Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
In springtime, the sheer cliffs along the wild coastline of the park have become home to the common murre, a bird that comes to land only to breed. The eagles, further along in their nesting process, have a rapidly growing eaglet in need of constant nourishment, and, unfortunately, the murre colony makes easy pickings for them.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
While the male bear is distracted by harbor seals, the cubs make their escape. Out at sea, the seals are safe from bears, but not from killer whales. Just to the north of the park lies a deep underwater canyon that can only be explored by submarine. It’s a birthing place for sharks, and a world of rarely glimpsed marine life.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
In the summer, the denizens of Olympia National Park feed in the lush alpine meadows, while a mother bear and her cubs forage for food along the shore. Tasty and nutritious crabs make a perfect snack, even in their shells!
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
Spring has sprung and new life stirs on the Olympic Mountain ranges, the third great wilderness environment of this most diverse of national parks. The eponymous Olympic marmots awaken from their winter slumber to enjoy a feast, but must remain on the lookout for the bald eagle.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
Gray whales migrating north from Mexico must pass through dangerous waters off the coast of Olympic National Park, where groups of orcas are actively hunting them and their young.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
A great deal happens beneath the waves of the park’s dramatic coastline. Sea stars hunt mussels and urchins in shallow pools, while seals, sea lions, and sea otters inhabit kelp beds, feeding on the small creatures that graze there.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
The park was designated as a protected area by President Theodore Roosevelt over a hundred years ago. Since then, it has been maintained naturally by the various creatures that live there without human intervention. Each has their role to play in this biodiverse ecosystem.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
Having arrived at their spawning grounds, several male coho try out different techniques to impress a single female. The river otters love fish, and need to eat a lot of them to maintain their active lifestyle.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
As the orcas celebrate the success of their hunt, silver salmon, or “coho” are moving from the sea to the inland streams where they will breed. But they‘ll have to be careful and lucky too, as otters and black bears are waiting along the way.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
Alongside the wild Pacific coast of the USA, the Olympic National Park encompasses an unparalleled variety of exciting natural environments, from rainforest to rugged mountains. First, we experience the thrill of the hunt, as a pod of killer whales targets a group of unsuspecting Steller sea lions.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
A thunderstorm hits with the power of a tropical monsoon, putting the desert creatures at risk from the powerful floodwaters.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
A horned lizard out hunting for ants catches the eye of a hungry coachwhip snake, and deploys an impressive variety of strategies in order to not be eaten alive.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
A giant scorpion is on the prowl looking for food, and a family of grasshopper mice seems to be on his menu tonight. However, the fortitude of the desert's denizens should never be underestimated.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
After the rain, the opuntia cactus, or “prickly pear,” ripens to provide a sweet but not easily accessible meal for animals such as the ground squirrel. As the water seeps in, the park enjoys a moment of relaxation.
Difficulty: Intermediate
USA
In June, surviving the ferocious sun and intense heat is a challenge for every living being in the park, and each has developed a special technique to see it through until the next rain.
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