Ocean Mysteries Season 2 Episode 8 A Bird's Eye View of Alaska

In the 8th episode of season 2 of Ocean Mysteries, titled "A Bird's Eye View of Alaska", viewers are taken on a journey to one of the most remote and rugged areas of the United States - Alaska. This episode explores the wild seas and the diverse array of marine life that inhabits Alaska's waters.

The episode begins with a captivating view of the vast wilderness of Alaska from a bird's eye perspective. The camera then brings us to the Alaskan coast, where we get a glimpse of the humpback whales as they migrate to Alaska's cold waters to feed every summer. The narrator explains that this annual migration of humpback whales is the longest mammal migration on earth.

Next, viewers are introduced to Dr. James Goff, a marine biologist, who studies the cold waters of Alaska and the secret life of the humpback whales that inhabit them. Dr. Goff supports his research by using remote cameras and acoustic monitoring equipment that listen to the sounds of the whales underwater. Dr. Goff explains that the sounds are very important and tells us about the different types of sounds he listens for — like the "feeding call" and the "bubble net sound."

The show then moves onto the fascinating story of the Steller sea lions. We learn that they are some of the largest sea lions in the world and that the Alaskan waters are home to more than half the world's sea lion population. The narrator explains that these sea lions are so big that they require high protein diets, and the acidity in the oceans threatens their food supply. The cameras take us underwater to witness how the sea lions hunt and live in their natural habitat. The viewer watches as a sea lion passes through a school of fish, using its powerful flippers and remarkable speed to catch its prey. We also get a glimpse of how social these creatures are. We see them lying in large groups on top of the rocks, soaking up the sun's warmth.

The episode then moves on to the Puffins. These small, colorful birds are the stars of the Alaskan wildlife. The narrator says that they spend most of their lives at sea and only return to their nesting grounds in Alaska's Aleutian Islands for a few months during the summer. The camera captures the puffins as they plunge into the water with incredible courage and speed, diving up to 200 feet deep in search of small fish. We see them returning to their nests, interacting with each other in their unique ways, and even taking care of their young.

The episode also highlights how Alaskan waters become affected by climate change. The show explains that the rise in water temperature and ocean acidification are causing the kelp forests to disappear. Kelp forests are critical to the survival of many species, including Steller sea lions, killer whales, and otters. The show provides a glimpse of how the water temperature has risen and how this is impacting the ecosystem in general.

The final part of the episode explores the giant Pacific octopus, one of the ocean's most intelligent creatures. The viewers see the giant octopus reach out its long tentacles to grab the food, and the cameras get up close and personal to the octopus's remarkable details, showing its texture, colors, and movements.

In conclusion, "A Bird's Eye View of Alaska" is a fascinating and enlightening episode of Ocean Mysteries. The viewers are given a unique tour of Alaska's waters and learn about the marvels of the sea life that thrives in the region. Overall, the episode beautifully captures the majesty of the region's natural surroundings and encourages viewers to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the ocean and its inhabitants.