Eugene Fraser

Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska is home to the largest bear on earth, the Kodiak Bear. At least 2,500 bears live on the island and the animal is regarded as the world’s biggest land predator, reaching an impressive four meters in height when standing on its hind legs. Film maker Stefan Quinth spent three years filming the Kodiak Bear and the wildlife of Kodiak Island. His film is a dramatic story about bear and salmon, beavers and eagles. But it is also a film about the thrill of meeting the giant bear eye to eye in its natural habitat.

Few biological wonders can rival those in Australia's Great Barrier Reef for spectacular beauty, and few filmmakers can rival National Geographic's lush photography. The giant colonial organism, though endangered by pollution and other threats, still spawns once each year in a gorgeous frenzy of new growth. It's a fertile time for all of the creatures dwelling in and around the reef structure, and the National Geographic cameras capture barracuda, bright damselfish, giant marine worms, and many other lovely and fascinating neighbors. Neville Copland's gentle music complements the serene photography, and the narration, while interesting, doesn't distract the viewer from the stunning delights on the screen. We can't all afford a diving trip down under, but Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the next best thing.