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