Documentaries and Nature Series

Our Planet” is a Netflix nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough, showcasing Earth’s beauty and the impact of human activity. It has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered a top nature documentary. Prehistoric Planet” is another series, focusing on the Cretaceous period, specifically ocean life. [1, 1, 2]

Watch the trailer for Our Planet to get a glimpse of the stunning visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfO-3Oir-qM

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Our Planet:

• Focus: The series explores the Earth’s diverse ecosystems and highlights the effects of climate change and human actions on wildlife. [1]
• Narration: It is narrated by the renowned David Attenborough, known for his work in natural history documentaries. [1]
• Production: Produced by Silverback Films and in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund. [2]
• Reception: Critically acclaimed for its cinematography and impactful message about environmental conservation. [1]

This video from the show illustrates the beauty of Earth’s jungles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um2Q9aUecy0

Prehistoric Planet:

• Focus: This series takes viewers back to the Cretaceous period, specifically exploring life in the oceans during that time.
• Production: Created by the same team behind “Our Planet”.
• Visuals: It uses CGI and scientific research to depict prehistoric creatures and their environments. [3, 4]

This video from Prehistoric Planet shows the life cycle of flamingos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmtXC_n6X6Q

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9253866/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Planet

[3] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23181388/

[4] https://decider.com/2022/05/23/prehistoric-planet-apple-tv-plus-review/

blessing!—my reality.

Mike, Ally, Zak, Zig, Jeff, Tara, Sophia, Carrie, Richard—my friends and I differed considerably from the tour-bus-and-zoom-lens crowd.US Forest Service raptor scientists, we resided in a barebones field station 40 washboard miles from the Lodge and bushwhacked, week after week and month after month, the whole vast Kaibab Plateau (both the National Forest and National Park) in pursuit of molted feathers, crying hawks, active nests, data for the boss’ demography and habitat studies. Richard, a brilliant septuagenarian ornithologist sporting a handlebar mustache and chunky silver belt buckle, had been conducting research on the Kaibab for 17 years already when I joined the project in 2008. Over the next four summers, alongside my fellow bird nerds, I became intimate with the North Rim’s secret vistas, its hidden backcountry delights.

(A park ranger’s guide to the Grand Canyon)

Sunset from the lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Brahma and Zoroaster temples bask in the warm light of the setting sun. In the distance, clouds cling to the distant rim of the canyon after a summer monsoon storm, 2015.

Photograph by Adam Schallau

The Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim of Grand canyon National Park, 2011.

Photograph by Adam Schallau

Honestly, we were snobs, eco-elites, wilderness cognoscenti accustomed to musty sleeping bags who scoffed at the idea of the Lodge’s clean sheets. But even hardcore nature freaks need a little civilization—a cold beer and slice of pepperoni pizza—on occasion.

If the North Rim was our backyard (it was), the Lodge was our clubhouse—a clubhouse that happened to be listed as a National Historic Landmark. Every third or fourth Friday evening, we would pile into the trucks and crash the sunset party, i.e. try to snag, then defend, a block of benches and rockers amidst the oohing and ahhing tourists. There’s Zak, chatting about Coconino Sandstone and the Hermit Formation with a stylish French lady. There’s Ally, dodging a Texas oilman’s bulging belly as she seeks a fresh angle on Zoroaster Temple and Oza Butte. There’s Richard and Zig, carrying a pie to split and a round of IPAs, their Ad iron dack chairs lost due to my negligence, my absence, my piano playing. 

The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion. Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area. 

On July 12, at approximately 10:30 p.m., fire activity intensified rapidly, fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Firefighters made significant efforts overnight to slow the fire’s progression under dangerous and fast-changing conditions. 

Aerial bucket drops were conducted to slow fire movement near the Grand Canyon Lodge and Transept Canyon. However, the use of aerial retardant was not feasible due to a chlorine gas leak at the water treatment facility, which required the evacuation of firefighting personnel from critical zones nearby. 

Preliminary assessments indicate that between 50 to 80 structures have been lost, including NPS administrative buildings and visitor facilities. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, and all staff and residents were successfully evacuated prior to the fire’s escalation. 

The fire is being managed with an aggressive full suppression strategy. Fire behavior is still very active, driven by hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and continued strong wind gusts. On July 13, fire managers began ordering retardant drops on the east side of the developed area, including the Roaring Springs drainage, as suppression efforts continue. 

With continued active fire behavior and ongoing risks to personnel and infrastructure, the North Rim will remain closed to all visitor access for the remainder of the 2025 season. 

Additionally, all inner canyon corridor trails, campgrounds, and associated areas are closed until further notice, including: 

• North Kaibab Trail 
• South Kaibab Trail 
• Phantom Ranch 
• Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens 

The primary objectives of current fire operations remain: 

• Protecting the lives and safety of firefighting personnel and the public, 
• Preserving the remaining structures on the North Rim, and 
• Safeguarding cultural and natural resources within Grand Canyon National Park.