Video Documentaries

It is an unexpected and contrasting journey through America's iconic and varied landscapes as the Mississippi flows from source to mouth. The Mississippi's greatest surprise is its incredible reach. Its fingers stretch into nearly half of the USA, collecting water from 31 states. More than any other, this one river has helped unite the many and varied parts of America. The Mississippi's longest tributary begins life in the depths of winter, in the towering Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and Montana. Billions of tonnes of water, ultimately destined to flow south are trapped as ice and snow. Here, its headwaters are a draw for the world's top ice climbers, who celebrate winter with daring climbs up towering frozen waterfalls - surely the most dangerous and spectacular winter faces of the ice-bound Mississippi. In this frozen wilderness, a handful of tenacious coyotes have learned to fish, in one remarkable Mississippi headwater kept flowing by the steaming geysers of Ye

Earth's Great Rivers episode 2 - Nile: for a river that conjures up images of pyramids and pharaohs, the Nile turns out to be a truly surprising river that changes at every twist and turn of its journey. As its flows into increasingly arid latitudes on its journey north it becomes an evermore vital lifeline for animals and people, but only if they can conquer the challenges that this ever-changing river throws at them.      The Nile's story begins in a spectacular, tropical mountain range - the Rwenzoris. Streams plunge from these snowy peaks creating wetlands on the plains below. Here they create a mobile water garden of papyrus reeds, home to one of the world's strangest birds- a shoebill stork. Though beautiful, clumps of reeds break up and float around creating a challenging environment for would-be fishermen. A stork's best way of finding prey is to form a rather strange alliance - wily shoebills follow hippos whose great bulk opens up fishing channels for t

Earth's Great Rivers episode 1: this episode is a pioneering exploration of the latest discoveries concerning the Amazon - by far the greatest river on Earth. It is the river of superlatives, flowing more than 4,000 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic. Its 1,100 tributaries drain the greatest river basin on the planet and along its incredible journey it collects and transports one-fifth of the world's fresh water. Its outflow into the Atlantic Ocean per second is greater than the next six rivers combined. It truly lives up to its mighty reputation.      Due to its enormous size, it still hides secrets - it truly is the mysterious river of myth and legend, and it really does have monsters living in it, like giant electric eels and botos - the world's largest species of river dolphin. For most of its length, it is impossible to see into its murky waters. However, there are a few secret springs, bubbling with water as clear as gin, providing an unparalleled window into

Many prey like bison and elk benefit from social living because larger groups often mean more eyes looking out for danger. So why do some predators also favor this approach? Delve into the dynamics of group living in one of North America's most rugged environments: the Rocky Mountains.    Wild Rockies episode 5 - Group Survival The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the Southwestern United States. Located within the North American Cordillera, the Rockies are somewhat distinct from the Pacific Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and the Sierra Nevada, which all lie farther to the west. [caption id="attachment_5313" align="alignnone" width="600"] Wild Rockies episode 5[/caption] The Rocky Mountains formed 80 million to 55 million years ago during the Lara

Someone is setting fire to the forests of the Rocky Mountains. Surprisingly, it's scientists working on part of a crucial regeneration process. With more trees here than anywhere else in the world, maintaining a healthy ecosystem through "prescribed fires" is a vital step in the preservation of this lush paradise.  In the idyllic confines of the Rocky Mountains, the challenges for local wildlife are varied and intense. High altitudes, treacherous waterways, native predators, and more make for an ecological tightrope that delivers drama at every turn. Take a thrilling romp into the heart of this legendary North American wilderness. Wild Rockies episode 4 - Balancing the Forest The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the Southwestern United States. Located within the No

In the Rockies, the higher you are, the more water you get. Most of it comes from the giant glaciers and awe-inspiring ice fields that rest on the rugged peaks. These glaciers melt in spring, feeding more than 60 major rivers that bring sustenance to the land and the thousands of species that rely on it.  In the idyllic confines of the Rocky Mountains, the challenges for local wildlife are varied and intense. High altitudes, treacherous waterways, native predators, and more make for an ecological tightrope that delivers drama at every turn. Take a thrilling romp into the heart of this legendary North American wilderness.   Wild Rockies episode 3 - The Waterways The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the Southwestern United States. Located within the North American Cordillera, the

Stretching more than 3,000 miles across the U.S.-Canadian border, the Rockies are home to bleak alpine tundra zones. They sit up to 14,000 feet above sea level, with temperatures dropping 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every thousand feet of elevation. This means that only the hardiest mountain specialists can cope with its savage conditions, like fur-protected mountain goats and the remarkable hoary marmot.  In the idyllic confines of the Rocky Mountains, the challenges for local wildlife are varied and intense. High altitudes, treacherous waterways, native predators, and more make for an ecological tightrope that delivers drama at every turn. Take a thrilling romp into the heart of this legendary North American wilderness. [caption id="attachment_5261" align="alignnone" width="600"] Wild Rockies episode 2[/caption] Wild Rockies episode 2 - The Peaks The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range in western North America. The Roc

In springtime, a narrow corridor in the Canadian Rockies known as the Kootenays is the only area where 16 of North America's native carnivore species come together. It's bad news for the native elk, moose, and caribou--all are aware of this seasonal threat and work hard to ensure they and their young remain one step ahead of danger. Witness the dramatic struggle for survival.  In the idyllic confines of the Rocky Mountains, the challenges for local wildlife are varied and intense. High altitudes, treacherous waterways, native predators, and more make for an ecological tightrope that delivers drama at every turn. Take a thrilling romp into the heart of this legendary North American wilderness.

A polar bear mother keeps watch over her cub as they wait for the coming winter and the plentiful feeding opportunities it brings. But there are threats abound: from cannibalistic male bears, to the devastating impact of climate change, which has delayed the seasonal freeze and put them at risk of starvation.     Arctic Secrets ep. 8 - Waiting for Winter The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, United States Geological Survey and many leading polar bear biologists have expressed grave concerns about the impact of climate change, including the belief that the current warming trend imperils the survival of the polar bear. The key danger posed by climate change is malnutrition or starvation due to habitat loss. Polar bears hunt seals from a platform of sea ice. Rising temperatures cause the sea ice to melt earlier in the year, driving the bears to shore before they have built sufficient fat reserves to survive the period of scarce food in the

Every year, thousands of salmon make their way upstream along the nearly 2000-mile-long mighty Yukon River, desperate to reach spawning beds. Eagerly checking their progress is a host of hungry predators, from grizzly bears to bald eagles-all desperate to stock up on protein before the long winter months ahead. Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer. Arctic Secrets ep. 7 - Yukon Wild The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The source of the river is located in British Columbia, Canada, from which it proceeds to flow through the Canadian Yukon Territory (itself named after the river). The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is 3,190 kilometres

Every summer, the frozen waters of Hudson Bay partially thaw for a few short months. For migrating beluga whales, it's a seasonal window of feeding and breeding opportunities, but for polar bears, it's a famine-filled test of their survival. Explore the shifting fortunes of a vibrant Arctic world.    Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer. Arctic Secrets ep. 6 - Hudson Bay Hudson Bay (sometimes called Hudson's Bay, usually historically) is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada with a surface area of 1,230,000 km2. It drains a very large area, about 3,861,400 km2, that includes parts of southeastern Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and parts of Nort

North Atlantic bowhead whales have the largest mouths of any living creature and can live up to 200 years. In fact, some still carry harpoon fragments from a century ago. Join two intrepid Inuit tribesmen as they venture into the harsh Arctic region known as Ninginganiq to witness a gathering of these mysterious and awe-inspiring giants. Post moved here:  https://clumphd.com/arctic-secrets-wild-seas-ninginganiq-episode-5/ Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area The Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area (NWA) was designated in 2010 and is the largest NWA in Canada measuring over 336 397 hectares (ha). Located 120 kilometres (km) south of Clyde River, on the north-east coast of Baffin Island, Nunavut, the NWA includes the shoreline and islands of Isabella Bay and adjacent ocean out to 12 nautical miles from shore. The Inuktitut word "Ninginganiq" translates roughly as "the place where fog sits."

As the days shorten and the temperature drops, the inhabitants of Nunavik, Quebec prepare to face the approaching arctic winter. Watch as muskoxen fatten up, ptarmigans hunt for berries, and Inuit make use of the last warm days of the year. Post moved here: https://clumphd.com/arctic-secrets-fall-on-the-tundra-nunavik/ Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer.

The Mackenzie Delta is an Arctic network of channels and islands at the mouth of Canada's largest river. It's home to the ancient Inuit, as well as a variety of highly specialized wildlife, including the sonorous sandhill and majestic peregrine falcon. Follow them as they contend with a rapidly changing climate. Post moved here:  https://clumphd.com/ arctic-secrets-mackenzie-delta-wildlife /

Canada's Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island in the world--and with good reason. Temperatures below freezing for nine months of the year and an annual rainfall comparable to the Gobi Desert leave the icy landscape so barren that NASA uses it to simulate conditions on Mars. Take an exhilarating expedition into a land where only the most experienced Inuit hunters dare set foot.   Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer. Devon Island Devon Island (Inuit: Tatlurutit) is an island in Canada and the largest uninhabited island on Earth. It is located in Baffin Bay, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is one of the larger members of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the second-largest of the Que

Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer. Arctic Secrets ep. 1 - Land of Extremes    The American Dipper can plunge its head into freezing Arctic water up to 60 times a minute. In the summer, ferocious mosquitoes can draw up to a pint of blood a day from caribou. Take a fascinating look into the Arctic seasons and the impact that rising sea levels have on local wildlife, and, ultimately, our own world. The Arctic  is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Northern Canada (Canada), Finland, Greenland (Kingdom of Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Land within the Arctic region has seaso

The Galapagos islands are a fascinating microcosm of natural life and home to some of the most astonishing creatures found anywhere on Earth. With spectacular cinematography from land, sea and air, and blending rugged volcanic landscapes with intimate animal behaviour, this ambitious series brings this remarkable archipelago to captivating life. The Galapagos are no ordinary islands. They sit astride the equator, almost a thousand kilometres off the coast of South America, and are connected directly to the heart of the planet. The product of a volcanic hotspot, from the moment they are born, the islands are carried on a remarkable millenia-long journey before sinking back beneath the waves. Galapagos Part 1: Born of Fire This opening episode chronicles the many fascinating stages of the island chain's existence, and reveals how creatures have developed enterprising ways of dealing with life on this restless Pacific outpost. Galapagos Part 2: Islands that Changed the World From flig

It is the last show of this year's Springwatch, and the team looks back at another fantastic series on the Sherborne Park Estate - the last that will come from the Cotswold countryside. Gillian Burke is back from her travels and joins Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham in Gloucestershire to round up the last three weeks. And even now the drama keeps coming, with four of the five great tits fledging, and the fifth, named plucky, coming within seconds of being snatched by a jay as it tried to get out too.   The team take one last look at the live nests, including the robins, chaffinches, blackcaps and of course, the little owl which is still in the purist of the last blackbird chick in the barn. Patrick Aryee tags along on an exciting conservation project, getting involved with a hazel dormouse release in Warwickshire; and there are films from the west coast of Scotland on seals and basking sharks, a look at three remarkable spider species and a peek at a swift conservation project

Live from the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan share the news from the wildlife cameras over the past 24 hours, checking in on the robin, blackcap, chaffinch and reed bunting nests, as well as seeing how the sickly great tit chick is faring. Patrick Aryee gets involved with a brand new piece of science from the RSPB, who are trying to work out why starlings are in such steep decline, and Lucy Cooke tries to follow the feeding routes used by the lesser horseshoe bats. Gillian Burke is in Glasgow to meet an unlikely urban resident - water voles that are living miles from the nearest water source, right in the heart of the city. There is a two-part film following the fate of a family of eider ducks on the Isle of May, and a report on the health of Major Oak - the tree that Robin Hood allegedly used as a hideaway - and that is in poor health due to the tourists that flock to see it. There is an update on the long-eared owls in W

Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan are live again from the Gloucestershire countryside, where once again the little owls have been causing a ruckus. After destroying the first blackbird nest, they have now found another in an adjacent barn and have started to attack that too. But despite that there are also plenty of new nests to report on, including a beautiful blackcap and a stunning natural robin nest, while the empty hole that the mandarin duck used has some new potential tenants, including a barn owl and a greater spotter woodpecker. There is an update on the goshawk chick in Wales, who is growing healthily on a diet of grey squirrels and small birds, and the team looks back at a year's worth of data from the collared badgers on the estate. Gillian Burke is on the cliffs of Cornwall, most recently made famous by Poldark, searching for two conservation success stories, the chough and the peregrine. Luck Cooke is looking for Sherborne's water voles, and Patrick Aryee explai