Yosemite

Forged by the forces of wind, water, and erosion, Yosemite National Park is known as the “land of the giants.” In terms of area, large waterfalls, huge sequoia trees (dating back 3,000 years), and the craggy dome of El Capitan (which can take up to a week for experienced climbers to scale), everything about Yosemite is big. Narrated by Kevin Kline, filmmaker Joseph Pontecorvo's PBS-aired NATURE documentary looks at Yosemite's new challenges—chiefly droughts caused by climate change that threaten both the ancient trees and the local wildlife. Common animals include coyotes and the pika (a small rabbit), as well as endangered species such as the bighorn sheep, who easily navigate the rugged terrain of the Sierra's high country. The bighorn sheep was nearly wiped out by diseases introduced in the last century when ranchers allowed their domestic sheep to mingle with their wild cousins, but a restoration program is slowly rebuilding the stock. In addition to regulating the park's ecosystem, rangers must cope with the flood of visitors who come for the kayaking, hang gliding off "El Cap" and other peaks, or to simply photograph the park's natural wonders. Even though Yosemite is under environmental stress, naturalists and tourists still find great value in this gorgeous national park in which humans and their problems seem small and trivial. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)