Ep 1. Spring

Wild Alaska is an awe-inspiring documentary series that immerses its viewers in the natural beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Encapsulating the vast and varied landscapes of Alaska, each episode paints a picture of the stunning and raw natural environment in its truest form. Every element of nature from the blissful winters to the enchanting spring season provides picturesque scenery to the viewers.

In the first episode of Season 1, we are introduced to spring season in Alaska. The Alaskan spring is no ordinary season as it is the season of rebirth and renewal, as the snow melts and makes way for nature to awaken. Everything comes to life in the woods, with a rich flora and fauna that transforms into an undeniable force. Spring symbolizes change and rejuvenation as it also brings in ample opportunities for food and survival for Alaskan creatures.

As we delve deeper into the episode, we are introduced to the fish-rich waters of the coast of Alaska. In the middle of the tumultuous waters of southeast Alaska's Inside Passage, we meet the Humpback whales that travel here every spring from Hawaii. These majestic creatures weigh as much as 40 tons, and the sight of them diving in and out of the waters is one to behold. The episode captures moments of these whales indulging in a feeding frenzy, having travelled thousands of miles to consume krill and shrimp.

The camera then shifts to the brown bears that play the role of predators in the episode. We see the hibernating bears come out of their winter dens to find food to replenish their depleted energy stocks. The Alaskan brown bears grow to an enormous size and are one of the most impressive animals to inhabit Alaska. In the episode, these bears go fishing for salmon, with one of the most dramatic moments capturing a bear fishing by leaping into the river and catching a fish mid-air from a nearby waterfall.

The next scene captures the arrival of the migratory birds in Alaska, adding more beauty to the already picturesque landscape. As the snow melts, the birds return to their nesting grounds, including the bald eagles, harlequin ducks, and emperor geese. Bringing in a bounty of songbirds, shorebirds, and ducks, the arrival of these birds effects ecological changes that help shape the environment for years to come.

Alaskan spring presents its own set of challenges for its inhabitants, and in the episode, we meet an Alaskan family who are preparing for spring by restocking supplies and getting their fishing traps ready for the season. The remote island family lives on an Alaskan island that can only be accessed by the use of a barge during the season, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness. The family navigates the dangerous waters of the Pacific in hopes of finding food, and without proper preparation, the season could mean life or death. It provides an interesting perspective on the life of Alaskans who are constantly challenged by the wilderness to survive.

Overall, the first episode of Wild Alaska Season 1 encapsulates the beauty of spring season in Alaska, from the humpback whales to the Alaskan brown bears to the migratory birds, each segment of the episode gets more captivating than the previous one. It reminds us that the natural world can be both breathtakingly beautiful and deadly, and that it is always constantly changing. From the smallest of creatures to the tallest of trees, everything has a place in the wilds of Alaska, and this episode is the perfect encapsulation of that magical world.