Wake Up with Sunrise Earth

This morning, I watched the sun rise over the Costa Rican rainforest. Yesterday, it rose over the swamplands of Florida. The day before, it rose through the fog covering San Francisco Bay. No, I'm not a world traveler though I wish I was. Instead, I am able to sip my coffee and watch the sunrise each morning in all its high def glory on Discovery HD Theatre's Sunrise Earth.

If you have HDTV, tune in each morning and enjoy the real-time experience of watching the sun rise in glorious locations around the globe. I love the spectacular photography and the lack of fast cuts between camera angles. Nature provides the soundtrack with birds chirping, waves crashing, and leaves rustling in the wind.

The program isn't one that you sit and watch from start to finish and it's not mentally stimulating. Instead, it's perfect for having on in the background. I usually tune in, brew a pot of coffee, and read the newspaper. As the coffee begins brewing, dawn begins to break. By the time I've worked my way through the entire newspaper, the sun is shining and Sunrise Earth is over. It's a wonderful way to start the day.

While I could just as easily step out onto my front porch and enjoy the real thing, it's often too cold for that or the kids need help with their cereal and getting ready for school. It's a nice alternative to have the calming, yet energizing, sunrise take place from the comfort of my family room. Plus, I get to enjoy a change of scenery each day.

The Sunrise Earth filmmakers travel to exotic locations and give you a taste of what it's like to watch the sun rise on the other side of the globe. You'll see wildlife as well as farm animals and people going about their business, becoming part of the landscape. It's easy to glance up at the television and pretend it's a window and that you are vacationing in a cabin in the mountains or a seaside cottage.

My children also enjoy watching Sunrise Earth. Not only are they learning about different areas of our country and the rest of the world, they appreciate the natural beauty unfolding before their eyes. They're like me; none of us watch it from start to finish. Rather we go about our business and check in on the sunrise's progress from time to time. On the days when we tune in to Sunrise Earth, the entire household is calmer. In contrast, when we tune in to cartoons, the morning feels rushed and chaotic.

I love my HDTV all the more thanks to programming such as Discovery HD Theater's Sunrise Earth.