Jason Edwards National Geographic

National Geographic magazine's Top 10 Photos of the Year presents a countdown to the magazines best image from 2009, chosen by National Geographic magazine editor in chief Chris Johns from his list of the 10 best photographs published in the magazine last.

Despite their deserved reputation as fearsome hunters, African crocodiles are surprisingly vulnerable prey. This 50-minute entry into the National Geographic canon chronicles the lives of these 16-foot long, 1-ton beasts that Africans call "the animal that kills while smiling." When not taking down unsuspecting wildebeests come to quench their thirst on the banks of the Grumeti River in Tanzania, the female crocodiles spend a good part of their year nurturing first their eggs and then their young

The giant panda has to be the best-known endangered species on the planet, thanks to the efforts of the World Wildlife Fund (among a host of others). In Save the Panda, National Geographic followed WWF-funded scientists as they made the first outside expedition into the People's Republic of China to study and, ultimately, help preserve these environmental icons. You'll see historical footage of panda hunting, the "panda-monium" that seized the Western world midcentury as a few dozen found their way into zoos, and the efforts of China and international organizations to help these animals deal with loss of habitat and a deadly bamboo die-off.

Jean returns to Ol Pejeta where management are forced to deal with problem elephants that use their tusks to break through eletricfied fence and raid local villagers crops.

In a remote part of southern Africa, a recent drought caused a quiet but significant upheaval. United by a common instinct to survive, scores of animals set out in search of water. The animals journey proved to be a life-and-death struggle that brought about momentous change to a pristine landscape of forest and river.

Is it possible for karate masters to zap each other with invisible energy, for mystics to mutilate themselves and feel no pain? Can masters of Hindu Transcendental Meditation fly? Examine the evidence for superpowers in humans.

Ultimate Factories is a documentary that covers the inside workings of various factories across the United States. Produced by Michael Hoff Productions, Inc. based in Emeryville, CA and National Geographic Film & Television, each episode profiles the machinery and manpower behind each factory's main product. The documentaries feature close-ups, breakdowns, interviews, and side stories to show the sequence of events in order to show the process in the factory. The series is broadcast on the National Geographic Channel. Three episodes kicked off the series with additional episodes following later in the schedule.

This is an epic documentary production, beautifully crafted and filmed by director Jonathan Finnigan and award-winning National Geographic photographer Mike Yamashita. It tells the story of one of the greatest overland journeys ever attempted by man, and follows Marco Polo's China route along the legendary Silk Road, using his writings as our guide book. Along the way we follow Marco Polo's adventures, with all the sights and sounds of the journey enhanced by additional colour and texture from live musical performances. In this visual feast, we experience a world where little has changed in 700 years, and seek to answer the important question: Did Marco Polo reach his destination? Or was it all an exquisite, exotic tissue of lies inspired by their author's own dreams and imaginings? This beautiful film takes us closer to the truth, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind.

Ultimate Factories is a documentary that covers the inside workings of various factories across the United States. Produced by Michael Hoff Productions, Inc. based in Emeryville, CA and National Geographic Film & Television, each episode profiles the machinery and manpower behind each factory's main product.
The documentaries feature close-ups, breakdowns, interviews, and side stories to show the sequence of events in order to show the process in the factory.
The series is broadcast on the National Geographic Channel. Three episodes kicked off the series with additional episodes following later in the schedule.

*Apache – This episode follows production of the Attack Helicopter AH-64 Apache at the Boeing factory.