The Wild West

When you hear “Wild West,” do you first think of Robert Conrad, or James Arness, or maybe Gary Cooper? The American Southwest has indeed provided a stunning backdrop for some of television and Hollywood's most memorable stars, but the real stars of the west are the focus of this title: the plants and animals who made the desert their home long before the set designers showed up. In this collection of 30 five-minute programs shot “on location” in the desert and mountain country of Nevada, state park personnel, naturalists, and biologists offer viewers an up-close look at such wildlife as mountain lions, scorpions, chuckwallas, and (my personal favorite) the turkey vulture in their natural habitats, along with such bizarre plants as the Joshua Tree and the cactus. In addition, viewers are introduced to the geology of the region, learn why it is a hotbed for fossil hunters, and get a glimpse of local Native American customs. This beautifully photographed program would make a terrific supplement to a life science curriculum. Recommended. Aud: I, J, H, P. (L. Stevens)