On the eastern side
of the Rocky Mountains, we explore the western edge of the Great Plains where water is scarce and the daily winds
are high. In this grassland we descend into a vast canyon where we we encounter birds, juniper, cacti, tarantulas,
bees, ants, and many other species which inhabit this arid ecosystem. VIDEO COMING SOON...PREVIEW STILLS
Beginning our
expedition at 10,000', we ascend to 12,500' and explore the alpine tundra just above timberline. At this elevation
flora is dwarfed and comprises only those species able to withstand this harsh environment. Rabbits, pikas, snakes,
insects, arachnids, lichen, and grasses are some of the inhabitants we discover. VIDEO COMING SOON...PREVIEW STILLS
Where the Colorado
Plateau meets the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the ecotone is a habitat to birds, chipmunks, fish,
arachnids, pikas, and more. Exploring a lake at 10,000' were the water has recently had a significant decrease in
depth, we find diverse geology, the remains of former lake inhabitants, and diverse flora ecesising the rocky
shoreline. VIDEO COMING SOON...PREVIEW STILLS
At 10,000' we explore
this anomalous east to west mountain range and find several hydroseres that are a habitat for a variety of
aquatic biota. Flash thunderstorms are a common occurrence, nights are cold, and spring, summer, and autumn
brief, allowing for only the hardiest species to survive. Birds, squirrels, lichen, and fungi are just some
species we found here. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
This predominately
sageland ecosystem with isolated areas of aspen and coniferous colonies is very arid, hot, and windy. But the few
springs, creeks, and sloughs created by beaver dams support a plethora of very active inhabitants. We encounter
mating dragonflies, insects depositing eggs, a moose and its calve, birds feeding newborn chicks, and more.
VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
At 8000' we explore this
sageland coniferous ecotone, along the banks of a creek we encounter marshy areas created by the numerous springs
flowing into the creek. Frogs, chipmunks, butterflies, birds, deer, insects, and flowers are just some of the types
of species which inhabit this ecosystem. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
In this far inland
temperate rainforest ecosystem we explore a lake region with numerous waterfalls which feed this lake from the melting
glaciers on the high peaks above. We find orchids, flies, chipmunks, moths, deer, birds, and many other species of
plants and animals which inhabit this region. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
We study this ecotone
of the coast and montane climaxes in northwest Montana. Our expedition focuses on a lake area in this temperate
rainforest where a wide range of plant and animal species flourish. Rabbits, squirrels, deer, ducks, frogs, snails,
hexapods, pikas, flowers, and lichen, are just some of the species we encountered. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
We explore the headwaters
of a creek in this temperate rainforest region, during which we expierience daily rainfall and even a
summer snow storm. We discover beaver dams and other inhabitants of this ecosystem like chipmunks, birds, ground
squirrels, frogs, moths, conifers, fungi, and many other flora and fauna. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
15,000 years ago
glacial icefields melted and broke the dam which held the 500 cubic miles of water which comprised Lake Missoula.
The water flowing at an estimated 80mph from Montana to the Pacific Ocean created these Scablands. Exploring the
canyons we find intermittent lakes, birds, snakes, turtles, succulents, and many other species. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
The winter
snow is starting to melt on the east side of the Cascades which lies in the rain shadow. Following the rapidly
retreating snowline we see nature coming to life from it's winter dormancy and notice many propagules
emerging from the soil while observing squirrels, frogs, insects, birds, and other wildlife. VIDEO COMING SOON...
PREVIEW STILLS
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 inhabitants are 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
steelhead carcasses 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' with a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem to mixed conifers at 9000', the South Mogollon Rim is
comprised of many diverse species of plants and animals. While exploring this ecosystem we find arachnids, butterflies,
ducks, lizards, woodpeckers, flowers, charred areas from a forest fire, and more. VIEW
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, caddis flies, 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, lizards, chipmunks, and more. VIEW
In 1911 the last Yahi Indian, Ishi, walked out of the foothills of north central California. Exploring his
homeland we find praying mantis, butterflies, bald eagles, fossilized sea shells, assassin bugs, lizards, slugs,
caterpillars, ancient volcanic lava flows from Mt. Tehama and more 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
