Earth Page #2

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Only fragments remain.

The summers are longer here,

and deciduous trees can flourish.

They're far more edible

than the conifers of the north,

so these forests bustle with life.

Spring also means flight school

for the mandarin ducks.

Mom is in her nest high in the treetops,

and it's her job to lead the way.

It's their first flight.

Actually, I wouldn't call it flying,

as much as falling with style.

Wait. There are two missing.

A perfect landing, sort of.

With one big adventure behind them,

what other challenges are in store

for our planet's newest recruits?

The rhythm of the seasons

is a glorious legacy that we've inherited,

thanks to that all-important tilt

of the Earth.

As the seasons parade past,

the same forest

will show her spectacular fall colors

and eventually give up her leaves

to the snows of winter.

There are parts of the world

that have no seasons.

Here in the tropics,

the sun shines for 12 hours a day

every day of the year.

This is what allows the jungle

to grow unchecked

and support so much life.

Rain forest now covers

just 3 percent of our planet's surface,

but contains more than half

of all the plants and animals on Earth.

The rain forests of New Guinea

are especially precious.

They are home to 42 different kinds

of birds of paradise,

each more exotic than the last.

This is a particularly rich forest,

so the six-plumed bird of paradise

has no problem finding food.

He can concentrate

on more important tasks,

like cleaning up for his big date tonight.

He's obsessed with housework.

Everything has to be spick and span

before she comes over.

Oh! Missed a spot.

Finally, the stage is set.

Get down, baby.

It's a virtuoso performance,

but, unfortunately, she's a no-show.

This contender,

called the superb bird-of-paradise,

is a magician, with a special trick.

First, he advertises his show

by calling to attract a female.

And then, with the audience in place,

he begins to work his magic.

Now, that's impressive.

But she needs to step out

for a moment to think.

How could a girl resist?

Oh, boy. Well, not today.

These tropical forests

not only enjoy 12 hours of sunshine a day

all year long,

they also need lots of rainfall.

But as the weather patterns change,

there are signs that these lush forests

are starting to dry up.

Deserts cover one-third

of the Earth's land surface.

They're getting bigger every year.

This is a land

where only a few can survive,

a special few.

Dry season in the Kalahari Desert

of southern Africa.

Thousands of elephants have started

on their epic quest for food and water.

The baby elephants stride alongside.

It's their first road trip with the family.

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