Ep 5. Deserts

Deserts, the fifth episode of Planet Earth season 1, takes viewers on a journey through some of the driest and hottest regions on Earth. From the rain-shadow deserts of Chile's Atacama to the scorched sand dunes of the Sahara and the cactus-filled Sonoran desert in Arizona, this episode explores the adaptations and survival strategies of animals and plants that call these harsh landscapes home.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the episode begins with a stunning aerial shot of the Namib Desert in Africa, where towering sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Here, the team captures footage of the elusive sidewinder snake as it navigates through the soft sand using a unique sidewinding motion. Viewers also get to witness the speedy sprint of the dune beetle, which uses its long legs to stay on top of the sand and avoid sinking.

Moving on to the Atacama Desert in South America, the driest desert on Earth, the filmmakers capture breathtaking footage of a rare flower bloom that only occurs once every few years. Despite the lack of water, this desert is home to an amazing array of creatures, including the zorro, a small gray fox that scurries across the sandy terrain, and the vicuña, a graceful relative of the llama that survives on sparse vegetation.

In the Sonoran desert of North America, the production team captures incredible footage of a rattlesnake attacking a kangaroo rat, one of the speediest and most agile animals in the desert. Viewers also get to see the intricate web of relationships between the plants and animals of this desert ecosystem, such as the saguaro cactus, which provides homes and food for a wide variety of creatures.

Taking a break from the animals, the episode turns its attention to the breathtaking landscapes of the deserts, showcasing the stark beauty of sandstone formations and wind-carved cliffs. The team also uncovers the secrets of the shifting sand dunes of the Sahara, which can move as much as 30 meters per year and create a constantly changing environment for the creatures that live there.

As always, the footage in this episode is truly awe-inspiring, capturing the beauty and harsh realities of life in the desert. From the delicate balance of predator and prey to the fascinating ways in which plants and animals have evolved to survive in the extreme conditions, Deserts is a must-see episode for nature lovers and documentary fans alike. And with Sir David Attenborough's masterful narration guiding the way, viewers are sure to come away with a deep appreciation for the deserts of the world.