Ever since I bought a new 50-inch plasma TV, I’ve been looking for interesting nature programs to watch in high definition. I felt like I hit the jackpot when I began watching the Discovery Channel miniseries Planet Earth.

I’ve recorded every episode of the 11-part miniseries since it began airing on consecutive Sundays on March 25 and tonight I’m looking forward to the final two installments, Forests and Caves (8pm and 9pm ET/PT, respectively).

Actress/conservationist Sigourney Weaver narrates each hour-long episode of Planet Earth, which was put together by the makers of the nature history series Blue Earth.

I’ve never been so captivated by a program before. I can’t believe the filmmakers were able to capture such animal behaviors like the elusive snow leopard in the highest peaks of the Himalayas and the elephants on a months-long trek through the desert in search of water. The scenarios presented truly conveyed the emotions of the animals that humans aren’t often privy to.

The final episodes tonight are airing on both the regular Discovery Channel as well as on its high-def counterpart Discovery HD Theater. Since I’m always on the HD channel, I didn’t realize that the non-HD Discovery Channel is currently running an all-day marathon of the show, which includes Pole to Pole, Mountains, Deep Oceans, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Shallow Seas, Great Plains, Jungles, and Freshwaters.

While the series is really made for high-definition screening that will amaze audiences, even without high-def, Planet Earth shouldn’t be missed. Be sure to catch the dance of the bird of paradise in the Jungles episode.

Also, at 10pm, Discovery Channel is showing the Making of Planet Earth, which I can’t wait to see.

On Tuesday, April 24, the Planet Earth boxset will be available on DVD and HD DVD.