As spring begins there
is still snow on the peaks of the surrounding mountains, but at the base of the mountains deep within this
temperate rainforest the natural world is emerging and starting to become active. We encounter many species of
fungi, flowers, birds, insects, and other wildlife.VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
The Alaskan swirl brings
a mix of mostly rain and some snow, with continuous storms lasting 13 days. Inhabitants rarely emerge during the
storms but during the few days of clear weather we found a wide range of wildlife like butterflies, birds, spiders,
and more within the understory of the forest canopy. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
We explore this central
Oregon temperate rainforest where the Alaskan swirl dumps 24 hour torrential rains for the majority of our expedition. We
discover fungi, ferns, old growth forest, snails, lichen, and more including the dead salmon and
steel head carucuses washing downstream from the spawning areas. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
Here during the rainy
season the Alaskan Swirl brings rain clouds which produce 4-7" of rain per day, turning slow flowing creeks into temporary
deep rapids and creating many temporary waterfalls too. Here we find water ouzels, ducks, snails, lichens, mushrooms,
and more species under the tallest trees in the world. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
We explore this
rugged Northern California coastal mountain range with numerous lakes and streams. Here we observe convergent lady
bugs mating, arachnids, frogs, lichens, mushrooms, and many other species. We also get the first snow showers of the
season which melt off rapidly within 24 hours.VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
Starting at 3800'
we ascend the western and northern sections of this region encountering glaciers, lakes, springs, and creeks. In this
ecosystem we discover flowers, mosses, ferns, ants, bees, spiders, and many other species of plants and animals. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
At 6000' we start
out in dry pine forest and grasslands, dropping into the canyon we encounter a creek supporting a verdant forest. We
find owls, grasshoppers, dragonflies, hummingbirds, ants, butterflies, mistletoe, ponderosa pines, lichen, and many other
organisms. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
Situated in the remote
northeast corner of Oregon, this area has dense forests with flower filled meadows and streams flowing throughout. Here we find
an area which hosts a wide range of insects, birds, spiders, fungi, lichen, mosses, and other plant life. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
Hells Canyon is
the deepest gorge in North America, we start at 8300' and decend into the canyon, at 4300' we explore a lush forest
teeming with life. Frogs, beetles, butterflies, moths, bees, ants, flies, fungi, and a plethora of plants are part of what
makes up this ecosystem. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
We arrive just as
the last of the winter snow is melting and the plants begin their rapid but brief growing season. A variety
of pteridophytes and other plants create a verdurous ground cover, beneath this dense predominately coniferous forest
with arboreal animals and lichens. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
As temperatures
begin to warm up, the record snow from winter is melting fast on the surrounding 12,000' peaks creating swift flowing
muddy creeks and waterfalls below. Elk, deer, pronghorn, ants, birds, flowers, cacti, sage, and lichen, are some of
the things we found living here. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
It's spring in
northeastern Utah, and snow melt from the Uinta mountains creates temporary creeks, small ponds,
and marshy areas below making a very diverse biota. Warm front snow storms which last 12 hours from snow fall to
complete snow melt also add to the waters. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
At 8600' we begin
our expedition atop forested mesas and plateaus. Descending into Dark Canyon we encounter a more desert environment
with springs and hanging gardens. Here warm front snow storms last 1-3 hours from snow fall to complete snow melt.
Vultures, frogs, deer, elk, cacti, manzanitas, and more inhabit this ecosystem. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
With elevations
ranging from 5000 feet with a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem to mixed conifers at 9000 feet, the South Mogollon Rim is
comprised of many diverse species of plants and animals from ducks to lizards. VIDEO COMING SOON...
Surrounded by canyon
walls and mesas, Fossil Creek produces 20,000 gallons of water per minute which supports the surrounding diverse
riparian ecosystem, comprised of birds, insects, aquatic lifeforms, plants, and many other speices. We also observed
warm front snow storms lasting 24 hours from snow fall to complete snow melt.
VIEW
Chiricahua is a
"Sky Island" region that supports a variety of wildlife, some of which are more commonly thought of as denizens of
subtropical habitats in Mexico or Central America. Even in February with snow and temperatures as low as -10°F we
still found a cornucopia of nature, like turkeys, woodpeckers, centipedes, pines, yuccas, agaves, and more.
VIEW
Cibola Wildlife Refuge
is a stopover for migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway. Located on the Arizona / California border along
the southern Colorado River the area provides an oasis to many other animals such as feral donkeys, raccoons, and
chipmunks. VIEW
In 1911 the last
Yahi Indian, Ishi, walked out of the foothills of north central California. Praying mantis, butterflies, bald eagles, fossilized shells, assassin bugs, lizards, slugs,
caterpillars, and ancient volcanic lava flows are just some of the things we discovered in this ecosystem.
VIEW
We travel to the Lassen Volcanic Region to explore this high subalpine montane region just
below the tree line, made up of vast conifer forests and rocky outcroppings. Here we observed a huge
array of butterflies, moths, bees, and other insects pollinating flowers to ensure their continued
survival. VIEW
Yosemite
is one of the busiest tourist destinations in America, millions of people travel here during the summer to see the
few last remaining gigantic trees. But on the southern border lies some trees that most people didn't even know
existed. Here we discovered a Sugar Pine with a trunk circumference of 19'. VIEW
In this expedition we travel to South Los Padres National forest, 25 miles north of Los Angeles California.
This diverse ecosystem is situated just outside one of the largest cities in the world, but it's amazing what
the Piru Creek and surrounding Echo Valley ecosystem has to offer. VIEW
The Granite Mountains
of the Mojave Desert are a hot and arid ecosystem in July, but plants and animals thrive in this heat.
Mojave rattlesnakes, lizards, hummingbirds, ants, and grasshoppers are just a few of the species
we found here. VIEW
