Ep 6. Yellowstone in Winter

In the episode "Yellowstone in Winter" of Nature's third season, viewers are taken on a journey through America's first national park during its coldest and most brutal season. The show explores how the park's animals adapt to survive extreme cold and deep snow, which can last up to six months of the year.

The episode's opening scene shows a long line of bison - one of the park's most iconic animals - plowing through the snow looking for food. The narrator explains that by the end of winter, the bison will have lost a quarter of their body weight due to the lack of available food and the energy it takes to stay warm. As we witness the bison's struggle, we gain an understanding of the challenges facing all the park's inhabitants.

We are then introduced to the park's gray wolves, a species that was reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 after they had been completely eradicated from the region. The show highlights wolves' exceptional hunting skills and pack mentality, which help them survive the harsh winter conditions. We see the wolves stalking elk - a staple of their diet - through the snow, waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

The episode then shifts to the park's predators, specifically the lynx and the wolverine, which are both elusive and hard to capture on camera. The narrator explains that these animals are rarely seen during the winter months because they are experts at avoiding humans, which makes it challenging to study them.

Next, we learn about the park's birds, which are equally well-adapted to living in the winter landscape. The camera focuses on a family of trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl in North America, as they prepare to mate and raise their young. Later, we see a group of bald eagles as they fish for their next meal.

Throughout the episode, the show skillfully weaves together stunning footage of the park's unique landscape with facts and expert insights. We learn about the history of the park and the challenges it has faced, including the severe "winter of hunger" in 1996, when the majority of the park's elk died of starvation. We also see how the park's ecosystem is interconnected, with each species playing a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of nature.

One of the highlights of the episode is the use of time-lapse photography to show the changing seasons in the park. We see the famous Old Faithful geyser spewing steam into the winter air, and the Teton mountain range slowly disappearing under a blanket of snow. The camera also captures the beauty of Yellowstone's frozen waterfalls and ice-covered lakes.

As the episode draws to a close, we see the animals begin to prepare for the spring thaw. The bison herd begins to move towards the park's lower elevations, where the snow has already melted and fresh grass is starting to grow. The trumpeter swans return to the park's lakes, where they will mate and raise their young. And the gray wolves, having successfully hunted during the winter, will soon be making way for their new pups.

Overall, "Yellowstone in Winter" is an excellent addition to Nature's third season. The show offers a fascinating and educational insight into the challenges facing Yellowstone's inhabitants during the coldest months of the year. The stunning visuals and expert narration make for engaging and informative viewing, and will leave viewers with a greater appreciation for the park's unique ecosystem.