The intrepid explorations of wildlife journalists and photographers captive the imagination and inspire many of us to consider an adventure of our own. Want to experience nature and wildlife up close, immerse yourself in the raw energy and amazing beauty of unspoilt lands?

For those National Geographic fans and creature seekers Vital Ground are hosting two tours to beautiful Knight Inlet, British Columbia in 2010. One of the premier viewing areas in North America for bears and other wildlife—all set amidst the dramatic snow-capped peaks of Canada’s rugged western coastline.

The eco-tour includes guided field trips with nature experts that are passionate about preservation and who are happy to pass on their knowledge for an ‘exciting educational experience’ you won’t forget.

Good for Grizzlies: best of all this tour benefits the bears as proceeds are put towards the preservation efforts of Vital Ground, learn more here.

Knight Inlet Lodge, a founding member of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia, will provide accommodations.

The lodge is unique in that it is a floating complex located in Knight Inlet’s Glendale Cove. The remote location means that beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife viewing are right outside your door.

Learn about itineraries, view photos, read past participant reviews, watch a promotional video, and secure your reservation online now by clicking below!

Spring trip: May 15-21, 2010
Fall trip: October 13-17, 2010

Our trips sell out very quickly, so we encourage you to book today online or phone us directly at 406-549-8650.

Watch a new Wild Bear Adventure promotional video on YouTube here.
Watch a video provided by Knight Inlet Lodge here.
Read accounts from previous Wild Bear Adventures here.

Click on the cover to view this Bare Essentials BONUS!

In recent news, a Russian chimpanzee has been sent to rehab by zookeepers to cure the smoking and beer-drinking habits he has picked up, reports a popular daily.

An ex-performer, Zhora became aggressive at his circus and was transferred to a zoo in the southern Russian city of Rostov, where he fathered several baby chimps, learned to draw with markers and picked up his two vices.

Full Story Vancouver Sun

Suit up and take to the skies with the first practical jetpack commercially available for those who pass the Martin pilots instruction course.

No special fuel is required the pack uses premium gasoline, the same as an automobile and depending on production volume, the initial cost will be about the same as a high-end motorcycle or car.

Whilst some people will use these for work; unfortunately for most of us this will not be a possibility for some time.

The US FAA is currently developing a ‘highways in the sky’ technology; basically 3D highways based on automated GPS tracks. Initial tests have been positive but the full system is not likely to be implemented for at least 10 years. Until such time the main use for Jetpacks will be recreational similar to current ATV, snowmobile, jet ski, and ultralight use.

How Flight Fiction became Future Possible!

The idea of a personal jetpack has long been a dream. Over the past 80 years many have tried, and failed, to realise this dream. Even the most successful, the Bell Rocket Belt, could only fly for a few seconds.

So when Glenn Martin got together with an impressive group of avionic, technical, design and production experts to invent a jetpack that people could just strap on and fly, the rest of the world said it wouldn’t hold it’s breath on that one.

The first serious attempts to build a Jetpack were instigated by the US military in the 1950’s. The idea was to build an ultimate “all terrain vehicle” to move military commanders around a battlefield. Several models were built, the most successful of which, the Bell Rocket Belt, first flew in 1961.

Unfortunately it only flew for 26 seconds, leading Mark Jannot of Popular Science Magazine to say in March 2006… “ I myself was most disappointed to discover that a Jetpack that will burn for longer than 30 seconds is out of reach.”

The Martin Aircraft Company was founded in 1998 specifically to research and develop a jetpack that could fly 100 times longer than the 26 seconds of the Bell Rocket Belt. The project was based on a concept developed by Glenn Martin in 1981 and verified by the University of Canterbury, Mechanical Engineering Department, in New Zealand.

In 2005, the 9th prototype achieved sustained flight times, laying the foundation for a viable and successful pre-production prototype to be developed. In 2008 the world’s first practical jetpack was launched at Oshkosh now a few years on early orders for sales to private individuals are expected to commence.

If you would like to register your interest in purchasing a Jetpack for private use, Martin Jetpack is currently accepting enquiries from commercial customers.

Click here to place your inquiry!

Feeding on auto pilot is common for those who dine and dash but are the subtle signals your body sends corrupting your conscious effort to eat healthy?

Gobble on the go diners love fast food that can be eaten in a hurry is hassle free and by choosing healthy options that boast nutritional benefits feel satisfied their bodies are being looked after.

Although it seems logical to assume this is the case, a closer look reveals many of those ‘good for you’ labels are disguising a dietary devil.

When you think about sugar cakes and candy come to mind but you might be surprised to learn that your low fat health bar isn’t all that much better than a spoon full of sugar!

Once you get the taste for something sweet it can be hard to break the cycle and worse still if you are unaware that some sneaky sugar has seduced you.

Here is a list of some surprising sugar sources:

Vitamin Water- feel energised after a sip that’s probably a sugar hit, with some brands containing more than 30grams.

Health Bars- figure natural, organic and full fruit bars are best, not necessarily as sugar can be organic and naturally sourced.

Cereal- wholegrain, fruit filled and fortified sounds promising but some brands can contain as much as 14 grams per cup.

Sauce- love your italian and fresh tomato sauce, sadly the secret ingredient is often sugar up to 14 grams in half a cup.

Bran Muffins- your favorite fibre fix may also be a diabetic disaster delivering as much as 20 grams of sugar per muffin.

Trail Mix- nibbling nuts with dried fruit provides nutritional benefits but also packs a sugar punch consider it natures candy.

Juice- squeeze me a cup of sugar please since the content per cup of all natural OJ can calculate to 26 grams or more.

Fruit Yogurt- blended with berries a natural once nutritional yogurt becomes a sweet eat with surprisingly high sugar content.

Porridge- instant oats infused with flavour turn the breakfast staple into a bowlful of sugar upwards of 14grams per serve.

Ice Tea- cola or chamomile the sugar content can be comparable with some brands as little as 2grams difference between them.

Gallery Link- Nudes at the Opera House

People of all ages, shapes and sizes began arriving at the forecourt from 3am (AEDT) to be part of the mass nude photo, called Mardi Gras: The Base.

The number of people was double what organisers had been expecting – even though about 8000 people registered for the event.

As the sun rose, Tunick instructed participants to do a number of poses, from standing up, lying down, and even embracing cheek to cheek, for over an hour.

“It doesn’t feel sexual, it just feels tribal, a gathering of humanity,” one participant said.

“I want all couples to embrace and kiss, all friends to kiss and all strangers to do whatever they want,” Tunick said as he directed the crowd.

About 2500 people then went on to pose inside the Concert Hall.

Full story on Yahoo!7 news

In this 17 minute episode of The Big Question, co-hosted by Chief Editors Jason Hiner from Tech Republic and Larry Dignan of ZDnet, the following topics are explored:

Apple’s HTC patent suit:Can it derail Google’s Android devices? (ZDNet)

If you’re avoiding iPhone or AT&T, the Nexus One is your answer (TechRepublic)

Apple sues HTC over patent infringements (ZDNet)

Smartphone wars: Apple fires back at Nokia; Court skirmishes heat up (ZDNet)

Click here to listen to the podcast APPLE vs Android