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Unbox Nature Videos from Amazon
Amazon.com offers a few nature and hiking videos in their "unbox" department, meaning that you can download it on-line without waiting for a DVD to arrive in the mail. It's cheaper and faster, but the selection is severely limited. Seems there's just not much of a market for nature videos. I can't understand it, myself. Anyway, here are some of the things they're offering for download today.
Winged Migration
You've probably seen this very beautiful study of birds from pole to pole. Download to own it for a very low price.
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Bull Shark: World's Deadliest Shark
Dicsovery Channel documentary from 2004.
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Peaceful Walks
Here are some nature videos you haven't seen yet, and an excellent concept in Internet video. The few "Peaceful Walks" I have seen are as well executed as this idea deserves. They are not documentaries, and they are not videos of extraordinary action in the natural world. They are just what the name suggests: "Peaceful Walks" in nature. When you don't have time or if other circumstances prevent you from taking a real walk in nature, take one or several of these virtual visits in the outdoors.
These are available on a subscription basis for a one, three, or six month period, with a limited number of viewings in that period. For instance, the one-month "pass" is good for one month or 50 viewings, etc. You can combine several views to make a longer "walk." For instance, you could virtually visit Utah's badlands at sunrise, afternoon, and sunset, all in one nine-minute "walk." Read all about it, and take a free "walk" to check it out, at the "Peaceful Walks" Web site.
Incidentally, "Peaceful Walks" has discontinued their affiliate program, meaning that I don't get paid if you click on these links and subscribe. I still recommend it anyway.
DVDs, including HD, Blu-ray, and DVD Sets
In case you missed an episode, or didn't get to see it on your HDTV, now you can watch your favorite mini-series any time. Here are some of the documentary movies and series that Amazon is featuring now.
Africa: The Serengeti (IMAX)
An early IMAX hit, narrated by James Earl Jones, now available for home viewing on DVD or Blu-ray.
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The Life of Mammals, Vol. 1-4
The first four volumes of a ten-part series, the rest of which has not yet been released on home video.
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Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
Incredible footage and insightful narrative. Lots of extra features. But before you opt for this one, check the bundle below where you can get this set together with "Blue Planet" at a discount. Available on DVD, HD-DVD, or Blu-ray.
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The Blue Planet - Seas of Life
Another beautiful BBC series that you've seen before. The "Collector's Edition" contains the complete series and one disc of extra features. This series is available together with "Planet Earth" in a "Special Collector's Edition," which contains those same four discs, one more extra features disc, and five more discs of the "Collector's Edition" of the "Planet Earth" series on DVD.
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Collector's Edition
(4-disc set)
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Planet Earth and Blue Planet together
(10-disc DVD set)
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Life in the Undergrowth
One of David Attenborough's series that didn't get quite as much attention as it deserved. All five episodes, plus extra features.
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Winged Migration
The beautiful study of migrating birds, on DVD.
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March of the Penguins
The surprise box-office hit. Available on DVD, HD-DVD, or Blu-ray.
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The Life of Birds
In my opinion, this is David Attenborough's finest work. Despite his masterful presentation of the full spectrum of nature, this series seems to reflect a special love of birds. All episodes on 3 DVDs.
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National Geographic - Everest 50 Years on the Mountain
Highlights from several National Geographic Specials on Mount Everest.
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Everest (Large Format) (1998)
Originally filmed in IMAX, now you can watch it at home. Not the same building-size screen, of course, but a beautiful film nevertheless.
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Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World
While this subject has been covered innumerable times, this particular BBC/National Geographic production includes some exceptional photography, and covers the full spectrum of natural sciences in the Galapagos, including volcanoes and undersea life. Available on DVD, HD-DVD, or Blu-ray.
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