Wild Chronicles - Joking With the Yugoslavian Army

In this week's Wild Chronicles segment, Boyd details a lapse of judgment that involves the Yugoslavian Army, cheap cross country skis, and a recently resurfaced photo.

Analyzing the Northeast's Bumper Winter Snowfall - Joel Gratz

With the consistent snow storms pummeling the northeastern United States and North Carolina, and a drought starving ski resorts in the west, the early winter months of 2015 have been abnormal. But Joel Gratz, founder of OpenSnow, says that weather is often abnormal. He said that it's almost impossible to make a long-term weather prediction, but says that the bumper snowfall in New England should hold with cold weather to maintain the base that has already fallen, while the western states should get the snow they crave late in February and early into March.

Touring Morocco's Ancient Markets - Sarah Casewit

Morocco isn't just desert and mountains. The predominately Muslim nation is home to scenic Saharan dunes and the Atlas Mountains, but it is also boasts many centuries-old cities that are living museums. Sarah Casewit, a travel expert at Blue Parallel Luxury Tours, was raised in Morocco and says that Casablanca, among the best known Moroccan cities, isn't her favorite city in the country. She recommends UNESCO World-Heritage site Fes, and "fun, exciting, exotic, smelly, loud, vibrant" Marrakesh as two highlights of the country's historic markets and welcoming locals.

Climbing in China and the Virtues of Bird Watching - David Anderson

Bird watching is a low-risk way to enjoy the outdoors, which is why the hobby is as popular as it is. David Anderson has enjoyed observing the birds around him since he was young. But the climber and tour guide operator also explains that understanding birds can help fully appreciate the risks that we take in other aspects of our lives. His example: while recnetly climbing in the Andes, he noticed a group of condors wheeling overhead. A non-birder may have dismissed the behavior as odd; Anderson understood that the birds were hoping for the climbers to slip and provide an easy meal for the scavengers. In addition to South America, Anderson regularly runs tours into remote parts of the Tibetan Plateau in China, which can be difficult to get to alone, and are ripe for adventure.

The Chimp and the River: The Genesis of the AIDS Epidemic - David Quammen

Zoonotic viruses are those that pass from animals to humans. They've plagued us for as long as we've existed and they cross over with more regularity than we may realize. Most zoonotic diseases stop in a relatively short amount of time, because humans aren't an ideal host. SARS, West Nile, avian and swine flus are all familiar zoonotic diseases. But none of them have been as difficult for our medicine to manage as HIV. Most people think of the virus that causes AIDS as a relatively recent affliction, but, as David Quammen explains in his new book The Chimp and the River, HIV made the leap from chimps to humans in the southeastern corner of Cameroon over a century ago. Quammen's book explains how the virus likely spilled-over and turned into the global scourge that it is today.

Beautiful Destruction: Pleasing to the Eye, Devastating to the Planet - Louis Helbig

Just as the United States is embroiled in debate over whether or not to build the Keystone XL pipeline, Canadians can hardly agree on what to call the substance the pipeline would be moving. Photographer Louis Helbig's new book, Beautiful Destruction portrays the "bituminous sands" more commonly known as "tar" or "oil sands," depending on one's view of their relative value. The book includes aerial photos of the whole tar/oil-sand industry in Alberta and the book also includes essays from people on both sides of the Canadian bitumen debate.

Learning the Chimpanzee Language - Simon Townsend

Non-human animals use verbal cues to communicate, but it has been difficult for scientists to prove that they use specific vocalizations to refer to other things in their environment, often food or predators. University of Zurich researcher Dr. Simon Townsend says that chimpanzees are one of the animals that use these "referential calls". The apes are so malleable in their verbal skills that after two chimps were moved from a zoo in the Netherlands to one in Edinburg, Scotland. Once in their new home, over time, the chimpanzees changed their vocalizations used to refer to "apples" to better integrate with their new troop-mates. Dr. Townsend says that despite his time studying chimpanzee calls, he isn't inclined to try to speak their "language".

Italy's Forgotten Wildlife - Jeremy Berlin

Italy isn't the top vacation destination place to see wildlife and beautiful nature scenery, but Jeremy Berlin says that it's a possibility that is often overlooked by tourists. In that country's Gran Paradiso National Park, ibex and chamois goat-antelopes were protected from poachers by the park's status as a royal hunting park, which turned into a national park after a few generations. The park even has had a few wolves in recent years. Berlin's article about Italy's rugged national park is in the Feburary 2015 issue of National Geographic magazine.

Surviving Four Months Alone In An Unforgiving Land - Sarah Marquis

Sarah Marquis has spent her life walking. From Canada to Mexico, from Siberia to the far side of Australia. She says that three miles per hour is the perfect speed and that humans were made to walk. But humans weren't necessarily made to live alone in the Australia's rugged Kimberly Region alone, surviving on grubs, found water, and her knowledge of local plants. Marquis, who has spent the last 23 years walking, usually alone, says that these four months will be the culmination of everything she has learned in her career as a professional adventurer.

A Photographer's Passion For Pristine Forest - Mattias Klum

Mattias Klum, a National Geographic photographer who has ventured to some of the world's most pristine areas is concerned by what he sees. But he tells Boyd that for every challenge, there is an equal amount of opportunity. And his new book, The Human Quest, explores the opportunities that the planet offers within the boundaries of her resources. Klum also tells of his love for Borneo and the incredible lengths he has gone to in the past in order to get the stunning images that he does.

When Do You Give Up On One Animal To Save Another? - Christine Dell'Amore

Animal lovers the world around rally around charismatic endangered animals like pandas, tigers and polar bears, devote much energy and resources trying to save a species that may be beyond saving. It's a difficult question, but Christine Dell'Amore tells Boyd that there are some conservationists who would rather save ecologically important animals, because of the significant role they play in their environment's health, rather than the fact that they look good on postage stamp.

Road Tripping To Every State With a Canine Companion - Theron Humphrey

Photographer and dog lover Theron Humphrey hit the road last year to meet a new person every day across the country and share their story with the world, in a project he called "This Wild Idea". To keep himself entertained, he placed his copilot and dog-friend Maddie in many precarious places and snapped shots with his iPhone camera. The end-product was his book, Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project About Dogs and Physics. Theron continues to tumbleweed around the country for his latest photography and story-collection project about pet rescue, called "Why We Rescue".

Studying Parasitic Plants & Dodging Rebels in the Congo - Jeff Morawetz

While visiting one of the remotest sections of Democratic Republic of the Congo to study the parasitic tropical broomrape plants, Jeff Morawetz was asked to finish his work and leave the computer cafe early, because rebels had entered the town and were firing their guns. The botanist tells Boyd that he's passionate about plants, but he also loves the stories he gets to bring home to his friends from the field.

Surviving a Car Race from Beijing to Paris - Dina Bennett

The Peking to Paris Road Rally bills itself as an "Endurorace," and author Dina Bennett confirms that the race takes stamina. She tells Boyd that a working knowledge on how to fix a 1940 Cadillac LaSalle as well as an ability to read maps and road signs in multiple alphabets. Despite the difficulties in navigating the highways from China to France, Bennett tells Boyd that once they arrived in France, they kept on driving all the way to Greece. Her new book, titled Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World.

Answering The Call of the Mountains Later in Life - Alan Arnette

Many mountain climbers grow up in the habit of climbing rock faces and mountains well before they're in their late 30's. But Alan Arnette waited until he was 38 to climb his first mountain, and quickly fell in love with the feeling of achievement - tempered by the pain - of conquering 8,000 meter peaks. He recently successfully climbed his sixth mountain of that height, the nearly 27,000 foot Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak.

Testing Love With an Epic Expedition - Carolyn Van Hemert & Patrick Farrell

Relationships can be difficult enough. But Carolyn Van Hemert and Patrick Farrell tested their love when they trekked 4,000 miles from Bellingham, Washington to Kotzebue, Alaska over six months. The couple rowed, hiked and skied as they climbed up mountains (only to climb back down the same side when they realized it wasn't where they wanted to go), and survived Biblical swarms of mosquitoes en route, but came out tired but happy.

Setting Records Cycling in Antarctica - Eric Larsen

As fewer mountains remain unclimbed and "extreme" adventures becoming more difficult and dangerous, people drawn to these quests have to get creative in their expeditions of choice. Cold-weather adventurer and avid bicycler Eric Larsen joined two of his loves and decided to ride a fat-tired cycle 750 miles from Hercules Inlet to the geographic South Pole. The riding proved nearly impossible, as his bike regularly punctured the hard snow crust, but Larsen still set an Antarctic record, riding 335 miles.

Skiing B.C.'s Sacred Headwaters - Nick Chambers

Avid skiers pay hundreds of dollars to vacation at the most exclusive resorts. But National Geographic explorer Nick Chambers got to ski some of the world's most remote backcountry for science. He paired his love of skiing with his desire to document the pristine wilderness around the area known to local native tribes as The Sacred Headwaters. Because it's so remote, he hiked 65 miles to live out of a snow cave for 12 days, and ride mountains in North America's untouched wilderness.

Understanding Ebola, SARS, Avian Flu and Bubonic Plague - David Quammen

Throughout history, diseases have consistently jumped from animals to man. David Quammen details the history of zoonotic diseases in his new book, Spillover. He tells Boyd that as humans continue to encroach on habitats formerly left to animals, diseases that jump from animals to humans will happen more often. Quammen says this could spark the next human pandemic. HIV and the Bubonic plague are two diseases that began in animals, but Quammen said that scientists consider humans lucky that various avian flu strains and SARS have proven to be containable this far.

Cooking Locally in Alaska - Barton Seaver

National Geographic fellow Barton Seaver loves to fish. He joined Boyd to chat about a recent trip to Alaska to observe the effects of the controversial proposed Pebble Mine and its possible effects on the area's fisheries and the local salmon run. And while he was in the neighborhood, he couldn't resist dipping his rod into the Stuyahok River, catching and releasing his way from the mountains, down through the tundra, and into the forests where he met some delicious salmon. Seaver left Boyd a Grilled Alaskan Salmon with Tarragon Butter recipe to try, rather than using the bear spray to add spice to the fillets, (a staple of Boyd's cookbook).

Road Tripping America's West Coast - Shannon Switzer

Many people would love to take a month off, hit the road and see all of the things that don't appear on the average tourist's "To Do" list. This past summer, National Geographic explorer Shannon Switzer did exactly that, taking in Salvation Mountain, the Pinball Hall of Fame and the Pacific Coast's best cocktail. (Be warned, the cocktail may induce short-term memory loss.)

Tool Using Dolphins - Eric Patterson

National Geographic Young Explorer Eric Patterson studies dolphins off the west coast of Australia. Patterson and his colleagues are studying a small percentage of dolphins that use marine sponges as tools. Patterson explains to Boyd how the dolphins wear the sponges like a glove to protect their beaks.

The Unromantic Lives of Baboons - Larissa Swedell

National Geographic grantee Larissa Swedell studies the love life of baboons. There’s not a lot of romance. However, every once in a while a male baboon will show his tender side by picking termites off his mate.

Deep Sea Exploration and Making Movies - James Cameron

For filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron, a personal love for exploration spills over into his work, allowing films like “Avatar” to spark people’s awareness of real-world issues through dazzling visuals and powerful stories. Cameron joins Boyd in the studio and explains how his films have allowed him to fund his true passion for exploring the unknown places of our planet. He also shares his hopes for the future of conservation and his own future expeditions, including a potential journey to the deepest spot in the ocean.

The History of Marriage - Stephanie Coontz

Love and Marriage didn’t always go together like a horse and carriage. Marriage has changed a great deal over the ages and it continues to change today. Stephanie Coontz, Director of Research and Public Education for the Council on Contemporary Families, joins Boyd to talk about the history of marriage and how to build a successful one today.

Finding Love on a Paragliding Expedition - Nick Greece

Most people think of parachutes as limp, frameless canvas structures that allow humans to float safely back to earth after an airplane crashes, or in extreme cases by choice. But Nick Greece and fellow paragliders have turned the 'chute into a means of locomotion: they take off from high mountain meadows, coasting up to 18,000 feet in the air. He recently completed a two week tour where he and a group of friends camped, and flew for up to 50 miles in a day. There was only one serious crash leading to broken bones. But love was also found.

Walking Across Africa For Love - Julian Smith

In 1898 Ewart “The Leopard” Grogan decided to prove himself to his love (and her skeptical step-father) by walking the length of Africa. A century later, author Julian Smith re-created the trek to prove himself worthy of his fiancée’s love. Smith writes about his adventure in his new book Crossing the Heart of Africa.

Hiram Bingham: The Real Indiana Jones - Christopher Heaney

Hiram Bingham was a professor-turned-explorer whose bravado made him the inspiration for the beloved Indiana Jones character of Hollywood. Christopher Heaney, author of Cradle of Gold: The Story of Hiram Bingham, a Real-Life Indiana Jones, joins Boyd to talk about Bingham’s pursuit of the unknown and the future of Machu Picchu.

Four Months in a Tree for One Photograph - Matthias Klum

What does it take to be a National Geographic photographer? Boyd speaks with Mattias Klum about some of his wildest moments out in the field. Klum talks about his trips to Vietnam, where he came face-to-face with some of the world’s most dangerous snakes, and to Indonesia, where he waited in a tree for four months to take a picture of an orangutan. With courage and patience, he puts himself into precarious situations for the sake of capturing the beauty of our planet and bringing attention to the importance of protecting it. Klum’s most recent work can be found in the February issue of National Geographic Magazine.

Stranded on the Roof of the World - Matthieu Paley

Some might call a land with merciless winds, sub-zero temperatures, and high death rates unlivable. But to the Kyrgyz nomads of Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, this land is called “home”. In the latest issue of National Geographic Magazine, photographer Matthieu Paley captures the Kyrgyzs’ way of life for the article "Stranded on the Roof of the World". He shows how, despite these nomads having found a way to survive in one of Afghanistan’s harshest environments, they still struggle to survive in the face of geopolitics and modernity.

Africa's Love of Soccer - Jessica Hilltout

By touting its approximately 250 million athletes and fan base of over 1 billion people, soccer is hands-down the world’s most popular sport. Photographer Jessica Hilltout decided to learn about the sport’s cultural influence by travelling away from the brightly-lit stadiums and manicured fields and into the rural areas and villages of west Africa. Her 12,500-mile journey between the Ivory Coast and South Africa brought her face-to-face with some of soccer's biggest fans: children who fashion soccer balls out of cloth, twine, plastic bags – anything lying around – in order to play the sport they love so much. Photographs from Hilltout’s trip can be found in the National Geographic Magazine article "Soccer Joy".

United Arab Emirates: Rich on Foreign Labor - Cynthia Gorney

Many impoverished nations don't have enough work for all of its citizens to feed, clothe and house their families. People in these countries are sometimes forced to leave their homes and work abroad, sending money back for relatives or children who can't make the journey. Migrant workers find their way to richer nations whose populace don't want to perform certain types of labor, which are often physical, uncomfortable or dangerous. Cynthia Gorney examines this issue in the oil rich United Arab Emirates in the January 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine, but is quick to point out this is not a phenomenon unique to UAE; the United States benefits from many migrant workers as well.

Komodo Dragons: Ancient Reptile; Modern Day Nuisance - Jennifer Holland

Komodo dragons look like a hang over from the Cretaceous Period, but they’re a modern day problem for those who live inside Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. The vulnerable reptiles, that grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 300 pounds, more or less go where they want in pursuit of food, says Jennifer Holland, who describes their conflict with people in the January, 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine. She also clarifies for Boyd that this particular breed of dragon doesn’t breathe fire, although their bacteria-infested mouths are to be avoided at all costs.

A Lone Wolf Looking for Love - Ed Bangs

An old Russian proverb says: “A wolf lives by its feet.” Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s wolf recovery coordinator, Ed Bangs, knows that’s true. He draws upon his expertise to explain why a wolf recently made Northern California his home – the first to do so in 80 years. Bangs explains: he’s looking for love.

Visiting All 397 National Parks Units - Terre Jones

Many Americans think of their national parks as the few parcels of pristine land across the country with names like Yosemite, Denali and Arches. But most people would be surprised to discover that there are actually 397 national park units in the United States. Terre Jones, outgoing President and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts (itself a parcel of the National Parks Service), has been to 213 of them to photograph for his new book, Roadtrip: A Photographer's Journey to America's National Parks.

Winter in a Refugee Camp - Peter Schwartzstein

With the ongoing war in Iraq and Syria between ISIS and national forces, refugee camps are swelling with people fleeing for their lives. But winter isn't doing the area any favors. Cold weather, uncertain food, and lacking fuel sources leave refugees huddled together to try to avoid freezing, says Cairo-based reporter Peter Schwartzstein. Schwartzstein visited several refugee camps in late December and reports that even though the camps are intended to take in people fleeing conflict temporarily, it's hard to imagine that all of the estimated 14 million refugees will make their way home.

Wild Chronicles - The Amateur's Guide to Ice Climbing

In this week's Wild Chronicles segment, Boyd gives a crash course in how not to ice climb: trust your axe's grip on the ice; climb with your legs, instead of your arms; and keep your hands as warm as possible.

Can Animals Of Different Species Be Friends? - Erica Goode

The well-documented phenomenon of cross-species friendships promoted by the internet have elicited many ooh's and aah's from people the world over. But New York Times science reporter Erica Goode explains that scientists can't seem to agree whether or not there is any actual friendship possible between dogs and donkeys, or lions and antelope. Goode explains that dogs are adept at reading other animals (including people), so they often make friends with other animals. Goode also points out that species may interact in the wild, but it hasn't ever been documented that two wild animals play in the wild, in the absence of humans.

"Never Turn Your Back on a Cow" - Dr. Jan Pol

Dr. Jan Pol is a Michigan-based veterinarian who has been in the business of healing farm animals for the past 44 years. The indefatigable vet has also starred in the eponymous "The Incredible Dr. Pol," on the Nat Geo WILD channel for 5 years. He shared some wisdom from his years as an animal healer with Boyd: "Don't leave your money laying around," so your dog doesn't eat change; Magnets can substitute as medical devices if your cow eats metal; and "Never turn your back on a cow."

Climbing Up Niagara Falls - Will Gadd and Sarah Hueniken

Niagara Falls, like most waterfalls, is a renowned showcase for the powers of gravity. Water, and sometimes people, go over the edges of the falls drawn by a current heading toward the Atlantic Ocean. But recently, the falls were a venue for ice climbers Will Gadd and Sarah Hueniken to spurn gravity and climb up North America's most powerful faucet. The water, turned to ice by the powers of winter, supported Gadd and Hueniken up the 167 foot face, as water poured over the edge next to him. Gadd explains that the climb up Niagara Falls was the most difficult climb of his life, simply for the logistical headache of acquiring permission from the New York State Park Police.

Nat Geo's Photo Camp Goes to South Sudan - Duku Stephen Savio

South Sudan is the world's newest country. But the young nation has had its share of difficulties. Even so, National Geographic hosted one of its Photography Camps in the country, to empower young people to tell their own stories through images, and potentially train the next generation of professional photographers. One of South Sudan's Photo Camp students, Duku Stephen Savio explains how he learned composition, the power of light as a photographic tool. He also explains his hope for South Sudan's peaceful future.

Brain Injuries Impact Soldiers Long After They're Home - Caroline Alexander

Traumatic brain injury in sports is an increasingly recognized affliction incurred from repeated impacts to the head. But Caroline Alexanderexplains that it's now being researched as a cause of U.S. veterans feeling sick, unfocused and depressed after they return from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the soldiers might not have any visible trauma, shockwaves from bombs could potentially reverberate under helmets and damage the brain, through the skull. Alexander says that many veterans have been reluctant to report these types of injuries because of the lack of understanding of injuries that don't leave visible scars.

Outdoor Retailer Recap: Women in Adventure, 360° Cameras, & Fashion Meets Function - Rebecca Byerly

On the heels of the recent Outdoor Retailer conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, ultramarathon runner and reporter Rebecca Byerly shared thoughts on the trends to watch in 2015. At the retail show, REI donated $1.5 million to better develop women as executives and leaders in outdoor industries; outdoor companies work to balance fashion with real adventure functionality; and lightweight action cameras take another leap forward with VSN Mobil's offering that shoots 360 degrees simultaneously, removing the pesky need to direct the camera in order to film adventure sports.

Dodging Sulfuric "Snottites" Deep Inside of Caves - Robbie Shone

Dodging dangling "snottites" is a hazard that sounds as if it would be reserved for doctors and elementary school teachers. But photographer Robbie Shone says that it is also a hazard of exploring deep inside some of Mexico's most extensive cave systems. The danger of these dangling, mucus-like collection of microbes is that they produce sulfuric acid, so Shone explains that they're definitely worth avoiding. Shone explains what it's like deep in these caves, where he has to wear a gas-mask just to take photos.

Humpbacks Steal Killer Whales' Dinner - Paul Nicklen

Orcas, or "killer whales," are the apex predators of the seas. But on a recent expedition, National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen ended up feeling sorry for the 6 ton sea mammals while they were being used as waiters by a population of humpback whales off the coast of Norway. Nicklen explains that the orcas would gather fish into a tight bait ball, only to have a humpback charge through and steal the orcas' dinner. Nicklen also had a close encounter with the inside of a humpback's mouth that led him to ponder just how he would die. Nicklen also tells about a recent work trip to Hawaii where the photographer gained access to the notoriously tough local Hawaiian surfer scene. His Hawaiian photos are featured in the February 2015 issue of National Geographic magazine.

The Secret Lives of Predators - Boone Smith

For Big cats are the predators that Boone Smith knows best, but for the series "The Secret Life of Predators" on NatGeo Wild. Smith shares stories of odd killers like the hairy frogfish and the wolf eel. But Smith says that his favorite moments of the show come from well-known hunters, who display tenderness toward their offspring, like one cheetah mother who raised five cubs, despite the long odds against her.

Reporter Visited Philippines to Climb Volcanoes; Met Dennis Rodman's Dad - Daniel Engber

Some of the world's greatest discoveries were made accidentally. Christopher Columbus found the New World while looking for the East Indies. Alexander Fleming found penicillin when a mold growth interfered with his staph bacteria culture. And Daniel Engber went to the Philippines to climb volcanos and learn about the ring of fire, when he encountered Dennis Rodman's long lost father.

Snake Bites: Often Painful, But Not Always Deadly - Wild Chronicles

In this week's Wild Chronicles segment, Boyd shares his experiences with Bill Haast, who worked his entire life with venomous snakes and helped pioneer using venom in modern medicine. Haast was bitten many times by venomous snakes, but still lived to be 100 years old.

The Bite That Heals - Zoltan Takacs

Snake venom is thought of a poison that humans certainly want to avoid. But herpetologist and National Geographic Explorer Zoltan Takacs does the exact opposite, despite having an allergy to venom, as well as antivenom. Takacs is on a mission to unlock the possible medical benefits locked inside the venom. The venoms can be turned into medicines that treat everything from heart disease to arthritis. Takacs' research was prominently featured in the February 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine, in an article titled "The Bite That Heals".

Tracking The World's Slowest Migration: Galapagos Tortoises - Stephen Blake

Of all the animals in the planet that are difficult to track, one wouldn't assume that a 600-pound reptile that walks .2 miles per hour would be on the list. But Stephen Blake has enlisted the help of satellites to keep an eye on the Galapagos tortoises. He's been tracking their seasonal migration from the island's lowlands up volcanoes into the highlands, in search of food.

Rainforest For Sale - Scott Wallace

In one of the world's most remote jungles, there is an estimated 850 million barrels of oil. If Ecuador, the home of Yasuni National Park, where the oil reserves are, pursued the oil, it would be a windfall for the poverty-stricken country. But the impact on the pristine wilderness would be disastrous. Scott Wallace, author of "Rainforest for Sale," in the January 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine, tells Boyd that President Rafael Correa has asked the world to compensate Ecuador for $3.6 billion in order to not develop its jungle.

Pushing Women Forward in Saudi Arabia - Hayat Sindi

Women in Saudi Arabia experienced a big step forward in their slow and uncertain pursuit for increasing rights. The country provides women with very few rights: no vote, no driving and a strict dress code is encouraged. But National Geographic Explorer Hayat Sindi was recently among the first 30 women hand-picked by King Abdullah to his consultative body known as the Shura Council.

The Luck of Discovery - Lee Berger

Paleo-anthropologist Lee Berger was walking with his son and his dog just 30 miles from Johannesberg, South Africa, near a dig site when his son found a fossilized clavicle from an Australopithecus sediba. The two million year old human was remarkably well-preserved and led to the excavation of a site that contained several other individuals. Berger was shocked at the find and assures Boyd he knew it was a pre-hominid fossil, because "antelope don't have clavicles."

Wild Weather Heats Up Australia - Blair Trewin

Australia spent much of January in a record-smashing heat wave that saw the national average temperature above 100 degrees Farenheit for the first time ever. The temperatures were so out of the ordinary that the country had to add new colors to its heat maps. Blair Trewin a climatologist with the Australian Bureau of Meterology said that despite the heat, there were flash floods on the country's Pacific Coast while bush fires and high winds threatened Tasmania's biggest city. (This interview first ran in 2012.)

A Kayaker Runs Rapids on a Stand-Up Paddleboard - Erik Boomer

The thrill of a first-time accomplishment can be exhilarating. So, professional kayaker Erik Boomer tells Boyd he's trying to recreate that feeling of fear and trepidation riding easier rapids that he now finds too easy to run in a boat by riding them on a stand-up paddle board. This fall, in Mexico, he rode a paddle board off a 60 foot waterfall while shooting his new film Cascada. The trick, Boomer says, is to not land on the board or the rocks.

Poop Spitting Competition - Wild Chronicles

In this week's Wild Chronicles segment, Boyd reflects that it's not just high schoolers who are fascinated by animal poop. Boyd shares some of his favorite poop facts, and explains a game that involves seeing how far one can spit impala droppings, known as a "bokdrol spoeg kompetisie."

Customizing Energy To The Needs of Haitians - Allison Archambault

The best way to help someone is to figure out what that person needs and then help them attain it. It seems like a simple concept, but many aid organizations fail to consider the needs of people in one town may be addressed differently than the needs of people in others. But Allison Archambault, president of EarthSpark, is applying this lesson as it strives to connect Haiti's homes with affordable electricity.

Base Camp Birthday Blues - Wild Chronicles

In this week's Wild Chronicles segment, Boyd explains the many difficulties of celebrating a birthday at Everest's base camp: from the challenge of simply getting there, to the hardship in blowing out candles at 17,700 feet above sea level.

1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die - Mimi Sheraton

Travel is now easier than it ever has been in the history of humanity. But what to do when you're abroad? Mimi Sheraton compiled a collection of "1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die," breaking down each country's culinary delights. She also explains the genesis of the words, including Britain's "black pudding hash," which she explains has nothing to do with pudding cups or hash browns; "soused herring," which is similar to pickling; and deep fried Mars bars. Sheraton explains that "not everything in the book is logically wonderful. The overall point of this book is to give people an idea of what the world eats." Sheraton also points to Australia's vegemite as another food a foreigner might not line up for, but is very popular in its home nation.

Photographing Cultures in Transition to Modernity - Hannah Reyes

All around the world, indigenous and nomadic people are losing their culture to the economic forces and environmental fragmentation forcing them to settle in communities. These "transitions to modernity" are a source of curiosity for National Geographic Young Explorer Hannah Reyes. Reyes lived with a pygmy community in the Philippines who dressed in jeans and t-shirts, and would request "whitening soap" to lighten the tone of their skin. Reyes explains that through their televisions, these indigenous people learned that their darker skin was less desirable in the mass culture of southeast Asia. But Reyes explains that, at least in the Philippines, the indigenous people's transitions to modernity aren't always that simple, because the kids are often teased in schools and the parents resort to dressing up in traditional costumes to make money in the cities.

Dark Matter & Dark Energy: The Hidden Cosmos - Timothy Ferris

The universe is governed by many rules that humans have been able to figure out through centuries of careful observation of how celestial bodies interact. But there are potentially more rules of the universe that we're still in the dark on. Two such forces that we've been able to theorize but never observe are dark matter and dark energy. Timothy Ferris, author of the January 2015 National Geographic magazine article "A First Glimpse of the Hidden Cosmos," explains that the galaxy we call home contains five times more dark matter than it does visible matter. But Ferris says that this field of science studying rules of the universe that we have such large knowledge gaps of, "it's impossible to say as of yet what the future of this field will be like... nobody will know until there's a whole lot more research and experimentation."

A Veteran Climber on Risk and Raising a Family - Peter Athans

Peter Athans, a mountaineer who has summited Everest seven times on 16 expeditions to the mountain, looks back on his adventures as a young climber taking risks that, he admits, he would never consider now. Athans tells the story of one such expedition to Alaska where he and two other climbers packed for a four-day climb that turned out to be a 13-day "gross miscalculation." Athans lost 30 pounds, but all three men survived the expedition. He explains that he's still able to be a mountaineer and a father, but it involves preparing more carefully and avoiding situations with unnecessarily high risk.

This Weekend in History - Movies, Radio and Cold War Era McDonald's

In our This Weekend in History segment, Nat Geo research library manager Maggie Turqman brings events to celebrate this weekend, including: 1893's completion of the first moving picture studio, Voice of America's 73rd birthday, and the 1990 American soft-power victory of having McDonald's open in Moscow.

Bird Biologist Abandoned by Guide Near Summit of Ararat - Cagan Sekercioglu

National Geographic grantee and Turkish biologist Cagan Sekercioglu has been working to preserve the wetlands along that country's Aras River. Turkey's government has been discussing a plan to divert the water to support agriculture, flooding a swath of land that is home to 1,800 people, and disrupting one of the largest bird migration routes between Europe and North Africa. When he's not campaigning to save Turkey's wetlands, Sekercioglu has been known to attempt to summit the 16,854 foot Mount Ararat; his last attempt had him abandoned near the summit by a sick 15 year-old mountain guide.

The Variety of Photography: Wildlife, Adventure and Models - Ben Horton

Few professions afford as much versatility as photography. And for Ben Horton, variety is the spice of life. The Los Angeles based photographer spends time snapping sharks and crocodiles in Costa Rica, shooting models on California's deserts, and riding horses in Mongolia. Horton appreciates the comforts of Los Angeles, but enjoys the call of adventure that capturing images for National Geographic affords. Hortons says composing images and shooting models has helped him improve his wildlife photography skills as well. But Horton says that sharks and crocodiles are often less willing subjects than the models.

Preparation As Personal Choice: Motorcycling from Tibet to France - Toby Storie-Pugh

Some adventurers prepare exhaustively for their expeditions. And others take more of an "off-the-cuff" approach to their adventures. Toby Storie-Pugh explains that "where you sit on the preparation continuum is a matter of personal choice." And for a motorcycle trip from Tibet to Paris, Storie-Pugh's decision was to learn how to ride the bike in the weeks leading up to the 8,000 mile road trip and stay as sharp as possible during the ride. Storie-Pugh rode through Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran on his route, but said that the vast majority of people in those countries were very welcoming. His 2015 plans include summiting Everest and walking the length of the Congo River.

Searching the World For The Familiar - Andre Aciman

People travel for all different reasons. Many people, like Boyd, travel to gain new experiences, see new places and meet new people. But others, like Andre Aciman, are exiles constantly searching for the familiar. Aciman explains in his book of essays, Alibis, that he travels to reconnect with a past that cannot be reclaimed.

Crazy Far: How To Get People Into Deep Space - Tim Folger

Some people plan their international vacations for months, but for a very specific NASA mission, it might take centuries to plan. Tim Folger tells Boyd that scientists are starting to think of ways for humans to venture out into the deeper recesses of the universe. The trick, however, is finding a way to power a humungous space ship that can take humans "Crazy Far". Folger's story is in the January 2013 issue of National Geographic magazine.