Original subtitles

HI, I’M BILL PULLMAN.

THE FILM YOU’RE ABOUT TO SEE

REVEALS A SIDE OF YELLOWSTONE \h\h\h\h\hTHAT FEW APPRECIATE,

\hSOARING OVER THE PARK WITH A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW.

\h\h\hIN THE SHADOW OF BISON AND BEARS,

BIRDS LIVE A COMPLEX AND FASCINATING LIFE

IN ALL OF YELLOWSTONE’S \h\h\h\h\h\h\hHABITATS.

THERE’S A FAMILY OF OSPREYS NESTING HUNDREDS OF FEET UP

ON A TINY COLUMN OF ROCK

\h\h\h\h\hOVERLOOKING THE YELLOWSTONE FALLS.

THERE’S A MOMENT WHEN THE CHICKS ARE READY TO TAKE OFF

FOR THEIR FIRST FLIGHT.

\h\h\h\hIT’S A RARE GLIMPSE OF THE DRAMA THAT PLAYS OUT

\hIN NESTS HIDDEN ALL OVER THE PARK.

THIS IS THE STORY OF YELLOWSTONE’S BIRDS,

LIFE ON THE WING.

♪

\hIT’S HOME TO BIRDS OF EVERY FEATHER...

[THRUMMING]

[CHIRPING]

DRAWN TO ITS WILDEST REACHES.

HUNTERS PATROL THE CANYONS.

PROTECTORS STAND GUARD \h\h\hIN THE WETLANDS.

[CROAKING AND CHIRPING]

PROVIDERS TOIL IN THE FORESTS.

\h\h\h\h\hTHESE ARE THE WINGS THAT SOAR OVER YELLOWSTONE...

GATHERING FROM DISTANT HORIZONS

TO MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER’S \h\h\h\h\h\hBRIEF ABUNDANCE.

♪

[CHIRPING]

THEY MUST SURVIVE \hAMONG GIANTS...

IN A PLACE WHERE WINTER \h\h\hIS NEVER FAR AWAY.

♪

A SINGLE PURPOSE DRIVES THEM ON--

\h\hAN URGENT NEED THEY MUST FULFILL.

[SCREECHING]

\h\hTO SEIZE OPPORTUNITY IN THE SEASON OF PLENTY

\h\h\h\hAND GIVE FLIGHT TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

♪

[CHIRPING]

[SQUAWKING]

A WINTER MORNING IN YELLOWSTONE.

WARMTH AND COLOR ARE GONE.

BUT A SINGLE SONG FILLS THE AIR.

[TWITTERING]

WEARING TINY SLIPPERS OF ICE,

THE DIPPER IS UNDETERRED BY SUBZERO TEMPERATURES.

RAPIDS ON THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER

\h\h\hHAVE FROZEN INTO A SLIPPERY STAIRCASE.

PERFECT HUNTING GROUNDS \h\h\h\hFOR THE DIPPER.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hNORTH AMERICA’S ONLY TRULY AQUATIC SONGBIRD

DIVES BENEATH THE ICE

\h\hIN SEARCH OF INSECT LARVAE HIDING ON THE ROCKY RIVER BED.

ITS WATERPROOF FEATHERS \h\hPROTECT A DOWNY COAT

AS IT PROBES UNDER PEBBLES \h\hIN THE SWIFT CURRENT.

♪

FEW BIRDS REMAIN IN YELLOWSTONE THROUGH THE BITTER WINTER.

\h\h\h\hRESIDENT BALD EAGLES ARE RESOURCEFUL SCAVENGERS,

FLYING VAST DISTANCES \hIN SEARCH OF MEALS.

RAVENS TRACK WOLVES,

LOOTING THEIR KILLS.

\h\h\h\h\hAND ALONE ON THIS TINY STRETCH OF OPEN WATER,

THE DIPPER THRIVES \h\hAMONG THE ICE.

BUT SOON ITS SOLITARY WINTER \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hON THE RIVER

WILL COME TO AN END.

♪

[HONK HONK]

[CHIRPING]

AS THE DAYS GROW LONGER,

A CHORUS GRADUALLY RETURNS \h\h\h\h\hTO YELLOWSTONE.

[BIRDS CALLING]

SPRING IS THE SEASON \h\h\hOF ARRIVAL...

[HONKING]

OF EMERGENCE...

[CHIRPING]

[HONKING]

A CONCERT OF NEW LIFE.

[TRILLING]

[SQUAWKING]

\h\h\hRISING ABOVE IT ALL IS AN UNMISTAKABLE SOUND.

[WARBLING]

A PAIR OF SANDHILL CRANES,

EARLY MIGRANTS

FROM THEIR WINTER RANGE \h\h\hIN THE SOUTHWEST.

[WARBLING]

\h\h\hTHEY’VE LANDED IN GRIZZLY TERRITORY

IN A HIGH ALPINE MEADOW.

THEY MUST BE CAUTIOUS,

\h\h\hBUT THEY DON’T HAVE TIME TO WASTE.

THEY’RE HERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE

\h\h\h\h\h\hOF YELLOWSTONE’S BRIEF SEASON OF ABUNDANCE--

A RACE...

TO BREED AND REAR THEIR YOUNG \h\h\hBEFORE THE COLD RETURNS.

EACH SPRING, THE SANDHILL CRANES REVIVE THEIR COURTSHIP.

[WARBLING]

A DANCE.

[BEAR GROANS]

\hTHEY COORDINATE THEIR MOVEMENTS...

[WARBLING]

AND CALL IN UNISON.

[WARBLING]

SHE TILTS HER BILL SKYWARD IN SIGNAL OF READINESS...

[WARBLES]

\h\hAND THE CRANES RENEW THEIR UNION.

[WARBLING]

\h\h\hNOW THEY CAN BEGIN THEIR SEARCH FOR A HOME.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE GROUND NESTERS WILL SEEK A SECLUDED WETLAND,

\h\h\hOUT OF THE WAY OF CURIOUS ONLOOKERS

AND POTENTIAL PREDATORS.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFOR SANDHILLS, A MATE IS A PARTNER FOR LIFE.

BUT FOR OTHERS,

COUPLING CAN BE A QUICK \h\hAND DRAMATIC AFFAIR.

JUST OUTSIDE OF YELLOWSTONE’S \h\h\h\h\h\hWESTERN BOUNDARY,

\h\hA REMOTE VALLEY OPENS UP TO A VAST EXPANSE OF SAGE MEADOWS.

♪

♪

[THRUMMING]

AN INTRIGUING SOUND

DRAWS A FEMALE SAGE GROUSE \h\hTO A SPRING GATHERING.

AND SHE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE \h\h\h\h\h\hWHO HEARS IT.

\h\h\h\hALL ACROSS THE MEADOW, HENS ARE CONVERGING ON A LEK,

A STAGE WHERE MALES DISPLAY THEIR WARES.

THE HEN PERUSES THE OFFERINGS,

JUDGING EVERY DETAIL.

A FANCY FAN OF TAIL FEATHERS...

BRIGHT YELLOW EYE-COMBS...

ERECT PLUMAGE...

A LARGE BREAST POUCH.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT TO THE HEN \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS THE SOUND.

\h\h\h\h\hA COURTING CALL PRODUCED FROM HIS AIR SAC,

WHICH HE FILLS

AND FLAUNTS.

HIS ELABORATE DISPLAY ATTRACTS HER INTEREST.

BUT THE MORNING IS YOUNG.

\h\h\h\hAND THE FIELD IS FULL OF PROSPECTS.

SHE CONTINUES HER REVIEW.

IN CHOOSING THE SHOWIEST MALES,

FEMALE SAGE GROUSE SELECT TRAITS

\hTHAT ARE USEFUL ONLY IN COURTSHIP.

\hBRIGHT DECORATIONS AND UNGAINLY POUCHES

\h\h\hARE A DISADVANTAGE IN A WORLD OF PREDATORS.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBY SURVIVING IN SPITE OF THESE BURDENS,

A MALE PROVES THAT HE HAS \hSTRONG GENES TO PASS ON.

AND THE HEN TAKES NOTE.

♪

[THRUMMING]

SHE MAKES HER SELECTION.

BUT THE MALE IS WRAPPED UP \h\h\hIN HIS PERFORMANCE.

HE KEEPS ON STRUTTING.

AND SOMEONE ELSE CATCHES HER EYE.

A RIVAL,

READY TO COMPETE.

THE STANDOFF BEGINS \h\hWITH POSTURING.

[CLUCKING]

THE MALES SIZE EACH OTHER UP.

IT’S AN EVEN MATCH.

AND BACKING DOWN NOW WOULD MEAN LOSING THE CHANCE TO BREED.

♪

♪

[CLUCKING]

♪

\h\h\h\hTHE RIVAL CLAIMS A BEAK FULL OF FEATHERS,

AND WITH IT, VICTORY.

HIS OPPONENT LOSES HIS CHANCE.

THE WINNER BRIEFLY SERVES \h\h\h\hHIS ONLY PURPOSE,

PASSING HIS SUPERIOR STRENGTHS \h\h\h\h\hTO THEIR OFFSPRING.

BUT THE FEMALE SAGE GROUSE \h\hWILL RAISE THEM ALONE.

\h\h\h\h\hLATE SPRING WARMS YELLOWSTONE’S HIGH COUNTRY,

\h\h\h\h\hMELTING THE SNOWPACK AND REVEALING FIELDS OF GREEN.

♪

BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER DRAIN INTO YELLOWSTONE LAKE

AND POUR OVER THE FALLS.

IN A MATTER OF WEEKS,

THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER SURGES TO 25 TIMES ITS WINTER FLOW.

THE ANNUAL SPRING FLOOD \h\h\h\h\h\hIS UNDERWAY.

THE DIPPER’S HUNTING GROUNDS \h\h\h\h\h\hARE TRANSFORMED.

[CHIRPING]

AND NEW NEIGHBORS HAVE MOVED IN.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS.

[QUACKING]

LIKE THE DIPPERS,

\hHARLEQUIN DUCKS AVOID COMPETITION

BY EXPLOITING A PLACE \h\h\hFEW OTHERS CAN--

THE WHITEWATER.

BENEATH THE RAGING RAPIDS,

AQUATIC INSECTS GROW LARGE IN THE OXYGENATED WATERS.

♪

THE DUCKS HAVE ARRIVED

FROM WINTERING GROUNDS ON THE PACIFIC COAST.

\h\h\hLIFELONG PARTNERS ARE PREPARING TO BREED.

BUT SOME DUCKS HAVE NO MATES.

THE PAIRED HARLEQUINS \h\hMUST BE WATCHFUL.

[CALLING]

IN THE CHAOS OF THE RAPIDS,

BACHELOR MALES TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE ESTABLISHED COUPLE.

THEY RUSH THE FEMALE,

WORKING TO SEPARATE HER \h\h\h\h\hFROM HER MATE.

\h\h\hTHE MALE MUST DRIVE AWAY INTRUDERS

WHILE GUARDING HIS PARTNER.

♪

[CHIRPING]

♪

TOGETHER, THEY WARD OFF \h\h\h\hCONSTANT ATTACKS

UNTIL THEY SUCCESSFULLY BREED.

[CALLING]

[TWITTERING]

THE RITUALS OF SPRING \h\h\h\hIN YELLOWSTONE

UNFOLD IN A STEADY RHYTHM.

[THUNDER]

\h\h\h\hBUT THE SEASON HERE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

EVERYTHING CAN CHANGE \h\h\h\h\hIN A MOMENT.

[CALLING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hMORE THAN HALF OF YELLOWSTONE’S WETLANDS

ARE SEASONAL.

[GEESE HONKING]

THEY FILL WITH SPRING MELT,

THEN VANISH IN THE SUMMER HEAT.

AS THESE EPHEMERAL MARSHES \h\h\h\h\h\hCOME TO LIFE,

THEY PROVIDE POCKETS OF HABITAT FOR THE RETURNING BIRDS.

USING LAST YEAR’S REEDS \h\h\h\h\h\hAND SEDGES,

THE SANDHILL CRANES \hHAVE BUILT A NEST.

\h\hA MOAT OF WATER PROTECTS THEIR SITE.

BUT THE MARSH OFFERS NO SHELTER FROM THE SUDDEN SPRING SNOW.

THE PARENTS-TO-BE TAKE SHIFTS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGUARDING TWO TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE EGGS.

THEY MUST TRADE POSTS QUICKLY.

THE WARMTH OF THEIR BODIES \h\h\h\hWILL GIVE THE EGGS

\h\h\h\hTHEIR ONLY CHANCE OF SURVIVING THE BLIZZARD.

♪

BIRDS THAT LAY THEIR EGGS EARLY GIVE THEIR CHICKS A HEAD START.

BUT THEY MUST COMMIT TO ENDURING THE LATE SPRING STORMS,

OR LOSE EVERYTHING.

[WARBLING]

♪

♪

AS THE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATES,

MAMMALS CONTINUE TO MOVE.

BISON PUSH TOWARD \hSUMMER PASTURE.

GRIZZLIES FORAGE,

MAKING UP FOR CALORIES LOST \h\h\h\hDURING HIBERNATION.

\h\hBUT THE BIRDS ARE BOUND TO THE NEST AS GUARDIANS...

BURIED BY RESPONSIBILITY.

EXPOSED IN THE STORM,

AN EMPTY NEST BALANCES ON A PILLAR OF STONE.

PERCHED HUNDREDS OF FEET \h\h\h\hABOVE THE RIVER,

\h\hIT’S BUFFETED BY THE WIND THAT HOWLS THROUGH THE CANYON

AT THE BASE OF YELLOWSTONE’S \h\h\h\hICONIC LOWER FALLS.

IN THESE CONDITIONS,

IT’S NO PLACE FOR AN OSPREY \h\h\h\h\hTO KEEP EGGS WARM.

[CALLING]

BUT SHE MUST TAKE A GAMBLE.

IF SHE WAITS ANY LONGER \h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO BREED,

HER CHICKS WON’T HAVE TIME \h\h\h\hTO GROW AND FLEDGE

BEFORE THEIR FALL MIGRATION.

[CALLING]

SO, IN SPITE OF THE BLIZZARD,

SHE CALLS IN HER MATE.

♪

[CHIRP]

♪

[CHIRPING]

♪

THIS PAIR’S LEGACY

IS NOW AT THE MERCY \h\hOF THE ELEMENTS.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\hFOR THEIR EGGS TO SURVIVE, THE WEATHER MUST CHANGE QUICKLY.

[CHIRPING]

AND IN YELLOWSTONE, \h\h\hIT OFTEN DOES.

[THUNDER]

THE MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD

\h\h\h\h\hCAN TAKE NO CHANCES IN THE FICKLE SPRING WEATHER.

[THUNDER]

\hAT THE EDGE OF A FOREST STANDS A GNARLED FIR TREE.

ITS DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

BUT STILL, IT NURTURES LIFE.

ITS HOLLOWED REFUGE

HOLDS THE BLUEBIRD’S MATE \h\h\h\h\hAND THEIR EGGS,

\hSHELTERING THEM FROM THE EXTREMES.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hAFTER 10 DAYS OF INCUBATING HER CLUTCH,

THE BLUEBIRD IS RESTLESS,

\h\hAND BENEATH HER, SHE FEELS STIRRINGS.

♪

A TREE IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO HIDE FROM THE BIG WORLD.

\h\h\hBUT CLIMBING BACK DOWN TO THE GROUND CAN BE TRICKY.

WHILE THEIR MOTHER WAS FORAGING,

\hTWO TINY BLACK BEAR CUBS HID STASHED IN THE CANOPY,

\h\h\h\hOUT OF THE PATH OF AGGRESSIVE GRIZZLIES

THAT ROAM THE MEADOWS.

\h\h\hSHE RETRIEVES THEM WHEN IT’S TIME TO NURSE.

♪

THE BLUEBIRD SUMMONS HIS MATE.

[CHIRPING]

HE DELIVERS HIS GIFT--

A FAT CATERPILLAR,

THE BLUEBIRD’S FAVORITE MEAL.

[CHIRPING]

HIS SONG, SUNG FOR HER,

REASSURES HER THAT ALL IS WELL \h\h\h\h\h\hOUTSIDE THE NEST.

♪

[CHIRPING]

\h\h80% OF YELLOWSTONE IS COVERED IN FOREST.

\h\h\hITS EDGES PROVIDE BOTH PROTECTION AND OPPORTUNITY.

♪

[CUB SCREECHING]

AS THE CUBS BEGIN TO EXPLORE \h\h\h\h\hTHE RICH HABITAT,

THEIR MOTHER WILL TEACH THEM

THE RESOURCEFULNESS \hOF THE OMNIVORE...

[SCREECHING]

\h\h\h\h\hSEEKING OUT MEALS WHEREVER THEY CAN BE FOUND.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\h\hALL ALONG THEIR ROUTE, THE NEIGHBORS KEEP CLOSE WATCH.

[SQUAWK]

\h\hTHERE’S A REASON THE NORTHERN FLICKER

CHOOSES A HOME WITH STURDY WALLS AND A VERY SMALL DOOR.

♪

[CHIRPING]

THE BLACK BEAR’S SHORT CLAWS \hMAKE HER AN AGILE CLIMBER.

[GROANING]

SHE CAN HEAR THE FLICKER

\h\h\hAND ITS CHICKS MOVING IN THE NEST.

[BIRD CHIRPING]

[CHIRPING]

BUT TRY AS SHE MIGHT, SHE CAN’T GET TO THEM.

\h\h\hTHE PROTECTION OF THE CAVITY HOLDS.

[CHIRPING]

AND EVERYONE CAN RELAX.

[CALLS]

[GROANING]

[CHIRPING]

AFTER TWO WEEKS OF INCUBATION,

THE BABY BLUEBIRDS BEGIN TO PUSH AGAINST THEIR SHELLS.

[CHIRPING]

\hTHEIR MOTHER CALLS WITH ENCOURAGEMENT.

\h\h\h\h\hMAYBE TONIGHT SHE’LL MEET HER CHICKS.

MELTING SNOW AND FALLING RAIN \h\h\hHAVE REVIVED THE MARSH.

[CROAKING]

ALL AROUND THE CRANE, \hTHE WETLAND WAKES...

[CROAKING]

FILLS WITH SOUND.

[CROAKING]

[SCREECHING]

[SQUAWKING]

SHE’S SAT THROUGH THE NIGHT

AND WAITS TO BE RELIEVED \h\h\h\h\h\hBY HER MATE.

[SCREECHING]

BUT HE’S LATE.

IN HIS APPROACH, HE’S TRESPASSED.

\hTHE RED-WING BLACKBIRD IS FIERCELY TERRITORIAL.

[CHIRPING AND WARBLING]

AND IT HAS BACKUP.

[CHIRPING]

♪

\h\hWHEN HE FINALLY ARRIVES, HE’S MET WITH HIS NEW TASK.

♪

PARENTING.

♪

ONLY HOURS OLD,

THE COLT STANDS,

READY TO MEET ITS PROTECTOR.

[WARBLING]

THE CRANES REAFFIRM THEIR BOND

AS THEY EMBARK ON THIS NEW PHASE OF THEIR UNION...

[WARBLING]

THE CARE OF A TINY COLT.

IN THE NEST, A SECOND EGG \h\h\hHASN’T YET HATCHED.

BUT CONCERN FOR THE EGG IS QUICKLY PUSHED ASIDE

BY MORE PRESSING DANGER.

♪

[WARBLING]

\h\h\h\h\hA LIFE ON THE GROUND MEANS A LIFE AMONG PREDATORS.

THE SANDHILL CRANES MEET DANGER HEAD ON,

PUTTING THEMSELVES BETWEEN THE COYOTE AND THEIR NEST.

[WARBLING]

\hBUT IN THEIR EFFORT TO DEFEND THEIR CHICK,

\h\hTHE PARENTS HAVE EXPOSED THE COLT TO ANOTHER THREAT.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hTHE NORTHERN HARRIER COURSES YELLOWSTONE’S MARSHES,

GLIDING LOW.

FLIGHTLESS, WITHOUT SHELTER,

THE COLT IS AN EASY TARGET.

♪

[CHIRPING]

[SQUEAK]

♪

TODAY’S CATCH IS A MOUSE.

THE COLT IS SPARED.

\h\hBUT THE CLOSE CALL SERVES AS A REMINDER.

THE SUCCESS OF THIS FAMILY \h\h\h\hOF GROUND NESTERS

WILL REQUIRE THE CONSTANT VIGILANCE OF BOTH PARENTS,

UNTIL THEY’RE READY TO LEAVE \h\hTHEIR SUMMER RESIDENCE.

♪

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK \h\h\hIS NO ORDINARY HOME.

\h\hHERE, AN ACTIVE VOLCANO RUMBLES BENEATH THE SURFACE.

[HISSING]

\h\hIT RELEASES GASES AND HEATS GROUNDWATER,

TRANSFORMING THE TERRAIN.

\h\h\h\h\hYELLOWSTONE IS CONSTANTLY IN FLUX,

A LAND REFORGED.

THE FLOW OF MINERAL-RICH WATERS BUILDS DRAMATIC FEATURES.

AND WHEN GEOTHERMAL FORMATIONS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hBECOME DORMANT,

NEW HABITATS RISE.

\hON THE VERTICAL FACE OF AN OLD HOT SPRING,

DAWN ERUPTS IN A FRENZY.

[CHIRPING]

[CHIRPING]

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hCLIFF SWALLOWS MIGRATE THOUSANDS OF MILES

FROM WINTERING GROUNDS \h\hIN SOUTH AMERICA.

THEY LIVE LIFE ON THE WING,

VISITING THE GROUND ONLY WHEN THEY MUST,

TO COLLECT SOMETHING SIMPLE \h\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT CRUCIAL--

MUD.

THEY FERRY TINY DROPLETS \h\h\hBACK TO THE CLIFF,

\h\hGRADUALLY CONSTRUCTING THEIR HOME FOR THE SEASON.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\hEACH NEST IS BUILT FROM A THOUSAND INDIVIDUAL PELLETS,

WHICH MEANS A THOUSAND TRIPS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO THE RIVER.

HARD WORK.

\hBUT NOT EVERYONE IS SO INDUSTRIOUS.

SOME WILL TRY TO STEAL \h\h\hFROM A NEIGHBOR.

LEAVING A NEST UNATTENDED \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS RISKY.

PARTNERS EXCHANGE GUARD DUTY.

AND SHORT TRIPS OUT ARE BEST.

\hAT THIS COLONY OF SWALLOWS, VISITORS LEND A HELPING HAND.

♪

AS HERDS OF BISON MOVE,

THEY TRANSFORM THE LANDSCAPE.

[CHIRPING]

\hALL AROUND THE CONE OF THE DORMANT SPRING,

THE BISON CHURN THE EARTH.

[CHIRPING]

♪

EVEN THE PLAYFUL CALVES \h\h\h\h\hDO THEIR PART.

STIRRING THE MUD...

[CHIRPING]

MAKING A PERFECT MIX.

WITH THE BISON’S HELP,

\h\h\h\hTHE CLIFF SWALLOWS HAVE A SHORTER COMMUTE...

[CHIRPING]

WHICH MEANS MORE TIME FOR WORK.

[CHIRPING]

THE RESULT IS RAPID EXPANSION.

THROUGHOUT THE SPRING,

THE POPULATION OF YELLOWSTONE \h\h\h\h\h\hCONTINUES TO RISE.

♪

JUST MINUTES AFTER IT’S BORN, \h\h\h\h\hA BISON CALF STANDS.

IN LESS THAN AN HOUR, \hIT JOINS THE HERD--

\hITS ONLY DEFENSE AGAINST PREDATORS.

♪

\h\hFOR CALVES, EVERY MOMENT SPENT FRISKING AND SPARRING

BUILDS STRENGTH AND SPEED...

AND MAKES MORE MUD.

♪

♪

\h\h\hTHE SWALLOWS’ CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

LASTS FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

\h\h\h\hTHEY’LL LAY THEIR EGGS EVEN BEFORE THE MUD HAS DRIED.

THE WORK OF NURTURING \hTHE NEXT GENERATION

FILLS THE MEADOW...

[GROANING]

AND THE SKIES.

\h\h\h\hMAMMALS CARRY NOURISHMENT WITH THEM,

NURSING THEIR YOUNG WITH MILK.

\hBUT BIRDS MUST LEAVE THE NEST TO GATHER FOOD FOR THEIR CHICKS.

♪

\h\hTHE EAGLE TRACES THE RIVER CORRIDOR,

\h\h\h\hTHE LIFEBLOOD OF ITS SUMMER HABITAT.

IT SCANS THE CHANNEL FOR FISH,

THE BANKS FOR WATERFOWL.

♪

[CHIRPING]

[CHIRPING]

ITS MATE FEEDS HUNGRY MOUTHS THE LAST REMAINS OF A DUCK.

BUT THEIR APPETITES GROW FASTER THAN THEIR WINGS.

AND HUNGER CAN TURN SIBLINGS \h\h\h\hINTO SAVAGE RIVALS.

♪

HUNTING HAS BECOME \hA CONSTANT CHORE

FOR BOTH OF THE BLUEBIRDS.

\h\h\hLIBERATED FROM THE NEST, THE FEMALE JOINS THE PURSUIT.

\h\h\h\h\h\hSIX CHICKS REQUIRE A PERPETUAL SUPPLY OF INSECTS.

\h\h\hAND EACH DELIVERY COMPELS A SEPARATE HUNT.

♪

♪

[CHIRPING]

♪

\h\hTOGETHER, THE PARENTS MAKE OVER A DOZEN TRIPS EACH HOUR.

[CHIRPING]

♪

\hAND THE CHICKS GROW WITH REMARKABLE SPEED.

THEIR DEMAND IS TIMED PERFECTLY WITH YELLOWSTONE’S SUPPLY.

[CHIRPING]

[TWEETING]

AT THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER,

INSECTS ARE PLENTIFUL \h\h\h\hIN THE MEADOW.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\hBLUEBIRDS AREN’T THE ONLY WINGED HUNTERS

REAPING THE BOUNTY.

\hDRAGONFLIES EVOLVED 300 MILLION YEARS AGO

\h\h\hAND TOOK TO THE AIR BEFORE ANY OTHER CREATURE.

♪

FOUR WINGS POWER THE MOST PRIMITIVE FORM OF FLIGHT.

OVER THE MILLENNIA,

THE DRAGONFLY HAS PERFECTED \h\h\hTHE ART OF THE ATTACK.

IT HAS 360-DEGREE VISION

\h\h\h\h\h\hAND PROCESSES IMAGES FIVE TIMES FASTER THAN A HUMAN.

NOTHING ESCAPES ITS ATTENTIONS.

FEW CAN AVOID ITS GRASP.

♪

♪

♪

[FLUTTERING]

♪

[CHIRP]

FED BY THIS SUMMER’S ABUNDANCE,

THE BLUEBIRD CHICKS HAVE GROWN.

AFTER LESS THAN THREE WEEKS,

THEY’RE NEARLY READY TO FLEDGE,

TO HUNT ON THEIR OWN.

THEIR PARENTS ENCOURAGE THEM \h\h\h\h\hTO LEAVE QUICKLY.

SUMMER WON’T LAST FOREVER,

\hAND THE BLUEBIRDS ARE READY TO GET STARTED ON BATCH NUMBER TWO.

♪

♪

DEEP IN THE GRAND CANYON \h\hOF THE YELLOWSTONE,

\hTHE MALE OSPREY RETURNS TO ITS NEST EMPTY-HANDED.

♪

[FALLS ROARING]

♪

♪

[CHIRPING]

PERCHED HIGH ABOVE THE FALLS,

HIS FAMILY WAITS EXPECTANTLY.

BUT HE HAS NOTHING TO OFFER \h\h\h\h\hTHE THREE CHICKS,

WHO ARE STILL FAR FROM FLEDGING.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\hHIS MATE HEADS OFF IN SEARCH OF BETTER LUCK.

THERE ARE SIGNS OF TROUBLE HERE.

THE YOUNGEST CHICK HUDDLES MOTIONLESS

BETWEEN ITS LARGER SIBLINGS.

[CHIRPING]

\h\hWHEN FOOD IS LIMITED, THE YOUNGEST SUFFERS MOST.

ITS SURVIVAL MAY DEPEND \h\h\h\hON TODAY’S HUNT.

[CHIRPING]

THE OSPREY IS A SPECIALIST.

EVOLVED FOR LIFE ON THE WATER,

SHE PREYS EXCLUSIVELY \h\h\h\hON LIVE FISH.

SHE SPOTS HER TARGET FROM ABOVE

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWITH VISION THAT CUTS THROUGH THE GLARE

ON THE RIVER’S SURFACE.

[CHIRPING]

[SPLASH]

A MISS.

BUT HER HUNT IS JUST BEGINNING.

♪

♪

STILL, SHE HAS NOTHING \h\h\hFOR THE CHICKS.

♪

[CHIRPING]

BUT IN A QUIET LAKE,

\h\hHER MATE HAS FOUND A BETTER OPPORTUNITY.

\h\hHERE, EACH SUMMER, TROUT GATHER TO SPAWN.

\h\h\hTHEY’RE OCCUPIED WITH THE TASK AT HAND,

LAYING THEIR EGGS,

\h\h\h\h\h\hAND OBLIVIOUS TO THE OSPREY’S APPROACH.

[CHIRPING]

[SPLASH]

[CHIRPING]

♪

HE HEADS FOR HOME.

BUT HIS CATCH IS NOT SAFE YET.

[SQUAWKING]

A PEREGRINE FALCON,

THE WORLD’S FASTEST BIRD,

IS AFTER HIS PRIZE.

TODAY’S ATTACK IS UNUSUAL.

PEREGRINES ARE SUPERB HUNTERS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hON THE WING,

BUT THEY’RE NOT KNOWN \h\h\h\h\hAS THIEVES.

♪

[CHIRPING]

[SQUAWKING]

AGAINST THE SUPERIOR FLIER,

THE OSPREY HAS ONLY ONE TACTIC \h\h\h\h\h\hTHAT MIGHT WORK--

DITCHING INTO THE WATER,

WHERE THE PEREGRINE \h\h\hCAN’T FOLLOW.

♪

[SQUAWKING]

THANKS TO HIS EVASIVE MANEUVER,

HE HAS SOMETHING TO BRING \h\h\hHIS WAITING CHICKS.

♪

[CHIRPING]

[CHIRP]

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\h\hHIS MATE FEEDS THE TWO LARGER SIBLINGS.

BUT THE SMALLEST,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCROUCHED AT THE EDGE OF THE NEST,

IS TOO WEAK TO JOIN THE FEAST.

[CHIRPING]

AT THE EAGLE NEST ON THE RIVER BEND,

\h\h\h\h\hCOMPETITION IS ALSO TAKING A TOLL.

DRIVEN BY SELF-PRESERVATION,

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE LARGER SIBLING WORKS TO ELIMINATE ITS RIVAL.

ITS PARENT WATCHES ON,

UNMOVED TO ACT.

ONE HEALTHY CHICK IS BETTER \h\h\hTHAN TWO GOING HUNGRY.

[CHIRP]

NOW THE CHICK CAN TAKE EVERY MEAL FOR ITSELF.

[CHIRP]

THE VICTOR DONS NEW PLUMAGE:

THE BLACK FEATHERS \hOF A FLEDGLING.

IN THE COMING WEEKS,

HE’LL BEGIN TESTING \h\h\hHIS STRENGTHS,

PREPARING TO LEAVE THE NEST.

\h\h\hAS SUMMER ENDS, NEW JOURNEYS APPROACH.

THE SANDHILL CHICK NOW STANDS NEARLY AS TALL AS ITS PARENTS.

\h\hTHE URGE TO FLY WILL SOON TAKE HOLD.

♪

\h\h\h\hBUT FOR THE DIPPER, LIFE WILL ALWAYS BE AQUATIC.

[CHIRPING]

AND FLEDGING IS NOT A MATTER \h\h\hOF TAKING TO THE AIR.

THE JUVENILE DIPPER,

DISTINGUISHED BY A YELLOW BEAK,

HAS JUST LEFT THE NEST.

IT WATCHES CLOSELY

AND TRIES OUT ALL THE MOVES.

FORAGING...

[CHIRP]

DIPPING...

[CHIRP]

[CHIRP]

AND, OF COURSE, SWIMMING.

♪

♪

SOME SKILLS YOU’RE BORN WITH.

THE JUVENILE DIPPER WILL BE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT SOON.

[SQUAWKING]

BUT A MEAL IS ALWAYS WELCOME.

WHEN THE YOUNG DIPPER IS READY,

\h\h\h\h\hIT WILL MOVE INTO ITS OWN TERRITORY

NOT FAR AWAY.

PERHAPS JUST AROUND \h\h\hTHE RIVERBEND.

\hBUT NOT EVERY NEST IS SO EASY TO LEAVE.

A FIRST OSPREY HAS FLEDGED.

ITS ONLY SURVIVING SIBLING \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHESITATES.

THERE’S NO ROOM FOR ERROR HERE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCAUTIOUSLY, IT TESTS ITS WINGS IN THE WIND.

[CHIRPING]

♪

♪

A MAIDEN VOYAGE

OVER ONE OF THE GREATEST \h\hLANDSCAPES ON EARTH.

♪

NEW CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD.

FOR MOST OF YELLOWSTONE’S BIRDS,

A LONG MIGRATION.

FOR THE FEW WHO STAY,

WINTER’S HARDSHIP.

AS THE SUMMER DRAWS TO A CLOSE,

SEASONAL VISITORS PART WAYS.

BUT THEY WILL RETURN \h\hTO YELLOWSTONE,

\hAND FILL ITS SKIES WITH LIFE ON WINGS.

[WARBLING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hIT’S AN IMAGE I’LL HOLD FOR A LIFETIME--

\h\h\h\hTHE POSITION OF THAT OSPREY NEST,

PERCHED ON A PINNACLE

\h\h\h\h\hOVERLOOKING THE YELLOWSTONE FALLS.

\h\h\hAND WHEN YOU CONTINUE THE JOURNEY DOWN THE RIVER,

\h\h\h\hYOU REALIZE THAT THE STORY OF YELLOWSTONE

\h\h\h\h\hDOESN’T END AT THE PARK BOUNDARY.

IN THE NEXT "EPIC YELLOWSTONE,"

\hWE DISCOVER HOW A RIVER THAT’S ALLOWED TO RUN FREE

\h\h\hCARRIES WITH IT THAT SAME WILD SPIRIT.

IT’S AN EPIC JOURNEY,

DOWN THE RIVER WILD.