‘A Wild Year on Earth’ Recap: ‘A Time of Volatility’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘A Wild Year on Earth’.
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The end of spring and the beginning of summer is a time of the year that we tend to associate with one particular word: freedom. Because at this point, the weather is downright gorgeous. Granted, there are some rainstorms here and there, but the clouds often quickly part, bringing us blue skies and moderate temperatures and that means the time has come… to get out of the house and enjoy the world. So that we can take in the wonder of those aforementioned skies and soak up the sun and basically do whatever we want, since we are no longer constrained by the shackles of an icy winter and chilly early spring.
 
But while we bask in the sunlight and get some hiking and bike riding done, or perhaps enjoy a picnic in the park, that kind of unrestrained freedom doesn’t exist in the world beyond our own. For nature is on a frenzied quest for survival during May and June, the kind that is full of heartbreak and urgency and even terror from above as evidenced by this week’s episode of A Wild Year on Earth. For ‘A Time of Volatility’ helped us to learn just how much chaos erupts during this time of year, especially when it comes to the weather. Because this is when tornado season gets underway in North America, bringing forth terrifyingly beautiful clouds whilst the heavens open up on the other side of the globe by way of the Monsoon season and the harshness of this time of year doesn’t end with the weather.

Because while conditions are moist and volatile in the northern hemisphere in May and June, the dry season is hitting hard in the southern. Which means that animals down south, are working hard to find water and food and shelter, and they definitely experience some serious hardships when this particular part of the season arrives. Because some don’t find what they need and expire, giving scavengers what they so desperately need and somehow the hardships are so powerful and so heartbreaking that grieving comes into play. As evidenced by the sorrowful elephant that refused to leave the side of its lost child, chasing off scavengers out of respect for her lost baby and it was quite powerful and sobering to see just how tough life is in the wild whilst we enjoy a spring salad and our favorite beverage on the patio of a local bistro.

But while that makes it sound as though this entire episode was mired in tough moments through and through, that simply wasn’t the case. Because part of the frenzy that comes about during this time of year, is a push to create life. So that the young born during this time period can partake of the fruitful bounties of food available to them and the sense of urgency that comes with this allows for some fierce competition to take place. To the point where the male mustangs of California will put on displays of strength to show that they are worthy of leading the pack and finding a mate, and Cuttlefish in the sea will even duke it out fiercely to ensure their line will continue and really, all of these elements made for one breathtaking tale.

Because it was downright exhausting watching nature fight hard to find a break and a meal or a mate, but that is the harsh reality of the world that surrounds us and once again that made for one quality tale. Because this documentary really is doing a phenomenal job of providing us with a dynamic look at our world and how it truly functions in a manner that is the polar opposite of how we live, and it is just fascinating to see nature rush and panic to get their own biological checklist accomplished as the year rolls along. And it will be quite interesting to see how nature responds to the excessive heat and bitter temperatures that await the animals of the world, as we begin to explore the second half of the year by way of this magnificent documentary. Until next time.

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