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Across the face of our globe,
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00:01:24,752 --> 00:01:28,087
prevailing winds
blow almost constantly.
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00:01:32,693 --> 00:01:34,493
These are the trade winds,
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00:01:34,495 --> 00:01:36,628
and in the age of sailing ships,
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00:01:36,630 --> 00:01:40,265
they pushed many a precious
cargo over the seas.
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00:01:40,267 --> 00:01:42,701
And yet no treasure ship could
hold the priceless cargo
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00:01:42,703 --> 00:01:45,237
the winds themselves carry.
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00:01:45,239 --> 00:01:48,273
For these air currents bring
clouds to the land areas
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00:01:48,275 --> 00:01:50,509
and life-giving rainfall.
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00:01:50,511 --> 00:01:53,679
Sometimes, however, the winds
meet with a natural barrier.
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00:01:53,681 --> 00:01:56,415
Along the western edge
of north America,
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00:01:56,417 --> 00:01:58,684
the Sierra Nevada
and cascade mountains
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00:01:58,686 --> 00:02:01,120
rise like
an enormous granite wall
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00:02:01,122 --> 00:02:03,288
and keep
the rain-bearing clouds
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00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:06,358
from reaching a large portion
of the continent.
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00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:08,360
The highest point
in the United States
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00:02:08,362 --> 00:02:10,829
is found in this range...
Mount Whitney,
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00:02:10,831 --> 00:02:13,899
towering nearly 15,000 feet
above sea level.
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00:02:16,804 --> 00:02:19,171
Here in the shadow
of this majestic peak,
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00:02:19,173 --> 00:02:21,173
the wasteland begins.
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00:02:25,779 --> 00:02:28,814
This is death valley,
bitterest of all deserts
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00:02:28,816 --> 00:02:32,217
and the lowest point
on the American continent.
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00:02:41,529 --> 00:02:43,562
Once this valley
lay beneath the sea.
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00:02:43,564 --> 00:02:45,831
And as the ancient waves
receded,
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00:02:45,833 --> 00:02:47,933
they left an ocean's skeleton,
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00:02:47,935 --> 00:02:51,336
deposits of salt
that still stretch for miles.
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00:02:52,506 --> 00:02:54,506
But this desolate basin
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00:02:54,508 --> 00:02:57,442
is only the beginning
of the great American desert.
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00:02:57,444 --> 00:02:59,511
From the vicinity
of death valley,
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00:02:59,513 --> 00:03:01,947
it reaches
to the plains of Texas,
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00:03:01,949 --> 00:03:05,417
and from a corner of Oregon,
deep into old Mexico.
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00:03:05,419 --> 00:03:07,486
For the granite blockade
of the sierras
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00:03:07,488 --> 00:03:10,189
has created one of largest
deserts in the world.
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00:03:11,392 --> 00:03:13,392
The eternal desert...
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00:03:13,394 --> 00:03:16,962
Incredibly ugly yet
fantastically beautiful,
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00:03:16,964 --> 00:03:19,698
seemingly without purpose,
without meaning,
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00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:21,800
without life.
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00:03:21,802 --> 00:03:24,670
In part,
it's a place of silence...
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00:03:24,672 --> 00:03:26,905
Monument valley.
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00:03:34,315 --> 00:03:36,315
In part,
it's the painted desert,
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00:03:36,317 --> 00:03:39,451
where petrified trees become
their own tombstones.
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00:03:39,453 --> 00:03:42,988
In part, this
is a region of naked hills,
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00:03:42,990 --> 00:03:45,991
a sea of burning sand.
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00:03:45,993 --> 00:03:48,327
It's a country where rivers
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00:03:48,329 --> 00:03:51,663
give up their hopeless struggle
and sink into the earth.
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00:03:51,665 --> 00:03:54,266
This is the land of the mirage,
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00:03:54,268 --> 00:03:56,535
where seeing isn't believing.
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00:03:56,537 --> 00:03:58,570
Those mountains are real enough,
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00:03:58,572 --> 00:04:00,405
but the water that reflects them
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00:04:00,407 --> 00:04:03,375
is only an optical illusion.
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00:04:03,377 --> 00:04:05,410
And here's another phantom lake.
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00:04:05,412 --> 00:04:07,279
Now you see it...
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00:04:07,281 --> 00:04:09,348
Now you don't.
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00:04:12,653 --> 00:04:14,786
The desert holds many mysteries,
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00:04:14,788 --> 00:04:17,756
but none more puzzling than the
riddle of the rocks that move.
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00:04:19,727 --> 00:04:22,661
These strange trails, gouged
in the floor of a dry lake,
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00:04:22,663 --> 00:04:25,664
are made by boulders
weighing nearly a ton.
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00:04:27,401 --> 00:04:29,468
But whether the rocks
are pushed by the wind,
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00:04:29,470 --> 00:04:31,570
carried by floodwaters,
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00:04:31,572 --> 00:04:33,572
or impelled
by some unknown force,
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00:04:33,574 --> 00:04:35,307
nobody knows,
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00:04:35,309 --> 00:04:37,776
for no one has ever seen
the rocks in motion,
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00:04:37,778 --> 00:04:39,845
only the marks of their passing.
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00:04:49,723 --> 00:04:51,556
Part of the desert's
endless panorama
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00:04:51,558 --> 00:04:53,458
is the salton sea,
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00:04:53,460 --> 00:04:55,861
itself the remainder
of an ancient ocean.
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00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,335
And here are scenes that come
from the time of creation.
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00:05:03,337 --> 00:05:06,705
Along these shores,
pent-up gases bubble and boil
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00:05:06,707 --> 00:05:08,674
like seething cauldrons.
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00:05:08,676 --> 00:05:12,411
Nature's symphony
of the mud pots.
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00:05:12,413 --> 00:05:15,480
[ Symphonic music plays ]
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00:06:27,988 --> 00:06:30,822
This, then, is
the great American desert,
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00:06:30,824 --> 00:06:32,758
a land of heat and sun,
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00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,460
of sand and soundless space,
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00:06:35,462 --> 00:06:36,995
the ominous silence broken only
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00:06:36,997 --> 00:06:39,431
by the howling of the sandstorm.
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00:06:39,433 --> 00:06:41,500
[ Wind gusting ]
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00:07:12,966 --> 00:07:15,133
How anything can live
in this harsh region
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00:07:15,135 --> 00:07:17,469
remains a mystery to most of us.
80
00:07:17,471 --> 00:07:21,072
And yet where we find only
a dead and desolate wasteland,
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00:07:21,074 --> 00:07:23,542
nature finds life.
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00:07:30,551 --> 00:07:32,017
And this "true-life adventure"
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00:07:32,019 --> 00:07:34,820
is the story
of nature's living desert.
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00:07:42,463 --> 00:07:45,230
It's the ancient drama
of the struggle for existence.
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00:07:45,232 --> 00:07:46,965
And for the most part,
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00:07:46,967 --> 00:07:49,034
life here is a bit
on the grim side.
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00:08:02,883 --> 00:08:06,017
But of course there's
always comedy relief.
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00:08:06,019 --> 00:08:09,154
This character, for instance,
is an odd bird for sure.
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00:08:09,156 --> 00:08:11,122
He's the roadrunner,
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00:08:11,124 --> 00:08:14,759
so-called because
he'd rather walk than fly.
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00:08:14,761 --> 00:08:18,230
A nosy fellow completely
lacking in manners,
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00:08:18,232 --> 00:08:21,766
he has a habit of pecking at
anything lying around loose,
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00:08:21,768 --> 00:08:24,102
such as the tail
of a garter snake.
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00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:36,515
A confirmed practical joker,
he finds this great sport,
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00:08:36,517 --> 00:08:38,850
making little snakes
out of big ones.
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00:08:47,694 --> 00:08:49,694
At the residence
of Mrs. tarantula,
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00:08:49,696 --> 00:08:51,863
it's always open house.
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00:08:51,865 --> 00:08:53,832
She's forever
cleaning her parlor
99
00:08:53,834 --> 00:08:56,001
for guests that might
drop by for dinner.
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00:08:56,003 --> 00:08:58,570
Uh, her dinner, of course.
101
00:08:58,572 --> 00:09:01,940
And here comes a caller now.
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00:09:11,051 --> 00:09:14,319
This lethal lady is one of the
leading actors in our drama.
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00:09:14,321 --> 00:09:18,123
She'll be receiving more
visitors from time to time.
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00:09:22,029 --> 00:09:24,029
A gourmet who prefers
a different diet
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00:09:24,031 --> 00:09:25,764
is the chuckawalla.
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00:09:27,167 --> 00:09:29,968
These little fellows
are strict vegetarians,
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00:09:29,970 --> 00:09:33,805
diminutive dinosaurs
who dine on daisies.
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00:09:40,614 --> 00:09:42,747
To meet the harsh challenge
of the desert,
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00:09:42,749 --> 00:09:45,617
nature must fashion
odd patterns of life.
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00:09:45,619 --> 00:09:47,619
And with the spiny cacti,
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00:09:47,621 --> 00:09:50,689
her creations approach
the realm of fantasy.
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00:09:58,198 --> 00:09:59,898
Trees being scarce,
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the desert birds
must build their nests
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00:10:01,668 --> 00:10:04,035
in the most unlikely places.
115
00:10:04,037 --> 00:10:07,305
Still they manage to turn
the drawback to an advantage.
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00:10:07,307 --> 00:10:10,241
Home, sweet home here
is a bristling fortress,
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00:10:10,243 --> 00:10:12,944
guarded by 1,000 bayonets.
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00:10:14,281 --> 00:10:17,015
To each bird,
its own brand of cactus.
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00:10:17,017 --> 00:10:19,150
For these young thrashers,
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00:10:19,152 --> 00:10:23,054
the cholla provides a nursery
as neat as a pin cushion.
121
00:10:23,056 --> 00:10:26,291
The prickly pear becomes
sanctuary for the dove,
122
00:10:26,293 --> 00:10:29,861
while the desert skyscraper,
the giant saguaro,
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00:10:29,863 --> 00:10:31,997
is a haven for the woodpeckers.
124
00:10:39,072 --> 00:10:42,741
Here too the red-tailed hawk
chooses her nesting place.
125
00:10:45,779 --> 00:10:49,914
On the living desert, nature
delights in the unexpected.
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00:10:49,916 --> 00:10:53,251
Sometimes in the very heart
of the wasteland,
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00:10:53,253 --> 00:10:55,820
an underground stream
will reappear.
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00:11:05,432 --> 00:11:08,199
But these watering places
are rare, indeed.
129
00:11:08,201 --> 00:11:10,035
Most of the desert creatures
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00:11:10,037 --> 00:11:12,337
must learn to do without water
over long periods.
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00:11:12,339 --> 00:11:14,339
The tortoise is lucky.
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00:11:14,341 --> 00:11:16,941
He manufactures his own,
133
00:11:16,943 --> 00:11:19,878
using the special equipment
nature has given him.
134
00:11:23,950 --> 00:11:26,851
He gathers his raw material
early in the season
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00:11:26,853 --> 00:11:29,220
when there's still
green foliage available.
136
00:11:34,194 --> 00:11:35,994
By internal chemistry,
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00:11:35,996 --> 00:11:37,796
he converts the leaves
into clear liquid,
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00:11:37,798 --> 00:11:39,864
which he stores
beneath his shell.
139
00:11:50,143 --> 00:11:52,077
He's a traveling canteen,
140
00:11:52,079 --> 00:11:55,413
able to tide himself
over long periods of drought.
141
00:11:58,819 --> 00:12:00,485
Another piece
of special equipment
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00:12:00,487 --> 00:12:02,087
that makes life a little easier
143
00:12:02,089 --> 00:12:04,823
is the skid
under the tortoise's chin.
144
00:12:04,825 --> 00:12:06,825
It helps him
over the rough places.
145
00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:15,433
A tortoise must gather his
Greens while they're available.
146
00:12:15,435 --> 00:12:17,302
Yet this poses a problem.
147
00:12:17,304 --> 00:12:19,738
For now
it's courting season, too.
148
00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:21,139
A nice dilemma...
149
00:12:21,141 --> 00:12:23,074
Stay a bachelor
at the waterworks,
150
00:12:23,076 --> 00:12:26,945
or chase after the women
and maybe die of thirst.
151
00:12:26,947 --> 00:12:31,783
A coy glance from the sideline
soon settles that question.
152
00:12:31,785 --> 00:12:34,953
The bashful male
begins his courtship
153
00:12:34,955 --> 00:12:37,021
as a nodding acquaintance.
154
00:12:47,334 --> 00:12:49,300
Then when he gets a bit bolder,
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00:12:49,302 --> 00:12:53,438
the lady as usual
gives him the runaround.
156
00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,341
After all, every female
wants a choice in the matter.
157
00:12:56,343 --> 00:12:58,476
At the proper moment,
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00:12:58,478 --> 00:13:01,246
in the proper tradition,
the rival enters.
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00:13:05,819 --> 00:13:07,418
With a sort
of ponderous chivalry,
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00:13:07,420 --> 00:13:09,487
the two males square off.
161
00:13:14,361 --> 00:13:17,562
Two knights in armor ready
to battle for the lady fair.
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00:13:17,564 --> 00:13:20,532
Uh, but first they agree
on the tournament rules.
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00:13:33,346 --> 00:13:36,314
The handy skid now
becomes the jouster's Lance
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00:13:36,316 --> 00:13:38,950
with which he tries
to upend his rival.
165
00:13:38,952 --> 00:13:41,486
In fact, this
is the object of the bout
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00:13:41,488 --> 00:13:43,188
since a tortoise
turned upside-down
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00:13:43,190 --> 00:13:44,823
is completely helpless.
168
00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:46,451
Finally, it's tortoise
turned turtle.
169
00:14:46,453 --> 00:14:48,920
Eight, nine, ten, you're out.
170
00:14:53,627 --> 00:14:57,495
He's not only lost his dignity,
he may lose his life.
171
00:14:57,497 --> 00:14:59,931
Vulnerable to heat prostration,
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00:14:59,933 --> 00:15:01,232
he must right
himself immediately
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00:15:01,234 --> 00:15:04,369
or die of sunstroke.
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00:15:04,371 --> 00:15:07,338
The winner meanwhile
claims the lady fair,
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00:15:07,340 --> 00:15:10,909
totally unconcerned with
the plight of his opponent.
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00:15:41,074 --> 00:15:43,074
An immigrant
from central America
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00:15:43,076 --> 00:15:44,609
is the coatimundi,
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00:15:44,611 --> 00:15:48,179
a tropical cousin
of the American raccoon.
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00:15:48,181 --> 00:15:50,515
Thanks to a cast-iron
digestive system,
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00:15:50,517 --> 00:15:52,216
he's right at home here.
181
00:15:52,218 --> 00:15:53,518
He'll eat anything.
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00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,586
Insects, lizards, fruit, eggs.
183
00:15:55,588 --> 00:15:58,056
You name it,
the coati will eat it.
184
00:16:02,529 --> 00:16:05,196
What's more, nature made him
almost completely immune
185
00:16:05,198 --> 00:16:07,131
to the deadly sting
of the scorpion.
186
00:16:10,403 --> 00:16:14,706
And so he often adds this spicy
tidbit to his daily diet.
187
00:16:23,450 --> 00:16:25,984
For dessert, what could be nicer
188
00:16:25,986 --> 00:16:28,586
than the fruit
of the prickly-pear cactus?
189
00:16:45,472 --> 00:16:47,672
The coatis are by choice
tree-dwellers
190
00:16:47,674 --> 00:16:50,108
and often make their homes
in hollow logs
191
00:16:50,110 --> 00:16:52,543
found along the dry washes.
192
00:16:56,216 --> 00:16:58,282
As soon as mother coati
makes the bed,
193
00:16:58,284 --> 00:17:01,052
the youngsters come along
and muss it up again.
194
00:17:15,201 --> 00:17:17,135
Playful, fun-loving,
195
00:17:17,137 --> 00:17:19,737
these little rascals aren't
as innocent as they look
196
00:17:19,739 --> 00:17:21,739
for coatis are born bandits,
197
00:17:21,741 --> 00:17:24,809
even to the masks
on their faces.
198
00:17:24,811 --> 00:17:29,080
Since egg-stealing
is their favorite pastime,
199
00:17:29,082 --> 00:17:32,483
they're a constant threat
to unguarded nests.
200
00:17:35,822 --> 00:17:38,389
Working like professionals,
the second-story men
201
00:17:38,391 --> 00:17:40,124
make off with the loot.
202
00:17:40,126 --> 00:17:43,327
And Mrs. vulture arrives
just a little too late
203
00:17:43,329 --> 00:17:44,595
to save her eggs.
204
00:17:50,403 --> 00:17:54,672
About this time, mother
looks in to check the swag
205
00:17:54,674 --> 00:17:57,308
and is quick to cut herself in.
206
00:18:00,413 --> 00:18:02,513
Meanwhile, this junior burglar
207
00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:05,483
finds he forgot to steal
the combination.
208
00:18:23,670 --> 00:18:26,871
And then after the omelet,
a quiet nap.
209
00:18:36,416 --> 00:18:39,283
These wild pigs
are called by several names...
210
00:18:39,285 --> 00:18:41,119
Jabalinas, peccaries...
211
00:18:41,121 --> 00:18:43,121
But their real name is trouble,
212
00:18:43,123 --> 00:18:45,156
for they're one
of the most ferocious animals
213
00:18:45,158 --> 00:18:46,691
on the American continent.
214
00:18:46,693 --> 00:18:48,426
They travel in groups,
215
00:18:48,428 --> 00:18:50,628
especially when
accompanied by young.
216
00:18:58,505 --> 00:19:00,571
Unlike their domestic cousins,
217
00:19:00,573 --> 00:19:02,707
peccaries wear
a thick coat of fur.
218
00:19:02,709 --> 00:19:04,775
And when they find
a patch of damp sand,
219
00:19:04,777 --> 00:19:06,844
they welcome
the chance to cool off.
220
00:19:17,223 --> 00:19:20,291
But now another vicious fighter
with an equally bad reputation
221
00:19:20,293 --> 00:19:21,859
comes their way.
222
00:19:27,767 --> 00:19:30,434
It's a good rule
on the desert to keep clear
223
00:19:30,436 --> 00:19:32,403
of a bobcat on the prowl,
224
00:19:32,405 --> 00:19:36,841
but it's an even better rule
never to pick on a peccary.
225
00:19:36,843 --> 00:19:38,576
Like all wild pigs,
226
00:19:38,578 --> 00:19:40,578
they have long tusks
and short tempers.
227
00:19:40,580 --> 00:19:42,747
[ Growling ]
228
00:19:50,557 --> 00:19:51,822
[ Growls ]
229
00:19:55,361 --> 00:19:58,262
The cat's instinctive reaction
is to climb a tree,
230
00:19:58,264 --> 00:19:59,564
but no tree.
231
00:19:59,566 --> 00:20:01,365
Well, it's no time to be choosy.
232
00:20:01,367 --> 00:20:03,234
This is an emergency.
233
00:20:11,544 --> 00:20:13,377
When it comes to a choice
234
00:20:13,379 --> 00:20:15,580
between sharp tusks
and sharp thorns,
235
00:20:15,582 --> 00:20:17,448
the cat prefers the latter.
236
00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:19,517
[ Growls ]
237
00:20:30,763 --> 00:20:32,830
Not the most comfortable spot
in the world,
238
00:20:32,832 --> 00:20:34,632
but at least he's safe.
239
00:20:36,402 --> 00:20:37,768
[ Screeching ]
240
00:20:56,522 --> 00:20:59,323
And the bobcat finally decides
the desert's no place
241
00:20:59,325 --> 00:21:00,658
for a tenderfoot.
242
00:21:16,776 --> 00:21:18,509
In her desert drama,
243
00:21:18,511 --> 00:21:21,279
nature knows
neither hero nor villain.
244
00:21:21,281 --> 00:21:25,316
She's impartial and plans
for the survival of all.
245
00:21:25,318 --> 00:21:27,785
Thus the rattlesnake is given
a super-sensitive tongue
246
00:21:27,787 --> 00:21:29,720
with which he tracks his prey.
247
00:21:33,459 --> 00:21:36,427
Even the faintest scent
left in the sand
248
00:21:36,429 --> 00:21:39,363
will guide him unerringly
along the trail.
249
00:21:53,413 --> 00:21:56,580
The pocket mouse
has only one defense...
He goes underground,
250
00:21:56,582 --> 00:21:59,050
and it's any hole
in an emergency.
251
00:22:00,453 --> 00:22:02,887
Oop! Any hole but that one.
252
00:22:12,332 --> 00:22:14,598
Hot on the scent,
the rattlesnake
sticks to the trail.
253
00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,934
Wherever it leads, he follows.
254
00:22:19,839 --> 00:22:21,105
Uh-oh.
255
00:22:21,107 --> 00:22:23,074
The tarantula and the rattler...
256
00:22:27,847 --> 00:22:28,896
Two of a kind.
257
00:22:28,897 --> 00:22:29,946
The snake isn't
to be bluffed out of a meal.
258
00:22:29,949 --> 00:22:32,783
[ Rattling ]
259
00:22:32,785 --> 00:22:36,454
He's sure the mouse
is in that hole.
260
00:22:36,456 --> 00:22:39,957
The spider is sure he isn't...
261
00:22:39,959 --> 00:22:44,395
While the party in question
would rather dig than debate.
262
00:22:52,138 --> 00:22:53,704
Largest of all spiders
263
00:22:53,706 --> 00:22:56,807
and armed with
her own brand of poison,
264
00:22:56,809 --> 00:22:58,743
the tarantula stands her ground.
265
00:23:03,683 --> 00:23:06,951
And oddly enough, the
rattlesnake backs down first.
266
00:23:08,988 --> 00:23:11,756
It's a standoff,
and nobody wins...
267
00:23:11,758 --> 00:23:16,160
Nobody, that is, except the
little mouse who wasn't there.
268
00:23:17,964 --> 00:23:19,797
The scent cold,
the trail is lost.
269
00:23:19,799 --> 00:23:21,665
And this time a desert killer
270
00:23:21,667 --> 00:23:23,734
has been outwitted by everybody.
271
00:23:40,553 --> 00:23:43,020
Every afternoon
along about sundown,
272
00:23:43,022 --> 00:23:46,157
the red-tailed hawk flies
to this particular spot
273
00:23:46,159 --> 00:23:48,159
and waits...
274
00:23:48,161 --> 00:23:51,695
For here occurs a phenomenon
that's as regular as clockwork.
275
00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:56,934
Inside this cave, millions
of bats are awakening,
276
00:23:56,936 --> 00:23:59,670
for their day begins
with the twilight.
277
00:24:08,614 --> 00:24:11,148
Bats are
the only flying mammals.
278
00:24:11,150 --> 00:24:14,552
This species lives
exclusively on insects
279
00:24:14,554 --> 00:24:17,922
and so helps nature keep the
pest population under control.
280
00:24:31,571 --> 00:24:33,637
Now as evening approaches,
281
00:24:33,639 --> 00:24:36,240
these night fliers take off
for their hunting grounds.
282
00:24:45,952 --> 00:24:49,253
To navigate in the dark,
bats use a form of radar.
283
00:24:49,255 --> 00:24:52,823
Their high-pitched squeaks
bounce off solid objects
284
00:24:52,825 --> 00:24:55,893
to become the echoes
by which they guide themselves.
285
00:25:06,105 --> 00:25:08,906
Soon the sky is filled
with clouds of bats.
286
00:25:13,613 --> 00:25:16,647
And this is what the hawk
has been waiting for.
287
00:25:16,649 --> 00:25:19,016
She draws a bead
on half a dozen or so,
288
00:25:19,018 --> 00:25:21,619
and down she goes!
289
00:25:24,724 --> 00:25:26,290
A clean miss.
290
00:25:26,292 --> 00:25:28,692
Oh, well, maybe she forgot
to allow for the wind.
291
00:25:30,229 --> 00:25:34,031
This time she checks
elevation, drift, diving angle,
292
00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:35,699
and...
293
00:25:42,174 --> 00:25:43,741
Scored a hit.
294
00:25:43,743 --> 00:25:45,175
But it gets away.
295
00:25:45,177 --> 00:25:47,578
Old butterclaws.
296
00:26:00,693 --> 00:26:03,694
Was ever a bird so frustrated?
297
00:26:09,001 --> 00:26:12,303
This can drive a hawk
to nervous prostration.
298
00:26:12,305 --> 00:26:14,738
She just can't figure it out.
299
00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:18,576
You see, nobody ever told her
about the bats' radar.
300
00:26:20,913 --> 00:26:22,913
Frantic now,
she'll try anything,
301
00:26:22,915 --> 00:26:25,049
even a collision course.
302
00:26:25,051 --> 00:26:27,651
To her surprise, it works.
303
00:26:29,121 --> 00:26:33,190
And a mighty small reward
for such a prodigious effort.
304
00:26:34,927 --> 00:26:37,795
To nature, the loss of one bat,
or even 1,000,
305
00:26:37,797 --> 00:26:40,030
is really no loss at all.
306
00:26:40,032 --> 00:26:42,766
This winged column
streams into the sky
307
00:26:42,768 --> 00:26:46,203
until long after the sun
has gone from the scene.
308
00:26:49,709 --> 00:26:52,042
The nighttime wonders
of nature's living desert
309
00:26:52,044 --> 00:26:54,845
more than match
the wonders of the day.
310
00:26:54,847 --> 00:26:56,780
The desert water hole
in particular
311
00:26:56,782 --> 00:26:59,016
attracts an odd assortment
of night life.
312
00:26:59,018 --> 00:27:01,051
Here the toads
find a hunting ground
313
00:27:01,053 --> 00:27:02,720
especially to their liking.
314
00:27:16,202 --> 00:27:18,736
Here the centipede
puts his best foot forward
315
00:27:18,738 --> 00:27:20,738
and steps out
for an evening stroll.
316
00:27:50,036 --> 00:27:53,003
Suddenly he finds he's wandered
down a dead-end street.
317
00:27:59,345 --> 00:28:01,345
In the realm of fancy footwork,
however,
318
00:28:01,347 --> 00:28:04,114
the millipede is without equal.
319
00:28:04,116 --> 00:28:06,383
Millipede...
Literally "1,000 feet,"
320
00:28:06,385 --> 00:28:07,885
give or take a few.
321
00:28:07,887 --> 00:28:09,720
Count 'em.
322
00:28:37,083 --> 00:28:38,482
Uh-oh.
323
00:28:38,484 --> 00:28:41,151
Looks like a bad night
for a pedestrian.
324
00:28:41,153 --> 00:28:42,953
But not this one.
325
00:28:42,955 --> 00:28:45,089
Nature gives the millipede
an unpleasant odor
326
00:28:45,091 --> 00:28:47,424
guaranteed to make him
completely spider-proof.
327
00:28:56,001 --> 00:28:59,269
This pungent defense,
however, has its limitations.
328
00:28:59,271 --> 00:29:02,005
The toad finds it
quite appetizing.
329
00:29:10,082 --> 00:29:12,750
Whenever the moon casts a spell
over the living desert,
330
00:29:12,752 --> 00:29:14,885
the goblins appear.
331
00:29:14,887 --> 00:29:17,221
In this case, it's an elfin owl.
332
00:29:17,223 --> 00:29:20,090
From her doorway,
she watches a strange ballet
333
00:29:20,092 --> 00:29:21,391
in the moonlight.
334
00:29:22,962 --> 00:29:24,962
Like a creature bewitched,
335
00:29:24,964 --> 00:29:27,397
the burrowing snake
performs his serpentine solo.
336
00:30:32,431 --> 00:30:34,932
The owl is witness
to many unusual scenes,
337
00:30:34,934 --> 00:30:36,366
but one of the strangest
338
00:30:36,368 --> 00:30:38,402
is the courtship
of the tarantulas.
339
00:30:40,973 --> 00:30:43,440
The male comes calling
like any love-sick Romeo
340
00:30:43,442 --> 00:30:46,376
and knocks on the female's door.
341
00:31:01,193 --> 00:31:04,061
In her own good time,
Juliet appears.
342
00:31:04,063 --> 00:31:07,297
He greets her with open arms...
All eight of them...
343
00:31:07,299 --> 00:31:09,166
And draws her close.
344
00:31:15,307 --> 00:31:17,374
The lady takes her cue
and swoons.
345
00:31:17,376 --> 00:31:19,209
A bit theatrical perhaps,
346
00:31:19,211 --> 00:31:21,111
but it's a technique
that always works,
347
00:31:21,113 --> 00:31:22,646
even with tarantulas.
348
00:31:26,518 --> 00:31:28,652
But the owl
hasn't seen anything yet,
349
00:31:28,654 --> 00:31:31,321
for now begins the courting
dance of the scorpion.
350
00:31:34,593 --> 00:31:37,094
Of course, the first thing
he needs is a partner,
351
00:31:37,096 --> 00:31:39,029
so he digs one up.
352
00:31:42,234 --> 00:31:44,334
Being native westerners,
353
00:31:44,336 --> 00:31:47,571
the scorpions favor the lively
rhythms of the square dance.
354
00:31:49,942 --> 00:31:51,508
All right, everybody!
355
00:31:51,510 --> 00:31:53,644
Choose your partners
for the sting-o-ree.
356
00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:55,913
[ Square-dance music plays ]
357
00:31:57,616 --> 00:31:59,983
♪ Lady and gent
to the center of the ring ♪
358
00:31:59,985 --> 00:32:01,952
♪ Lock those claws,
lift that sting ♪
359
00:32:01,954 --> 00:32:04,054
♪ Three legs up
and four legs down ♪
360
00:32:04,056 --> 00:32:06,590
♪ Whirl that scorpion
round and round ♪
361
00:32:09,528 --> 00:32:11,628
♪ Circle 'round,
and away we go ♪
362
00:32:11,630 --> 00:32:14,564
♪ Sashay right
with a do-si-do ♪
363
00:32:17,636 --> 00:32:19,636
♪ Halfway 'round
and backtrack back ♪
364
00:32:19,638 --> 00:32:21,972
♪ Snap your claws
with a clickety-clack ♪
365
00:32:21,974 --> 00:32:23,941
♪ Gents to the left,
ladies to the right ♪
366
00:32:23,943 --> 00:32:26,310
♪ Now, ain't that gal
a pretty sight? ♪
367
00:32:29,949 --> 00:32:31,648
♪ Swing your partner,
give her a hug ♪
368
00:32:31,650 --> 00:32:34,051
♪ Get your hooks
on a lady bug ♪
369
00:32:45,664 --> 00:32:48,098
♪ Stingers up
for the sting-o-ree ♪
370
00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:50,434
♪ But watch out, gal,
you don't sting me ♪
371
00:32:53,739 --> 00:32:55,706
♪ Allemande left
with your insect fair ♪
372
00:32:55,708 --> 00:32:58,275
♪ And take your gal
to you-know-where ♪
373
00:33:05,384 --> 00:33:08,251
The amorous mood of the evening
seems to be catching,
374
00:33:08,253 --> 00:33:11,989
for now the long-horned beetle
in formal attire
375
00:33:11,991 --> 00:33:15,425
decides to drop in
on the lady downstairs.
376
00:33:17,096 --> 00:33:19,229
What a charming smile she has.
377
00:33:19,231 --> 00:33:21,698
And such magnificent mandibles.
378
00:33:27,006 --> 00:33:30,340
He's the forceful type
and walks in unannounced.
379
00:33:30,342 --> 00:33:33,677
But his welcome isn't
quite what he expected.
380
00:33:33,679 --> 00:33:36,346
First thing he knows,
the lady clamps a hammerlock
381
00:33:36,348 --> 00:33:37,714
on one of his feelers.
382
00:33:41,620 --> 00:33:44,388
And then she begins
to gnaw on his leg,
383
00:33:44,390 --> 00:33:48,258
merely her way of hinting that
she's already going steady.
384
00:33:48,260 --> 00:33:51,795
And by the coincidence which
is usual in romantic farces,
385
00:33:51,797 --> 00:33:54,197
here comes the boyfriend now.
386
00:34:11,817 --> 00:34:15,652
A double headlock,
and then a deadlock.
387
00:34:15,654 --> 00:34:18,789
But in the end,
true love triumphs,
388
00:34:18,791 --> 00:34:21,658
and a battered beetle
beats a hasty retreat.
389
00:34:36,675 --> 00:34:38,742
After what he's been through,
390
00:34:38,744 --> 00:34:40,477
this lad's in no mood
for nonsense,
391
00:34:40,479 --> 00:34:42,679
not even from tarantulas.
392
00:34:46,618 --> 00:34:49,086
Nature's on his side this time,
393
00:34:49,088 --> 00:34:51,555
for she's armed him with some
special anti-tarantula weapons.
394
00:35:01,667 --> 00:35:04,201
And when they
finally part company,
395
00:35:04,203 --> 00:35:06,269
the spider's left with
a new respect for beetles.
396
00:35:17,282 --> 00:35:18,715
Just how long can
this charmed existence last?
397
00:35:24,156 --> 00:35:27,390
If at first you don't succeed,
call your big brother.
398
00:35:27,392 --> 00:35:30,560
"Hey, mugsy, take care
of this wise guy, will ya?"
399
00:35:35,701 --> 00:35:37,801
Big toad bites little beetle.
400
00:35:37,803 --> 00:35:40,170
Little beetle bites big toad...
401
00:35:40,172 --> 00:35:41,138
On the tongue.
402
00:35:41,140 --> 00:35:42,639
Ouch!
403
00:35:55,888 --> 00:35:57,621
During these moonlight hours,
404
00:35:57,623 --> 00:35:59,623
most of the nocturnal creatures
405
00:35:59,625 --> 00:36:01,758
spend their time gathering food.
406
00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:06,363
The kangaroo rats in particular
carry on a busy harvest.
407
00:36:06,365 --> 00:36:09,366
Supplies are stuffed
into their large cheek pouches
408
00:36:09,368 --> 00:36:11,234
for future consumption.
409
00:36:18,443 --> 00:36:20,544
When pouches
are filled to capacity,
410
00:36:20,546 --> 00:36:22,646
some of the gleanings
must be buried.
411
00:36:27,419 --> 00:36:29,419
Finding a likely spot
for a private pantry
412
00:36:29,421 --> 00:36:31,621
requires some scouting around.
413
00:36:36,662 --> 00:36:39,663
In the process, some mighty
odd things turn up...
414
00:36:39,665 --> 00:36:41,898
Such as a belligerent
horned toad.
415
00:36:54,980 --> 00:36:56,680
It never fails.
416
00:36:56,682 --> 00:36:58,815
Whenever you want
a little privacy,
417
00:36:58,817 --> 00:37:00,850
there's always somebody
looking over your shoulder.
418
00:37:00,852 --> 00:37:02,819
The nosy neighbor.
419
00:37:02,821 --> 00:37:05,755
He minds everybody's
business but his own.
420
00:37:30,983 --> 00:37:33,316
The nuisance
is hard to discourage,
421
00:37:33,318 --> 00:37:35,785
but he finally takes the hint.
422
00:37:38,523 --> 00:37:41,791
And once he's out of the way,
the food's put into storage.
423
00:37:52,304 --> 00:37:54,638
These little fellows have
some rather unusual habits.
424
00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:56,506
They practically
never drink water,
425
00:37:56,508 --> 00:37:58,441
but, like the tortoise,
manufacture it
426
00:37:58,443 --> 00:38:00,410
inside their bodies.
427
00:38:00,412 --> 00:38:04,648
And for a bath, what could be
better than good, clean sand?
428
00:38:13,925 --> 00:38:16,726
In this bustling colony,
there's never an idle moment,
429
00:38:16,728 --> 00:38:18,728
and Mrs. rat's busiest of all,
430
00:38:18,730 --> 00:38:21,665
for mother's work is never done.
431
00:38:21,667 --> 00:38:25,535
She's nurse,
housekeeper, and provider.
432
00:38:27,973 --> 00:38:30,974
A mother with babies to feed
is constantly on the move.
433
00:38:30,976 --> 00:38:33,443
And she must often travel
considerable distances
434
00:38:33,445 --> 00:38:35,645
to find seeds.
435
00:38:35,647 --> 00:38:37,647
With all her responsibilities,
436
00:38:37,649 --> 00:38:39,649
Mrs. rat is extremely cautious
437
00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:42,786
and quick to hide
at the slightest sound.
438
00:38:51,663 --> 00:38:53,730
The kingsnake isn't poisonous,
439
00:38:53,732 --> 00:38:56,633
but he does have
an appetite for kangaroo rats.
440
00:38:58,804 --> 00:39:00,070
[ Squeaks ]
441
00:39:00,072 --> 00:39:02,339
Mrs. rat needs
no second warning.
442
00:39:02,341 --> 00:39:05,108
She heads for home
and her children.
443
00:39:05,110 --> 00:39:07,677
Now the snake
picks up her trail.
444
00:39:16,922 --> 00:39:19,723
In this crisis,
mother rat has a plan,
445
00:39:19,725 --> 00:39:21,524
but she must work fast.
446
00:39:27,566 --> 00:39:29,799
For emergencies,
every family of kangaroo rats
447
00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,735
prepares an auxiliary burrow.
448
00:39:39,478 --> 00:39:42,479
On her second trip,
she barely manages to
slip in the back door,
449
00:39:42,481 --> 00:39:44,547
as the enemy enters the front.
450
00:39:50,155 --> 00:39:53,423
But the nursery's empty.
Where's the missing baby?
451
00:39:55,394 --> 00:39:58,661
Lost in the maze of tunnels,
trying to find his mother.
452
00:40:21,420 --> 00:40:24,888
Still on the trail, the snake
heads for the second burrow.
453
00:40:24,890 --> 00:40:28,758
And then an innocent bystander
saves the day.
454
00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:32,028
Enter the gekko,
a poor, defenseless lizard.
455
00:40:32,030 --> 00:40:33,696
Well, not quite.
456
00:40:33,698 --> 00:40:35,799
For nature gave him
a detachable tail.
457
00:40:38,870 --> 00:40:41,604
And so nothing's hurt
but his pride.
458
00:40:41,606 --> 00:40:44,674
He'll soon grow another tail
and be as good as new.
459
00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:52,115
This odd pattern in the sand
is made by the sidewinder,
460
00:40:52,117 --> 00:40:54,684
or horned rattlesnake.
461
00:41:11,002 --> 00:41:13,636
There's a reason for this
strange method of travel.
462
00:41:13,638 --> 00:41:16,072
It gives the sidewinder
traction in soft sand
463
00:41:16,074 --> 00:41:18,074
where other snakes won't go.
464
00:41:18,076 --> 00:41:21,644
Thus nature provides him with
hunting grounds all his own.
465
00:41:23,615 --> 00:41:25,615
A formidable hunter,
466
00:41:25,617 --> 00:41:28,151
he leans strongly toward a diet
of lizards and rodents.
467
00:41:56,548 --> 00:41:58,615
Small but extremely poisonous,
468
00:41:58,617 --> 00:42:00,850
he doesn't
usually track his prey,
469
00:42:00,852 --> 00:42:03,052
but waits for it to come to him.
470
00:42:21,973 --> 00:42:23,039
Yikes!
471
00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:29,112
In the face
of such a potent enemy,
472
00:42:29,114 --> 00:42:31,648
most intended victims
take to the hills.
473
00:42:31,650 --> 00:42:33,983
But not the rat.
He takes the offensive.
474
00:42:37,989 --> 00:42:41,090
And his favorite weapon
is a homemade sandstorm.
475
00:42:43,161 --> 00:42:45,128
Against this stinging barrage,
476
00:42:45,130 --> 00:42:47,997
the rattler has practically
no protection.
477
00:42:47,999 --> 00:42:50,166
His eyes especially
are vulnerable.
478
00:42:50,168 --> 00:42:51,901
They have no lids,
479
00:42:51,903 --> 00:42:54,304
only a delicate covering
over the pupils.
480
00:42:54,306 --> 00:42:56,039
He can't even squint.
481
00:42:56,041 --> 00:42:57,774
[ Squeaks ]
482
00:43:17,062 --> 00:43:18,795
[ Squeaks ]
483
00:43:30,609 --> 00:43:32,308
The snake's ambush has failed.
484
00:43:32,310 --> 00:43:33,910
Only one thing left...
485
00:43:33,912 --> 00:43:37,213
Start sidewinding
for the nearest exit.
486
00:43:41,620 --> 00:43:43,620
Now that the enemy's
in full retreat,
487
00:43:43,622 --> 00:43:46,155
everybody wants to claim
a share in the victory.
488
00:43:46,157 --> 00:43:48,691
[ Squeaking ]
489
00:44:06,044 --> 00:44:08,378
Naturally, after such
a tremendous triumph,
490
00:44:08,380 --> 00:44:09,946
a celebration's in order.
491
00:44:44,049 --> 00:44:46,182
Then in typical human fashion,
492
00:44:46,184 --> 00:44:48,851
the affair degenerates
into a brawl.
493
00:44:53,425 --> 00:44:55,258
The commotion
attracts an outsider
494
00:44:55,260 --> 00:44:57,160
who decides to crash the party.
495
00:44:57,162 --> 00:45:00,063
This popeyed prowler
is the ring-tailed cat.
496
00:45:00,065 --> 00:45:03,466
Actually, he's no more cat
than his cousin the raccoon,
497
00:45:03,468 --> 00:45:06,803
but he does have a cat's taste
for kangaroo rats.
498
00:45:06,805 --> 00:45:09,205
And here's another
big appetite on the lookout
499
00:45:09,207 --> 00:45:11,374
for refreshments.
500
00:45:26,124 --> 00:45:28,725
The squabbling rats
are about to learn
501
00:45:28,727 --> 00:45:30,860
one of nature's oldest laws...
502
00:45:30,862 --> 00:45:31,994
A single moment off-guard
can be your last.
503
00:45:37,335 --> 00:45:42,238
It's a lucky rat who gets away
to live perhaps another day.
504
00:45:56,488 --> 00:45:58,921
In nature's design
for the desert,
505
00:45:58,923 --> 00:46:01,824
the pattern changes
with the passing hours.
506
00:46:01,826 --> 00:46:03,459
Each species in turn...
507
00:46:03,461 --> 00:46:06,195
Insect and bird,
reptile and mammal...
508
00:46:06,197 --> 00:46:08,197
Has its preferred time of day.
509
00:46:08,199 --> 00:46:10,333
Now in the cool of the morning,
510
00:46:10,335 --> 00:46:13,102
the ground squirrels appear.
511
00:46:16,474 --> 00:46:18,441
These are the roundtails
512
00:46:18,443 --> 00:46:21,277
whose favorite breakfast
is the prickly-pear cactus.
513
00:46:22,881 --> 00:46:27,383
Its juicy pulp provides them
with both food and drink.
514
00:46:36,494 --> 00:46:39,495
They're also fond of leaves
and seedpods.
515
00:46:43,334 --> 00:46:45,501
Breakfast often
lasts all morning,
516
00:46:45,503 --> 00:46:47,537
unless there's an interruption.
517
00:46:51,176 --> 00:46:53,009
It's old nosy Parker,
518
00:46:53,011 --> 00:46:54,544
the roadrunner.
519
00:46:59,951 --> 00:47:03,286
Incidentally, he's a member
of the cuckoo family,
520
00:47:03,288 --> 00:47:07,023
a charter member as far
as the squirrels are concerned.
521
00:47:08,960 --> 00:47:11,060
Still they know
how to handle this clown.
522
00:47:11,062 --> 00:47:13,162
Just give him a taste
of his own medicine.
523
00:47:17,068 --> 00:47:18,601
But no sooner are they rid
of one nuisance,
524
00:47:18,603 --> 00:47:20,503
then another appears.
525
00:47:20,505 --> 00:47:23,372
This time it's sweet William,
the spotted skunk.
526
00:47:23,374 --> 00:47:26,075
He's a night prowler
and, like all skunks,
527
00:47:26,077 --> 00:47:28,411
carries a grudge
against everybody,
528
00:47:28,413 --> 00:47:30,947
especially when he's
on his way home to bed.
529
00:47:41,326 --> 00:47:44,560
And whenever he's around,
somebody smells trouble.
530
00:47:51,069 --> 00:47:54,303
When Willy gets his back up,
it means, "stand aside, buster,
531
00:47:54,305 --> 00:47:56,038
or I'll let you have it."
532
00:48:02,947 --> 00:48:04,981
There's not much a squirrel
can do about this.
533
00:48:04,983 --> 00:48:06,816
Wow!
534
00:48:06,817 --> 00:48:08,650
When he's had it, he's had it.
535
00:48:16,494 --> 00:48:18,928
What's this?
Another intruder?
536
00:48:18,930 --> 00:48:21,597
Ah, it's only skinny,
the kid from across the way,
537
00:48:21,599 --> 00:48:23,900
always trying to horn in.
538
00:48:23,902 --> 00:48:26,369
"Hey, how's chances
for joining the gang?"
539
00:48:30,041 --> 00:48:33,542
But the gang, it seems,
wants no part of skinny.
540
00:48:45,223 --> 00:48:47,657
Still, skinny's
not easily squelched.
541
00:48:47,659 --> 00:48:50,159
"Games? Anybody for tag?"
542
00:48:59,103 --> 00:49:01,570
This guy's getting
a little tiresome.
543
00:49:01,572 --> 00:49:04,307
Besides, he's interfering
with breakfast.
544
00:49:04,309 --> 00:49:06,709
They decide to put him
in his place.
545
00:49:16,988 --> 00:49:18,521
But skinny doesn't mind.
546
00:49:18,523 --> 00:49:20,323
At least he's
the center of attention.
547
00:49:20,325 --> 00:49:23,392
And who knows?
Maybe this is the initiation.
548
00:49:45,216 --> 00:49:47,249
Well, if that
was the initiation,
549
00:49:47,251 --> 00:49:49,552
somebody forgot to give him
the password.
550
00:49:54,092 --> 00:49:56,625
Suddenly, skinny and
his problems are forgotten,
551
00:49:56,627 --> 00:50:00,363
for now a visitor approaches
who can't be ignored.
552
00:50:00,365 --> 00:50:02,465
The gila monster...
553
00:50:02,467 --> 00:50:06,602
A strange combination
of ugliness and beauty.
554
00:50:08,673 --> 00:50:12,241
He looks like a beaded bag,
but this is pure deception,
555
00:50:12,243 --> 00:50:14,643
for nature,
in a moment of grim humor,
556
00:50:14,645 --> 00:50:16,679
filled the bag with poison.
557
00:50:29,660 --> 00:50:33,195
In their panic, some
literally grasp at straws.
558
00:51:06,798 --> 00:51:09,231
Something must be done
about this ugly customer,
559
00:51:11,536 --> 00:51:13,002
but who's to do it?
560
00:51:13,003 --> 00:51:14,469
The only to take action
is skinny.
561
00:51:17,408 --> 00:51:20,543
Well, he wanted to play tag,
562
00:51:20,545 --> 00:51:23,579
except this time, it's apt
to be tag for keeps.
563
00:51:30,088 --> 00:51:32,154
Still, skinny has
two things in his favor...
564
00:51:32,156 --> 00:51:34,757
He's fast on his feet,
and he has a fighting heart.
565
00:51:41,365 --> 00:51:43,666
His method of dealing
with gila monsters
566
00:51:43,668 --> 00:51:45,468
is to insult them.
567
00:51:49,340 --> 00:51:53,275
As he warms to his work,
he even gets a little cocky.
568
00:51:58,683 --> 00:52:01,617
"Hey, skinny,
get out of there."
569
00:52:05,656 --> 00:52:08,824
Once he starts something,
though, skinny sticks to it
570
00:52:08,826 --> 00:52:12,361
until even the gila monster
can't take any more.
571
00:52:22,373 --> 00:52:24,340
And who's the hero of the hour?
572
00:52:24,342 --> 00:52:26,242
Why, skinny, of course.
573
00:52:26,244 --> 00:52:27,643
Let's give the little fellow
a big hand.
574
00:52:32,683 --> 00:52:35,784
It's been a busy morning
for the squirrels,
575
00:52:35,786 --> 00:52:37,286
but whenever things
calm down a bit,
576
00:52:37,288 --> 00:52:39,221
it's back to breakfast.
577
00:52:44,295 --> 00:52:46,428
"Hey, who's rocking the rock?"
578
00:52:46,430 --> 00:52:49,565
Well, it's the tortoise.
579
00:52:55,373 --> 00:52:57,439
"Morning, brother tortoise.
580
00:52:57,441 --> 00:52:58,941
You leaving?"
581
00:52:58,943 --> 00:53:02,244
"Okay, everybody,
free ride's over."
582
00:53:02,246 --> 00:53:05,781
And so the gang gets off,
all except skinny.
583
00:53:05,783 --> 00:53:07,683
He's one of those characters
584
00:53:07,685 --> 00:53:10,286
who just has to ride
to the end of the line.
585
00:53:25,369 --> 00:53:27,903
On the living desert,
586
00:53:27,905 --> 00:53:30,973
nature's theme is always the
preservation of the species.
587
00:53:30,975 --> 00:53:34,843
And she uses many methods
to accomplish her purpose.
588
00:53:34,845 --> 00:53:38,514
This is the pepsis wasp,
or tarantula hawk.
589
00:53:38,516 --> 00:53:40,649
In order that her kind
may survive,
590
00:53:40,651 --> 00:53:42,952
she must stalk
the deadly tarantula
591
00:53:42,954 --> 00:53:45,754
and engage it in mortal combat.
592
00:53:47,959 --> 00:53:51,227
It's her perilous mission
to sting the giant spider,
593
00:53:51,229 --> 00:53:55,564
paralyze it, and thus preserve
it as food for her young.
594
00:53:57,635 --> 00:54:00,536
She hurries from one likely
looking hole to another,
595
00:54:00,538 --> 00:54:02,905
literally asking for trouble.
596
00:54:14,418 --> 00:54:15,951
And she finds it,
597
00:54:15,953 --> 00:54:18,387
but not the kind she expected.
598
00:54:21,459 --> 00:54:23,692
The ant army swarms
to the attack.
599
00:54:23,694 --> 00:54:26,028
Their one purpose
is to weigh her down,
600
00:54:26,030 --> 00:54:27,763
keep her earthbound.
601
00:54:29,567 --> 00:54:31,567
Against
this organized onslaught,
602
00:54:31,569 --> 00:54:33,669
the wasp has no defense.
603
00:54:33,671 --> 00:54:36,372
She can only hope
to shake them off.
604
00:55:02,300 --> 00:55:03,932
She wins her freedom,
605
00:55:03,934 --> 00:55:07,503
but only to resume
her search for spiders.
606
00:55:10,975 --> 00:55:14,543
Driven by the compelling urge
to reproduce her species,
607
00:55:14,545 --> 00:55:16,578
she'll let nothing stop her.
608
00:55:16,580 --> 00:55:19,048
A tarantula it must be,
609
00:55:19,050 --> 00:55:21,483
and a tarantula it is.
610
00:55:22,553 --> 00:55:25,454
Now they are met, face-to-face.
611
00:55:25,456 --> 00:55:28,424
And this is a sight
few have ever witnessed.
612
00:55:28,426 --> 00:55:31,860
In this strange encounter, the
spider battles for its life,
613
00:55:31,862 --> 00:55:34,530
the wasp, for generations
yet to come,
614
00:55:34,532 --> 00:55:36,699
for only through the tarantula
615
00:55:36,701 --> 00:55:39,668
can she ensure
the propagation of her line.
616
00:55:39,670 --> 00:55:42,471
In this raw
and elemental struggle,
617
00:55:42,473 --> 00:55:44,340
these are the weapons...
618
00:55:44,342 --> 00:55:46,342
The paralyzing sting of the wasp
619
00:55:46,344 --> 00:55:48,110
and the lethal bite
of the spider,
620
00:55:48,112 --> 00:55:51,513
the rapier and the broadsword.
621
00:55:51,515 --> 00:55:54,116
In size and brute strength,
the odds favor the giant,
622
00:55:54,118 --> 00:55:55,951
but these are more than matched
623
00:55:55,953 --> 00:55:59,355
by the frenzied skill
of its tiny adversary.
624
00:56:10,735 --> 00:56:13,702
The stricken wasp
grovels in the sand,
625
00:56:13,704 --> 00:56:16,004
but the spider
fails to follow up.
626
00:56:16,006 --> 00:56:20,476
It's a missed opportunity
and a fatal mistake.
627
00:56:20,478 --> 00:56:24,012
In this brief respite,
the wasp recovers.
628
00:56:26,150 --> 00:56:29,551
And now she drives
for the one vulnerable spot,
629
00:56:29,553 --> 00:56:31,120
the abdomen.
630
00:56:57,148 --> 00:56:58,947
Then the turning point
631
00:56:58,949 --> 00:57:01,016
as the wasp suddenly
reverses her tactics
632
00:57:01,018 --> 00:57:05,421
and, flat on her back,
thrusts home.
633
00:57:14,932 --> 00:57:16,965
She scores again and again,
634
00:57:16,967 --> 00:57:19,468
and her poison
begins to take its toll.
635
00:57:24,074 --> 00:57:26,575
The groggy giant
is almost defenseless now,
636
00:57:26,577 --> 00:57:29,178
but the wasp
is a creature obsessed.
637
00:57:50,568 --> 00:57:53,969
Finally,
one last paralyzing thrust,
638
00:57:53,971 --> 00:57:56,238
and the battle is over.
639
00:57:56,240 --> 00:58:01,610
But now, in victory, the wasp
faces an even bigger task.
640
00:58:01,612 --> 00:58:04,480
She must drag the spider,
many times her size,
641
00:58:04,482 --> 00:58:06,882
to a secret hiding place.
642
00:58:09,820 --> 00:58:12,154
But into her fragile body,
643
00:58:12,156 --> 00:58:16,158
nature has packed a strength
prodigious beyond belief.
644
00:58:30,241 --> 00:58:33,041
With fanatical energy,
she digs a hole,
645
00:58:33,043 --> 00:58:36,178
for it's part of her ritual
to bury her victim.
646
00:58:44,889 --> 00:58:47,689
Now and then, she pauses
to check for measurements...
647
00:58:51,562 --> 00:58:53,695
Then returns to her task.
648
00:58:55,833 --> 00:58:57,900
A tremendous Boulder
presents an obstacle,
649
00:58:57,902 --> 00:59:00,035
but only temporarily.
650
00:59:01,772 --> 00:59:03,705
To a human, this would be
like towing a 10-ton truck
651
00:59:03,707 --> 00:59:04,907
with your teeth.
652
00:59:25,129 --> 00:59:29,131
Now on the tarantula's body,
she will lay a single egg.
653
00:59:29,133 --> 00:59:32,901
Soon a new wasp will emerge,
feed on the paralyzed spider,
654
00:59:32,903 --> 00:59:35,003
and then one day venture forth
655
00:59:35,005 --> 00:59:38,073
to replay
this grim desert drama.
656
00:59:40,044 --> 00:59:41,777
Still at large in the vicinity,
657
00:59:41,779 --> 00:59:44,212
the rattlesnake
is on the prowl again.
658
00:59:47,151 --> 00:59:50,018
So far, this killer seems
to have had his own way,
659
00:59:50,020 --> 00:59:53,789
but there are a few creatures
who dare to challenge him.
660
00:59:53,791 --> 00:59:56,658
And one of these
is the red-tailed hawk.
661
01:00:00,598 --> 01:00:04,099
And so this time, even as
the rattler stalks his prey,
662
01:00:04,101 --> 01:00:07,803
sudden death hangs
over his own head.
663
01:00:13,844 --> 01:00:16,178
Flashing talons
strike for the head,
664
01:00:16,180 --> 01:00:18,780
but the snake
is like a steel spring.
665
01:00:18,782 --> 01:00:21,650
When the spring is coiled,
it's deadly.
666
01:01:26,150 --> 01:01:29,785
The hawk finds an opening,
seizes the rattler's head,
667
01:01:29,787 --> 01:01:33,321
and as suddenly as it began,
the violent conflict has ended.
668
01:01:43,067 --> 01:01:45,934
But if death and destruction
stalk the living desert,
669
01:01:45,936 --> 01:01:49,738
birth and rejuvenation
inevitably follow after.
670
01:01:49,740 --> 01:01:52,808
New life, however,
depends on rainfall.
671
01:01:52,810 --> 01:01:55,210
And so nature brews up a tempest
672
01:01:55,212 --> 01:01:58,280
and drives her thunderheads
over the mountain barrier.
673
01:01:58,282 --> 01:02:01,083
[ Thunder crashes ]
674
01:02:10,127 --> 01:02:13,128
In this land of extremes,
there are no half measures.
675
01:02:13,130 --> 01:02:16,198
It's either no rain at all
or all at once,
676
01:02:16,200 --> 01:02:18,867
and so the cloudburst.
677
01:02:26,276 --> 01:02:28,043
[ Thunder crashes ]
678
01:02:28,045 --> 01:02:30,112
[ Wind gusting ]
679
01:03:04,815 --> 01:03:06,882
Almost as suddenly as they came,
680
01:03:06,884 --> 01:03:10,318
the torrential rains disappear.
681
01:03:10,320 --> 01:03:15,357
And yet more violent than the
storm itself is the aftermath,
682
01:03:15,359 --> 01:03:18,560
for now miles away where
the desert lies silent,
683
01:03:18,562 --> 01:03:20,495
untouched by the cloudburst,
684
01:03:20,497 --> 01:03:22,964
an ominous rumbling is heard.
685
01:03:22,966 --> 01:03:26,034
It seems to come from all
the canyons at once.
686
01:03:26,036 --> 01:03:27,335
[ Rumbling ]
687
01:03:29,473 --> 01:03:31,139
Suddenly from out of nowhere...
688
01:03:34,478 --> 01:03:36,812
...a wall of water
on the rampage,
689
01:03:36,814 --> 01:03:38,547
the flash flood of the desert.
690
01:03:55,032 --> 01:03:56,965
On these barren hills,
691
01:03:56,967 --> 01:03:59,167
the rushing waters
find nothing to hold them back.
692
01:03:59,169 --> 01:04:03,238
And so from all sides, they
converge, become a torrent,
693
01:04:03,240 --> 01:04:06,975
a raging river,
and finally a desert niagara.
694
01:04:38,642 --> 01:04:41,343
In all these endless
miles of space,
695
01:04:41,345 --> 01:04:43,511
the lost river
has nowhere to go.
696
01:04:43,513 --> 01:04:45,981
Soon it dissipates its strength.
697
01:04:45,983 --> 01:04:48,216
Its currents span out
on the flats.
698
01:04:48,218 --> 01:04:50,552
Water mixes with earth
699
01:04:50,554 --> 01:04:54,356
until only a river
of liquid mud remains.
700
01:05:01,031 --> 01:05:03,598
And finally the once raging
torrent is swallowed up
701
01:05:03,600 --> 01:05:07,502
in the desert's
overwhelming vastness.
702
01:05:07,504 --> 01:05:10,972
It would seem that nature has
brought water only to waste it,
703
01:05:10,974 --> 01:05:15,443
for now the scorching sun dries
out the last bit of moisture.
704
01:05:30,427 --> 01:05:32,093
Yet this is only the surface.
705
01:05:32,095 --> 01:05:34,496
Moisture seeping
through the desert floor
706
01:05:34,498 --> 01:05:36,164
has awakened dormant seeds.
707
01:05:43,473 --> 01:05:45,573
The miracle of the flowers...
708
01:05:45,575 --> 01:05:48,143
One of nature's
greatest triumphs.
709
01:05:57,487 --> 01:06:00,088
In this floral galaxy,
the desert wild flowers
710
01:06:00,090 --> 01:06:02,991
display their blossoms
in almost endless variety.
711
01:06:02,993 --> 01:06:04,459
Poppies...
712
01:06:04,461 --> 01:06:06,261
Lupine...
713
01:06:06,263 --> 01:06:07,963
The primrose.
714
01:06:12,369 --> 01:06:14,436
And in even the tiniest plants,
715
01:06:14,438 --> 01:06:18,239
the surge of new life is strong.
716
01:06:29,386 --> 01:06:31,386
Throughout the desert,
717
01:06:31,388 --> 01:06:34,689
the drab cactus plants
reveal their hidden beauty.
718
01:07:15,132 --> 01:07:18,266
In daylight and darkness,
the pageant continues.
719
01:07:18,268 --> 01:07:21,369
Now the night-blooming cereus
passes through its full cycle
720
01:07:21,371 --> 01:07:23,138
in a single night...
721
01:07:23,140 --> 01:07:26,574
From bursting bud
to full-blown flower.
722
01:08:01,344 --> 01:08:04,145
Here is one of nature's
innermost secrets,
723
01:08:04,147 --> 01:08:06,414
the heart of a living flower.
724
01:08:35,512 --> 01:08:38,480
The flower fades
and withers away.
725
01:08:38,482 --> 01:08:41,649
And yet in this
fantastic wonderland,
726
01:08:41,651 --> 01:08:45,286
there are no endings,
only beginnings.
727
01:08:45,288 --> 01:08:47,689
After every ebb, the full tide.
728
01:08:47,691 --> 01:08:50,425
After every night, a new day.
729
01:08:50,427 --> 01:08:53,628
And so it will be
through all of time.
730
01:08:56,133 --> 01:08:58,733
This, then,
is the desert's story,
731
01:08:58,735 --> 01:09:01,269
a story of the life-force
itself,
732
01:09:01,271 --> 01:09:03,271
challenging and mysterious.
733
01:09:03,273 --> 01:09:06,474
The eternal story
of the living desert.
56520
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