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00:01:18,279 --> 00:01:20,548
Narrator:
ON THE MAP OF NORTH AMERICA,
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00:01:20,581 --> 00:01:22,783
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
3
00:01:22,816 --> 00:01:26,820
ROUGHLY DIVIDE THE CONTINENT
INTO THREE PARTS.
4
00:01:26,854 --> 00:01:29,723
BEFORE CIVILIZATION
MADE ITS MARK ON THE LAND,
5
00:01:29,757 --> 00:01:32,226
ALL THE TERRITORY
EAST OF THE GREAT RIVER
6
00:01:32,260 --> 00:01:35,563
WAS VIRGIN FOREST
AND ROLLING MEADOW.
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00:01:35,596 --> 00:01:37,898
WEST OF THE ROCKIES
LAY PINE WOODS,
8
00:01:37,931 --> 00:01:40,468
RUGGED PEAKS,
AND BARREN DESERT.
9
00:01:40,501 --> 00:01:42,303
AND DOWN THE MIDDLE
OF THE CONTINENT
10
00:01:42,336 --> 00:01:44,172
STRETCHED A BROAD,
TREELESS PLAIN,
11
00:01:44,205 --> 00:01:46,474
THE AMERICAN PRAIRIE.
12
00:01:46,507 --> 00:01:48,142
THROUGH ALL THIS VAST AREA
13
00:01:48,176 --> 00:01:50,178
FLOWED A NETWORK
OF STREAMS AND RIVERS,
14
00:01:50,211 --> 00:01:52,513
MAKING IT AN IMMENSE
GRASSLAND,
15
00:01:52,546 --> 00:01:54,548
GREEN AND FLOURISHING.
16
00:02:02,122 --> 00:02:03,691
ON THIS SEA OF GRASS
17
00:02:03,724 --> 00:02:07,060
THE PIONEERS LAUNCHED THEIR
WHITE-TOPPED PRAIRIE
SCHOONERS.
18
00:02:08,562 --> 00:02:11,832
THEIR DESTINATION WAS OREGON,
AND THE ROUTE THEY FOLLOWED
19
00:02:11,865 --> 00:02:15,336
TOOK THEM ACROSS THE ENTIRE
WIDTH OF THE TRACKLESS PLAIN.
20
00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:21,108
UNDER BROAD, BLUE SKIES,
21
00:02:21,141 --> 00:02:23,143
THEY PUSHED OFF TOWARD
THE FAR HORIZON
22
00:02:23,177 --> 00:02:25,045
INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN.
23
00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:28,549
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
24
00:02:28,582 --> 00:02:31,719
WHERE DISTANCES WERE MEASURED
IN MONTHS INSTEAD OF MILES.
25
00:02:33,654 --> 00:02:36,857
NOW AND AGAIN, A TIMELESS
LANDMARK WOULD RISE ABRUPTLY
26
00:02:36,890 --> 00:02:39,360
TO BREAK THE MONOTONY
OF THE PRAIRIE SCENE.
27
00:02:39,393 --> 00:02:42,196
SUCH WAS COURTHOUSE ROCK.
28
00:02:43,764 --> 00:02:45,699
AGAINST THE EVENING SKY,
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00:02:45,733 --> 00:02:49,069
THE SILHOUETTE OF CHIMNEY ROCK
WAS UNMISTAKABLE.
30
00:03:00,381 --> 00:03:02,716
BUT BETWEEN
THE SCATTERED GUIDEPOSTS,
31
00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:04,485
THERE WAS ALWAYS THE PRAIRIE
--
32
00:03:04,518 --> 00:03:06,153
DAYS OF PRAIRIE.
33
00:03:06,186 --> 00:03:08,055
WEEKS OF PRAIRIE.
34
00:03:11,692 --> 00:03:14,528
THEN AFTER TWO MONTHS
OF WEARY TRAVEL,
35
00:03:14,562 --> 00:03:18,065
SCOTTS BLUFF,
500 MILES FROM HOME.
36
00:03:18,098 --> 00:03:20,701
YET THE JOURNEY
WAS JUST BEGINNING.
37
00:03:20,734 --> 00:03:24,071
THE SIGHT OF A PRAIRIE RIVER
CUTTING THROUGH THE GRASSLAND
38
00:03:24,104 --> 00:03:26,106
WAS ALWAYS A WELCOME RELIEF.
39
00:03:26,139 --> 00:03:28,542
HERE THE PIONEER
AND HIS TRAIL-WORN OXEN
40
00:03:28,576 --> 00:03:31,545
REFRESHED THEMSELVES
IN THE SILVERY WATERS.
41
00:03:40,254 --> 00:03:45,125
A THOUSAND MILES OUT
STOOD INDEPENDENCE ROCK.
42
00:03:45,158 --> 00:03:47,595
THIS WAS THE HALFWAY MARK --
43
00:03:47,628 --> 00:03:50,364
THE POINT OF NO RETURN.
44
00:03:50,398 --> 00:03:54,468
ANOTHER IN THE LONG SUCCESSION
OF MILESTONES WAS DEVIL'S
GATE.
45
00:03:54,502 --> 00:03:57,771
BEYOND,
THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE.
46
00:03:57,805 --> 00:04:02,109
AND BEYOND THAT,
OREGON AND JOURNEY'S END.
47
00:04:02,142 --> 00:04:04,745
HERE AND THERE, DEEP-GROOVED
IN THE FACE OF THE PRAIRIE,
48
00:04:04,778 --> 00:04:07,281
SOME OF THE OLD WAGON TRAILS
STILL REMAIN
49
00:04:07,315 --> 00:04:09,750
TO MARK THE PASSING OF AN ERA.
50
00:04:16,857 --> 00:04:19,560
BUT LONG BEFORE THE WAGON
TRAINS ROLLED WEST
51
00:04:19,593 --> 00:04:21,462
TOWARD THE SETTING SUN,
52
00:04:21,495 --> 00:04:25,299
IT WAS THE RED MAN WHO CLAIMED
THIS VAST DOMAIN AS HIS OWN.
53
00:04:25,333 --> 00:04:27,267
TO HIM IT WAS A LAND OF
PLENTY.
54
00:04:27,301 --> 00:04:29,403
AND IN HIS PRIMITIVE WAY,
HE KEPT A RECORD
55
00:04:29,437 --> 00:04:32,573
OF THE ABUNDANCE
NATURE GAVE HIM.
56
00:04:32,606 --> 00:04:34,742
HE TELLS OF TATANKA,
THE BUFFALO,
57
00:04:34,775 --> 00:04:37,811
WHO ROAMED THE PRAIRIE
IN NUMBERS BEYOND COUNTING,
58
00:04:37,845 --> 00:04:40,113
PROVIDING HIDES FOR HIS TEPEE,
59
00:04:40,147 --> 00:04:43,417
MEAT FOR HIS CAMPFIRE,
SINEW FOR HIS BOW.
60
00:04:43,451 --> 00:04:46,520
AND OF THE FLEET TAHINCHA
SANDLA, THE ANTELOPE.
61
00:04:46,554 --> 00:04:49,289
AND KICHIWABOOSE,
THE RABBIT.
62
00:04:49,323 --> 00:04:52,593
HE SPEAKS OF THE LITTLE DOG
WHO BARKS, THE PRAIRIE DOG,
63
00:04:52,626 --> 00:04:55,596
HIS FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR.
64
00:04:55,629 --> 00:04:58,432
AND THERE WAS A LEGION OF
OTHERS, FURRED AND FEATHERED.
65
00:04:58,466 --> 00:05:01,101
SOME THE INDIAN HELD IN AWE
AND REVERENCE,
66
00:05:01,134 --> 00:05:03,537
AND SOME HE HUNTED TO SURVIVE.
67
00:05:03,571 --> 00:05:06,540
FOR THIS WAS HIS PARADISE
TO USE AS HE CHOSE --
68
00:05:06,574 --> 00:05:09,677
HIS HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
CREATED ON EARTH.
69
00:05:11,379 --> 00:05:14,147
BUT ALL THIS
WAS ONLY YESTERDAY.
70
00:05:14,181 --> 00:05:16,183
THERE WAS AN EARLIER TIME,
71
00:05:16,216 --> 00:05:18,552
A TIME WITHOUT RECORD
OR REMEMBRANCE,
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00:05:18,586 --> 00:05:23,190
WHEN NATURE ALONE HELD
DOMINION
OVER THE PRAIRIE REALM.
73
00:05:23,223 --> 00:05:25,192
OF THE TEEMING MILLIONS
OF WILD CREATURES
74
00:05:25,225 --> 00:05:27,294
THAT THRIVED
IN THAT BYGONE DAY,
75
00:05:27,327 --> 00:05:30,464
ONLY A FEW
SCATTERED REMNANTS SURVIVE.
76
00:05:30,498 --> 00:05:33,734
STILL, IT'S ENOUGH FOR US
TO GAIN A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST
77
00:05:33,767 --> 00:05:36,537
AND, FOR A LITTLE WHILE
IN THIS TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE,
78
00:05:36,570 --> 00:05:40,374
RECREATE THE WONDROUS PAGEANT
THAT WAS NATURE'S PRAIRIE.
79
00:05:47,180 --> 00:05:48,882
IT'S A DAY IN EARLY SPRING.
80
00:05:48,916 --> 00:05:52,553
AND HIGH ABOVE THE GRASSLAND
ALONG THE ANCIENT FLYWAYS,
81
00:05:52,586 --> 00:05:54,555
THE HOME-COMING BIRDS
WHEEL AND TURN
82
00:05:54,588 --> 00:05:57,057
IN A PROCESSIONAL OF THE SKY.
83
00:06:31,659 --> 00:06:33,661
[ SQUAWKS ]
84
00:06:35,429 --> 00:06:38,298
SOME OF THESE MIGRATORY BIRDS
WILL MERELY PAUSE HERE
85
00:06:38,331 --> 00:06:40,400
ON THEIR WAY TO
THE ARCTIC TUNDRA.
86
00:06:40,434 --> 00:06:42,536
OTHERS WILL STAY OVER
FOR THE SEASON
87
00:06:42,570 --> 00:06:44,705
AND MAKE THE PRAIRIE MARSH
THEIR NESTING GROUNDS.
88
00:06:44,738 --> 00:06:46,406
[ CHIRPING ]
89
00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,543
THE DUCKS ARE AMONG
THE FIRST TO ARRIVE.
90
00:06:49,577 --> 00:06:51,545
WITH CARELESS GRACE
THEY SWOOP DOWN
91
00:06:51,579 --> 00:06:54,114
FOR A ROUTINE LANDING
ON THE PLACID WATERS,
92
00:06:54,147 --> 00:06:57,818
BUT SOON FIND THIS IS A TRIP
THAT ENDS IN SLIP.
93
00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:06,594
THESE EARLY BIRDS
WERE A LITTLE TOO EARLY.
94
00:07:49,236 --> 00:07:51,304
MOST OF THE PONDS ARE THAWED,
HOWEVER,
95
00:07:51,338 --> 00:07:54,374
AND LATECOMERS MAKE
A MORE DIGNIFIED ARRIVAL.
96
00:08:39,252 --> 00:08:42,422
TO THESE MARSHES COME FOWL
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
97
00:08:42,455 --> 00:08:45,092
WILD GEESE,
MANY SPECIES OF DUCKS,
98
00:08:45,125 --> 00:08:47,828
CRANES, GREBES, AND SWANS
99
00:08:47,861 --> 00:08:51,431
ALL JOIN IN A LIGHT-HEARTED
HUBBUB OF GOSSIP AND CHATTER.
100
00:09:05,212 --> 00:09:07,848
ONCE THE GREETINGS ARE OVER,
THE BIRDS BEGIN TO REGROUP
101
00:09:07,881 --> 00:09:10,651
AND PAIR OFF
FOR THE SPRING COURTSHIPS.
102
00:09:21,762 --> 00:09:25,398
EACH SPECIES FOLLOWS ITS OWN
PECULIAR MATING RITUAL.
103
00:09:25,432 --> 00:09:26,800
BUT YEAR IN, YEAR OUT,
104
00:09:26,834 --> 00:09:29,236
THE WEIRD WOOING
OF THE WESTERN GREBES
105
00:09:29,269 --> 00:09:31,772
IS ALWAYS AN OUTSTANDING
PERFORMANCE.
106
00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:09,677
WHEN THE TIME COMES
FOR HOMEMAKING,
107
00:10:09,710 --> 00:10:12,746
THE RED-NECKED GREBE
BUILDS A FLOATING NEST
108
00:10:12,780 --> 00:10:15,448
WITH THE POND
AS A PROTECTIVE MOAT.
109
00:10:22,690 --> 00:10:26,794
THIS YEAR, AS USUAL,
THE GREBES FACE A PREDICAMENT.
110
00:10:26,827 --> 00:10:29,429
SINCE HATCHING OCCURS
AT ODD INTERVALS,
111
00:10:29,462 --> 00:10:32,165
THEY HAVE THE DOUBLE PROBLEM
OF INCUBATING THEIR EGGS
112
00:10:32,199 --> 00:10:34,735
AND FEEDING THEIR CHICKS
AT THE SAME TIME.
113
00:10:39,406 --> 00:10:41,709
STILL, THEY HAVE A SYSTEM.
114
00:10:41,742 --> 00:10:43,777
THEY SIMPLY DIVIDE
THEIR DUTIES.
115
00:10:43,811 --> 00:10:45,679
AND WHILE MOTHER
SITS ON THE NEST,
116
00:10:45,713 --> 00:10:48,515
FATHER TAKES CARE
OF THE FOOD SUPPLY.
117
00:10:48,548 --> 00:10:51,418
OR SOMETIMES IT'S VICE VERSA.
118
00:10:55,756 --> 00:10:58,792
AT THE HOME
OF THE PIED-BILLED GREBES,
119
00:10:58,826 --> 00:11:00,493
IT'S FATHER WHO'S PRESIDING
120
00:11:00,527 --> 00:11:03,196
OVER THE UNHATCHED HALF
OF THE FAMILY.
121
00:11:11,504 --> 00:11:15,508
LIKE MOST MALES, HE'S RATHER
CARELESS ABOUT DOMESTIC CHORES
122
00:11:15,542 --> 00:11:17,210
AND WANDERS OFF WITH AN EGG
123
00:11:17,244 --> 00:11:20,748
STILL CLAMPED
IN HIS CHEST FEATHERS.
124
00:11:20,781 --> 00:11:23,083
WELL, THAT'S TYPICAL.
125
00:11:23,116 --> 00:11:27,187
PERHAPS IF HE HAD TO LAY THESE
EGGS, HE'D BE MORE CAREFUL.
126
00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:29,156
MOTHER MAKES A HURRIED CHECK.
127
00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:32,692
ONE, TWO, THR--
OH, HERE WE ARE.
128
00:11:34,427 --> 00:11:36,496
"I DECLARE, THESE HUSBANDS,
129
00:11:36,529 --> 00:11:39,466
ALWAYS LEAVING THINGS
FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO PICK UP."
130
00:11:46,573 --> 00:11:48,675
AMONG THE VANISHING SPECIES,
131
00:11:48,708 --> 00:11:51,578
THE WHOOPING CRANES ARE
NEAREST
TO TOTAL EXTINCTION.
132
00:11:53,313 --> 00:11:56,583
ONLY A FEW DOZEN OF THESE
BIRDS
ARE KNOWN TO EXIST.
133
00:11:58,651 --> 00:12:00,520
CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR DECLINE
134
00:12:00,553 --> 00:12:03,090
IS THE FACT THAT THEY LAY
ONLY ONE EGG A YEAR.
135
00:12:10,297 --> 00:12:11,865
EACH MATING SEASON,
136
00:12:11,899 --> 00:12:14,234
IN KEEPING WITH THEIR
PHYSICAL GRACE AND BEAUTY,
137
00:12:14,267 --> 00:12:16,669
THEY PERFORM A STATELY DANCE.
138
00:12:56,343 --> 00:12:59,412
THEIR RELATIVES,
THE SANDHILL CRANES,
139
00:12:59,446 --> 00:13:02,315
ADD AN EXTRA GESTURE TO
THE FAMILY DANCE,
140
00:13:02,349 --> 00:13:04,517
FOR THE MALE,
IN A BURST OF ENTHUSIASM,
141
00:13:04,551 --> 00:13:06,653
TOSSES A BEAKFUL OF TWIGS
INTO THE AIR
142
00:13:06,686 --> 00:13:09,689
TO EXPRESS HIS ADMIRATION
FOR HIS LADY.
143
00:13:09,722 --> 00:13:12,192
FOR SOME REASON,
THIS SETS HER ALL A-DITHER,
144
00:13:12,225 --> 00:13:14,561
AND SOON THEY'RE BOTH
WALKING ON AIR.
145
00:13:23,736 --> 00:13:26,339
[ CHIRPING, DRUMMING ]
146
00:13:30,878 --> 00:13:35,182
WHEN THE GROUSE GOES A-WOOING,
IT'S USUALLY EARLY MORNING,
147
00:13:35,215 --> 00:13:39,319
AND HIS SOULFUL SERENADE
CAN BE HEARD FROM MILES
AROUND.
148
00:13:39,352 --> 00:13:42,355
[ CHIRPING, DRUMMING CONTINUE ]
149
00:13:49,529 --> 00:13:51,564
THIS IS THE MALE SAGE GROUSE.
150
00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:54,601
[ CHIRPING, DRUMMING ]
151
00:13:56,403 --> 00:13:58,171
TO CREATE THIS ODD EFFECT,
152
00:13:58,205 --> 00:14:01,241
HE EXPELS AIR FROM
THE CHAMBERS ON HIS NECK.
153
00:14:04,177 --> 00:14:05,578
[ COOING ]
154
00:14:07,214 --> 00:14:09,316
THE TRYSTING PLACE
OF THE PRAIRIE CHICKEN
155
00:14:09,349 --> 00:14:11,384
IS CALLED A BOOMING GROUND,
156
00:14:11,418 --> 00:14:13,720
AND HE SOUNDS OFTEN MUCH
THE SAME MANNER.
157
00:14:13,753 --> 00:14:15,755
[ COOING ]
158
00:14:18,558 --> 00:14:21,061
AND SO DOES THE SHARPTAIL.
159
00:14:21,094 --> 00:14:23,096
[ COOING ]
160
00:14:26,433 --> 00:14:29,836
THE INDIAN KNEW THE GROUSE
AS MUSH KOUDASA,
161
00:14:29,869 --> 00:14:31,404
AND IN HIS TRIBAL DANCES
162
00:14:31,438 --> 00:14:33,406
HE IMITATED THESE
ECCENTRIC RHYTHMS.
163
00:15:36,536 --> 00:15:40,173
THE SYMBOL OF THE VANISHING
PRAIRIE IS THE BUFFALO.
164
00:15:40,207 --> 00:15:43,076
AND YET THERE WAS A TIME
WITHIN THE MEMORY OF MAN
165
00:15:43,110 --> 00:15:46,113
WHEN 60 MILLION AND MORE
GRAZED ON THE OPEN RANGE,
166
00:15:46,146 --> 00:15:48,481
LITERALLY BLACKENING THE
PLAIN.
167
00:15:48,515 --> 00:15:51,684
BUT WITH CIVILIZATION
CAME A WAVE OF DESTRUCTION,
168
00:15:51,718 --> 00:15:54,187
AND NOW ONLY
A FEW REMNANT BANDS REMAIN.
169
00:16:12,572 --> 00:16:15,175
BUT EACH SPRING
WITH THE NEW GRASS,
170
00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:16,843
THERE COMES A TIME OF HOPE,
171
00:16:16,876 --> 00:16:19,146
FOR THE GRASS MEANS
GOOD PASTURE,
172
00:16:19,179 --> 00:16:21,581
AND EACH SEASON
ANOTHER GENERATION.
173
00:16:26,219 --> 00:16:29,622
THE ARRIVAL OF A BUFFALO CALF
IS ALWAYS AN IMPORTANT EVENT,
174
00:16:29,656 --> 00:16:33,460
ANOTHER GUARANTEE
THAT THE SPECIES WILL SURVIVE.
175
00:16:33,493 --> 00:16:36,229
INSTINCTIVELY, THE COWS
SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS,
176
00:16:36,263 --> 00:16:38,731
FOR THEIR NEWBORN RECEIVE
THE BEST OF MATERNAL CARE.
177
00:16:51,911 --> 00:16:55,715
IT'S AN EVENT AS OLD AS TIME,
YET ALWAYS NEW --
178
00:16:55,748 --> 00:16:58,085
THE MYSTERIOUS MOMENT OF
BIRTH.
179
00:16:58,118 --> 00:17:00,587
AND HERE IS THE ACTUAL DRAMA
--
180
00:17:00,620 --> 00:17:03,590
THE COMING INTO THE WORLD
OF A BUFFALO CALF.
181
00:17:04,891 --> 00:17:07,227
THIS IS A TIME OF SUSPENSE,
182
00:17:07,260 --> 00:17:09,696
THIS BRINGING INTO BEING
OF A NEW LIFE,
183
00:17:09,729 --> 00:17:13,233
FOR THE CALF IS HELPLESS
DURING THE FIRST FEW SECONDS.
184
00:17:16,436 --> 00:17:18,838
HIS FATE HINGES ON HIS
MOTHER'S
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
185
00:17:18,871 --> 00:17:21,341
TO ANCIENT INSTINCTS.
186
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:23,076
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE,
187
00:17:23,110 --> 00:17:24,777
SHE MUST REMOVE THE MEMBRANE
MASKING HIS FACE,
188
00:17:24,811 --> 00:17:26,746
OR THE CALF WILL SUFFOCATE.
189
00:17:32,552 --> 00:17:36,423
INSTINCTIVELY, SHE CONSUMES
THE TISSUE FOR TWO REASONS --
190
00:17:36,456 --> 00:17:38,391
BECAUSE THERE MUST REMAIN
NO VESTIGE
191
00:17:38,425 --> 00:17:40,693
OF THIS SCENE
TO ATTRACT PREDATORS,
192
00:17:40,727 --> 00:17:43,530
AND SINCE THE TISSUE
HELPS INDUCE HER MILK SUPPLY,
193
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:47,400
IT BECOMES A DIRECT BENEFIT
TO HER CALF.
194
00:17:47,434 --> 00:17:51,404
NEXT SHE STIMULATES
CIRCULATION
WITH A VIGOROUS MASSAGE.
195
00:17:53,506 --> 00:17:56,075
IN THESE NEXT FEW SECONDS
LIE THE DELICATE BALANCE
196
00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:58,711
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
197
00:17:58,745 --> 00:18:01,614
SHOULD THE CALF LIVE,
HE MUST BE HEALTHY AND STRONG,
198
00:18:01,648 --> 00:18:04,784
FOR THE HERD WILL NOT TOLERATE
CRIPPLES OR WEAKLINGS.
199
00:18:13,426 --> 00:18:16,563
AT LAST, MOTHER'S DEVOTION
HAS ITS REWARD.
200
00:18:16,596 --> 00:18:18,598
HER BABY WILL LIVE.
201
00:18:22,602 --> 00:18:24,437
NOW, LET'S SEE.
202
00:18:24,471 --> 00:18:27,274
FOUR LEGS, TWO EARS, ONE HEAD.
203
00:18:27,307 --> 00:18:31,043
WHY, HE'S A PERFECT BABY.
NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HIM.
204
00:18:32,545 --> 00:18:34,747
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER HIS
BIRTH,
205
00:18:34,781 --> 00:18:37,184
THE YOUNGSTER BEGINS TO SHIFT
FOR HIMSELF.
206
00:18:40,820 --> 00:18:43,856
LIKE ALL NEW BABIES,
HE'S BORN HUNGRY.
207
00:18:43,890 --> 00:18:46,426
BUT BEFORE HE CAN NURSE,
HE HAS TO STAND.
208
00:18:46,459 --> 00:18:48,261
AND FIRST HE MUST CONCENTRATE
209
00:18:48,295 --> 00:18:51,831
ON GETTING THESE WOBBLY LEGS
UNDER CONTROL.
210
00:18:51,864 --> 00:18:53,466
IN THE PROCESS, HE DISCOVERS
211
00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:55,702
THAT LIFE
HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS.
212
00:19:04,377 --> 00:19:07,514
HE NEEDS LOTS OF
ENCOURAGEMENT,
AND HE GETS IT.
213
00:19:07,547 --> 00:19:09,649
INDEED ALL THE MOTHERS
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
214
00:19:09,682 --> 00:19:12,051
SEEM ANXIOUS TO HELP
A NEW BABY.
215
00:19:24,431 --> 00:19:27,800
A FEW MORE WOBBLES
AND HE MAKES IT.
216
00:19:27,834 --> 00:19:29,469
BUT ALL THIS EFFORT
HAS LEFT HIM
217
00:19:29,502 --> 00:19:32,071
BADLY IN NEED OF NOURISHMENT.
218
00:19:32,104 --> 00:19:34,207
HE KNOWS BY INSTINCT
THAT HE MUST NURSE.
219
00:19:34,241 --> 00:19:37,477
BUT THE QUESTION IS, "WHERE?"
220
00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:41,113
HE BEGINS BY ATTACKING
THE PROBLEM WRONG-END, TOO.
221
00:19:51,558 --> 00:19:55,061
THEN HE TRIES THE RIGHT END
OF THE WRONG MOTHER.
222
00:20:02,435 --> 00:20:04,404
THIS IS DOWNRIGHT
DISCOURAGING.
223
00:20:04,437 --> 00:20:08,808
WONDER HOW A FELLOW
GETS HIS BREAKFAST AROUND
HERE?
224
00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:13,145
OH, SO THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE.
225
00:20:14,314 --> 00:20:16,583
AND SO WITH A LITTLE
COOPERATION FROM MOTHER,
226
00:20:16,616 --> 00:20:18,585
HE TAKES HIS FIRST MEAL.
227
00:20:25,825 --> 00:20:27,860
WHEN THE CALVES
ARE STRONG ENOUGH,
228
00:20:27,894 --> 00:20:30,697
THE HERD MOVES ON.
229
00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:32,699
AS THEY TRAVEL
FROM RIVER TO RIVER,
230
00:20:32,732 --> 00:20:35,302
FROM WATERHOLE TO WATERHOLE,
231
00:20:35,335 --> 00:20:40,072
THE BUFFALO USE THE SAME
TRAILS
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
232
00:20:40,106 --> 00:20:43,142
CENTURIES LATER,
WHEN MAN "THE INVADER" CAME,
233
00:20:43,175 --> 00:20:44,711
THESE WERE THE INDELIBLE
TRAILS
234
00:20:44,744 --> 00:20:47,580
THAT GUIDED HIM
IN HIS SEARCH FOR WATER.
235
00:21:00,259 --> 00:21:03,095
VANISHING, TOO,
FROM THE PRAIRIE SCENE
236
00:21:03,129 --> 00:21:05,298
ARE THE GREAT HERDS
OF PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
237
00:21:05,332 --> 00:21:08,100
THAT ONCE MADE
THE GRASSLAND THEIR HOME.
238
00:21:15,107 --> 00:21:16,809
NATIVE TO THE AMERICAN PLAIN,
239
00:21:16,843 --> 00:21:20,046
THE PRONGHORN CAN BE FOUND
NOWHERE ELSE.
240
00:21:25,718 --> 00:21:29,155
GRACEFUL, AGILE,
FLEET OF FOOT,
241
00:21:29,188 --> 00:21:31,190
THEY CAN OUTRUN
THE FASTEST HORSE.
242
00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,055
TO PROTECT HIMSELF
243
00:22:03,089 --> 00:22:05,525
FROM THE RELENTLESS ADVANCE
OF CIVILIZATION,
244
00:22:05,558 --> 00:22:09,161
THE BIGHORN SHEEP
LITERALLY TOOK TO THE HILLS.
245
00:22:12,098 --> 00:22:16,068
AND WHEN HE DESERTED HIS
ANCESTRAL RANGE ON THE
PRAIRIE,
246
00:22:16,102 --> 00:22:17,737
HE DEVELOPED AN UNCANNY SKILL
247
00:22:17,770 --> 00:22:20,172
IN ADAPTING HIMSELF TO
HIS NEW HOME.
248
00:22:24,243 --> 00:22:27,714
THE BIGHORN
IS A TRUE MOUNTAINEER.
249
00:22:27,747 --> 00:22:30,082
EVEN THE LAMBS
SEEM TO DEFY GRAVITY
250
00:22:30,116 --> 00:22:31,751
AS THEY SCALE
THE SHEEREST CLIFF.
251
00:22:59,412 --> 00:23:03,382
HERE IN HIS ROCKY OUTPOST
ON THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE,
252
00:23:03,416 --> 00:23:06,419
THE BIGHORN SHEEP
MAKES HIS LAST STAND.
253
00:23:13,259 --> 00:23:16,729
THIS INACCESSIBLE HIGH COUNTRY
IS THE FINAL STRONGHOLD
254
00:23:16,763 --> 00:23:20,600
OF ANOTHER VANISHING SPECIES,
THE MOUNTAIN LION.
255
00:23:20,633 --> 00:23:22,702
HE PLAYS AN UNEXPECTED
BUT LEGITIMATE PART
256
00:23:22,735 --> 00:23:24,270
IN THE PRAIRIE PAGEANT,
257
00:23:24,303 --> 00:23:25,705
FOR THERE WAS A TIME
WHEN HE ROAMED
258
00:23:25,738 --> 00:23:27,740
FAR AND WIDE OVER THE PLAIN.
259
00:23:29,408 --> 00:23:31,711
NOW HE'S THE WANDERER
OF THE HILLS,
260
00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:34,547
NEVER STAYING LONG
IN ANY ONE PLACE.
261
00:23:34,581 --> 00:23:36,716
SOMETIMES THE RANGE
OF A SINGLE ANIMAL
262
00:23:36,749 --> 00:23:39,351
WILL COVER SEVERAL HUNDRED
SQUARE MILES.
263
00:23:41,621 --> 00:23:44,323
HE HAS MANY NAMES --
264
00:23:44,356 --> 00:23:47,827
PUMA, PANTHER,
CATAMOUNT, COUGAR.
265
00:23:47,860 --> 00:23:50,396
BUT THE MORE COMMON NAME,
MOUNTAIN LION,
266
00:23:50,429 --> 00:23:52,799
PERHAPS FITS HIM BEST.
267
00:23:55,702 --> 00:23:59,238
IN SOME LOCALITIES,
HE WEARS THE BRAND OF OUTLAW.
268
00:23:59,271 --> 00:24:02,341
BUT NATURE LABELS NO CREATURE
EITHER GOOD OR BAD.
269
00:24:02,374 --> 00:24:04,143
TO HER, ALL ARE EQUAL
270
00:24:04,176 --> 00:24:07,046
AND MUST BE GIVEN
AN EQUAL CHANCE TO SURVIVE.
271
00:24:14,220 --> 00:24:17,590
THE CAT FAMILY FACES THE SAME
PROBLEMS AS ALL THE OTHERS --
272
00:24:17,624 --> 00:24:21,293
SELF-PRESERVATION
AND PROTECTION OF THE YOUNG.
273
00:24:36,743 --> 00:24:40,146
THE DEN OFFERS ONLY TEMPORARY
SHELTER TO THE KITTENS,
274
00:24:40,179 --> 00:24:41,548
FOR THEY'RE BORN NOMADS,
275
00:24:41,581 --> 00:24:43,349
AND SOON FORSAKE
THEIR BIRTHPLACE
276
00:24:43,382 --> 00:24:46,285
TO FOLLOW THE MOTHER
ON HER TRAVELS.
277
00:24:46,318 --> 00:24:48,487
THE FEMALE,
DEVOTED TO HER YOUNG,
278
00:24:48,521 --> 00:24:50,322
RARELY LEAVES THEM UNGUARDED.
279
00:24:50,356 --> 00:24:52,825
BUT NOW AND THEN
SHE MUST MAKE A HUNTING TRIP
280
00:24:52,859 --> 00:24:55,161
TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY
WITH FOOD.
281
00:24:57,196 --> 00:25:01,333
THE MATURE LION IS A MARVEL
OF COORDINATION AND POWER --
282
00:25:01,367 --> 00:25:04,270
200 POUNDS OF SINEW AND
MUSCLE.
283
00:25:10,242 --> 00:25:12,545
HERE IS ANIMAL GRACE
UNSURPASSED.
284
00:25:23,756 --> 00:25:25,491
IN SPITE OF HER PROWESS,
HOWEVER,
285
00:25:25,524 --> 00:25:27,393
THE MOUNTAIN LION
MUST WORK HARD
286
00:25:27,426 --> 00:25:29,696
AT HER ROLE OF FAMILY
PROVIDER.
287
00:25:29,729 --> 00:25:32,632
NOTHING COMES EASY,
EVEN FOR HER.
288
00:25:35,201 --> 00:25:37,604
THE MOUNTAIN LION
KILLS FOR ONE REASON --
289
00:25:37,637 --> 00:25:39,606
THAT SHE AND HER YOUNG
MAY LIVE.
290
00:25:39,639 --> 00:25:41,841
AND A DEER PASSING THROUGH
HER TERRITORY
291
00:25:41,874 --> 00:25:43,776
MUST RECKON WITH HER NEED.
292
00:25:56,455 --> 00:25:59,258
THE DEER, SENSING THIS
IS DANGEROUS GROUND,
293
00:25:59,291 --> 00:26:01,193
TREADS LIGHTLY.
294
00:26:01,227 --> 00:26:03,863
THE CAT ALWAYS TRIES TO
MOVE IN CLOSE
295
00:26:03,896 --> 00:26:06,432
SO THE CHASE WILL BE SHORT.
296
00:26:17,243 --> 00:26:20,146
NOW THE DEER CATCHES
THE SCENT,
297
00:26:20,179 --> 00:26:22,314
BUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND
HESITATES.
298
00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:23,650
A FATAL MISTAKE,
299
00:26:23,683 --> 00:26:25,785
FOR THE LION CAN CLOSE
THE FINAL GROUND
300
00:26:25,818 --> 00:26:27,687
WITH AMAZING SPEED.
301
00:26:30,589 --> 00:26:33,092
TO THE KITTENS WATCHING
NEARBY,
302
00:26:33,125 --> 00:26:35,461
THIS IS AN OBJECT LESSON
IN THE TECHNIQUE OF THE HUNT.
303
00:26:46,873 --> 00:26:50,677
SOMEDAY THEY MUST LEARN TO
DO THIS FOR THEMSELVES.
304
00:26:57,817 --> 00:26:59,418
AND NOW THAT THE YOUNGSTERS
305
00:26:59,451 --> 00:27:01,253
HAVE BEGUN
THEIR TRAINING PERIOD,
306
00:27:01,287 --> 00:27:03,155
MOTHER WILL SPEND
MUCH OF HER TIME
307
00:27:03,189 --> 00:27:06,693
SCHOOLING THEM IN THE ART
OF SURVIVAL.
308
00:27:06,726 --> 00:27:09,195
HERE SHE MAKES THEM UNDERSTAND
THAT DINNER IS WAITING
309
00:27:09,228 --> 00:27:11,163
AND LEADS THEM TOWARD THE
KILL.
310
00:27:26,412 --> 00:27:28,681
SINCE MOUNTAIN LIONS
HAVE NO PERMANENT HOME,
311
00:27:28,715 --> 00:27:31,150
THE FAMILY WILL SETTLE
NEAR THE FOOD SUPPLY
312
00:27:31,183 --> 00:27:34,253
FOR AS LONG AS IT LASTS
AND THEN MOVE ON.
313
00:27:48,234 --> 00:27:49,702
WHEN ALL HAVE HAD THEIR FILL,
314
00:27:49,736 --> 00:27:51,470
THE MOTHER CAT COVERS
THE REMAINDER,
315
00:27:51,503 --> 00:27:53,405
SAVING IT FOR ANOTHER MEAL,
316
00:27:53,439 --> 00:27:56,142
FOR THE LION IS BY NO MEANS
A BLOODTHIRSTY MARAUDER.
317
00:27:56,175 --> 00:27:58,310
AS LONG AS THERE'S FOOD
AT HAND,
318
00:27:58,344 --> 00:28:00,346
SHE WILL NOT KILL AGAIN.
319
00:28:14,626 --> 00:28:17,696
KITTENS ARE KITTENS,
WHATEVER THE KIND,
320
00:28:17,730 --> 00:28:19,832
AND YOUNG MOUNTAIN LIONS
HAVE ALL THE USUAL TRAITS
321
00:28:19,866 --> 00:28:21,834
OF THE CAT FAMILY.
322
00:28:21,868 --> 00:28:26,438
OFTENTIMES DURING SCHOOL
HOURS,
MOTHER WILL CALL RECESS
323
00:28:26,472 --> 00:28:29,075
TO LET THEM HAVE
THEIR MOMENTS OF PLAY.
324
00:28:36,883 --> 00:28:39,251
NATURALLY, ONE OF THEIR
FAVORITE PASTIMES
325
00:28:39,285 --> 00:28:40,820
IS TREE CLIMBING.
326
00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:57,736
MOTHER LEAPS TO THE RESCUE.
327
00:28:59,571 --> 00:29:02,141
BUT JUST A SHAKE-UP.
328
00:29:02,174 --> 00:29:04,310
NO HARM DONE.
329
00:29:10,817 --> 00:29:12,751
UNTIL THE KITTENS
LOSE THEIR SPOTS,
330
00:29:12,785 --> 00:29:14,653
THEIR BADGE OF BABYHOOD,
331
00:29:14,686 --> 00:29:17,589
MOTHER WILL CONTINUE TO FUSS
AND WORRY OVER THEM.
332
00:29:24,463 --> 00:29:27,666
BUT THE TIME COMES WHEN MOTHER
CUTS THE APRON STRINGS
333
00:29:27,699 --> 00:29:30,602
AND THE YOUNGSTERS
ARE PUT ON THEIR OWN.
334
00:29:30,636 --> 00:29:33,472
THE NEWFOUND FREEDOM
OFTEN BEGINS WITH A FROLIC.
335
00:29:33,505 --> 00:29:35,507
[ FROG CROAKS ]
336
00:29:46,452 --> 00:29:48,487
ACTUALLY, THEY'RE ENTERING
337
00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:50,689
THE MOST TRYING PERIOD
OF THEIR LIVES,
338
00:29:50,722 --> 00:29:53,525
FOR THEY SOON DISCOVER
THAT FOOD, ANY FOOD,
339
00:29:53,559 --> 00:29:55,494
ISN'T EASY TO COME BY.
340
00:30:01,567 --> 00:30:06,372
LIKE ALL CATS, THEY HAVE
AN INBORN DISTASTE FOR WATER.
341
00:30:06,405 --> 00:30:09,641
BUT A FISH DINNER
ISN'T TO BE SNEEZED AT.
342
00:30:15,247 --> 00:30:17,216
SO THEY WADE RIGHT IN.
343
00:30:17,249 --> 00:30:20,052
LUCKILY, THEY'VE PICKED
THE SPAWNING SEASON.
344
00:30:20,086 --> 00:30:22,554
AND AS THE FISH WORK THEIR WAY
THROUGH THE SHALLOWS,
345
00:30:22,588 --> 00:30:25,324
THE YOUNG ANGLERS
MANAGE TO SNAG A MEAL.
346
00:30:40,572 --> 00:30:42,308
IN THE ART OF HUNTING,
347
00:30:42,341 --> 00:30:44,710
THESE YOUNGSTERS STILL HAVE
MUCH TO LEARN.
348
00:30:44,743 --> 00:30:47,313
AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME,
THEY'LL CHASE ANYTHING,
349
00:30:47,346 --> 00:30:48,414
EVEN A SQUIRREL.
350
00:30:55,187 --> 00:30:56,889
NOW, IT OBVIOUSLY TAKES
A GOOD CAT
351
00:30:56,923 --> 00:30:59,225
TO OUTCLIMB A SQUIRREL
ON HIS HOME GROUNDS.
352
00:31:04,130 --> 00:31:07,166
IN FACT, IT TAKES MUCH BETTER
CATS THAN THESE
353
00:31:07,199 --> 00:31:09,235
TO EVEN STAY IN A TREE.
354
00:31:44,836 --> 00:31:46,705
LIKE SOME TAWNY GHOST,
355
00:31:46,738 --> 00:31:49,708
THE MOUNTAIN LION
PATROLS HER RANGE.
356
00:31:49,741 --> 00:31:51,277
IN ALL THE WILD,
357
00:31:51,310 --> 00:31:54,546
NO OTHER CREATURE MOVES
WITH SUCH SILENT GRACE.
358
00:31:54,580 --> 00:31:56,582
HER KEEN SENSE
OF SIGHT AND SMELL
359
00:31:56,615 --> 00:31:59,618
KEEP HER SHARPLY AWARE
OF ALL THAT SURROUNDS HER.
360
00:32:06,158 --> 00:32:10,596
NOW, DIRECTLY IN HER PATH,
A NEWBORN FAWN LIES HIDDEN.
361
00:32:25,711 --> 00:32:27,579
SENSING HIS PERIL,
362
00:32:27,613 --> 00:32:31,050
HE KNOWS BY INSTINCT
HE MUST LIE PERFECTLY STILL.
363
00:32:32,218 --> 00:32:34,653
AND NATURE HAS GIVEN HIM
ANOTHER DEFENSE.
364
00:32:34,686 --> 00:32:37,189
HIS SPOTTED COAT
IS A NATURAL CAMOUFLAGE
365
00:32:37,223 --> 00:32:41,060
THAT MAKES HIM ALMOST
INVISIBLE
IN THE THICK FOLIAGE.
366
00:32:42,661 --> 00:32:46,265
THE LION KNOWS THERE'S
SOMETHING SOMEWHERE NEARBY.
367
00:32:46,298 --> 00:32:48,400
BUT AS YET,
SHE CAN'T SEE IT.
368
00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:58,477
SHE WATCHES
FOR A TELLTALE STIR,
369
00:32:58,510 --> 00:33:01,313
LISTENS
FOR THE SLIGHTEST SOUND.
370
00:33:04,416 --> 00:33:07,153
BUT THE FAWN STAYS PUT.
371
00:33:23,402 --> 00:33:27,573
FINALLY, THE LION DECIDES IT
WAS ALL A MISTAKE AND MOVES
ON.
372
00:33:30,542 --> 00:33:32,811
A PUZZLE IN THIS GAME
OF LIFE AND DEATH
373
00:33:32,844 --> 00:33:36,548
IS THE FACT THAT THE LION
NEVER CAUGHT THE FAWN'S SCENT.
374
00:33:36,582 --> 00:33:40,319
BUT THIS IS STILL ANOTHER WAY
NATURE PROTECTS HER YOUNG.
375
00:33:40,352 --> 00:33:44,356
AT THIS AGE, THE FAWN
HAS NO SCENT TO GIVE IT AWAY.
376
00:34:04,476 --> 00:34:07,279
IN NATURE, BREATHLESS MOMENTS
AND NARROW ESCAPES
377
00:34:07,313 --> 00:34:10,216
ARE ALL PART
OF THE DAILY ROUTINE.
378
00:34:10,249 --> 00:34:12,551
SOMETIMES THERE ARE
TRAGIC ENDINGS.
379
00:34:12,584 --> 00:34:14,720
BUT JUST AS OFTEN
THERE'S A HAPPY REUNION,
380
00:34:14,753 --> 00:34:16,822
AND DANGER PAST
IS SOON FORGOTTEN.
381
00:34:24,463 --> 00:34:26,732
IN CONTRAST TO THE MANY
FOOTLOOSE ANIMALS
382
00:34:26,765 --> 00:34:29,135
THAT WANDER FAR AND WIDE
OVER THE PLAIN,
383
00:34:29,168 --> 00:34:31,437
THE PRAIRIE DOGS
ARE PERMANENT SETTLERS --
384
00:34:31,470 --> 00:34:33,639
THE ORIGINAL HOMESTEADERS.
385
00:34:33,672 --> 00:34:36,142
THEY BUILD WHOLE CITIES
UNDERGROUND,
386
00:34:36,175 --> 00:34:37,876
AND EVERY SPOT
OF NEWLY TURNED EARTH
387
00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:41,079
MEANS ANOTHER FAMILY
RESIDENCE.
388
00:34:42,281 --> 00:34:45,083
ONCE THESE SUBTERRANEAN TOWNS
HONEYCOMBED THE PLAIN
389
00:34:45,117 --> 00:34:47,219
FOR HUNDREDS OF SQUARE MILES,
390
00:34:47,253 --> 00:34:50,389
AND THE POPULATION WAS COUNTED
IN THE MILLIONS.
391
00:34:50,422 --> 00:34:52,324
COUSIN OF THE GROUND SQUIRREL,
392
00:34:52,358 --> 00:34:54,893
THESE LITTLE RODENTS HAVE
A DOGLIKE HABIT OF BARKING.
393
00:34:54,926 --> 00:34:58,330
[ HIGH-PITCHED BARKING ]
394
00:35:01,333 --> 00:35:03,835
THUS, THE NAME PRAIRIE DOG.
395
00:35:13,812 --> 00:35:16,582
WITH EACH FAMILY,
THE MAINTENANCE OF
THE UNDERGROUND HOME
396
00:35:16,615 --> 00:35:18,450
IS A MATTER
OF CONSTANT CONCERN.
397
00:35:18,484 --> 00:35:20,619
THEY PRACTICALLY
NEVER STOP DIGGING
398
00:35:20,652 --> 00:35:24,055
BUT ARE FOREVER BUILDING NEW
BURROWS OR REPAIRING OLD ONES.
399
00:35:36,134 --> 00:35:38,670
IN THEIR DILIGENCE,
THERE'S ALWAYS A DESIGN,
400
00:35:38,704 --> 00:35:41,440
FOR EACH PROJECT
IS CAREFULLY PLANNED.
401
00:35:41,473 --> 00:35:43,509
A MAJOR ITEM
IS THE FLOODPROOF DIKE
402
00:35:43,542 --> 00:35:45,544
THAT SURROUNDS EACH ENTRANCE.
403
00:35:45,577 --> 00:35:49,215
THIS PROTECTIVE COLLAR OF
EARTH
IS QUITE AN ENGINEERING FEAT,
404
00:35:49,248 --> 00:35:52,083
WHERE A FELLOW
HAS TO USE HIS HEAD.
405
00:35:54,820 --> 00:35:56,722
TAMPING THE DIRT FIRMLY
IN PLACE
406
00:35:56,755 --> 00:36:00,058
GIVES IT STRENGTH
AND PERMANENCE.
407
00:36:33,592 --> 00:36:35,394
THEN THERE'S GRASS
TO BE GATHERED --
408
00:36:35,427 --> 00:36:37,529
LINING FOR
THE UNDERGROUND BEDROOMS,
409
00:36:37,563 --> 00:36:39,197
FOR THERE'S NO DENYING
410
00:36:39,231 --> 00:36:41,467
THAT A PRAIRIE DOG
LOVES HIS COMFORT.
411
00:36:46,772 --> 00:36:49,441
THIS IS HIS HOME
AND HIS HAVEN --
412
00:36:49,475 --> 00:36:51,176
PROTECTION FROM HIS ENEMIES,
413
00:36:51,209 --> 00:36:54,179
REFUGE FROM THE RIGORS
OF WINTER.
414
00:36:54,212 --> 00:36:56,515
HERE HIS YOUNG ARE BORN,
415
00:36:56,548 --> 00:36:59,685
AND SOMETIMES THE NURSERY
GETS A LITTLE CROWDED.
416
00:36:59,718 --> 00:37:02,120
STILL, THERE'S ALWAYS
A QUIET CORNER
417
00:37:02,153 --> 00:37:05,557
WHERE LITTLE SLEEPYHEADS
CAN CATCH THEIR 40 WINKS.
418
00:37:05,591 --> 00:37:07,726
[ LIGHT SNORING ]
419
00:37:19,605 --> 00:37:21,740
BY THIS TIME, HOWEVER,
MOST OF THE YOUNGSTERS
420
00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:23,542
HAVE HEARD SPRING'S ALARM
CLOCK
421
00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:26,312
AND ARE BUBBLING OVER
WITH ANIMAL ENERGY.
422
00:37:31,116 --> 00:37:32,718
ABOUT SIX WEEKS OLD NOW,
423
00:37:32,751 --> 00:37:35,554
THEY'VE YET TO SEE
THE STRANGE WORLD UPSTAIRS,
424
00:37:35,587 --> 00:37:37,456
AND THEY'RE CURIOUS.
425
00:37:39,358 --> 00:37:42,260
THE BURROW IS A MAZE OF
COMPLICATED PASSAGEWAYS,
426
00:37:42,294 --> 00:37:45,297
INTERSECTIONS,
ENTRANCES, AND EXITS.
427
00:37:45,331 --> 00:37:47,666
IT PRACTICALLY TAKES
A PRAIRIE-DOG ROAD MAP
428
00:37:47,699 --> 00:37:49,768
TO FIND ONE'S WAY AROUND.
429
00:37:59,711 --> 00:38:02,280
HMM. DEAD END.
430
00:38:02,314 --> 00:38:05,183
WELL,
BACK TO THE CROSSROADS.
431
00:38:11,857 --> 00:38:14,793
"HEY, MOM,
WHICH WAY IS UP?"
432
00:38:20,198 --> 00:38:22,368
MOTHER'S PLANNED
AN OUTING FOR TODAY,
433
00:38:22,401 --> 00:38:26,171
SO IT'S EVERYBODY UPSTAIRS FOR
THE FIRST TRIP ABOVE GROUND.
434
00:38:26,204 --> 00:38:28,774
ALL READY?
LET'S GO!
435
00:38:28,807 --> 00:38:30,542
GANGWAY!
436
00:38:32,243 --> 00:38:33,645
ONE SIDE, PLEASE.
437
00:38:33,679 --> 00:38:35,747
OOPS! SORRY.
438
00:38:58,537 --> 00:39:00,105
[ BARKING ]
439
00:39:02,708 --> 00:39:04,476
AND SO OUT THEY COME
440
00:39:04,510 --> 00:39:07,579
INTO THE BRIGHT, NEW WORLD
OF FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE.
441
00:39:09,881 --> 00:39:12,217
SOON IT'S TIME
FOR A PICNIC LUNCH,
442
00:39:12,250 --> 00:39:13,652
AND WHAT A LUNCH --
443
00:39:13,685 --> 00:39:17,222
ALL KINDS OF NEW
AND EXCITING FLAVORS.
444
00:39:17,255 --> 00:39:18,857
ACTUALLY,
MOTHER'S WEANED THEM
445
00:39:18,890 --> 00:39:20,726
IN PREPARATION
FOR THIS DIET OF GREENS,
446
00:39:20,759 --> 00:39:23,261
AND THEY TAKE TO IT
WITH GUSTO.
447
00:39:35,140 --> 00:39:37,409
SUDDENLY, THEY MAKE
AN INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY.
448
00:39:37,443 --> 00:39:41,379
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN
THE WORLD BESIDES PRAIRIE
DOGS.
449
00:39:41,413 --> 00:39:44,315
A FAMILY OF COTTONTAILS
HAS MOVED IN NEXT DOOR.
450
00:39:55,727 --> 00:39:58,564
WHEN THE NEW NEIGHBOR
HAS A LITTLE TROUBLE
WASHING HIS FACE,
451
00:39:58,597 --> 00:40:01,332
THE YOUNGSTERS
ARE ONLY TOO GLAD TO HELP.
452
00:40:10,341 --> 00:40:13,545
AS A RULE, THE PRAIRIE DOG
IS FRIENDLY AND PEACE-LOVING.
453
00:40:13,579 --> 00:40:17,115
BUT LIKE ALL HOMESTEADERS,
ONCE HE STAKES OUT A CLAIM,
454
00:40:17,148 --> 00:40:19,885
HE JEALOUSLY GUARDS IT
AGAINST TRESPASSERS.
455
00:40:19,918 --> 00:40:22,220
SOMETIMES IT'S ANOTHER
PRAIRIE DOG
456
00:40:22,253 --> 00:40:23,655
FROM A NEARBY COLONY.
457
00:40:54,452 --> 00:40:55,821
IN THESE SKIRMISHES,
458
00:40:55,854 --> 00:40:58,590
THE HOME GUARD
IS USUALLY VICTORIOUS.
459
00:40:58,624 --> 00:41:02,761
BUT THERE ARE OTHER
TRESPASSERS
NOT SO EASILY DISCOURAGED.
460
00:41:02,794 --> 00:41:04,596
AND FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER,
461
00:41:04,630 --> 00:41:07,132
THE PRAIRIE DOG NEVER KNOWS
WHO THEY WILL BE.
462
00:41:07,165 --> 00:41:10,068
TODAY IT'S A FAMILY
OF BURROWING OWLS.
463
00:41:16,808 --> 00:41:19,177
THEY'VE MOVED
INTO THE COMMUNITY
464
00:41:19,210 --> 00:41:21,580
TO TAKE OVER
AN ABANDONED BURROW.
465
00:41:22,681 --> 00:41:24,315
HERE, IN THIS
READY-MADE LODGING,
466
00:41:24,349 --> 00:41:26,317
THEY RAISE THEIR YOUNG.
467
00:41:31,489 --> 00:41:34,192
AS FLEDGLINGS,
THE OWLS ARE STILL EARTHBOUND,
468
00:41:34,225 --> 00:41:36,161
SO THIS BECOMES
A SORT OF PROVING GROUND
469
00:41:36,194 --> 00:41:39,330
WHERE THEY SPEND HOURS
LEARNING TO FLY.
470
00:42:02,387 --> 00:42:04,522
SOMETIMES IT'S A QUESTION
OF WHETHER THE PREMISES
471
00:42:04,556 --> 00:42:07,793
WERE TRULY ABANDONED
BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
472
00:42:12,864 --> 00:42:14,766
[ CHATTERING ]
473
00:42:24,442 --> 00:42:26,377
IT'S THE AGE-OLD ARGUMENT
474
00:42:26,411 --> 00:42:29,547
OF THE HOMESTEADERS
VERSUS THE CLAIM-JUMPERS.
475
00:42:29,581 --> 00:42:32,217
[ CHATTERING ]
476
00:42:47,432 --> 00:42:49,300
SO FAR, IT'S A STANDOFF.
477
00:42:49,334 --> 00:42:50,902
BUT WHEN MOTHER OWL ARRIVES,
478
00:42:50,936 --> 00:42:53,371
THE ISSUE IS SETTLED
ONCE AND FOR ALL...
479
00:42:53,404 --> 00:42:56,174
IN FAVOR OF SQUATTER'S RIGHTS.
480
00:43:02,580 --> 00:43:05,717
ALONG WITH THE BURROWING OWLS
COMES ANOTHER INTRUDER --
481
00:43:05,751 --> 00:43:07,719
THE RATTLESNAKE.
482
00:43:07,753 --> 00:43:10,722
[ RATTLING ]
483
00:43:10,756 --> 00:43:13,625
ALL CREATURES SEEM TO FEAR
THE RATTLER INSTINCTIVELY.
484
00:43:13,659 --> 00:43:15,260
AND, YOUNG AS THEY ARE,
485
00:43:15,293 --> 00:43:18,196
THE OWLS SENSE
HE'S NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
486
00:43:29,540 --> 00:43:31,777
[ HOOTING ]
487
00:43:45,490 --> 00:43:48,159
THE BIRDS ARE RELATIVELY SAFE,
HOWEVER,
488
00:43:48,193 --> 00:43:50,628
FOR THE SNAKE MUCH PREFERS
A DIET OF RODENTS --
489
00:43:50,662 --> 00:43:54,132
A GOPHER OR PERHAPS
A BABY PRAIRIE DOG.
490
00:43:57,869 --> 00:44:01,639
IT'S A WISE MOTHER WHO KEEPS
A CLOSE WATCH OVER HER BROOD.
491
00:44:01,673 --> 00:44:04,609
IF THE REPTILE MOVES IN
TOO CLOSE,
492
00:44:04,642 --> 00:44:06,577
SHE TRIES TO HEAD HIM OFF.
493
00:44:17,655 --> 00:44:20,225
[ BARKING ]
494
00:44:23,361 --> 00:44:25,663
[ RATTLING ]
495
00:44:28,900 --> 00:44:32,237
TO PROTECT HER YOUNG,
SHE'LL FACE ANYTHING.
496
00:44:41,246 --> 00:44:43,448
[ BARKING ]
497
00:44:46,551 --> 00:44:49,821
OUT HERE IN THE OPEN, THE
RATTLER IS ON BORROWED TIME.
498
00:44:49,855 --> 00:44:52,390
HE CAN'T STAND
TOO MUCH DIRECT SUN.
499
00:44:52,423 --> 00:44:55,794
SOON HE'S FORCED TO CALL IT
QUITS AND LOOK FOR SHADE.
500
00:45:00,231 --> 00:45:02,267
AND WHENEVER HE MOVES IN,
501
00:45:02,300 --> 00:45:04,770
ANOTHER PRAIRIE DOG
IS DISPOSSESSED.
502
00:45:08,106 --> 00:45:10,375
[ RATTLING ]
503
00:45:16,782 --> 00:45:18,784
[ RATTLING CONTINUES ]
504
00:45:32,330 --> 00:45:34,432
FAVORITE PREY
OF THE RATTLESNAKE
505
00:45:34,465 --> 00:45:36,101
IS THE POCKET GOPHER.
506
00:45:36,134 --> 00:45:38,236
TO PROTECT HIMSELF,
THE LITTLE RODENT
507
00:45:38,269 --> 00:45:40,238
RARELY TRAVELS ON THE SURFACE
OF THE GROUND
508
00:45:40,271 --> 00:45:43,174
BUT FEELS MUCH SAFER
WHEN HE'S DUG IN.
509
00:45:50,148 --> 00:45:51,817
THE YOUNG PRAIRIE DOGS
AREN'T AWARE
510
00:45:51,850 --> 00:45:53,551
THAT HE'S A CHRONIC WORRIER
511
00:45:53,584 --> 00:45:55,353
AND TRY TO STRIKE UP
AN ACQUAINTANCE.
512
00:46:00,125 --> 00:46:03,361
THEY SOON DISCOVER
HE'S DECIDEDLY ANTISOCIAL.
513
00:46:26,717 --> 00:46:29,354
ONCE THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE
IS PROPERLY PLUGGED,
514
00:46:29,387 --> 00:46:31,256
HE'S FREE TO GO BELOW.
515
00:46:31,289 --> 00:46:33,291
BUT THIS TIME,
HE LOSES HIS BEARINGS
516
00:46:33,324 --> 00:46:35,693
AND BLUNDERS INTO
THE PRAIRIE-DOG TUNNEL.
517
00:46:35,726 --> 00:46:39,730
"I SAY, DON'T REMEMBER
DIGGING THIS."
518
00:46:47,672 --> 00:46:49,507
WHEN THE TENANT
ON THE FLOOR BELOW
519
00:46:49,540 --> 00:46:51,176
DISCOVERS
HIS ROOF IS LEAKING DIRT,
520
00:46:51,209 --> 00:46:53,511
HE STARTS TO TIDY UP.
521
00:47:12,163 --> 00:47:15,333
"EASY THERE, PARTNER.
THESE ARE PRIVATE DIGGINGS."
522
00:47:20,538 --> 00:47:22,807
IT'S THE UNHAPPY FATE
OF THE PRAIRIE DOG
523
00:47:22,840 --> 00:47:25,410
TO BE FOREVER PLAGUED
WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING
524
00:47:25,443 --> 00:47:27,712
THAT WALKS OR FLIES,
CREEPS OR CRAWLS.
525
00:47:29,580 --> 00:47:32,217
INDEED, HE'S BECOME
A VANISHING SPECIES
526
00:47:32,250 --> 00:47:36,454
SIMPLY BECAUSE SO MANY
PREDATORS MAKE A CAREER
OF PURSUING HIM.
527
00:47:46,464 --> 00:47:49,267
WORST OF ALL
IS THE BLACK-FOOTED FERRET.
528
00:47:49,300 --> 00:47:50,835
A RELATIVE OF THE WEASEL,
529
00:47:50,868 --> 00:47:52,770
THIS IS ANOTHER SPECIES
FAST DISAPPEARING
530
00:47:52,803 --> 00:47:55,640
FROM THE AMERICAN SCENE.
531
00:48:04,315 --> 00:48:08,419
NATURE DESIGNED THIS ANIMAL
FOR HUNTING UNDERGROUND.
532
00:48:08,453 --> 00:48:11,756
THUS, HE'S A PARTICULAR THREAT
TO PRAIRIE DOGS.
533
00:48:14,225 --> 00:48:16,394
HE CAN FOLLOW
THE TWISTS AND TURNS
534
00:48:16,427 --> 00:48:19,764
OF EVEN THE MOST ELABORATE
BURROW WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL.
535
00:48:24,135 --> 00:48:26,304
STILL, THE CHASE IS ALWAYS
A GUESSING GAME
536
00:48:26,337 --> 00:48:28,773
WITH EVERY CROSSROAD
ANOTHER DILEMMA.
537
00:48:35,246 --> 00:48:37,715
SOMETIMES WHEN THE QUARRY
HEADS FOR THE ATTIC,
538
00:48:37,748 --> 00:48:40,451
HIS PURSUER DECIDES TO LOOK
IN THE CELLAR.
539
00:48:51,762 --> 00:48:54,599
AND IN THE CONFUSION,
THE FRANTIC FERRET
IS APT TO FIND HIMSELF
540
00:48:54,632 --> 00:48:56,601
RIGHT BACK
WHERE HE STARTED FROM.
541
00:49:04,142 --> 00:49:05,810
AMONG THE PRAIRIE DWELLERS,
542
00:49:05,843 --> 00:49:10,181
THE COYOTE STANDS OUT
AS A FIGURE FAMILIAR TO ALL.
543
00:49:10,215 --> 00:49:14,519
THEIRS IS A RUGGED LIFE,
ESPECIALLY FOR A MOTHER.
544
00:49:14,552 --> 00:49:19,157
PROVIDING FOOD FOR HER YOUNG
IS A FULL-TIME JOB.
545
00:49:23,461 --> 00:49:26,797
FOR THE PUPS, THE PROBLEMS OF
THE HUNT ARE OF SMALL CONCERN.
546
00:49:26,831 --> 00:49:28,799
THEY LET MOTHER
DO THE WORRYING
547
00:49:28,833 --> 00:49:31,502
WHILE THEY PASS THE DAY
IN ODD COYOTE CONTESTS
548
00:49:31,536 --> 00:49:35,206
SUCH AS "WHO CAN SIT ON
THE ANTS THE LONGEST?"
549
00:49:47,252 --> 00:49:48,819
[ BARKING ]
550
00:49:52,190 --> 00:49:53,691
OF COURSE, ALL THIS EXERCISE
551
00:49:53,724 --> 00:49:55,693
LEADS TO BIGGER AND BETTER
APPETITES,
552
00:49:55,726 --> 00:49:57,828
AND MOTHER IS CONTINUALLY
FORCED TO REDOUBLE
553
00:49:57,862 --> 00:49:59,764
HER EFFORTS IN THE FIELD.
554
00:50:01,232 --> 00:50:03,534
THE COYOTE HUNTS
MOSTLY SMALL RODENTS,
555
00:50:03,568 --> 00:50:05,336
INCLUDING PRAIRIE DOGS.
556
00:50:05,370 --> 00:50:07,205
IT TAKES SOME DOING,
HOWEVER,
557
00:50:07,238 --> 00:50:08,806
TO BREAK THROUGH
THEIR ELABORATE ALARM SYSTEM.
558
00:50:08,839 --> 00:50:10,608
[ BARKING AND WHISTLING ]
559
00:50:20,751 --> 00:50:24,255
IT ISN'T OFTEN THAT A PRAIRIE
DOG IS TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
560
00:50:24,289 --> 00:50:26,791
[ BARKS ]
561
00:50:39,737 --> 00:50:43,774
THESE NEAR MISSES ARE
AN OLD STORY TO THE COYOTE.
562
00:50:43,808 --> 00:50:45,676
BUT WITH ALL HER PATIENCE,
563
00:50:45,710 --> 00:50:47,745
SHE'S QUICK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF ANY OPPORTUNITY.
564
00:50:47,778 --> 00:50:50,381
AND SOMETIMES,
QUITE BY ACCIDENT,
565
00:50:50,415 --> 00:50:53,351
THE BADGER BECOMES
HER ACCOMPLICE.
566
00:50:53,384 --> 00:50:55,520
THIS IS THE FEMALE BADGER,
567
00:50:55,553 --> 00:50:59,257
AND SHE, TOO, IS A PERSISTENT
HUNTER OF PRAIRIE DOGS.
568
00:51:05,296 --> 00:51:08,433
POWERFUL IN BUILD,
WITH FEET DESIGNED FOR
DIGGING,
569
00:51:08,466 --> 00:51:11,302
SHE COULD MAKE SHORT WORK
OF A BURROW WITH ONE EXIT.
570
00:51:11,336 --> 00:51:13,238
SO THE FARSIGHTED
PRAIRIE DOG
571
00:51:13,271 --> 00:51:16,174
ALWAYS PROVIDES HIS HOME
WITH SEVERAL EXITS.
572
00:51:20,478 --> 00:51:23,714
WHILE THE BADGER IS DEVOTING
HER EFFORTS TO ONE HOLE,
573
00:51:23,748 --> 00:51:27,552
THE PRAIRIE DOG'S APT TO BE
CALMLY WATCHING FROM ANOTHER.
574
00:51:27,585 --> 00:51:31,422
BUT TOO MUCH SELF-CONFIDENCE
CAN BE DANGEROUS.
575
00:51:31,456 --> 00:51:35,260
NOW THE COYOTE'S STRATEGY
PAYS OFF.
576
00:51:47,272 --> 00:51:49,740
STILL, CORNERING A PRAIRIE DOG
AND CATCHING HIM
577
00:51:49,774 --> 00:51:52,443
ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
578
00:51:52,477 --> 00:51:54,912
MOREOVER, THE RODENT'S
RAZOR-SHARP TEETH
579
00:51:54,945 --> 00:51:56,581
ARE FORMIDABLE WEAPONS,
580
00:51:56,614 --> 00:51:59,684
ENOUGH TO MAKE
EVEN A COYOTE PAUSE.
581
00:51:59,717 --> 00:52:02,119
HE MAY BE SMALL IN SIZE,
582
00:52:02,153 --> 00:52:04,088
BUT THERE'S NO LIMIT
TO HIS COURAGE,
583
00:52:04,121 --> 00:52:07,425
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
584
00:52:07,458 --> 00:52:11,128
THE COYOTE TRIES TO
OUTMANEUVER
HIM, CATCH HIM FROM BEHIND,
585
00:52:11,162 --> 00:52:14,465
BUT THE WILY PRAIRIE DOG
ALWAYS FACES THE DANGER.
586
00:53:14,559 --> 00:53:18,263
FOR THE COYOTE, IT'S JUST
ANOTHER ONE THAT GOT AWAY.
587
00:53:18,296 --> 00:53:21,232
ALL PART OF THE DAY'S WORK.
588
00:53:21,266 --> 00:53:23,834
SINCE SHE ALWAYS HUNTS
ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS --
589
00:53:23,868 --> 00:53:26,404
SO MANY FAILURES
FOR EACH SUCCESS --
590
00:53:26,437 --> 00:53:28,406
THE COYOTE'S WILLING
TO TAKE HER CHANCES
591
00:53:28,439 --> 00:53:30,207
WITH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING
THAT COMES ALONG.
592
00:53:34,144 --> 00:53:37,748
GIVEN HALF A START, SHE'LL
EVEN
TAKE ON A JACK RABBIT.
593
00:54:23,361 --> 00:54:26,397
FINALLY, WITH FURTHER PURSUIT
SHEER FOLLY,
594
00:54:26,431 --> 00:54:28,599
THE COYOTE GIVES UP
THE CHASE.
595
00:54:28,633 --> 00:54:32,603
BUT THIS WAS ONE MISS TOO
MANY,
EVEN FOR A COYOTE.
596
00:54:32,637 --> 00:54:34,739
AND WHEN SHE HAPPENS
UPON AN ANCIENT ENEMY,
597
00:54:34,772 --> 00:54:37,742
SHE'S IN A PROPER MOOD
FOR TROUBLE.
598
00:54:37,775 --> 00:54:39,477
MEMBERS OF THE DOG FAMILY
599
00:54:39,510 --> 00:54:41,846
SHARE AN INTENSE DISLIKE
FOR REPTILES.
600
00:54:41,879 --> 00:54:43,614
THE COYOTE'S NO EXCEPTION.
601
00:54:43,648 --> 00:54:46,351
SHE CONSIDERS THE ELIMINATION
OF A RATTLESNAKE
602
00:54:46,384 --> 00:54:48,553
BOTH A DUTY AND A PLEASURE.
603
00:54:53,358 --> 00:54:55,159
THE SNAKE IS QUICK,
604
00:54:55,192 --> 00:54:57,762
BUT HE CAN'T SEE MOVEMENT
DIRECTLY BEHIND HIS HEAD.
605
00:54:57,795 --> 00:55:03,067
THE COYOTE KEEPS DARTING IN,
AIMING FOR THE BLIND SPOT.
606
00:55:18,349 --> 00:55:22,152
THEN ONE QUICK, SHORT SNAP,
AND IT'S OVER.
607
00:55:22,186 --> 00:55:24,389
STILL, THERE'S NO USE
TAKING CHANCES,
608
00:55:24,422 --> 00:55:28,393
SO SHE ADDS A FEW MORE NIPS
AND
A FLIP JUST FOR GOOD MEASURE.
609
00:55:36,367 --> 00:55:38,703
MEANWHILE, THE BADGER'S
STILL HARD AT WORK
610
00:55:38,736 --> 00:55:41,906
TRYING TO DIG OUT
THAT PESKY PRAIRIE DOG.
611
00:55:46,210 --> 00:55:50,080
BY THIS TIME, SHE'S ATTRACTED
QUITE A GROUP OF SPECTATORS.
612
00:55:54,752 --> 00:55:58,188
NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE DIGGING
CREW IS GOING TO BE DOUBLED.
613
00:55:58,222 --> 00:56:00,858
BUT THE NEWCOMER PROVES TO BE
A MOONSTRUCK MALE
614
00:56:00,891 --> 00:56:04,429
BENT MORE ON ROMANCE
THAN HARD WORK.
615
00:56:04,462 --> 00:56:07,732
ONE LOOK AT THIS BURROWING
BEAUTY IS ALL HE NEEDS.
616
00:56:07,765 --> 00:56:10,635
HE FALLS IN LOVE
HEAD OVER HEELS.
617
00:56:12,369 --> 00:56:15,706
TO TAKE HER MIND OFF HER WORK,
HE INVITES HER FOR A STROLL.
618
00:56:15,740 --> 00:56:18,409
SHE QUICKLY AGREES.
619
00:56:18,443 --> 00:56:21,779
AFTER ALL, YOU CAN DIG
FOR PRAIRIE DOGS ANY DAY.
620
00:56:25,750 --> 00:56:29,420
AND NOW, FOR THE PRAIRIE DOGS,
COMES A RARE MOMENT.
621
00:56:29,454 --> 00:56:32,890
PEACE AND QUIET SETTLES OVER
THEIR HOME ON THE RANGE.
622
00:56:32,923 --> 00:56:36,193
IT'S A TIME FOR REJOICING.
623
00:56:36,226 --> 00:56:38,262
[ WHISTLING ]
624
00:57:02,753 --> 00:57:04,455
ON THE SIDELINES,
625
00:57:04,489 --> 00:57:07,492
THE PRAIRIE FALCON SEEMS TO
HAVE AN EAR FOR MUSIC.
626
00:57:07,525 --> 00:57:10,294
OR MAYBE IT'S AN EYE
FOR A MEAL.
627
00:57:10,327 --> 00:57:13,097
[ WHISTLING CONTINUES ]
628
00:57:27,277 --> 00:57:29,146
IN ANY CASE,
WHEN HE TAKES TO THE AIR,
629
00:57:29,179 --> 00:57:31,616
THE CONCERT'S
AUTOMATICALLY OVER.
630
00:57:31,649 --> 00:57:33,283
"NOW IT'S DOWN THE HATCH,
EVERYBODY.
631
00:57:33,317 --> 00:57:34,719
THIS BIRD MEANS BUSINESS."
632
00:57:37,722 --> 00:57:42,226
ON SILENT WINGS,
THE FALCON HOVERS -- WAITING.
633
00:57:46,130 --> 00:57:47,865
AND SURE ENOUGH,
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY
634
00:57:47,898 --> 00:57:50,400
JUST A LITTLE MORE CURIOUS
THAN CAUTIOUS.
635
00:58:01,345 --> 00:58:03,313
"ALL RIGHT, MISTER,
JUST TRY THAT ONCE MORE.
636
00:58:03,347 --> 00:58:05,315
THE -- OOP!"
637
00:58:37,114 --> 00:58:39,650
FOR THE MOST PART,
THE PRAIRIE DOG DOES A GOOD
JOB
638
00:58:39,684 --> 00:58:42,753
OF PROTECTING HIS HOME
AND FAMILY AGAINST ALL COMERS.
639
00:58:42,787 --> 00:58:45,556
BUT WHEN HE HAS TO CONTEND
WITH A HERD OF BUFFALO,
640
00:58:45,590 --> 00:58:49,493
HE'S READY TO ADMIT
HE'S AT A SLIGHT DISADVANTAGE.
641
00:58:49,526 --> 00:58:52,763
THE BUFFALO LIKE TO WALLOW
IN SOFT EARTH.
642
00:58:54,765 --> 00:58:57,367
THE PILE OF DIRT AROUND
A PRAIRIE-DOG BURROW
643
00:58:57,401 --> 00:58:59,604
IS JUST MADE TO ORDER.
644
00:59:09,814 --> 00:59:13,250
THIS BOTHERSOME HABIT NOT ONLY
FLATTENS HIS PROTECTIVE DIKE.
645
00:59:13,283 --> 00:59:15,452
SOMETIMES IT NEARLY FLATTENS
THE PRAIRIE DOG.
646
00:59:43,648 --> 00:59:46,216
FINALLY, THE PRAIRIE DOG
LOSES ALL PATIENCE
647
00:59:46,250 --> 00:59:49,086
AND DETERMINES TO DRIVE
THE MONSTERS OUT BY FORCE.
648
01:00:10,340 --> 01:00:12,777
WHEN THIS FAILS,
HE RESORTS TO A WAR OF WORDS.
649
01:00:12,810 --> 01:00:16,346
[ BARKING ]
650
01:00:20,617 --> 01:00:22,419
BUT IT'S NO USE.
651
01:00:22,452 --> 01:00:25,222
YOU JUST CAN'T INSULT
A BUFFALO.
652
01:00:28,192 --> 01:00:30,327
IN NATURE'S RANGE WARS,
653
01:00:30,360 --> 01:00:32,529
THE PRAIRIE DOG IS SO OFTEN
A CONTENDER,
654
01:00:32,562 --> 01:00:34,799
HE RARELY GETS A CHANCE TO BE
A SPECTATOR.
655
01:00:34,832 --> 01:00:37,434
BUT IN MIDSUMMER, DURING
THE BUFFALO MATING SEASON,
656
01:00:37,467 --> 01:00:39,103
HE HAS A RINGSIDE SEAT
657
01:00:39,136 --> 01:00:40,838
FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE
OF THE BULLS.
658
01:00:43,874 --> 01:00:46,210
[ BELLOWING ]
659
01:00:59,523 --> 01:01:02,226
[ BELLOWING CONTINUES ]
660
01:01:05,195 --> 01:01:08,365
TWO TONS OF BONE AND MUSCLE
MEET HEAD-ON.
661
01:01:09,867 --> 01:01:12,202
[ SNORTING AND GRUNTING ]
662
01:01:19,243 --> 01:01:20,845
THE OBJECTIVE HERE
IS TO CATCH AN OPPONENT
663
01:01:20,878 --> 01:01:22,713
ON THE DOWNHILL SLANT,
664
01:01:22,747 --> 01:01:25,449
THEN HURL HIM TO THE GROUND
AND GORE HIM.
665
01:01:38,362 --> 01:01:42,199
THIS IS THE AGE-OLD STRUGGLE
FOR SURVIVAL ON AN EPIC SCALE,
666
01:01:42,232 --> 01:01:44,534
AND NOW NATURE SUPPLIES
A FITTING ACCOMPANIMENT.
667
01:01:44,568 --> 01:01:46,470
[ THUNDER CRASHING ]
668
01:01:53,410 --> 01:01:55,612
THE SOUND OF THE SUMMER STORM
IS THE ONE THING
669
01:01:55,645 --> 01:01:57,748
THAT STRIKES TERROR INTO
THE HEART OF THE BUFFALO.
670
01:02:23,340 --> 01:02:26,276
LIGHTNING LASHES
THE PARCHED PLAIN.
671
01:02:26,310 --> 01:02:28,212
THE PRAIRIE,
LIKE A GIANT TINDERBOX,
672
01:02:28,245 --> 01:02:31,081
BURSTS INTO ROARING FLAME.
673
01:02:36,854 --> 01:02:39,423
[ CRACKLING ]
674
01:03:19,363 --> 01:03:23,200
IN BLIND PANIC, A RABBIT RUNS
STRAIGHT INTO THE WALL OF FIRE
675
01:03:23,233 --> 01:03:26,570
AND, BY SOME MIRACLE,
EMERGES SINGED BUT SAFE.
676
01:03:57,101 --> 01:03:58,668
AT THE PRAIRIE-DOG COLONY,
677
01:03:58,702 --> 01:04:02,339
THE BURROW ITSELF ACTS
AS A NATURAL FIREBREAK.
678
01:04:08,345 --> 01:04:10,380
BUT THERE ARE OTHERS
NOT SO FORTUNATE.
679
01:04:10,414 --> 01:04:12,416
FOR THEM, THERE'S ONLY ONE
PLACE OF REFUGE --
680
01:04:12,449 --> 01:04:14,684
A PRAIRIE POND.
681
01:04:30,234 --> 01:04:32,169
BUT WHEREVER NATURE
SETS THE SPARK,
682
01:04:32,202 --> 01:04:34,371
SHE CAN ALWAYS QUENCH
THE FLAME.
683
01:04:34,404 --> 01:04:36,206
NOW SHE OPENS HER FLOODGATES
684
01:04:36,240 --> 01:04:38,408
AND DRENCHES THE PRAIRIE
WITH A DRIVING CLOUDBURST.
685
01:04:40,210 --> 01:04:42,179
HER REMEDY IS EFFECTIVE
BUT HARSH,
686
01:04:42,212 --> 01:04:43,847
FOR DOWN THE BARREN SLOPES,
687
01:04:43,880 --> 01:04:46,783
RIVULETS BEGIN TO BROADEN
AND SPREAD.
688
01:04:46,816 --> 01:04:50,854
THE GULLIES FILL
TO OVERFLOWING.
689
01:04:50,887 --> 01:04:53,123
AND SOON,
ALL ACROSS THE PRAIRIE
690
01:04:53,157 --> 01:04:54,791
THE DELUGE ROLLS ON UNCHECKED.
691
01:05:05,469 --> 01:05:07,604
AT FIRST,
THE RAINS WERE WELCOME,
692
01:05:07,637 --> 01:05:10,307
BUT NOW THEY BECOME
ANOTHER CATASTROPHE.
693
01:05:10,340 --> 01:05:13,277
AND YET, AS ALWAYS,
NATURE ENDOWS HER CREATURES
694
01:05:13,310 --> 01:05:16,546
WITH THE ABILITY TO MEET
ANY CRISIS AND SURVIVE.
695
01:05:16,580 --> 01:05:19,483
IN THIS CASE, ONE MUST SIMPLY
KNOW HOW TO SWIM.
696
01:05:19,516 --> 01:05:22,719
IT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT
NATURE GIVES ALL HER SPECIES.
697
01:05:22,752 --> 01:05:25,122
WHEN THEIR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT,
698
01:05:25,155 --> 01:05:28,458
EVEN CONFIRMED LANDLUBBERS
MANAGE TO KEEP AFLOAT.
699
01:05:45,775 --> 01:05:48,745
WHEN THE RISING FLOOD
REACHES THE PRAIRIE-DOG TOWN,
700
01:05:48,778 --> 01:05:51,781
IT SEEKS OUT THE BURROWS
BUILT IN THE LOW PLACES.
701
01:05:51,815 --> 01:05:53,583
THEN, THROUGHOUT THE COLONY,
702
01:05:53,617 --> 01:05:55,752
WHEREVER A FAMILY
HAS FAILED TO MAKE A DIKE,
703
01:05:55,785 --> 01:05:57,821
THE WATER ATTACKS
THE UNPROTECTED HOMES.
704
01:06:24,814 --> 01:06:28,318
IT'S A HARD DECISION TO MAKE,
LEAVING THE OLD HOMESTEAD,
705
01:06:28,352 --> 01:06:30,487
BUT THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.
706
01:06:30,520 --> 01:06:32,522
NATURE HAS DECREED A CHANGE.
707
01:06:32,556 --> 01:06:35,692
THEY MUST BUILD THEIR HOMES
SOMEWHERE ELSE.
708
01:06:47,337 --> 01:06:50,207
SOME OF THE DIEHARDS
NEED A LOT OF CONVINCING.
709
01:06:50,240 --> 01:06:52,509
BUT EVENTUALLY,
WETTER AND WISER,
710
01:06:52,542 --> 01:06:55,212
THEY STRIKE OUT
FOR HIGHER GROUND.
711
01:07:28,745 --> 01:07:32,582
AND SO, ON NATURE'S PRAIRIE,
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE,
712
01:07:32,616 --> 01:07:34,851
EVEN CATASTROPHE
AND DISASTER.
713
01:07:34,884 --> 01:07:38,722
AND THE RAGING FLOOD IS AS
MUCH
A PART OF HER MYSTERIOUS PLAN
714
01:07:38,755 --> 01:07:40,757
AS THE WIND AND THE GRASS
715
01:07:40,790 --> 01:07:43,693
AND THE HOWLING OF THE COYOTES
AT A PRAIRIE MOON.
716
01:07:43,727 --> 01:07:46,096
[ HOWLING ]
717
01:07:55,605 --> 01:07:57,207
IN THE HIGH COUNTRY
718
01:07:57,241 --> 01:07:59,376
THAT LIES ALONG THE FRINGE
OF THE PRAIRIE,
719
01:07:59,409 --> 01:08:03,380
[ CRACKING ]
A STRANGE SOUND RICOCHETS
FROM PEAK TO PEAK
720
01:08:03,413 --> 01:08:06,816
AND SIGNALS THE LAST ACT
IN NATURE'S DRAMA.
721
01:08:06,850 --> 01:08:09,719
IT'S THE RUTTING SEASON
OF THE BIGHORN SHEEP.
722
01:08:09,753 --> 01:08:11,155
[ CRACK ]
723
01:08:11,188 --> 01:08:12,756
HERE ON THESE WINTRY SLOPES
724
01:08:12,789 --> 01:08:15,425
OCCUR THE STRANGEST
OF ALL MATING COMBATS --
725
01:08:15,459 --> 01:08:19,329
THE RESIDENT RHAPSODY
OF THE BATTERING RAMS.
726
01:09:24,594 --> 01:09:26,263
[ CRACK ECHOING ]
727
01:09:28,565 --> 01:09:30,200
[ CRACK ECHOING ]
728
01:09:42,212 --> 01:09:44,348
AND NOW FROM OUT
OF THE MISTY PAST,
729
01:09:44,381 --> 01:09:47,517
THE PENDULUM OF TIME SWINGS
BACK AGAIN TO THE PRESENT,
730
01:09:47,551 --> 01:09:50,720
WHERE THE PRAIRIE
OF THE PIONEER AND THE INDIAN
731
01:09:50,754 --> 01:09:53,423
LIVES ONLY ON THE PAGES
OF HISTORY.
732
01:09:53,457 --> 01:09:56,360
BUT NATURE'S PRAIRIE,
IN PART AT LEAST,
733
01:09:56,393 --> 01:09:59,095
STILL SURVIVES.
734
01:10:00,264 --> 01:10:03,233
THE BUFFALO STILL PLODS
THE PRIMEVAL PLAIN.
735
01:10:03,267 --> 01:10:06,770
THE PRAIRIE DOG
SLEEPS IN HIS BURROW.
736
01:10:08,372 --> 01:10:11,074
THESE AND MANY OTHERS
HAVE ENDURED,
737
01:10:11,107 --> 01:10:13,277
FOR NATURE PRESERVES HER OWN
738
01:10:13,310 --> 01:10:15,679
AND TEACHES THEM
HOW TO COPE WITH TIME
739
01:10:15,712 --> 01:10:18,682
AND THE UNACCOUNTABLE WAYS
OF MAN.
740
01:10:18,715 --> 01:10:22,786
MANKIND, IN TURN, BEGINNING TO
UNDERSTAND NATURE'S PATTERN,
741
01:10:22,819 --> 01:10:25,522
IS HELPING HER TO REPLENISH
AND REBUILD
742
01:10:25,555 --> 01:10:28,124
SO THAT THE VANISHING PAGEANT
OF THE PAST
743
01:10:28,157 --> 01:10:31,761
MAY BECOME THE ENDURING
PAGEANT
OF THE FUTURE.
54915
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