 | Hidden Springs of Big Bend
Although small and spread throughout the desert landscape, freshwater springs are an important oasis of life for plants, animals and humans.
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| Sand Mountain, Nevada
In recent geological history, a massive lake dried up, leaving sandy deposits which in turn were blown by the wind until they formed a massive sand dune.
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| Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Established as a refuge to protect rare and unique species of plants and animals, Ash Meadows is an oasis in Nevada's desert, nourished by 'fossil' water.
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| Black Rock Playa, Nevada
An enormous stretch of dried mud flats bordered by hot springs forms Nevada's Black Rock Playa.
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| El Camino Del Diablo - Part 1
An ancient road through the Sonoran Desert in northern Mexico was named 'Devil's Highway' because of the intense heat that killed hundreds who travelled it.
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| El Camino Del Diablo - Part 2
The 'Devils Highway,' a dangerous route through the Sonoran Desert, was traversed by many people over the years.
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| El Camino Del Diablo - Part 3
Northern Mexico's hot, dry 'Devil's Highway' has cost hundreds their lives - many of whom tried to cross it in search of opportunity in the United States.
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| Surviving in the Desert - Reptiles and Insects
To survive in the intense heat of the desert, animals like the sidewinder and desert tortoise have found ways to keep cool and store precious water.
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| Surviving in the Desert - Birds and Mammals
The hummingbird's high body temperature makes desert heat more tolerable, while both the kangaroo rat and jackrabbit are good at storing water.
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| Surviving in the Desert - Frogs, Toads and Fish
In a desert where standing water is often hot and always scarce, frogs, toads and fish have come up with ways to deal with these inhospitable conditions.
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| Sandhill Crane Habitat
In order to support themselves as the seasons change, sandhill cranes, like other migrating birds, rely on habitats in two different places.
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| Pronghorn Antelope Habitat
Antelope numbers have dwindled over the last two centuries due to the construction of fences, roads and canals that have divided their natural habitat.
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| Watershed Fish Habitat
Since a healthy watershed is indicative of healthy fish, biologists are studying one pond to evaluate the health of both the fish and the habitat.
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| Re-creating Habitat: Pumas and Peccaries
Keepers at the Arizona Desert Museum have the task of re-creating habitat for animals which are accustomed to roaming across wide ranges of territory.
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| Saguaro National Monument - Desert
Saguaro National Monument in Arizona is a hot, dry region inhabited mainly by cactuses and other dry-climate plants, as well as small reptiles and mammals.
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| Saguaro National Monument - Desert Ridge
As one might expect, cactuses abound at Saguaro National Monument, as do the birds who rely on these plants; rattlesnakes are also present but less obvious.
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| Big Bend National Park - Chisos Mountains
Receiving more rain than the surrounding territory makes the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park an inviting habitat for many species.
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| Colorado National Monument - Juniper Forest
On a dry plateau in Colorado National Monument, brushy juniper and prickly yucca spring up from the rocky soil; a cottontail rabbit browses on sagebrush.
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| Rabbit Valley, Colorado - Grassland
Receiving little rain throughout the year, Rabbit Valley in western Colorado is a high desert region inhabited by hearty brushes and cactus.
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| Rabbit Valley, Colorado - High Desert
Prairie dogs and bull snakes are not unusual sights in Colorado's Rabbit Valley, where the dry, salty earth supports minimal vegetation.
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| Saguaro National Monument - Brushland
The giant saguaro cactus, like other cactuses, stores water in what are actually enlarged stems; other plants use different methods to conserve their water.
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| Valley of Fires, New Mexico - Basalt Flat
Areas where lava flowed not long ago in New Mexico are now covered with desert vegetation - cactus, yucca and sotol are just some examples.
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| Desert Islands in the Sea of Cortez
The chain of islands running along the lower Baja Peninsula in the Sea of Cortez offers biological diversity and provides evidence of geologic upheavals.
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| Desert Sand Dunes
Continuously built and demolished by wind, sand dunes create an ever-changing landscape, and even play a role in the weather.
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| Dune Insects
The shifting landscape of sand dunes provides a hot, dry and sometimes treacherous habitat suitable only for a few insects that have adapted to it.
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| Dune Plants
Deep-rooted and tolerant of extremes in both temperature and moisture, plants that make their home in the sand dunes have adapted well to the harsh habitat.
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| Dune Animals
Sand dune-dwelling snakes and lizards have developed adaptations to their habitat that allow them to live in the hostile environment.
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| Desert Discovery
A canoe ride down the Colorado River offers a family a chance to view wildlife and experience the gentle pace of outdoor life.
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| Big Bend National Park - The Power of Water
Water has been a primary force in the changing landscape at Big Bend National Park in Texas, where the Rio Grande has carved a canyon out of rock.
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| Big Bend National Park - Riverside Plants
Amid the Texas desert an ecosystem of hearty plants thrives along the banks of the Rio Grande.
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| Pyramid Lake, Nevada - Great Basin Desert
Even a desert's relatively harsh conditions provide habitat for many hearty species of small-leafed plants as well as some animals.
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| Pyramid Lake, Nevada - Dropping Lake Levels
Water levels on Pyramid Lake in Nevada fluctuate from year to year, providing new habitat for plants as the waters recede.
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| Baja's Isla Cedros
The Island of Cedros is far enough removed from the Baja mainland to have developed some of its own unique, endemic species.
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| Baja's Isla San Martin
Baja's island of San Martin is unique due to its relatively-lush vegetation made possible by moisture from coastal fogs.
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| Desert Palm Tree Oasis
In the desert, the palm tree oasis environment is a refuge for plants and animals, providing shade, cooler temperatures and abundant water.
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| Desert Water Holes
Although rare, permanent pools of water in the desert are a source of life and a gathering point for wildlife and humans alike.
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| Insect Life in a Desert Pond
The organic-rich environment of the desert water hole provides a perfect home for insect life.
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| Baja's San Benito Island
Naturalist Yar Petryszyn leads a group as they explore the unique plant and animal life of San Benito Island off the coast of the Baja Peninsula.
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| Animal Trails
Desert game trails are natural corridors for many different animals searching for food and water resources.
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| Effects of Roads on Natural Environments
Human trails and roads often interfere with the movements and habitats of native species.
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| Across the Great Desert - Part 1
In 1909, Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz set out to cross one of the most desolate regions on the continent: the Great Desert of southwestern Arizona.
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| Across the Great Desert - Part 2
In 1909, Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz set out to cross one of the most desolate regions on the continent: the Great Desert of southwestern Arizona.
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| Across the Great Desert - Part 3
In 1909, Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz set out to cross one of the most desolate regions on the continent: the Great Desert of southwestern Arizona.
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| The Desert Species of Isla Santa Catalina
The physical isolation of the midrift islands in the Sea of Cortez has contributed to their biological diversity.
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| Desert Plants at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum collects and studies species of desert plants from around the world.
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| Managing Desert Water Supplies
It takes careful planning and conservation to manage the desert region's erratic water supply.
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| Ultralighting Over Oregon's Alvord Desert
Ultralights provide a bird's eye view of Oregon's amazing Alvord Desert.
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| Texas Desert Oasis
San Solomon Springs in Texas was once the focus of controversy between farmers and endangered fish, until the presence of the fish proved helpful.
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| Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans Sandhills State Park, an ever-changing ocean of sand, is both harsh and beautiful, but its existence is something of a mystery.
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| Oregon's Pueblo Mountains
The rugged desert hills of Oregon's Pueblo Mountains reward those willing to brave the trailless slopes.
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| Christmas Valley, Oregon - Part 1
Geological wonders abound in Christmas Valley, Oregon, such as Hole-in-the-Ground, Fort Rock, Fremont, Fort Rock Cave, the Devil's Garden and Derrick Cave.
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| Christmas Valley, Oregon - Part 2
Crack-in-the-Ground, the Dunes Wilderness, the Lost Forest and Fossil Lake are some of the unique geological features of Oregon's Christmas Valley.
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| Horseback Trek Across Arizona - Part 1
Dr. Ken Jackson discovers the expanses of the Arizona landscape on a solo horseback riding adventure.
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| Oregon's Abert Lake
Oregon's only saltwater lake, Lake Abert provides a resting place for migrating birds and a plentiful source of brine shrimp.
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| Sage Grouse
In order to study the reasons why the sage grouse population is declining, scientists must determine effective ways to catch the highly-camouflaged birds.
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| Owyhee Petroglyphs
Ancient people who lived in Owyhee country left behind many pieces of evidence about their lives - evidence that is now disappearing.
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