Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 10 p.m. on KPBS 2
The Emmy-winning "Southwestern Gems: Our Desert National Parks" showcases the top national parks, monuments, preserves and historic sites within the four major North American deserts. Stunning high-definition footage brings to life the majestic landscapes of The Great Basin Desert of Nevada and Utah, the Mojave Desert of California, the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, and the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and Texas.
The film captures the defining features and distinct character of each of these major desert areas, including the great temperature fluctuations of Great Basin National Park, the incredible cache of Jurassic-era fossils within Dinosaur National Monument, the geological riches of Death Valley National Park and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the world’s largest (and oldest) living trees in Sequoia National Park.
Throughout, experts, researchers and rangers from national parks guide viewers through the biology, geology and research that inspired the protection and preservation of these natural treasures.
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Uplift on the salt flats, Badwater Basin, Death Valley. As salt crystals grow over time, slabs of the salt crust are uplifted and eroded. Death Valley is famous for striking views, colorful geologic formations, and scenic vistas.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Badwater storm. Surreal patterns of salt with a stormy backdrop. Death Valley is famous for striking views, colorful geologic formations, and scenic vistas.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Artist's Palette as seen from the drive up the Artist's Drive Scenic Loop, Death Valley. Death Valley is famous for striking views, colorful geologic formations, and scenic vistas.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Looking down Golden Canyon from below Manly Beacon, Death Valley.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Jubilee Pass 2005, Death Valley. Winter snow still blankets the Panamint Mountains while the slopes around Jubilee Pass are in full spring bloom.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Five different dunefields are scattered throughout Death Valley National Park. Ripples on Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Patterns on the dunes are made fresh with every wind.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Shadows of clouds add to the complexity of patterns on the salt flats, Dante's View. The view from the top of the Black Mountains is considered to be one of the great photographic spots in Death Valley.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Elk captured by remote camera, Great Basin National Park, Nevada near the Utah border.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Bighorn Sheep captured by remote camera, Great Basin National Park, Nevada near Utah border.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Snow on the Providence Mountains can happen a few times every winter, Mojave National Preserve, Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California.
Couresy of National Park Service
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The sun sets in the Mojave Desert in this undated photo.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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View south from Teutonia Peak, Mojave National Preserve.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Wildflowers in the remote corners of the Mojave National Preserve, like Devils Playground where 4-wheel drive is necessary.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Deluge Shelter pictographs - three human figures, Dinosaur National Monument, Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Bighorn sheep pictographs at Deluge Shelter, Dinosaur National Monument, Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Bighorn sheep. Dinosaur National Monument is home to more than 400 different species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Mule deer in winter, Dinosaur National Monument.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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A bald eagle soars over Dinosaur National Monument.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Woodhouse's toad in Jones Hole Creek, Dinosaur National Monument.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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This black bear was taking a break from munching acorns in the Foothills of Sequoia National Park.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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Trail through a tree in Sequoia National Park.
Courtesy of National Park Service
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