Thank you for respecting the creative investment we have made. No part or episode of these series may be in any way duplicated, copied or sold without the written agreement of Blue Mountain Television. All frames, videos and sound recordings are copyrighted in these series under penalty of law. These series are intended to be used as an educational tool and may be shown to promote good stewardship, conservation and appreciation of the Forests and Deserts of the Pacific Northwest.
Secret Life of the Forest
Episode 1 “Intro to the Northern Blues”
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The series starts with a look at the entire Blue Mountain range which is 400 miles long, 100 miles wide and covers most of Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington. We then shift our focus towards the uniqueness of the Northern Blue Mountains; including the plants, geology, and history of the Indigenous Americans. The episode concludes with the history and introduction of new arrivals that have forever changed the Northern Blue Mountains.
$5.00
Episode 2 “From the Soils Up”
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As we begin our exploration of the Northern Blues, it is necessary to share how important the soil is as the foundation of life for much of the planet. Soil sets the stage for plant growth, which in turn supports other life forms. Discover how slope, aspect, and weather have a relationship with the vital soils, lichens, and mosses. Climate shift is also a topic as it is changing the very surface of the Blues in a frightening way.
$5.00
Episode 3 “The Community of Plants”
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The plant community dictates which species of insects, reptiles/amphibians, mammals, birds, fishes and parasites will survive on each slope aspect. Soil type, soil depth, slope aspect and elevation all determine what plants flourish and grow on any one site. In this episode, we move from the soils into the plant communities that those soils can host, including many beautiful wildflowers and several species of stunning orchids.
$5.00
Episode 4 “An Anchor for Life”
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As we move from the soils to the seed, then the plants, we see a rapid and beautiful process unfold. Here we can observe new relationships forming. Plant communities support life for a vast diversity of other organisms. In this episode, we explore some of the amazing symbiotic relationships that exist between insects and plants. Get ready to witness stunning butterflies and other pollinators of the Northern Blue Mountains.
$5.00
Episode 5 “A Place in the Sun”
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High in the Northern Blue Mountains lives a wide variety of plant and animal species. These species make their home along the transition zones between the moist soil aspects to the north and east, the thin-soiled grasslands along the ridges down the south and west-facing slopes, and into the numerous eroded canyons below. These conditions support a unique diversity of animals that you won't find in the bunchgrass thin-soiled sites or the cooler forested slopes.
$5.00
Episode 6 “The Birds of Prey”
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Right across the Northern Blue Mountains, in each forested parcel lives a good number of both nocturnal and diurnal raptors. These owls, hawks, eagles and falcons are so important to the ecology and balance of this great mountain range. This episode takes a close look at several species of owls including the Great Grey, Great Horned, Pygmy, Barn, and the Saw-whet. Join us for a spectacular peek into the lives of these nighttime raptors that some people wait a lifetime to see.
$5.00
Episode 7 “Raptors and their Prey Base”
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Diurnal raptors are always present across the Northern Blue Mountains where they hunt rodents, reptiles, rabbits, birds, pup coyotes, fawn deer and insects. These predatory birds, and even the smaller birds, hold vital positions in service to the ecology of this region. These birds of prey are composed of hawks, falcons, eagles and several owl species. You won’t want to miss seeing and learning about these incredible raptors.
$5.00
Episode 8 “Tiny Steps Towards Renewal”
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February in the Northern Blue Mountains is a month of change. Chemistry in the soils and plants starts to shift—in small, incremental measures—as the days get longer. As the snow warms and melts, it leaves bare patches of ground that warm up rapidly with the increased sun exposure of early spring. This warming season sets the stage for the first blooming plants of the year and triggers migration for bluebirds, elk, and many other species.
$5.00
Episode 9 “The Re-birth of Life”
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Looking closely, we see the last patches of snow melting away. We observe fascinating insects, such as snow spiders, who can survive the icy conditions comfortably due to a clever type of anti-freeze in their systems. As spring progresses, the remnants of snow continue to water the hillsides. Dry and barren in the summer months, these rocky slopes turn into beautiful, colorful gardens—hosting a variety of plants that support life for the first waves of insects and animals.
$5.00
Episode 10 “A Vast Stage”
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It has been said that all of life is a stage. As the last bit of snow begins to vanish into the surrounding soils and melt off into streams—we start to see its vital role in the local water cycle. This life-giving water triggers a pulse of activity across the region that brings a very diverse and multi-colored world to this vast stage we call the Northern Blue Mountains.
$5.00
Episode 11 “Predators and Carrying Capacity”
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All predators that inhabit the Northern Blues provide a service that maintains their population and also assists in managing and supporting their prey base. Removing a percentage of prey base species helps to maintain stable prey populations. The issue is that most prey species populations are cyclical—having a high population one year and a low one the next—which greatly affects predators that depend on those species.
$5.00
Episode 12 “Life on Lithosol Slopes”
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In mid-June, we begin to see another shift in the Northern Blue Mountains. Sites that have dried out can now support certain species that simply will not grow under shade or in moist soils. These amazing native plants flourish on lithosol slopes, old gravel pits, south-facing road cuts, and thin-soiled western aspect sites. Emerging from these inhospitable conditions are some of the most beautiful blooming plants and other incredible creatures.
$5.00
Episode 13 “A Sense of Place”
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In this series, we've covered only about 3.5% of the native organisms living in the Northern Blue Mountains. In this episode, we'll introduce you to three more species that play a vital role in the continued sustainability and diversity of life in these spectacular mountains: beavers, gray wolves, and ants.
$5.00
DVD Set: Contains all 13 episodes of "Secret Life of the Forest: The Northern Blue Mountains"
This 13-episode DVD education series covers a vast amount of species that live in the Northern Blue Mountains. Whether you are young, old, Christian, or atheist, this series will reveal the interconnections between us and the natural world—and help one understand the importance of cultivating an active, supportive relationship with nature.
$35.00