Yosemite National Park [Blu-ray]

This is a grander view of Yosemite like you've never seen it before.
Having just watched this, I can truly say that Blu-ray picture quality
just doesn't get any better than this. Almost every scene is a
masterpiece by veteran nature photographer Bob Glusic. Not only are all
of the well-known landmarks of Yosemite featured here, but many back
country areas of exquisite beauty fill this disc. Snow, ice, flowers,
wildlife, walking along trails and river banks abound here - but unlike
other national park videos you've seen, you rarely see people. No
lodges, crowded trails, shops, cars - just the wilderness that gives you
a feeling of solitude and being one with nature. You can choose to
listen to a narrative description and great music, or just ambient
sounds.

As sole caregiver of mother with Alzheimer's, I am always on the lookout for "ambient" videos I can just leave running. I've even made looped videos myself for this purpose of squirrels in our backyard. although this program does not loop endlessly, a choice they might want to add to menu, it it sufficiently long to serve the purpose. I was disappointed in the music option and didn't even try the narration, but the ambient nature sounds are very lovely. Perfect for what I want. I have yet to just sit through the video, but when I glance up at the screen, there is always...always...a stunning scene to glance at. AND, it's not trying to tell a story or make itself more than what it is. This is NOT Blue Planet or the LIFE series. If you play those with no sound, there is too much action and direction from the editor.

For Mom, this video has special meaning because we spent every summer in Yosemite, hiked the back country, and floated down the Merced River. We kids disappeared at sunrise to fish for trout. Now that I think of it, they really let the four of us run amok at a very early age. Renting bikes, fishing, we'd even get separated hiking the backcountry. Well, we all survived, and how lovely to have this video to spark some appreciation in Mom, if not real memories. (She may indeed have them, but not able to speak about them.)

Nature. Extremes. Life and death. Birth. Typical nature DVD. Got it cause Yosemite is so near and dear to my heart. If granite and old forest growth is you thing, then by all means get it.