<i>Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory</i> takes you behind the scenes of wildlife filmmaking

National Geographic has set the bar for wildlife photography and videography for decades now — so much so that we tend to forget the immense amount of work and bravery that goes into their remarkable shots. Every piece of jaw-dropping National Geographic footage was captured by a daring photographer out in the wilderness, but we rarely get a portrait of the people behind the cameras.

That’s the premise behind Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory, a new series streaming Sept. 8 on Disney+. The five-episode season follows Gregory, a 29-year-old National Geographic Explorer and wildlife filmmaker, as he captures the natural world on camera. From Antarctica to Zambia and everywhere in between, viewers ride alongside Gregory for every part of the action, getting behind-the-scenes information about his leading-edge technology and techniques, and — of course — an up-close look at the wildlife he films.

“I’ve been part of the behind-the-scenes wildlife hybrid shows for a while, Gregory says, “but to do it on this scale, with this ambition and to really go for the same behavior and spectacles that the biggest landmark natural history shows are going for — that’s just epic.” Here’s what you can expect to see in the series:

Gregory may be only 29, but he’s been interested in wildlife filmmaking for his entire life. He won an outdoor photography award as a child, and he got his big break in the field by assisting legendary National Geographic photographer Steve Winter. Since then, he’s quickly made a name for himself in the natural history world by producing multiple National Geographic series, even winning a BAFTA. In Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory, his charisma and playful humor is evident throughout the series, even as viewers get a glimpse into how difficult and dangerous his job can be. Gregory is also passionate about conservation, and capturing the natural world right now, as it’s facing its greatest challenges.

As with any National Geographic series, you can expect to see stunning footage of jaw-dropping locations and awe-inspiring animals. In Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory, Gregory travels to the icy wilderness of Antarctica, the remote forests of Zambia, and the tropical islands of Costa Rica, and films species including leopard seals, hammerhead sharks, and lions. Even more impressive than the locations and animals is the number of unique interactions caught on camera during filming. In a wildlife filmmaking first, Gregory captured footage of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins playing and physically touching. He also discovered one of the biggest-ever gatherings of fin whales in Antarctica, navigated a crocodile-infested forest, and watched a herd of buffalos fight back against a lion pride.

Along with extraordinary animals and locations, what makes Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory unlike any other natural history show is that viewers get to see the behind-the-scenes of Gregory’s wildest shots. From a half-million-dollar gyro-stabilized rig to remote 4K cameras placed in an eagle’s nest, the series gives an inside look at the technology and techniques that Gregory uses to get the perfect shot. Viewers will watch him use military diving technology (known as “rebreathers”) to stay underwater longer than traditional scuba diving equipment, ride on underwater scooters to keep up with whales while filming, and utilize the latest drone technologies to film eagles hunting from the air. This detailed look into his tech and process provides a unique insight into the technical wizardry and craft of wildlife camera operators and their teams.

Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory begins streaming on Disney+ on Disney+ Day, Sept. 8.