Ep 4. Deserts

Deserts are often seen as lifeless wastelands, but the fourth episode of Planet Earth II proves that they are anything but. The episode takes viewers on a journey through some of the earth's most extreme deserts, from the towering dunes of Namibia to the scorching valleys of the Arabian Peninsula.

Narrated by acclaimed naturalist Sir David Attenborough, the episode introduces viewers to an array of unique and fascinating creatures that have adapted to the harsh desert environment. These include the sand grouse, a bird that can carry water in its feathers to its young; the fennec fox, which has oversized ears that help it hear prey burrowing beneath the sand; and the Saharan silver ant, which can run at speeds of up to a meter per second across blistering hot sand.

One of the highlights of the episode is a breathtaking sequence that captures the annual migration of the Christmas Island red crab. Millions of these crabs leave the island's forests every year and travel several kilometers to the coast to mate and release their eggs into the sea. Along the way, they must evade predators such as the yellow crazy ant, which has wreaked havoc on the island's ecosystem.

Another memorable moment comes when the episode follows a pair of male Namaqua chameleons as they battle for territory and the right to mate with females. The chameleons' colors change as they engage in a slow, careful dance, until one eventually concedes defeat and retreats from the victor's territory.

The episode also explores the human impact on desert habitats, with segments on desertification caused by human activity and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect endangered species. One such effort is the establishment of protected areas, such as the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, where captive-bred oryx are being reintroduced to the wild.

Throughout the episode, Planet Earth II's stunning cinematography captures the beauty and harshness of these iconic desert landscapes, from the shifting shadows of sand dunes to the swirling dust storms that can arise seemingly out of nowhere. The series' use of innovative camera techniques, such as remote-controlled drones and state-of-the-art stabilization systems, provides viewers with a perspective on desert life that has never been seen before.

Ultimately, the Deserts episode of Planet Earth II serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of life in even the harshest environments. Whether it's a caravan of camels crossing the dunes or a tiny lizard clinging to a rock in the blazing sun, the creatures of the desert have found ways to thrive, and this episode shows us how they do it.