ZOOM IN ON WILDFLOWERS
Marty Stouffer rides the Great Divide from Mexican to Canadian border in search
of beautiful and unusual wildflowers. Along the route, we learn how Native
Americans used wildflowers for food and medicine. Cactus of Arizona, Yucca of
New Mexico, Columbine of Colorado, Paintbrush of Wyoming, and Bear Grass of
Montana all play a part in this adventure.
YEAR OF THE MUSTANG – PART 1
Five hundred years ago, Spanish Conquistadors re-introduced the Horse to the
Americas. A handful escaped and grew into vast herds by the 1800’s. These “Mestanos”
or Mustangs, inspired Native Americans to develop an elaborate horse culture on
their “Sacred Dogs.” Raven, a Mustang stallion, leads his band through the
Arrowhead Mountains in this true story of survival.
YEAR OF THE MUSTANG – PART 2
As our fascinating story of a band of Wild Mustangs continues, Raven, the
Mustang stallion, and his son Diamond are released with what is left of their
decimated band. They battle mare-stealing “bachelor” stallions, and witness the
birth of the extraordinary colt named Cloud. We travel along with this
courageous band as their incredible adventures unfold.
QUEEN OF THE ICE
In a frigid landscape, a Polar Bear emerges from her maternity den with cubs.
The Innuit people call this largest predator on earth “Nanook” and bestow upon
it spiritual power. Most admired by the native people is the mother Bear which,
over the course of two or three years, will fearlessly protect and patiently
teach her cubs how to survive in their beautiful, high Arctic home.
X-RATED IMPORTS
Come along and trace the misadventures of America’s wildlife aliens. Throngs of
European Starlings, hordes of Norway Rats, scores of South American Nutria and
millions of Middle Eastern Mussels displace native species and weaken Nature’s
well-woven fabric. Not all are unwelcome. Hunters prize Chinese Pheasants and
birders feed flocks of Monk Parakeets.
WINGS OVER THE MARSH
Spring comes to our four flyways, heralding the arrival of millions of migrating
Waterfowl. In marshlands from Canada to Mexico, Divers and Dabblers perform
gaudy breeding rituals and settle into nesting season, an unfolding drama of
rebirth in America’s heartland. Beautiful adults and cute young alike must
survive clashes with Raccoons, Weasels and Eagles.
PEOPLE OF THE BISON
Bison once grazed America in herds so vast the prairie appeared a moving blanket
of deep brown. The native people of the Great Plains molded their culture around
the shaggy beast they called “Tatonka.” When westward moving Europeans
slaughtered the species, they broke a sacred union of people and provider. Yet,
Bison are now returning, even to ancient Indian lands.
CUTE AS A CUB
Marty Stouffer’s children, Hannah and Luke, narrate a charming romp. Grizzly,
Polar, and Black Bear cubs learn how to fish and forage, swim, climb and just
have fun. We see Hannah and Luke’s encounter with a pair of Black Bear cubs near
their Colorado home. Never-before-filmed scenes of Wolverine cubs top off this
delightful and heartwarming tribute to childhood.
JUST LITTLE VARMINTS
Ground Squirrels would not win a popularity contest; unless, of course, you’re a
hungry Hawk, Fox or Black-footed Ferret. From the Arctic Ground Squirrel of
Alaska and the Golden-mantled of the Rockies to the ubiquitous Prairie Dog, our
concealed cameras shed light on why these under-appreciated little critters
allow us all to enjoy Nature’s most magnificent species.
THE BILL MAKES THE BIRD
Whether a bird chisels, cracks, probes, snaps, or pecks around for a living, its
bill plays a big part in what unique Ecological Niche it will fill. With sturdy
conical bills, a Grosbeak crushes the hardest seeds. Using the notch on a hooked
beak, a Falcon snaps the neck of prey. Limpkins slide their long curved bills
into snail shells and, with spatula-shaped mandibles, Spoonbills seine southern
waters.
