| An eagle swoops overhead, its vast wingspan | | | | plateau area ranges from one extreme to |
| silhouetted against the morning sun. A | | | | another. Down on the canyon floor, |
| trained eye surveys the land below, | | | | temperatures can exceed 100°F, though |
| anticipating any sudden movement. | | | | winter frosts are rare. |
| | | | |
| Deep in the canyon beneath, the Colorado | | | | It's surprising to imagine anything living in |
| River runs its relentless course through | | | | this hot and arid land far from the river, |
| Grand Canyon National Park, carved through | | | | but the valleys are bursting with life. |
| the ages by this vein flowing through | | | | Plants and animals cling precariously to the |
| Arizona. As the sun climbs the morning sky, | | | | vertical cliff faces, every nook and cranny |
| flooding the valley with light, the ground | | | | bustling with activity. |
| temperature rises and the creatures of the | | | | |
| valley begin their daily quest for survival. | | | | Deep on the valley floor, the creatures |
| | | | scurry around, living their own rat race. The |
| The immense scale of the Grand Canyon is | | | | park is home to a wide variety of animals |
| difficult to comprehend. At its peak, the | | | | including the unique Grand Canyon "pink" |
| side walls plummet 1500 m (5000 ft) down to | | | | rattlesnake. Ringtails, beavers and chipmunks |
| the river. At its broadest the canyon extends | | | | are all widespread. Hundreds of bird species |
| up to 29 km (18 mi) wide and overall the | | | | have made their home in the park, as well as |
| complex stretches over 446 km (227 mi). | | | | countless insects and arachnids. |
| | | | |
| The Grand Canyon is perhaps America's most | | | | The canyon communities have their own pecking |
| recognisable landmark. The region is a magnet | | | | orders. Here, in this parched and hostile |
| for tourists, attracting over 5 million | | | | land, the food chain provides a delicate |
| visitors each year. Nobody fully appreciates | | | | balance between survival, or finishing as |
| the landscape until they have experienced it | | | | dinner for those in the hierarchy. The |
| for themselves. | | | | environment is uncompromising and evolution |
| | | | has chosen its few. |
| From the Colorado River, deep in the canyon | | | | |
| floor, layer upon layer of rock becomes | | | | In the distance, the eagle glides |
| noticeable, stacked like pancakes, each one | | | | effortlessly over the broad crevasse. A |
| representing millions of years of evolution. | | | | sudden change in direction and the predator |
| Tiers of lime and sandstone stand excavated | | | | is racing to the ground at speed. Moments |
| by the river, wind and sands of time. | | | | later, an unfortunate rodent has become |
| | | | breakfast. |
| Above the canyon, the temperature in the | | | | |