Wild California

The coves along Californias coast are home to one of natures most charismatic animals: the otter. Large groups of sea otters bob among the kelp, anchoring in place by wrapping themselves in the fronds of giant algae. Females and their pups gather together for safety while they hunt for clams in the kelp forests growing below, sometimes risky.

Each winter, elephant seals migrate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean to the coast of California. Here the enormous males haul out to stake their territorial claim to the beaches. Brutal fights for dominance leave them bloody and scarred, but its worth it.

In the desert of Southern California a young male burrowing owl scratches out a living. He spends much of the day searching for grubs in the dust, while keeping constant look out. Danger can come from land and air. Coyotes and raptors patrol the arid scrubland. Before long, the urge to mate forces him to seek company.

Few animals manage to survive in the Algodones Sand Dunes of Southern California. While a sand storm rages overhead, a desert pocket mouse takes shelter in its underground burrows. But the sidewinder rattlesnake pays the storm no heed. He is a master at moving through the liquid sand.

Each spring hundreds of mustangs gather on the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Females and their foals are led by a dominant stallion. Hell protect them and, in return, claim the right to mate with his herd. But he can never let down his guard. A roaming gang of young bachelors moves in to challenge him and steal females from the harem.

Humpback whales gather to feed each spring off the coast of California. Sea lions also gather here in large numbers to feed, sometimes forming hunting rafts a thousand strong, with whales and the sea lions fishing together. But danger lurks here too.