Places
Europe is defined as a separate continent in political terms, but biogeographically it's part of Eurasia. Europe has few natural wilderness areas as most of its habitats have been created or influenced by mankind over millennia. Left alone, most of Europe would revert to forest, as it was after the end of the last ice age. Even today, some 25% of the land is forested, if you include managed woodlands. Europe's original fauna and flora were therefore mostly forest dependant or tolerant species, such as bears, boar and badgers. As agriculture opened up the landscape, opportunities arose for other species.
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Lively lakes
As life flourishes in fertile lakes Prespa and Ohrid, new species evolve.
As life flourishes in fertile lakes Prespa and Ohrid, new species evolve.
Ancient forests
Europe's medieval forests contained a few animals long since gone.
Europe's medieval forests contained a few animals long since gone.
Alpine glory
High Alpine meadows fill with colourful flowers in the summer.
As the Alpine sun warms the slopes in early summer, snowbells pierce through the melting snow blanket. Timelapse shows their progress as they push their heads through the thinning ice, already in full flower.
Boreal forest aerials
New perspectives on the biggest forest on the planet, from the air.
A variety of aerial equipment is used in this sequence: satellite images show the global scale of the boreal forests; the HD heligimbal long lens system, operating from high above so as not to blow the snow off the trees, zooms in for a flyover; finally, the Cinebulle filming balloon drifting barely above tree level completes an intimate picture of this vast and silent landscape.
Aerials of the Alps
Aerial view of the spectacular, diverse formations that make up the Alps.
These stunning views of the different parts of the Alps took 10 days to film using the high-definition heligimbal camera. The camera's ability to swivel 360 degrees enables sweeping panoramic aerials and tracking shots across the spikey peaks of the Italian Dolomites.
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