals. Most notably, we follow a pride of lions in desperate need of food and drink.
  • "The Great Tide" - South Africa's east coast is flooded with sardines, creating a buffet for predators.
  • "The Great Flood" - As Botswana's Okavango Delta floods, thousands of animals head toward the life-saving water.
  • "The Great Feast" - Whales and sea lions patrol Alaskan waters in search of plankton.

    To illustrate what makes Nature's Most Amazing Events so incredible, let me focus on one particular episode which sums up the series' strengths perfectly. "The Great Salmon Run" follows salmon as they make their annual pilgrimage upstream. Now, we all know salmon do that. I've known it since elementary school, and you likely have too. But did you know that salmon travel up to 2,000 miles? Or that they are driven to return to the exact same place in which they themselves spawned? Or that their brains contain traces of iron, which scientists believe act like a compass, telling them where to go? In just one episode, I learned an immense amount of fascinating material. The journey of the salmon is, in many ways, just as substantial as the annual ritual of the penguins.

    The series mixes all this knowledge with stunning up-close-and-personal footage. Special miniature cameras were put into the water to catch the salmon swimming upstream. Of course, there are obstacles. One is the presence of a waterfall. In a feat of strength equivalent to a human being jumping a four-story building, the salmon leap out of the water and fly through the air to traverse the waterfall. It may take them multiple tries to get all the way up, but they don't stop until they've succeeded. Another obstacle is more threatening: bears. In addition to following the salmon, Nature's Most Amazing Events shows us how the bears find the best places to hunt the fish. Those waterfalls are a great place because the salmon can jump out of the water and into the mouth of a waiting bear (which we do see happen). Sometimes the bears aren't so lucky. One of the most unforgettable sights on this DVD is of a salmon jumping out of water and smacking an unsuspecting bear right in the head before continuing on its way.

    The episode ends with what may be the most amazing sight of all: fish sex. Cameras got close enough to film a male and female salmon spawning. The female digs a little pit in the bottom of a shallow riverbed and releases her eggs. The male hovers behind her and releases his sperm at just the right moment.

    Nature's Most Amazing Events offers learning in the best possible way: through the combination of presented facts and the ability to see things for yourself. I found that I wanted to share what I'd learned with other people after watching it, because I was so enthusiastic. Nature is full of miracles. This series captures them on video, for our edification and enjoyment.

    DVD Features:

    Every episode of "Nature's Most Amazing Events" ends with a roughly 10-minute "Diaries" segment detailing how the challenging production was pulled off. These features provide some background to the series and also give an appreciation of how much work went into capturing the astounding images.

    Check out the official website

    Nature's Most Amazing Events - Own it on DVD now

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