1 00:00:01,266 --> 00:00:03,433 Rudy: THIS TIME ON NATURE SCENE 2 00:00:03,433 --> 00:00:06,033 WE VISIT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 3 00:00:06,033 --> 00:00:08,100 LOCATED IN NORTHWEST WYOMING 4 00:00:08,100 --> 00:00:09,900 OUR OLDEST NATIONAL PARK 5 00:00:09,900 --> 00:00:13,433 IS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS GEYSERS AND LARGE ANIMALS. 6 00:00:13,433 --> 00:00:16,800 Announcer: A PRODUCTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA ETV. 7 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,200 NATURE SCENE IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART 8 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,733 BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM SANTEE COOPER 9 00:00:21,733 --> 00:00:24,400 WHERE PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT 10 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:29,700 ARE EQUAL IN IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDING ELECTRIC ENERGY. 11 00:00:31,333 --> 00:00:34,300 ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS PROVIDED 12 00:00:34,300 --> 00:00:38,400 BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING 13 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:40,533 AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU 14 00:00:40,533 --> 00:00:44,833 MEMBERS OF THE ETV ENDOWMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 15 00:00:47,800 --> 00:01:48,000 ♪ 16 00:01:50,066 --> 00:01:52,133 HELLO, AND WELCOME TO NATURE SCENE 17 00:01:52,133 --> 00:01:53,833 IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 18 00:01:53,833 --> 00:01:55,300 IN NORTHWESTERN WYOMING. 19 00:01:55,300 --> 00:01:58,500 IT'S OUR OLDEST NATIONAL PARK AND ONE OF OUR LARGEST. 20 00:01:58,500 --> 00:02:01,166 I'M JIM WELCH WITH NATURALIST RUDY MANCKE 21 00:02:01,166 --> 00:02:03,300 AND WE'RE HERE THE FIRST OF OCTOBER 22 00:02:03,300 --> 00:02:05,200 AND THE WEATHER, RUDY, I'M SURE 23 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,300 IS BOUND TO CHANGE TIME AND AGAIN. 24 00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:09,700 IT'S GOING TO GET WARM, IT'S GOING TO GET CHILLY 25 00:02:09,700 --> 00:02:12,500 DEPENDING ON ELEVATION, AND CHANGE DAY BY DAY HERE. 26 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:14,266 WHAT AN EXCITING PLACE, THOUGH. 27 00:02:14,266 --> 00:02:17,766 GEOLOGICALLY, THE STORY HERE IS A WONDERFUL STORY. 28 00:02:17,766 --> 00:02:20,900 IT'S A STORY OF HOT ROCK COMING UP FROM BELOW 29 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:23,200 AND AFFECTING THE ROCKS ABOVE IT. 30 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:25,500 WE'LL SEE GEYSERS, WE'LL SEE HOT SPRINGS 31 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,033 THOSE KINDS OF THINGS HERE. 32 00:02:27,033 --> 00:02:28,866 ROCK BEING ALTERED BY THE HEAT. 33 00:02:28,866 --> 00:02:30,266 GLACIERS HAVE BEEN HERE. 34 00:02:30,266 --> 00:02:32,466 IT'S AN INTERESTING MIX, GEOLOGICALLY. 35 00:02:32,466 --> 00:02:33,866 AND THEN, LARGE ANIMALS. 36 00:02:33,866 --> 00:02:36,300 AT THIS PARK IT'S WELL-KNOWN FOR THE FACT 37 00:02:36,300 --> 00:02:38,533 THAT LARGE ANIMALS ARE AVAILABLE TO US 38 00:02:38,533 --> 00:02:41,100 AND I THINK THAT'LL MAKE IT EXTRA NICE, TOO. 39 00:02:41,100 --> 00:02:42,600 IT'S A ZOO WITHOUT WALLS. 40 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:43,733 YEAH, IT REALLY IS. 41 00:02:43,733 --> 00:02:45,000 AND TALK ABOUT THE GEOLOGY. 42 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,000 IF YOU JUST TURN AROUND AND TAKE A LOOK HERE 43 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,400 THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE PARK 44 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:51,300 WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT SO CLEARLY. 45 00:02:51,300 --> 00:02:53,766 BUT ALL THAT GRAY MATERIAL DOWN BELOW US-- 46 00:02:53,766 --> 00:02:55,966 LAYERING THERE-- IS SEDIMENTARY ROCK. 47 00:02:55,966 --> 00:02:57,966 MARINE SHALES, CRETACEOUS AGE. 48 00:02:57,966 --> 00:02:59,466 MOST EVERYTHING ELSE HERE 49 00:02:59,466 --> 00:03:02,166 IS GOING TO BE VOLCANIC ROCK THAT WE'LL SEE. 50 00:03:02,166 --> 00:03:03,500 BUT AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE 51 00:03:03,500 --> 00:03:05,500 THAT THE GEOLOGICAL STORY HERE 52 00:03:05,500 --> 00:03:07,066 GOES BACK A GOOD WAYS IN TIME. 53 00:03:07,066 --> 00:03:08,933 AND WHAT A BEAUTIFUL VIEW-- POND'S BELOW 54 00:03:08,933 --> 00:03:11,966 AND COLORS BEGINNING TO COME IN THIS TIME OF YEAR. 55 00:03:11,966 --> 00:03:13,900 I MEAN, THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR 56 00:03:13,900 --> 00:03:16,533 WHEN THE QUAKING ASPEN BEGIN TO TURN YELLOW 57 00:03:16,533 --> 00:03:18,300 AND, OF COURSE, THE GREEN THERE-- 58 00:03:18,300 --> 00:03:19,933 I THINK ALL OF THAT, REALLY 59 00:03:19,933 --> 00:03:22,800 IS MOST LIKELY DOUGLAS FIR, WHICH IS WIDESPREAD HERE. 60 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,700 IS THAT A BEAR DOWN THERE? 61 00:03:25,700 --> 00:03:28,066 LOOK RIGHT DOWN THERE. GET YOUR GLASSES ON. 62 00:03:28,066 --> 00:03:29,700 THAT'S ONE OF THE BLACK BEARS. 63 00:03:29,700 --> 00:03:31,500 THAT'S A BLACK BEAR THAT'S BROWN. 64 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:32,600 ISN'T THAT AMAZING? 65 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,500 SOMETIMES THEY'RE COLORED THAT WAY. 66 00:03:34,500 --> 00:03:35,933 LOOK AT HIM MOVING ALONG. 67 00:03:35,933 --> 00:03:37,333 THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR 68 00:03:37,333 --> 00:03:39,700 AGAIN, WHEN THEY'RE EATING, EATING, EATING. 69 00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:41,566 STORING UP AS MUCH FAT AS POSSIBLE 70 00:03:41,566 --> 00:03:42,766 FOR THE WINTER SLEEP. 71 00:03:42,766 --> 00:03:44,566 LOOK AT THAT ANIMAL MOVING ALONG. 72 00:03:44,566 --> 00:03:45,766 PLANTIGRADE MOVEMENT. 73 00:03:45,766 --> 00:03:47,633 WALKING LIKE WE ARE-- FLATFOOTED. 74 00:03:47,633 --> 00:03:50,733 MOVING BEHIND SOME PLANTS DOWN THERE, NOW, LOOK AT THAT. 75 00:03:50,733 --> 00:03:52,633 WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE HIM AGAIN. 76 00:03:52,633 --> 00:03:54,233 I SAW A BLUEBIRD DOWN HERE, TOO. 77 00:03:54,233 --> 00:03:55,400 HERE'S SOME SAGEBRUSH. 78 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,100 THIS IS A DRIER AREA OF THE PARK. 79 00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:58,733 SEE THE FEMALE MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 80 00:03:58,733 --> 00:04:00,166 PERCHED THERE LOOKING AT US? 81 00:04:00,166 --> 00:04:01,366 OH, THAT'S... 82 00:04:01,366 --> 00:04:03,100 NOT SO PRETTY AND THEN TURNING AROUND-- 83 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:04,133 LOOK AT THAT BACK! 84 00:04:04,133 --> 00:04:05,700 WHEN IT TURNS, YOU SEE THE BLUE. 85 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:07,166 YOU SEE THE BLUE MORE CLEARLY. 86 00:04:07,166 --> 00:04:09,666 AND MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD IS A REALLY GOOD COMMON NAME 87 00:04:09,666 --> 00:04:12,200 BECAUSE THEY LOVE ELEVATIONS THAT ARE ON THE RISE. 88 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:13,866 I SEE THE MALE DOWN THERE, TOO. 89 00:04:13,866 --> 00:04:15,166 MORE BLUE ON HIM. 90 00:04:15,166 --> 00:04:17,733 SEE? SITTING ON THE SAGEBRUSH DOWN THERE BELOW. 91 00:04:17,733 --> 00:04:19,900 BEAR'S BACK. 92 00:04:19,900 --> 00:04:21,500 BEAR'S BACK. OUT IN THE OPEN. 93 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:23,966 AND EATING. CAN YOU TELL WHAT HE'S AFTER? 94 00:04:23,966 --> 00:04:26,666 YEAH, I THINK PROBABLY HE'S IN ROSES DOWN THERE. 95 00:04:26,666 --> 00:04:28,300 SO HE'S FEEDING ON THE FRUIT. 96 00:04:28,300 --> 00:04:29,666 YOU KNOW, THE ROSE FRUIT. 97 00:04:29,666 --> 00:04:31,133 ROSE HIPS, THEY'RE CALLED. 98 00:04:31,133 --> 00:04:33,333 HE'S AN OMNIVORE, TAKING PLANT AND ANIMAL MATERIAL. 99 00:04:33,333 --> 00:04:36,200 THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THOUGH, HITTING PLANT, YOU KNOW, MATERIAL-- 100 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:37,700 FRUIT-- A LOT. 101 00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:39,000 GOSH, HE'S... LOOK AT THAT FACE. 102 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:40,600 THE WAY HE'S USING THOSE BIG PAWS 103 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:42,033 TO PULL THE ROSES OVER TO HIM. 104 00:04:42,033 --> 00:04:43,833 OF COURSE, THE RULE GOES IN THE PARK: 105 00:04:43,833 --> 00:04:45,400 IF YOU'RE MAKING THE ANIMAL MOVE 106 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:46,466 YOU'RE WAY TOO CLOSE. 107 00:04:46,466 --> 00:04:48,100 SO YOU WANT TO STAY YOUR DISTANCE. 108 00:04:48,100 --> 00:04:49,433 OH, YEAH. YEAH. 109 00:04:49,433 --> 00:04:50,900 ISN'T THAT NEAT TO SEE HIM 110 00:04:50,900 --> 00:04:52,733 FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, THOUGH? 111 00:04:52,733 --> 00:04:54,533 KIND OF ABOVE HIM, LIKE WE ARE. 112 00:04:54,533 --> 00:04:56,600 SPEAKING OF ANOTHER MAMMAL, NOW LOOK OVER HERE. 113 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:57,733 LOOK AT THE RED SQUIRREL. 114 00:04:57,733 --> 00:04:58,733 ( chuckling ) 115 00:04:58,733 --> 00:05:00,733 OH, YEAH. 116 00:05:00,733 --> 00:05:02,366 PROBABLY A DOUGLAS FIR CONE. 117 00:05:02,366 --> 00:05:05,666 HE'S ROLLING IT ALMOST LIKE HE'S EATING CORN ON THE COB. 118 00:05:05,666 --> 00:05:08,700 AGAIN, STORING UP ENERGY FOR USE LATER ON THIS YEAR. 119 00:05:08,700 --> 00:05:11,733 TEMPERATURES ARE BEGINNING TO FALL AT NIGHT ALREADY. 120 00:05:11,733 --> 00:05:14,266 AND I SEE SOMETHING ELSE GATHERING SOME FOOD. 121 00:05:14,266 --> 00:05:16,033 LOOK AT THE CHIPMUNK DOWN THERE. 122 00:05:16,033 --> 00:05:17,533 FILLING HIS CHEEK POUCHES. 123 00:05:17,533 --> 00:05:19,666 I MEAN, COMING OUT IN THAT LITTLE AREA 124 00:05:19,666 --> 00:05:21,533 GATHERING SMALL SEED OR WHATEVER. 125 00:05:21,533 --> 00:05:22,966 AND NOT EATING THEM, NOW. 126 00:05:22,966 --> 00:05:24,233 JUST STUFFING THEM IN. 127 00:05:24,233 --> 00:05:26,600 I THINK TASTING THEM, MAYBE, A LITTLE BIT 128 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,800 BUT STUFFING THEM IN THE CHEEK POUCHES. 129 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:30,866 THIS SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING VISIT. 130 00:05:30,866 --> 00:05:32,633 I EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF THINGS 131 00:05:32,633 --> 00:05:34,766 AS WE GO FROM A LOWER AREA UP HIGHER. 132 00:05:34,766 --> 00:05:36,433 LOOK AT THIS RIGHT OVER HERE. 133 00:05:36,433 --> 00:05:38,333 LOOK RIGHT HERE AS WE TURN AROUND. 134 00:05:38,333 --> 00:05:41,300 THREE PRONGHORN RIGHT THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE HILL. 135 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:43,033 ONE OF THEM IS A MALE, FOR SURE 136 00:05:43,033 --> 00:05:44,466 WITH THE BIG HORNS ON IT. 137 00:05:44,466 --> 00:05:47,266 AND YOU SEE THE WAY THEY'RE TURNED IN ON THE TOP? 138 00:05:47,266 --> 00:05:49,466 AND THEN WITH THOSE PRONGS ON THE FRONT 139 00:05:49,466 --> 00:05:51,200 GIVING IT THE NAME "PRONGHORN." 140 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,700 NOT REALLY A TRUE ANTELOPE 141 00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:55,066 BUT AN ENDEMIC SPECIES OF THE GREAT PLAINS 142 00:05:55,066 --> 00:05:57,233 AND IN THIS PART OF THE UNITED STATES. 143 00:05:57,233 --> 00:05:59,600 THEY HAVE ABOUT 500 OR SO HERE IN THE PARK. 144 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,566 WOW... YEAH, LOOK AT THOSE THINGS. 145 00:06:01,566 --> 00:06:03,666 JUST FEEDING, AGAIN, ON PLANT MATERIAL 146 00:06:03,666 --> 00:06:05,066 RIGHT THERE ON THE EDGE. 147 00:06:05,066 --> 00:06:06,300 VERY RAPID RUNNERS. 148 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:08,766 I MEAN, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. 149 00:06:08,766 --> 00:06:10,900 AND ONLY KNOWN FROM NORTH AMERICA. 150 00:06:10,900 --> 00:06:13,000 NO RELATIVES KNOWN ANYWHERE ELSE. 151 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,300 KIND OF A WHITISH RUMP OR BUFF-COLORED RUMP. 152 00:06:15,300 --> 00:06:17,166 YOU CAN SEE THAT VERY, VERY CLEARLY. 153 00:06:17,166 --> 00:06:19,266 YOU CAN SEE STRIPING ON THE THROAT SOME. 154 00:06:19,266 --> 00:06:20,900 EVEN A DARK LINE DOWN THE BACK. 155 00:06:20,900 --> 00:06:22,566 SEE? IT'S WALKING AWAY, NIBBLING 156 00:06:22,566 --> 00:06:23,766 PUSHING HIS HEAD DOWN. 157 00:06:23,766 --> 00:06:24,766 ( chuckling ) 158 00:06:24,766 --> 00:06:26,333 AND THEY STAY TOGETHER. 159 00:06:26,333 --> 00:06:29,333 THE MALE WILL KEEP A NUMBER OF FEMALES AROUND HIM YEAR-ROUND. 160 00:06:29,333 --> 00:06:32,166 THIS IS THE LARGEST PARK OF THE LOWER 48 STATES. 161 00:06:32,166 --> 00:06:33,366 350 MILES OF ROADS. 162 00:06:33,366 --> 00:06:35,600 PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO SEE EVERYTHING 163 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,766 FROM 5,200 HERE AT THE NORTH ENTRANCE 164 00:06:37,766 --> 00:06:39,766 ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS. 165 00:06:39,766 --> 00:06:41,466 LET'S GET STARTED. 166 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,233 THIS LITTLE BOARDWALK 167 00:06:49,233 --> 00:06:51,566 OUGHT TO GIVE US A REALLY GOOD VIEW, NOW 168 00:06:51,566 --> 00:06:52,966 OF A VERY SPECIAL PLACE. 169 00:06:52,966 --> 00:06:54,900 I THINK IT'S A PLACE THAT, REALLY 170 00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:57,400 WHEN YOU THINK OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 171 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,566 THIS IS ONE OF THE PLACES YOU THINK OF AUTOMATICALLY. 172 00:07:00,566 --> 00:07:01,733 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS 173 00:07:01,733 --> 00:07:04,433 WITH SO MANY FOUNTAINS AND SPRINGS 174 00:07:04,433 --> 00:07:06,700 DOING SO MUCH TO CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE. 175 00:07:06,700 --> 00:07:09,633 IT'S AMAZING TO SEE HEATED WATER FLOWING LIKE THAT 176 00:07:09,633 --> 00:07:11,766 BRINGING MINERALS WITH IT, OF COURSE 177 00:07:11,766 --> 00:07:14,600 AND GIVING US SOME INTERESTING COLORS HERE, JIM. 178 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,566 WHAT DOES FORCE IT UP OUT, SO HOT 179 00:07:16,566 --> 00:07:18,100 HERE TO THE SURFACE? 180 00:07:18,100 --> 00:07:20,566 WELL, THE HEAT COMES FROM DEEP WITHIN THE CRUST 181 00:07:20,566 --> 00:07:22,533 AND ON INTO THE MANTLE OF THE EARTH. 182 00:07:22,533 --> 00:07:24,833 IT'S A HOT SPOT HERE UNDER YELLOWSTONE PARK 183 00:07:24,833 --> 00:07:27,466 THAT HEATS THE WATER TO ABOUT 107 DEGREES OR SO. 184 00:07:27,466 --> 00:07:29,100 YOU NEED HEAT, YOU NEED WATER 185 00:07:29,100 --> 00:07:30,900 WHICH IS RAINWATER AND SNOWMELT 186 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:32,533 THAT GETS DOWN IN THE GROUND. 187 00:07:32,533 --> 00:07:35,200 AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE HEATED WATER 188 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,866 COMBINES WITH CARBON DIOXIDE DEEP IN THE EARTH 189 00:07:37,866 --> 00:07:40,966 COMES THROUGH LIMESTONE, DISSOLVES THE LIMESTONE AWAY 190 00:07:40,966 --> 00:07:44,166 AND CARRIES THE CALCIUM CARBONATE MINERALS IN THE WATER. 191 00:07:44,166 --> 00:07:46,000 AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE SURFACE 192 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,466 THEY PRECIPITATE OUT AND LOOK WHAT YOU GET. 193 00:07:48,466 --> 00:07:50,333 YOU GET THESE STAIR-STEP EFFECTS. 194 00:07:50,333 --> 00:07:53,966 AND SO MANY COLORS, FROM PINK AND BUFF TO SNOW WHITE. 195 00:07:53,966 --> 00:07:55,233 DIFFERENT MINERALS STAIN IT 196 00:07:55,233 --> 00:07:56,800 AND ALSO THERE ARE MICROORGANISMS 197 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:58,233 THAT LIVE IN THAT HOT WATER 198 00:07:58,233 --> 00:08:00,666 THAT GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF A COLOR DIFFERENCE, TOO. 199 00:08:00,666 --> 00:08:03,766 BUT YOU CAN SEE LAYERS, TIERS OF THAT MATERIAL. 200 00:08:03,766 --> 00:08:06,533 BUT AGAIN, IT'S A COMBINATION OF HEAT, WATER 201 00:08:06,533 --> 00:08:08,733 AND AN INTERESTING PLUMBING SYSTEM 202 00:08:08,733 --> 00:08:11,066 I GUESS, WOULD BE THE WAY TO SAY IT. 203 00:08:11,066 --> 00:08:13,633 IT'S NOT HOT ENOUGH HERE TO FORM GEYSERS 204 00:08:13,633 --> 00:08:16,633 BUT IT'S HOT ENOUGH TO FORM THESE HOT SPRINGS. 205 00:08:16,633 --> 00:08:19,500 AND LOOK AT THE STEAM JUST RISING UP OFF OF IT 206 00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:20,933 AGAINST THAT BLUE SKY. 207 00:08:20,933 --> 00:08:22,933 WOW. 208 00:08:22,933 --> 00:08:25,800 AND RIGHT AT THE EDGE, A FIR, JUNIPER AND GRASSES. 209 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,266 YEAH. WELL, THE TWO TREES THAT DOMINATE HERE 210 00:08:28,266 --> 00:08:29,733 ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER THERE 211 00:08:29,733 --> 00:08:31,800 YOU CAN SEE THE BERRY-LIKE CONES ON IT. 212 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:33,633 THAT'S VERY EASY TO IDENTIFY HERE. 213 00:08:33,633 --> 00:08:35,833 PRETTY WIDESPREAD IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 214 00:08:35,833 --> 00:08:38,333 AND THEN THE ONE ABOVE IT IS DOUGLAS FIR 215 00:08:38,333 --> 00:08:39,766 WITH NICE CONES ON IT. 216 00:08:39,766 --> 00:08:42,466 AND THAT'S A VERY, VERY WIDESPREAD CONIFER. 217 00:08:42,466 --> 00:08:45,700 BOTH OF THOSE ARE, IN THIS PART OF THE UNITED STATES. 218 00:08:45,700 --> 00:08:47,733 LOOK OVER THERE AT THE PART OF THE SPRING NOW 219 00:08:47,733 --> 00:08:49,800 THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY HOT WATER FLOWING THOUGH. 220 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:51,066 THAT'S ONE OF THE ELK, YEAH. 221 00:08:51,066 --> 00:08:52,800 THERE'S A YOUNG ELK, A YEARLING ELK. 222 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:54,133 A YOUNG ELK. 223 00:08:54,133 --> 00:08:55,633 PROBABLY 18 MONTHS OLD OR SO. 224 00:08:55,633 --> 00:08:57,466 YOU CAN SEE THE SPIKES ON THE TOP. 225 00:08:57,466 --> 00:08:58,866 STANDING UP, LOOKING AROUND 226 00:08:58,866 --> 00:09:00,900 LICKING A LITTLE BIT OF THIS MATERIAL 227 00:09:00,900 --> 00:09:02,766 GETTING A LITTLE CALCIUM CARBONATE. 228 00:09:02,766 --> 00:09:04,366 AND LOOK AT HIM SETTLING DOWN. 229 00:09:04,366 --> 00:09:06,500 THAT MEANS HE'S NOT AFRAID OF US AT ALL. 230 00:09:06,500 --> 00:09:07,933 KNEELING DOWN 231 00:09:07,933 --> 00:09:09,566 AND THEN THE BACK FEET SLIP OUT UNDER 232 00:09:09,566 --> 00:09:10,866 AND DOWN HE GOES. 233 00:09:10,866 --> 00:09:12,566 THE FRONT LEGS GO DOWN AND DOWN HE GOES. 234 00:09:12,566 --> 00:09:14,433 LOOKS LIKE HE'S JUST GOING TO SLEEP THERE. 235 00:09:14,433 --> 00:09:16,166 AND AGAIN, WHEN THE WATER STOPS FLOWING-- 236 00:09:16,166 --> 00:09:17,366 THE HOT WATER STOPS FLOWING... 237 00:09:17,366 --> 00:09:18,700 IT COOLS. 238 00:09:18,700 --> 00:09:19,933 ...THEN THIS TRAVERTINE-- 239 00:09:19,933 --> 00:09:21,733 THIS CALCIUM CARBONATE DEPOSIT-- 240 00:09:21,733 --> 00:09:23,100 EVENTUALLY WEARS AWAY. 241 00:09:23,100 --> 00:09:26,000 I ALSO HEAR AND SEE LOTS OF BIRDS AROUND US HERE. 242 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,633 AMERICAN ROBIN UP IN THE TREE THERE, SEE IT? 243 00:09:28,633 --> 00:09:30,000 OH, YEAH. 244 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,533 THAT'S THE GOOD OLD AMERICAN ROBIN. 245 00:09:31,533 --> 00:09:32,800 THAT'S ONE OF THOSE ANIMALS 246 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:34,766 THAT YOU SEE WIDESPREAD IN THE UNITED STATES. 247 00:09:34,766 --> 00:09:36,633 AND LOOK AT THE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 248 00:09:36,633 --> 00:09:38,500 IT'S TAKING SOMETHING FROM THE CONES-- 249 00:09:38,500 --> 00:09:40,700 TAKING THE SEED OF THOSE DOUGLAS FIR CONES. 250 00:09:40,700 --> 00:09:41,700 ( chuckling ) 251 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:43,100 THAT'S A NEAT ONE, THERE. 252 00:09:43,100 --> 00:09:44,366 AND I ALSO SEE, WHAT IS THAT? 253 00:09:44,366 --> 00:09:46,066 CLARK'S NUTCRACKER UP THERE PREENING. 254 00:09:46,066 --> 00:09:47,600 GRAY AND THEN THE BLACK AND WHITE. 255 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,133 GRAY AND BLACK AND WHITE, YEAH. 256 00:09:49,133 --> 00:09:51,633 AND THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT TAKES SEED FROM CONIFER CONES. 257 00:09:51,633 --> 00:09:54,166 AND THERE'S ANOTHER RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH 258 00:09:54,166 --> 00:09:56,666 ON THE BRANCH OF THE TREE, SEE IT THERE? 259 00:09:56,666 --> 00:09:58,400 A LOT OF VARIETY RIGHT HERE. 260 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:00,000 AND WE'RE STILL AT THE NORTH ENTRANCE 261 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,100 NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THIS VISIT TO YELLOWSTONE. 262 00:10:02,100 --> 00:10:03,466 LOTS MORE TO SEE. 263 00:10:03,466 --> 00:10:04,833 LET'S KEEP GOING. 264 00:10:10,366 --> 00:10:12,566 THE YELLOWSTONE PLATEAU IS FLAT-TOPPED 265 00:10:12,566 --> 00:10:14,966 AND BASICALLY CAUSED BY VOLCANIC ACTIVITY 266 00:10:14,966 --> 00:10:16,533 AS WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED. 267 00:10:16,533 --> 00:10:17,800 TWO EPISODES AT LEAST. 268 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:19,566 ONE 50 MILLION YEARS OR SO AGO 269 00:10:19,566 --> 00:10:22,700 AND THEN QUITE A FEW WITHIN THE PAST 2 MILLION YEARS. 270 00:10:22,700 --> 00:10:24,033 Jim: THIS GIVES YOU A CHANCE 271 00:10:24,033 --> 00:10:26,000 TO REALLY SEE THE BIG PICTURE OF YELLOWSTONE. 272 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000 OH, BOY. 273 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,633 2.2 MILLION ACRES 274 00:10:28,633 --> 00:10:31,000 LARGER THAN DELAWARE, RHODE ISLAND COMBINED. 275 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,500 AND ELECTRIC PEAK, THERE, REFLECTING IN THE POND 276 00:10:33,500 --> 00:10:35,333 BUT CLOUDS ON TOP OF IT RIGHT NOW. 277 00:10:35,333 --> 00:10:36,866 YEAH. 278 00:10:36,866 --> 00:10:38,866 THE POND RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IS NICE. 279 00:10:38,866 --> 00:10:40,633 AND AGAIN YOU SEE THE FLAT AREA. 280 00:10:40,633 --> 00:10:42,633 LOTS OF GRASSES; LOW. 281 00:10:42,633 --> 00:10:44,100 AND THEN THE CONIFERS 282 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,366 WITH SOME YELLOW ASPENS COMING IN 283 00:10:46,366 --> 00:10:48,633 LIKE WE SAW A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. 284 00:10:48,633 --> 00:10:50,300 VERY, VERY EXCITING PLACE. 285 00:10:50,300 --> 00:10:52,100 BUT I NOTICED AS WE CAME IN-- 286 00:10:52,100 --> 00:10:53,466 LOOK RIGHT OVER HERE. 287 00:10:53,466 --> 00:10:55,033 OH, THE ELK. 288 00:10:55,033 --> 00:10:56,700 NOW, THOSE ARE ELK. 289 00:10:56,700 --> 00:10:59,300 NOW, WE SAW THE YOUNG MALE A MOMENT AGO 290 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:01,400 BUT LOOK AT THE BULL ELK THERE 291 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,433 WITH A TREMENDOUS RACK ON IT. 292 00:11:03,433 --> 00:11:05,833 AND ALL OF THOSE TINES STICKING OFF 293 00:11:05,833 --> 00:11:07,600 ON EACH OF THOSE ANTLERS. 294 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:08,833 YOU CAN HEAR THEM BUGLING 295 00:11:08,833 --> 00:11:10,466 THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE AUTUMN. 296 00:11:10,466 --> 00:11:12,033 IT'S A SPECIAL TIME TO BE HERE. 297 00:11:12,033 --> 00:11:13,400 WELL, THIS IS THE RUTTING SEASON. 298 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:14,633 AND THE MALES, THE OLD BULLS 299 00:11:14,633 --> 00:11:16,366 WILL GATHER TOGETHER A GROUP OF FEMALES 300 00:11:16,366 --> 00:11:17,833 IN A LITTLE HAREM 301 00:11:17,833 --> 00:11:19,900 OR REALLY, A LARGE HAREM SOMETIMES 302 00:11:19,900 --> 00:11:23,533 AND THEY HAVE THE YOUNGER ANIMALS WITH THEM, THE FEMALES DO. 303 00:11:23,533 --> 00:11:25,100 AND THEN THEY'RE OUT HERE 304 00:11:25,100 --> 00:11:26,733 BASICALLY GETTING SOME FOOD 305 00:11:26,733 --> 00:11:30,400 AND THEN THE BULL MAKES SURE THAT EVERYTHING STAYS IN PLACE 306 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:33,200 AND CHALLENGES OTHER BULLS WITH THOSE BUGLES. 307 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:34,633 GOSH, THAT IS AMAZING. 308 00:11:34,633 --> 00:11:36,100 WAPITI IS THE NAME IN INDIAN 309 00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:37,900 AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WHITE RUMP 310 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:39,166 ON THE ANIMAL. 311 00:11:39,166 --> 00:11:41,433 YEAH, AND YOU CAN SEE, REALLY, IT'S INTERESTING 312 00:11:41,433 --> 00:11:43,033 A LIGHTER REAR END 313 00:11:43,033 --> 00:11:45,100 AND THEN THAT DARKER NECK AND HEAD. 314 00:11:45,100 --> 00:11:46,666 YOU KNOW, THAT DARK BROWN. 315 00:11:46,666 --> 00:11:48,266 OH, THOSE ARE BIG ANTLERS. 316 00:11:48,266 --> 00:11:49,666 IT'S AMAZING, AGAIN. 317 00:11:49,666 --> 00:11:52,533 GROWING A PAIR OF THOSE, SHEDDING THEM EVERY YEAR. 318 00:11:52,533 --> 00:11:54,633 AND LOOK AT HOW WIDE APART THEY ARE. 319 00:11:54,633 --> 00:11:56,700 I MEAN, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. 320 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,633 THE MALE THIS TIME OF YEAR SPENDS A LOT OF ENERGY 321 00:11:59,633 --> 00:12:01,266 KEEPING HIS HAREM TOGETHER 322 00:12:01,266 --> 00:12:02,966 AND ALSO, OF COURSE, MATING. 323 00:12:02,966 --> 00:12:04,966 AND THEN HE, BASICALLY, IS A LONER 324 00:12:04,966 --> 00:12:06,500 FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. 325 00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:09,133 I SEE SOMETHING OVER HERE-- LOOK. 326 00:12:09,133 --> 00:12:11,633 LOOK OVER THERE IN THE GRASSES. 327 00:12:11,633 --> 00:12:13,366 OH, THE COYOTE. 328 00:12:13,366 --> 00:12:15,133 COMING IN, COMING IN RIGHT THERE. 329 00:12:15,133 --> 00:12:16,966 JUST DOING A LITTLE BIT OF MOVING. 330 00:12:16,966 --> 00:12:18,400 BLENDING IN SO BEAUTIFULLY. 331 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:20,666 NOW THAT'S AN ANIMAL THAT COULD GET AN ELK 332 00:12:20,666 --> 00:12:22,300 IF IT'S A SMALL ONE, YOU KNOW. 333 00:12:22,300 --> 00:12:25,466 BUT PROBABLY THESE ARE VERY WELL-PROTECTED FROM THE COYOTE. 334 00:12:25,466 --> 00:12:26,966 LOOKING FOR SMALLER MAMMALS. 335 00:12:26,966 --> 00:12:29,800 AND, OF COURSE, HE FEEDS ON PLANT AND ANIMAL MATERIAL. 336 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:31,466 BUT THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL. 337 00:12:31,466 --> 00:12:33,566 A LITTLE REDDISH ON THE BACK OF THE EARS. 338 00:12:33,566 --> 00:12:35,966 MOVES SO EASILY, WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AT ALL. 339 00:12:35,966 --> 00:12:40,533 AND BASICALLY, THE FEMALE CHOOSES THE SAME MALE YEAR AFTER YEAR 340 00:12:40,533 --> 00:12:44,000 SO IN THAT SENSE, THEY BASICALLY MATE FOR LIFE. 341 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,000 FEED ON WHAT, SMALL RODENTS? 342 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:47,233 YEAH, ALL SORTS OF ANIMALS. 343 00:12:47,233 --> 00:12:48,800 AND SOMETIMES PLANT MATERIAL, TOO. 344 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,066 ARE THOSE...? LOOK AT THE LITTLE, UH... 345 00:12:51,066 --> 00:12:53,566 IT LOOKS LIKE A YOUNGER ONE ROLLING OVER THERE 346 00:12:53,566 --> 00:12:55,533 AND THE PARENT SPENDING SOME TIME WITH IT 347 00:12:55,533 --> 00:12:56,833 BONDING TOGETHER. 348 00:12:56,833 --> 00:12:58,233 ISN'T THAT AMAZING? 349 00:12:58,233 --> 00:12:59,933 AND THIS IS A PERFECT PLACE NOW 350 00:12:59,933 --> 00:13:02,800 BECAUSE THESE ANIMALS CAN SNEAK UP ON OTHER ANIMALS 351 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:04,700 IN THE TALL GRASS. 352 00:13:04,700 --> 00:13:06,133 WIDESPREAD ANIMAL IN THE PARK. 353 00:13:06,133 --> 00:13:08,533 I NOTICED SOMETHING ELSE OVER HERE ON THE WATER. 354 00:13:08,533 --> 00:13:10,500 CANADA GEESE. 355 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:11,500 OH, VERY DEFINITELY. 356 00:13:11,500 --> 00:13:12,966 THAT WHITE PATCH ON THE CHEEK. 357 00:13:12,966 --> 00:13:13,966 OH, ABSOLUTELY. 358 00:13:13,966 --> 00:13:15,566 LOOK AT THAT THING. 359 00:13:15,566 --> 00:13:17,333 LOOK AT THE LONG NECK GOING DOWN 360 00:13:17,333 --> 00:13:19,100 GETTING PLANTS IN THE WATER NOW. 361 00:13:19,100 --> 00:13:20,766 THEY'RE BASICALLY PLANT EATERS 362 00:13:20,766 --> 00:13:22,233 GETTING PLANTS IN THE WATER 363 00:13:22,233 --> 00:13:24,766 AND ALSO COMING OUT ON LAND TO GET SOME FOOD. 364 00:13:24,766 --> 00:13:27,733 BUT THE CANADA GEESE, WIDESPREAD IN THE UNITED STATES 365 00:13:27,733 --> 00:13:29,900 AND AGAIN, SPENDING A LOT OF TIME HERE. 366 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:31,333 GOSH, THAT'S A LONG NECK. 367 00:13:31,333 --> 00:13:32,933 AND YOU CAN SEE IT GOING DOWN 368 00:13:32,933 --> 00:13:34,133 AND SEE THEM CHOMPING 369 00:13:34,133 --> 00:13:35,733 ON THAT GREEN PLANT MATERIAL. 370 00:13:35,733 --> 00:13:37,866 A CANADA GEESE, I WOULD EXPECT, MORE SO 371 00:13:37,866 --> 00:13:40,600 BUT LOOK OVER HERE, RUDY-- A GREAT BLUE HERON. 372 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:42,366 A GREAT BLUE HERON OVER THERE. 373 00:13:42,366 --> 00:13:43,766 YEAH, JUST STANDING UP. 374 00:13:43,766 --> 00:13:45,833 ISN'T THAT AMAZING? STANDING UP TALL. 375 00:13:45,833 --> 00:13:47,433 LONG NECK, STILETTO-LIKE BEAK. 376 00:13:47,433 --> 00:13:48,433 ( chuckling ) 377 00:13:48,433 --> 00:13:49,700 THAT'S INTERESTING. 378 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:52,300 AND, OF COURSE, NOT FEEDING ON PLANT MATERIAL. 379 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:54,433 THAT ANIMAL IS ACTUALLY GETTING FISH 380 00:13:54,433 --> 00:13:55,933 AND OTHER ANIMALS TO EAT. 381 00:13:55,933 --> 00:13:58,000 AND PREENING. LOOK AT THE PREENING. 382 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,666 AND PULLING THE FEATHERS UP. 383 00:13:59,666 --> 00:14:01,333 YOU SEE THE WAY THEY'RE... 384 00:14:01,333 --> 00:14:03,566 HE'S PULLING THE FEATHERS UP AND APART 385 00:14:03,566 --> 00:14:04,866 TO PREEN BETWEEN THEM. 386 00:14:04,866 --> 00:14:06,400 THAT'S AN AMAZING ANIMAL. 387 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:09,000 AND YOU CAN IMAGINE, NOW, THAT ANIMAL AT NIGHT 388 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,566 IS PERFECT PREY FOR COYOTE. 389 00:14:10,566 --> 00:14:12,433 AND THE COYOTE COULD COME AND TAKE 390 00:14:12,433 --> 00:14:15,266 EITHER THE CANADA GOOSE OR THAT GREAT BLUE HERON 391 00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:16,800 WITHOUT TOO MUCH TROUBLE. 392 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:18,900 SO MANY BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO SEE AT YELLOWSTONE 393 00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:23,900 BUT THE GREAT G THE, PREENING 394 00:14:23,900 --> 00:14:25,366 AS IF WE WERE NOT EVEN HERE. 395 00:14:25,366 --> 00:14:27,933 YOU CAN REALLY GET CLOSE TO LARGE ANIMALS AT THIS PARK. 396 00:14:27,933 --> 00:14:29,100 THAT'S NICE. 397 00:14:29,100 --> 00:14:31,133 WE MENTIONED VOLCANIC ACTIVITY, THOUGH. 398 00:14:31,133 --> 00:14:33,966 I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE CLEAR SIGNS OF THAT NEXT. 399 00:14:42,966 --> 00:14:46,800 LONG BEFORE THE, UH, FIRST WHITES STARTED COMING INTO THE AREA 400 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,400 INDIANS LIVED IN THIS AREA 401 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,300 AND THESE, UH, THEY CALL "SHEEP-EATER CLIFFS." 402 00:14:51,300 --> 00:14:52,466 ( chuckles ) 403 00:14:52,466 --> 00:14:54,666 THE INDIANS, I GUESS, TOOK ADVANTAGE 404 00:14:54,666 --> 00:14:56,733 OF BIGHORN SHEEP IN THE AREA, HUH? 405 00:14:56,733 --> 00:14:59,400 OH, THAT'S SPECTACULAR... AND AS WE SAID 406 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:02,433 I MEAN, THIS IS CLEAR SIGN OF VOLCANIC ACTIVITY. 407 00:15:02,433 --> 00:15:05,333 THIS IS REALLY FAIRLY RECENT, PLEISTOCENE TIMES 408 00:15:05,333 --> 00:15:06,866 WHEN THIS BASALT CAME IN 409 00:15:06,866 --> 00:15:08,900 AND BASICALLY, NOW, IT WASN'T EXPOSED 410 00:15:08,900 --> 00:15:10,300 BECAUSE IT COOLED SLOWLY. 411 00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:13,066 YOU CAN TELL THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE COLUMNS THERE. 412 00:15:13,066 --> 00:15:15,566 COLUMNAR JOINING IS WHAT THAT'S CALLED. 413 00:15:15,566 --> 00:15:18,566 VERY DEFINITE COLUMNS THAT, UH, OVER TIME TOPPLE OVER. 414 00:15:18,566 --> 00:15:19,800 FOREASALIS SLOPE, YEAH. 415 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:21,466 WH-WHEN YOU SAY THEY "CAME IN" 416 00:15:21,466 --> 00:15:23,133 THEY WERE... THEY WERE LIQUID? 417 00:15:23,133 --> 00:15:24,500 THEY WERE INJECTED. 418 00:15:24,500 --> 00:15:27,133 THIS IS MORE VOLCANIC MATERIAL THAT WAS INJECTED IN 419 00:15:27,133 --> 00:15:28,466 NOT AT THE SURFACE, NOW 420 00:15:28,466 --> 00:15:31,166 BUT DEEP ENOUGH SO THAT THIS COULD COOL SLOWLY 421 00:15:31,166 --> 00:15:33,633 AND NOW CREATING PRETTY GOOD HABITAT HERE 422 00:15:33,633 --> 00:15:36,066 FOR LOTS OF, UH, ANIMALS, I WOULD IMAGINE. 423 00:15:36,066 --> 00:15:37,766 SO MANY PIECES TO THIS PUZZLE-- 424 00:15:37,766 --> 00:15:39,733 THIS VOLCANIC STORY OF THIS PARK. 425 00:15:39,733 --> 00:15:42,800 I MEAN, AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE SAID-- 426 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:43,966 IT'S CONTINUING. 427 00:15:43,966 --> 00:15:45,600 I MEAN, IT HAS NOT STOPPED YET. 428 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,433 TH-THE VOLCANIC PROCESSES ARE CONTINUING EVEN TODAY. 429 00:15:48,433 --> 00:15:50,533 I SEE SOMETHING DOWN THERE ON THE ROCK. 430 00:15:50,533 --> 00:15:52,633 ( laughing ): LOOK AT THE COMMON RAVEN. 431 00:15:52,633 --> 00:15:54,300 RAVEN CLOSE UP... 432 00:15:54,300 --> 00:15:56,100 THAT IS A BIG ANIMAL, ISN'T IT? 433 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:58,433 MUCH LARGER THAN A CROW, AND YOU CAN SEE 434 00:15:58,433 --> 00:16:00,366 THAT ROMAN-NOSE LOOK ON THE BEAK 435 00:16:00,366 --> 00:16:02,400 WHICH IS SO TYPICAL OF THAT ANIMAL. 436 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,400 DOESN'T SEEM TO BE BOTHERED BY US. 437 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:07,266 AGAIN, ANIMALS HERE ARE USED TO PEOPLE COMING BY 438 00:16:07,266 --> 00:16:09,100 SO YOU GET A LOT BETTER VIEWS. 439 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:11,000 OH, THE BEAUTIFUL SIGHT OF THOSE BISON. 440 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,466 NOW, THEY'VE MADE A BIG COMEBACK IN THIS COUNTRY. 441 00:16:13,466 --> 00:16:14,800 OH, YEAH. 442 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,300 OH, THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE 443 00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:18,233 AND, YOU KNOW, ELK WERE MORE WIDESPREAD. 444 00:16:18,233 --> 00:16:20,533 SO WERE BISON, AND THEN THE NUMBERS DWINDLED. 445 00:16:20,533 --> 00:16:21,833 NOW, THEY'RE COMING BACK. 446 00:16:21,833 --> 00:16:23,800 THOSE ARE BASICALLY COWS AND CALVES, UH 447 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:25,866 WITH A FEW MALES IN THERE ON THE SIDE 448 00:16:25,866 --> 00:16:27,700 AND, AGAIN, UH, GRAZING OUT THERE 449 00:16:27,700 --> 00:16:30,633 RIGHT NEAR SOME, UH, SOME WATER ALONG THAT LOW AREA. 450 00:16:30,633 --> 00:16:32,600 OVER 4,000 BISON IN THE PARK TODAY. 451 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,466 IF YOU WANT TO SEE THEM, THIS IS THE PLACE TO COME. 452 00:16:35,466 --> 00:16:38,033 YEAH. RUTTING SEASON USUALLY STARTS IN AUGUST 453 00:16:38,033 --> 00:16:39,300 AND CONTINUES ON 454 00:16:39,300 --> 00:16:41,733 AND THEN THEY GIVE BIRTH TO YOUNG IN THE SPRING 455 00:16:41,733 --> 00:16:43,300 USUALLY, ONE YOUNG AT A TIME. 456 00:16:43,300 --> 00:16:45,733 TH-THOSE ARE AMAZING ANIMALS, ON THE COMEBACK 457 00:16:45,733 --> 00:16:47,800 AND AGAIN, SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR THAT-- 458 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:49,000 BISON BISON. 459 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:51,100 SO, THE COMMON NAME IS USUALLY BISON 460 00:16:51,100 --> 00:16:53,333 BUT SOMETIMES WE-WE CALL IT "BUFFALO" 461 00:16:53,333 --> 00:16:56,766 OF COURSE... AND THEN THAT BEAUTIFUL VIEW AGAIN-- 462 00:16:56,766 --> 00:16:58,833 MORE OF THOSE, UH... 463 00:16:58,833 --> 00:17:03,966 THAT COLUMNAR JOINING THAT'S SO TYPICAL OF BASALT 464 00:17:03,966 --> 00:17:09,066 WHEN IT COMES IN UNDERGROUND AND HAS TIME TO COOL. 465 00:17:12,966 --> 00:17:15,766 WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY CAN MAKE IN THE WEATHER 466 00:17:15,766 --> 00:17:19,033 ESPECIALLY IN AUTUMN, WHERE ONE DAY IT'S INDIAN SUMMER 467 00:17:19,033 --> 00:17:21,900 AND THE NEXT DAY, IT'S A COLD WINTER DAY ALMOST. 468 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:24,200 THAT'S RIGHT, AND ELEVATION, OF COURSE 469 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,566 MAKES THE DIFFERENCE, TOO, IN THIS PARK. 470 00:17:26,566 --> 00:17:28,666 SO MANY INTERESTING THINGS INVOLVED 471 00:17:28,666 --> 00:17:31,233 WITH MAKING THIS A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE 472 00:17:31,233 --> 00:17:33,100 BUT, AS WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED 473 00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:35,066 VOLCANIC ACTIVITY HAS REALLY LEFT 474 00:17:35,066 --> 00:17:36,666 AN IMPRESSION ON THIS PLACE 475 00:17:36,666 --> 00:17:38,533 AND THAT CONTINUES EVEN TO TODAY. 476 00:17:38,533 --> 00:17:41,166 NORRIS GEYSER BASIN IS WELL-KNOWN FOR THE FACT 477 00:17:41,166 --> 00:17:44,000 THAT THIS IS REALLY THE HOTTEST PLACE IN THE PARK 478 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,066 AND THE MOST ACTIVE, AS FAR AS GEYSERS ARE CONCERNED. 479 00:17:47,066 --> 00:17:49,166 115,000 YEARS SOME OF THESE HOT SPRINGS 480 00:17:49,166 --> 00:17:51,633 HAVE BEEN BUBBLING UP, AS FAR AS THE RECORDS. 481 00:17:51,633 --> 00:17:52,800 UNBELIEVABLE. 482 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,266 YOU CAN SEE THEM POPPING UP 483 00:17:54,266 --> 00:17:56,300 ALL AROUND THE PLACE, HERE AND THERE. 484 00:17:56,300 --> 00:17:58,400 MATTER OF FACT, YOU CAN EVEN HEAR THEM 485 00:17:58,400 --> 00:17:59,600 AS THEY'RE POPPING UP 486 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,133 AND AGAIN, THE WATER IS EXTREMELY HOT-- 487 00:18:02,133 --> 00:18:03,933 PROBABLY DEEP DOWN IN THE, UH 488 00:18:03,933 --> 00:18:06,233 IN THE EARTH HERE, 450 DEGREES OR SO. 489 00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:09,400 THE WATER IS HEATED AND IT COMES ON UP, SPRAYS OUT 490 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,033 AND REALLY, THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE 491 00:18:11,033 --> 00:18:12,800 BETWEEN GEYSERS AND HOT SPRINGS-- 492 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:14,166 IT'S THE WATER TEMPERATURE 493 00:18:14,166 --> 00:18:16,866 AND ALSO THE PLUMBING SYSTEM IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. 494 00:18:16,866 --> 00:18:18,700 IT ALLOWS STEAM TO BUILD UP DEEP 495 00:18:18,700 --> 00:18:20,666 AND THEN SPRAY UP, AND YOU SEE IT 496 00:18:20,666 --> 00:18:22,600 SQUIRTING WATER OUT HERE AND THERE. 497 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,566 THE REASON THAT IT'S SO HOT HERE IS 498 00:18:24,566 --> 00:18:27,166 THAT WE'RE RIGHT ON TOP OF INTERSECTING FAULTS 499 00:18:27,166 --> 00:18:28,900 THAT CONNECT TO A MAGMA CHAMBER 500 00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:30,100 DEEP WITHIN THE EARTH 501 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:32,200 AND THAT'S WHERE THE HEAT COMES FROM. 502 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,600 SNOW FALLING ON THE MIST AND STEAM 503 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,666 FROM THESE HOT, UH, SPRINGS... UNBELIEVABLE. 504 00:18:37,666 --> 00:18:40,333 BUT REMEMBER, JUST, UH, A DAY OR TWO AGO 505 00:18:40,333 --> 00:18:42,733 WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT OLD FAITHFUL 506 00:18:42,733 --> 00:18:44,500 ACROSS THE PARK FROM HERE. 507 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:47,366 WELL, THAT'S THE BEST-KNOWN GEYSER, I GUESS 508 00:18:47,366 --> 00:18:49,933 IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, FO R SURE 509 00:18:49,933 --> 00:18:51,966 AND IT IS A SPECTACULAR SIGHT. 510 00:19:52,966 --> 00:19:54,566 10,000 GALLONS OF WATER... 511 00:19:54,566 --> 00:19:56,500 WHAT, 140, 150 FEET IN THE AIR. 512 00:19:56,500 --> 00:19:58,733 PEOPLE COME FR OM ALL OVER TO SEE IT. 513 00:19:58,733 --> 00:20:00,300 THERE ARE ALSO PE OPLE NOW 514 00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:02,200 WHO ARE VERY, VERY INTERESTED 515 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,600 IN THIS PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WARM-WATER ORGANISMS. 516 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:06,866 I MEAN, THERE ARE 517 00:20:06,866 --> 00:20:08,666 INTERESTING, UH, MICROORGANISMS THAT LIVE HERE 518 00:20:08,666 --> 00:20:10,200 AND WHEN YOU SEE ALL THE COLORS... 519 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:11,900 JUST LOOK AT THE COLORS RIGHT IN FRONT. 520 00:20:11,900 --> 00:20:13,300 REALLY, THEY GO ON AROUND HERE. 521 00:20:13,300 --> 00:20:14,500 I MEAN, THE COLORS ARE THERE 522 00:20:14,500 --> 00:20:16,133 BECAUSE OF ALGAE THAT ARE LIVING THERE 523 00:20:16,133 --> 00:20:17,900 AND BACTERIA THAT ARE LIVING IN THERE... 524 00:20:17,900 --> 00:20:18,966 ALL SORTS OF STRANGE 525 00:20:18,966 --> 00:20:20,400 AND WONDERFUL THINGS GOING ON HERE. 526 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,533 AND WINTER SNOW WON'T EFFECT COLORATION TOO MUCH 527 00:20:22,533 --> 00:20:23,533 AS FAR AS ACTUALLY...? 528 00:20:23,533 --> 00:20:24,600 NOT REALLY, NO. 529 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:26,166 MINERALS HAVE AN EFFECT ON IT, TOO 530 00:20:26,166 --> 00:20:27,566 TO, UH... A LITTLE BIT. 531 00:20:27,566 --> 00:20:30,000 MOST OF THE MATERIAL AROUND HERE IS KNOWN AS GEYSERITE. 532 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,400 IT'S-IT'S SILICON DIOXIDE, VERY MUCH LIKE QUARTZ 533 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,700 BECAUSE THE HOT WATER, AS IT COMES THROUGH HERE 534 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:36,166 DOESN'T COME THROUGH LIMESTONE 535 00:20:36,166 --> 00:20:38,500 LIKE TH-THE MAMMOTH SPRINGS WE WERE LOOKING AT. 536 00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:41,566 IT COMES THROUGH VOLCANIC ROCK THAT MAINLY IS SILICON DIOXIDE. 537 00:20:41,566 --> 00:20:43,433 SO, GEYSERITE IS THAT WHITISH MATERIAL-- 538 00:20:43,433 --> 00:20:45,466 LIGHT-COLORED MATERIAL WE SEE ALL AROUND. 539 00:20:45,466 --> 00:20:47,666 WE GOT A LITTLE WHITE STUFF FALLING ON US NOW. 540 00:20:47,666 --> 00:20:49,700 AND WE HAVE MORE PLACES TO SEE, OF COURSE. 541 00:20:49,700 --> 00:20:52,133 OH, YEAH, WELL, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PLACES TO SEE. 542 00:20:52,133 --> 00:20:53,900 ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S INTERESTING 543 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:56,566 RIGHT ON THE EDGE, THOUGH, BEFORE WE LEAVE-- 544 00:20:56,566 --> 00:21:00,366 LOOK AT THE WAY THE GREEN PLANTS COME DOWN RIGHT ON THE EDGE. 545 00:21:00,366 --> 00:21:02,166 IT'S TOO HOT OUT IN THE MIDDLE 546 00:21:02,166 --> 00:21:03,966 BUT THESE ARE LODGEPOLE PINES. 547 00:21:03,966 --> 00:21:06,300 THAT'S THE DOMINANT PINE IN THIS PARK. 548 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:09,900 Jim: IT STOPPED SNOWING 549 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:12,766 AND LEFT A BEAUTIFUL WINTER WONDERLAND 550 00:21:12,766 --> 00:21:14,800 HERE ON THE ICE LAKE TRAIL. 551 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,733 Rudy: KIND OF HEAR THE SNOW CRUNCHING BENEATH OUR FEET 552 00:21:18,733 --> 00:21:20,400 AS WE'RE WALKING HERE. 553 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:23,500 AND REALLY, WHAT WE'RE WALKING THROUGH NOW 554 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:25,600 IS SIGNS OF THE FIRE OF 1988. 555 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:27,533 IT BURNED A MILLION ACRES-- 556 00:21:27,533 --> 00:21:29,166 ALMOST HALF THE PARK-- 557 00:21:29,166 --> 00:21:31,666 AND COST OVER $130 MILLION TO FIGHT IT. 558 00:21:31,666 --> 00:21:33,500 IT WAS A TRAGIC FIRE 559 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:37,100 BUT I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY THAT HAPPENS IN NATURE. 560 00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:39,300 WELL, SNOW HAS KIND OF HEALED IT OVER, TOO. 561 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:41,966 I MEAN, IT EVEN MAKES A PLACE LIKE THIS LOOK PRETTY 562 00:21:41,966 --> 00:21:43,333 AND NATURE IS COMING BACK. 563 00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:44,933 THESE ARE MAINLY, ALL AROUND US 564 00:21:44,933 --> 00:21:47,266 I GUESS, LODGEPOLE PINES, ALMOST ALL OF THEM. 565 00:21:47,266 --> 00:21:49,366 AND YOU CAN SEE THE DARK BARK 566 00:21:49,366 --> 00:21:52,900 WHERE THE FIRE HAD COME THROUGH AND KILLED THEM. 567 00:21:52,900 --> 00:21:55,100 THEY GROW IN GROUPS LIKE THIS. 568 00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:57,066 NARROW TREES GOING UP HIGH. 569 00:21:57,066 --> 00:21:58,900 THEY'RE BEEN GONE SINCE '88 570 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:00,266 BUT YOU LOOK AROUND 571 00:22:00,266 --> 00:22:02,766 AND THERE ARE YOUNG LODGEPOLE PINES 572 00:22:02,766 --> 00:22:04,433 BEGINNING TO COME BACK. 573 00:22:04,433 --> 00:22:06,533 THE NUTRIENTS THAT WERE IN THOSE TREES 574 00:22:06,533 --> 00:22:08,833 ARE NOW BACK IN THE SOIL AND LIFE RETURNS. 575 00:22:08,833 --> 00:22:10,400 LIFE DOES THAT PRETTY WELL-- 576 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:11,966 STRUGGLES TO RETURN. 577 00:22:11,966 --> 00:22:15,066 IT COMES IN VERY THICK IN MANY PLACES WHERE THE LODGEPOLE WAS. 578 00:22:15,066 --> 00:22:17,366 ONE OF THE WEEDY SPECIES THAT COMES IN QUICKLY 579 00:22:17,366 --> 00:22:18,800 IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH NOW 580 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:20,366 BUT THAT'S FIREWEED OVER THERE. 581 00:22:20,366 --> 00:22:21,866 APPROPRIATELY NAMED. 582 00:22:21,866 --> 00:22:24,200 AFTER A FIRE, THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST PLANTS TO COME IN. 583 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:26,466 CERTAIN SPECIES SEEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES 584 00:22:26,466 --> 00:22:27,800 BETTER THAN OTHERS. 585 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:31,033 AND I EVEN SEE A LITTLE QUAKING ASPEN COMING HERE. 586 00:22:31,033 --> 00:22:34,100 SO AGAIN, THE NEXT FOREST IS ALREADY BEGINNING. 587 00:22:34,100 --> 00:22:35,766 SO MANY DEAD LODGEPOLE PINE 588 00:22:35,766 --> 00:22:37,966 WITH SNOW CLINGING TO THE BRANCHES. 589 00:22:37,966 --> 00:22:40,300 THEY ARE RATHER PRETTY EVEN IN DEATH. 590 00:22:40,300 --> 00:22:41,600 ISN'T THAT AMAZING 591 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,766 THE WAY THOSE FLAKES FLOAT IN AND GET IN POSITION 592 00:22:43,766 --> 00:22:45,300 AND THEN OTHERS FREEZE 593 00:22:45,300 --> 00:22:46,933 AND ATTACH AND ATTACH AND ATTACH. 594 00:22:46,933 --> 00:22:49,200 THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 595 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:51,033 LET'S HEAD ON. 596 00:22:56,700 --> 00:22:59,266 WHAT A WONDERFUL VARIETY OF PLACES TO EXPLORE 597 00:22:59,266 --> 00:23:01,266 HERE AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 598 00:23:01,266 --> 00:23:03,233 AND ANY TIME OF YEAR IS SPECIAL 599 00:23:03,233 --> 00:23:05,000 WITH SO MANY THINGS TO VIEW. 600 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,233 IT'S MADE IT AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR 601 00:23:07,233 --> 00:23:08,900 OF OUR 59 NATIONAL PARKS. 602 00:23:08,900 --> 00:23:10,966 I IMAGINE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE COME HERE 603 00:23:10,966 --> 00:23:12,966 IS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE FALLS RIGHT HERE, TOO. 604 00:23:12,966 --> 00:23:15,733 YELLOWSTONE FALLS IN THE DISTANCE THERE, JIM. 605 00:23:15,733 --> 00:23:17,466 LOWER FALLS: 308 FEET DROP 606 00:23:17,466 --> 00:23:19,733 FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM THERE. 607 00:23:19,733 --> 00:23:22,033 AND THAT FLOWING WATER IN THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER 608 00:23:22,033 --> 00:23:23,466 IS WHAT CREATES WHAT THEY CALL 609 00:23:23,466 --> 00:23:25,033 THE GRAND CANYON OF YELLOWSTONE. 610 00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:27,033 I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD NAME FOR IT. 611 00:23:27,033 --> 00:23:29,500 DURING ICE AGE TIMES WITH GLACIAL MELT, THOUGH 612 00:23:29,500 --> 00:23:30,966 THIS RIVER WAS EVEN HIGHER. 613 00:23:30,966 --> 00:23:33,366 AND THE ROCK THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS VOLCANIC. 614 00:23:33,366 --> 00:23:35,366 IT'S CALLED RHYOLITE. 615 00:23:35,366 --> 00:23:37,666 LOOK AT THE COLORS, THOUGH, DOWN THERE. 616 00:23:37,666 --> 00:23:39,066 MANY VARIETIES OF COLOR. 617 00:23:39,066 --> 00:23:40,400 YELLOWS THROUGHOUT. 618 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:41,633 AND IT WAS THAT YELLOW COLOR 619 00:23:41,633 --> 00:23:43,166 THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE RIVER 620 00:23:43,166 --> 00:23:45,200 THAT THE INDIANS GAVE IT THE NAME YELLOWSTONE. 621 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:48,400 AND THAT YELLOW TELLS US THAT THAT ROCK HAS BEEN ALTERED. 622 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,500 I SEE SOME STEAM RISING FROM THE RIVER DOWN THERE NOW. 623 00:23:51,500 --> 00:23:54,066 THE HOT SPRINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT. 624 00:23:54,066 --> 00:23:56,833 THE HEAT FROM BELOW CHANGES THE ROCK, WEAKENS IT 625 00:23:56,833 --> 00:23:59,166 AND CAUSES IT TO COLLAPSE A LITTLE EASIER 626 00:23:59,166 --> 00:24:01,600 AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE UNCHANGED ROCK-- 627 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:03,400 THE SOLID RHYOLITE-- 628 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:05,200 IS WHY YOU HAVE THE WATERFALL. 629 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:06,733 UPSTREAM IS ONE VIEW. 630 00:24:06,733 --> 00:24:08,600 OF COURSE, DOWN IS ANOTHER. 631 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:10,733 AND AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THE STEEP WALLS. 632 00:24:10,733 --> 00:24:12,533 RIVER GOING OFF IN THE DISTANCE. 633 00:24:12,533 --> 00:24:16,033 AND THAT ALTERED ROCK, NOW, IS THE ROCK THAT IS SLOUGHING OFF. 634 00:24:16,033 --> 00:24:17,133 LOOK ON BOTH SIDES. 635 00:24:17,133 --> 00:24:18,533 YOU CAN SEE IT BREAKING. 636 00:24:18,533 --> 00:24:21,066 THE COLORFUL ROCK BREAKS APART, WEATHERS AWAY 637 00:24:21,066 --> 00:24:24,000 AND THEN GETS CARRIED OFF BY THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER. 638 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,466 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK-- 639 00:24:26,466 --> 00:24:28,333 A WONDERLAND OF GEYSERS 640 00:24:28,333 --> 00:24:30,166 AND MOUNTAINS AND CANYONS AND WATERFALLS 641 00:24:30,166 --> 00:24:31,666 AND MOST OF ALL, RUDY 642 00:24:31,666 --> 00:24:33,066 A WORLD-CLASS WILDLIFE PRESERVE. 643 00:24:33,066 --> 00:24:34,466 A WILDLIFE PRESERVE THAT YOU CAN 644 00:24:34,466 --> 00:24:36,033 ACTUALLY WALK OUT AND BE A PART OF. 645 00:24:36,033 --> 00:24:37,866 AND I THINK IT'S GOOD, EVERY NOW AND THEN 646 00:24:37,866 --> 00:24:40,366 TO BE REMINDED THAT MAN IS A PART OF THAT NATURAL SYSTEM 647 00:24:40,366 --> 00:24:41,366 NOT SEPARATE FROM IT. 648 00:24:41,366 --> 00:24:42,766 AND, OF COURSE, WE'VE COME 649 00:24:42,766 --> 00:24:45,233 AT A PERFECT TIME OF THE YEAR-- EARLY OCTOBER. 650 00:24:45,233 --> 00:24:47,233 THANKS FOR COMING WITH US 651 00:24:47,233 --> 00:24:51,166 ON THIS VISIT TO YELLOWSTONE IN NORTHWEST WYOMING. 652 00:24:51,166 --> 00:24:54,566 AND JOIN US AGAIN ON THE NEXT NATURE SCENE. 653 00:24:54,566 --> 00:26:11,266 ♪ 654 00:26:17,100 --> 00:26:19,666 NATURE SCENE IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART 655 00:26:19,666 --> 00:26:22,366 BY A GENEROUS GRANT FROM SANTEE COOPER 656 00:26:22,366 --> 00:26:25,033 WHERE PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT 657 00:26:25,033 --> 00:26:28,733 ARE EQUAL IN IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDING ELECTRIC ENERGY. 658 00:26:31,233 --> 00:26:32,966 ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS PROVIDED 659 00:26:32,966 --> 00:26:37,100 BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING 660 00:26:37,100 --> 00:26:39,933 AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU 661 00:26:39,933 --> 00:26:43,233 MEMBERS OF THE ETV ENDOWMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.