Written by John Edward Betancourt THE AMERICAS -- "The Gulf Coast" Episode 106 -- Pictured: Where the Everglades meet the sea, fresh and salt water mix - the perfect conditions for North America's largest mangrove forest -- (Photo by: BBC Studios)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘The Americas’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Something that is genuinely fascinating about our modern world, is how little mind we pay to nature overall. Simply because we are immersed in the wild world we’ve created. One filled with job responsibilities and family responsibilities and everything in between, and really, the only time we connect with nature and know what it is composed of, is when we take those tiny breaks from our busy lives. Which is why nature documentaries are so important and so worthwhile. Since they take the time to explore what we are missing, to show us that we part of something bigger, something beautiful, something that is an outright gift, and that is why this week’s episode of The Americas on NBC is of note. For ‘The Gulf Coast’ took the time to really pull back the curtain of what nature looks like on the coast, where we go about our hurried lives, and in doing so… allowed for us to slow down, and really take in the fact that there is so much life surrounding us at any given time. For instance, we came to learn in this story that in the swamps of Louisiana, are bears that roam the area. For they have been there for generations and know how to navigate the wet ground beneath them, to the point where generations continue to thrive, despite the many dangers there. Such as alligators and inexperience, and that was a powerful way to learn that the bayou is more than swamps and legends, but a genuine, thriving eco system. Not to mention, we also came to learn in this story, that beneath the lovely streets of Florida, where we see incredible sights and where others go about their warm days in retirement, is a vast aquifer. One that supplies the state with the vast majority of its fresh water, and it is mired in darkness, which allows for life to thrive in a unique manner down in those depths, and the warm that aquifer creates, since it does have a little heat to it thanks to its proximity to natural, geothermal heat, helps the many manatees present in Florida to survive. Since it helps them to stick around when the winter comes, and well… the wonder of Florida’s natural world extends far beyond those fascinating surprises. After all, this is a place where tiny little owls live alongside humanity. For the burrowing owl lives up to its name and nests in the ground, and where we’ve built a city is where it calls home. So, it simply digs into perfect lawns to ready a home for its future mate, and down in the Everglades, there are little snails that slowly and steadily work to outwit their natural enemies, a brutal hawk that has evolved to eat them, and all of this… is present in Florida. Which truly changes our perspective of a land known for retirement, beaches and Disney World. But that does make it seem as though, only the swamps and only Florida is hopping with life on the Gulf Coast, but even Texas is home to a rare cat known as the Ocelot. Who moves about in silence with its low numbers, but it lives nevertheless and is doing its best to survive in a place that is teeming with more than humanity. For truly, the Gulf Coast is a bastion for nature. One where so many creatures go about their day and fight for survival like any other animal out there. All while we worry about, what we worry about, and truly, this is a chapter in this story that offers great perspective. Since it wonderfully reminds us, that there is so much more happening in our world at any given time. All of which offers us gratitude, for the gift we’ve been given and the unique life we’ve created, and now that we’ve enjoyed a fine reminder of the bustling world next to our own, and how special it is to be next to it… it’s onto the next adventure and wonders untold. Until next time. Watch ‘The Americas’
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