New Season of ‘America’s National Parks’ Uses Advanced Camera Tech

America's National Parks season 2

The second season of “America’s National Parks” premiered last night on National Geographic TV, kicking off a fresh series of episodes focused on the beautiful and diverse national parks located throughout the United States.

While the first season of “America’s National Parks” visited some famous locations, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Everglades, Olympic National Park, and more, there is still plenty more to see in season two, including visits to the Grand Tetons, Biscayne National Park, Voyageurs National Park, Channel Island, and Lake Clark.

America's National Parks season 2
A coastal brown bear mom standing on the salt marshes on Lake Clark’s coastline. (National Geographic/Taylor John Turner)

While this season focuses on somewhat less-frequented national parks — relative to popular destinations like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone — there are plenty of spectacular views and incredible wildlife. National Geographic has also tapped a famous voice to narrate the season: celebrated country musician Garth Brooks.

America's National Parks season 2
A coastal brown bear with a sockeye salmon in its mouth. (National Geographic/Brittany Delph)

In fact, flora and fauna in season two should look better than ever thanks to the production team, Wildstar Films, employing more advanced camera technology for its sequel series.

America's National Parks season 2
Two coastal male brown bears fighting for superiority in the salt marshes of the park. (National Geographic/Taylor John Turner)

At Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska, where there are craggy mountains, steaming volcanoes, and, most famously, coastal brown bears, the team used new high-speed cameras to film the bears as they hunt salmon. The team also used motion-controlled macro camera technology to record carnivorous plants in action within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

America's National Parks season 2
The round-leaved sundew showing the glistening droplets used to entice and trap prey. (National Geographic/Chris Field)

Wild wolves still rule the forest within Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. The Wildstar Films team used remote cameras to follow the lives of a wolfpack as it raised a new litter of pups. The team also used hyper-lapse photography techniques to closely examine the rich fungus within Voyageurs.

America's National Parks season 2
Wolf pups outside their den at around four to five weeks old in a remote corner of Voyageurs National Park. (National Geographic/Jake Davis)

Being able to capture video of wildlife without disturbing them is critical, so the team had to be mindful of how it followed a fox as it darted along coastal regions in Channel Islands National Park in California. Using new quiet drone technology, the team could tail the fox without interrupting its natural behavior.

America's National Parks season 2
Island Fox kits lounging in the grass. Island Foxes have no natural predators on the island and are the largest native animals on the islands. (National Geographic/Chuck Graham)
America's National Parks season 2
California Sealions thrive in the Channel Islands and hunt and play in the giant kelp forest. Their flexible, agile bodies allow them to twist and turn at speed through the kelp forest. (National Geographic/Jeff Hester)

Just outside Miami, Biscayne National Park protects coral reefs and mangrove forests. These habitats are vital for the sea life in the area, and the team has used the latest underwater cameras with ultraviolet lights to see coral from a fresh perspective.

America's National Parks season 2
A boulder brain coral, Colpophyllia natans, a type of stony coral found in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The huge boulder like colonies are covered in serpentine ridges that resemble the patterns on the brains of mammals. (photo credit: National Geographic/Colin Foord)
America's National Parks season 2
A Florida manatee and her calf swim together. They may stay together for up to two years before the calf is confident enough to venture alone. (photo credit: National Geographic)

While there’s no novel camera technology in use at Grand Tetons, it’s a truly incredible national park. The team captured amazing imagery of elk, bison, coyotes, fox, pronghorn, wolves, bears, and more.

America's National Parks season 2
A coyote in the snowy landscape of the Grand Teton National Park. (National Geographic/Justin Grubb)
America's National Parks season 2
A red fox hunts during a white out in Grand Teton National Park. (National Geographic/Justin Grubb)
America's National Parks season 2
A grey wolf prowling in the Grand Teton National Park. (National Geographic/Justin Grubb)

The season two premiere of “America’s National Parks” is available now on National Geographic. The entire season will be available to stream on Disney+ starting tomorrow.


Image credits: National Geographic

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