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00:00PBS Kids opens worlds of possibilities for all children,
00:03thanks to PBS stations and viewers like you.
00:08That's me, Fred the house cat.
00:10When my family leaves for the day, I don't just sit inside watching the world go by.
00:15I become...
00:19Nature Cat! Backyard explorer extraordinaire!
00:25Tally ho! Tally ho!
00:28We're climbing out the trees now!
00:30We're swinging through the breeze now!
00:32We're getting muddy knees now!
00:34Nature Cat! Nature Cat! Nature Cat!
00:36Nature Cat! Nature Cat! Nature Cat!
00:38So what are we waiting for?
00:40We're so excited to explore
00:42All that nature has in store!
00:44Nature Cat! Go! Go!
00:46Tally ho! Go! Go! Go!
00:48Tally ho!
00:49He's our favorite nature guide!
00:51We just can't wait to get outside!
00:53We're swimming through the trees now!
00:55We're jumping in the leaves now!
00:57We're getting muddy knees now!
00:59We're getting muddy knees now!
01:00We're getting our time!
01:01Tally ho!
01:02Tally ho!
01:03Tally ho!
01:04Tally ho!
01:05Tally ho!
01:06Tally ho!
01:08Return to Mighty Mountain!
01:12The Mighty Mountain!
01:14We have attempted to climb your majestic peak for weeks...
01:16But to no avail!
01:18Will we ever make it?
01:20We're gonna get up there, man!
01:22We've come so close!
01:24We sure are too-too also!
01:26But we've tried everything we know about climbing,
01:29and I just don't know what else we can do.
01:32So you're giving up, huh, Nature Cat?
01:37To give up is not an option, Ronald.
01:40We will see the glorious mighty mountain peak.
01:44We just need to simply need to achieve.
01:48We, well, first we need to...
01:50Yes, Nature Cat, go on.
01:52I don't know what we need.
01:54Oh, Nature Cat, I know exactly what we need to get to the peak.
01:57Ha-ha! See, Daisy knows what we need.
02:00What do we need?
02:02Granny Bunny!
02:06Hello, everyone!
02:08Oh, oh, oh, hi, Granny Bunny!
02:10It's me, Hal!
02:12Oh, hi, Hal, honey!
02:14Granny Bunny!
02:16You can help us get to the peak of Mighty Mountain?
02:19Oh, you bet I can!
02:21Because I am a mighty mountaineer,
02:25an expert mountain climber!
02:27Granny Bunny never ceases to amaze!
02:30Oh, yeah!
02:31Yeah!
02:32Granny Bunny will lead us to the peak of the mighty mountain!
02:37You betcha!
02:38Oh, Granny Bunny, I don't know how to thank you!
02:42Oh, me too!
02:43Me too, too, as well!
02:45Yay, Granny Bunny!
02:47Huh?
02:48Oh, how could I not get in on a Granny Bunny group hug?
02:53You guys, I got the first aid kitten whistles.
02:56And I have the duct tape and food!
02:58Uh, Hal, honey dear, do you have the tent?
03:00Aye, aye, Granny Bunny!
03:02I sure do!
03:03Love you, Granny Bunny!
03:05Oh, good, honey.
03:06And Nature Cat has the sleeping bags?
03:09I certainly do, Granny Bunny!
03:11And with them, a slight little question.
03:14Uh, why do we even need these sleeping bags?
03:16Because the secret to making it to the top of the mighty mountain peak
03:21is to break up the trip into two days and camp out on the mountain.
03:25Uh, camping?
03:26You mean sleeping outside?
03:28Not inside my safe, cozy house?
03:30We sleep out under the stars in the fresh air
03:33with the sound of insects and owls lulling us to sleep.
03:37But, you see, I have never slept outside of my house before.
03:42Ha!
03:43I love camping out!
03:45You do, Ronald?
03:46Yep, I'm coming too!
03:48Oh, what's the matter, Nature Cat?
03:50Giving up already?
03:51Never!
03:53I am going to get to the top of mighty mountain peak
03:56even if I have to sleep on a mountain to do it!
03:59Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!
04:02I can't wait to get to the peak!
04:04Now, Hal, honey, getting to the top of the mountain is amazing.
04:08But there are also so many other amazing things to see along the way.
04:13You got that right, Granny.
04:15We already know what's on this mountain.
04:17Yeah, let me start this climb a bunch of times.
04:19We're, uh, pretty much pros.
04:21So you know about Yikes-a-rooney Point.
04:24Um, what?
04:26How about Brown Bear Falls?
04:28No!
04:29How come we haven't seen any of these places?
04:33Well, I'm taking you up the south side of the mountain.
04:37That's the trail with the most fun stuff to see.
04:40And then we camp out right here at Camp Out Ridge.
04:43Camp out!
04:44Oh!
04:45Yes!
04:46Camp out.
04:47Go?
04:48Camp out!
04:49Yes!
04:50Now, come on!
04:51Let's climb and have some fun!
04:53Ugh.
04:54Camping out.
04:55Why did it have to be Camping Out?
04:59Oh!
05:00Great climbing, everyone!
05:01Woo!
05:02Choo!
05:03Ah!
05:04Are we there yet?
05:05Ronald, dear?
05:06Would you like us to slow the pace down for you?
05:10Slow down the pace?
05:12Don't be silly!
05:13You just try and keep up with the Ronald!
05:15Ha-ha!
05:16Ha-ha!
05:17Ha-ha!
05:18Oh, yeah.
05:19Yeah, maybe we should go a little slower.
05:20Okie dokie, dear.
05:21And we can also take a rest.
05:22We're almost at our first stop.
05:23Yikes-a-rooney point!
05:24Just out of curiosity, why do they call it Yikes-a-rooney point?
05:28See for yourself!
05:29Yikes-a-rooney!
05:30Exactly!
05:31Is it really that great?
05:32Yikes-a-rooney!
05:33Man, oh, man!
05:34It's so beautiful!
05:35Yes!
05:36See!
05:37See!
05:38See!
05:39See!
05:40See!
05:41See!
05:42See!
05:43See!
05:44See!
05:45See!
05:46See!
05:47See!
05:48See!
05:49See!
05:50See!
05:51See!
05:52See!
05:53See!
05:54See!
05:55See!
05:56See!
05:57See!
05:58There's so beautiful, Daisy.
06:00I think even the most beautiful.
06:02And there's no possible way to top it!
06:03So, back down the mountain so we can sleep in our very own beds!
06:07So...
06:08What you're saying is...
06:09you're giving up.
06:10Is that right, nature cat?
06:12Me?
06:13Give up?
06:14Never!
06:17Onward!
06:18Onward!
06:23OK.
06:24So.
06:25What's the next step, granny bunny?
06:26Next stop is Brown Bear Falls.
06:28Where? I don't see it. Where?
06:30Sometimes it's hard to see, Hal, honey.
06:33Use your ears and listen for the sound of the water.
06:40Oh, wait! I hear it! This way!
06:45Behold, Brown Bear Falls!
06:51Why do they call it Brown Bear Falls, Granny Bunny?
06:54This waterfall doesn't look like a bear to me.
06:57It's not named for the waterfall.
07:00It's named for the brown bears who live here.
07:03Look!
07:08Aw!
07:09I gotta get a picture of the bear in action.
07:12Remember, darlings, we need to keep a safe distance.
07:17Yeah, don't worry about that. No way I'm going near that.
07:20Aw, that bear is awesome.
07:24All right, gang. The sun is going down.
07:29Let's head to Camp Out Ridge so we can set up camp.
07:32Yeah!
07:33Camp Out Ridge, baby!
07:36You can do this, Nature Cat. You can do this.
07:39You sure can, Nature Cat.
07:43Hey, good luck, man.
07:44Oh, look at that. So beautiful. What a nice place to sleep.
07:51Why are we sleeping here?
07:53Oh, there's no better place, Squeaks, honey.
07:55The ground is smooth to lay our sleeping bags on,
07:58and it has a shady place so it won't get too hot and sunny in the morning.
08:02This is the best camping spot on the whole mountain.
08:05Okay.
08:07Looks perfect to me.
08:09Okay, Daisy, Squeaks, and Ronald, you all set up the tent.
08:13Hell, will you help me with dinner?
08:15Okay, yeah.
08:16And, Nature Cat, you get the sleeping bags unrolled and ready.
08:20Sleeping bags.
08:22Dinner is delicious, Granny Bunny.
08:28Mmm, it's really good.
08:35Now make sure everyone cleans up all the scraps of food
08:38and puts them in this metal container.
08:40We don't want any wild animals dropping by for a snack.
08:44Wild animals?
08:46Snack?
08:50Don't worry, dear.
08:51We just need to follow the camp-out rules and all will be okay.
08:55Understood, Granny Bunny.
08:57But I just had the craziest thought.
08:59Now, I'm just ripping here, but what if...
09:02This is so fantastic.
09:04What if we all left right now and went down the mountain
09:07and slept inside our house?
09:09It's too dark, Nature Cat.
09:11Trust me.
09:12You'll see.
09:13Camping out is fun.
09:15And when you wake up in the morning,
09:17we're going to head right to the top of Mighty Mountain Peak.
09:20And that's a sight to behold.
09:23Uh...
09:24I do very badly want to see the peak.
09:26You can do this, Nature Cat.
09:28Come on.
09:29Let's all get some sleep.
09:31Yep.
09:32Sleeping in a tent outside is easy.
09:34Can't wait.
09:35Gulp.
09:37Gulp.
09:38Come on, Nature Cat.
09:39Go to sleep.
09:40There's nothing to be afraid of.
09:42Except for that.
09:43I can't...
09:44I can't help me.
09:45You're right.
09:46Gulp.
09:47Gulp.
09:48Gulp.
09:49Gulp.
09:50Gulp.
09:51Gulp.
09:52Gulp.
09:53Gulp.
09:54Gulp.
09:55Gulp.
09:56Gulp.
09:57Gulp.
09:58Gulp.
09:59Gulp.
10:00Gulp.
10:01Gulp.
10:02Gulp.
10:03Ronald?
10:09Ronald, I know that you are up.
10:11I just heard you.
10:13Oh, hey.
10:15Oh, what time is it?
10:17I was sleeping so soundly.
10:18Ronald, I heard you.
10:20You were making a scared sound.
10:22Me? Scared?
10:25What was that?
10:26Hold me, Nature Cat. Hold me.
10:29Hey, you really are scared, aren't you?
10:31Well, if you must know, Nature Cat,
10:33yes, I'm scared.
10:35I've never camped out before either.
10:38Come on, Ronald. We can do this together.
10:40I know we can.
10:46Will you look at that?
10:49Beautiful!
10:51Hey, where are Nature Cat and Ronald?
10:56Aw.
11:01Huh?
11:03We did it!
11:06We did it!
11:09Well, you made it through your first night of sleeping away from home.
11:13How do you feel?
11:14I feel great!
11:16Sleeping away from home wasn't bad at all.
11:18Not at all, Nature Cat.
11:21This is it!
11:22We're almost at the top!
11:24Let's count down.
11:25Five, four, three, two, one!
11:30We did it!
11:32We made it to the top of Mighty Mountain Peak!
11:36This is the most beautiful sight mine eyes have ever seen.
11:44We finally made it to the peak of Mighty Mountain!
11:49I can't thank you enough, Granny Bunny, for guiding us to the peak safely, soundly, and well-rested.
11:56Nothing better than a Granny Bunny group hug!
11:59Let's take a picture to remember this moment forever.
12:03Say, Mighty Mountain Peak!
12:05Mighty Mountain Peak!
12:07Mighty Mountain Peak!
12:07Love you, Granny Bunny!
12:12Welcome to the Vernal Pond!
12:17Whee!
12:18Get it up, Nature Cat!
12:20Yay-ho!
12:22Whee!
12:22And it's neck and neck for the first race of spring!
12:27Cat Beauty trails Hal Biscuit, but only by a hair!
12:30Who, me?
12:31I'll tell you, folks, I've never seen anything like it!
12:34Cat Beauty takes the lead!
12:35Hal Biscuit!
12:35Cat Beauty!
12:36Hal Biscuit!
12:37The finish line's just up ahead!
12:39Who will be the first to cross it?
12:40It could be!
12:41It might be!
12:45The spotted salamander!
12:47The crab goes wild!
12:50Huh?
12:50Well, looks like we had another competitor.
12:54I don't know why I'm panting.
12:56I was just sitting.
12:57Well done, spotted salamander!
13:00I deem you the winner of the first race of spring!
13:05Thank you!
13:06Thank you very much!
13:07Thank you!
13:08Hi!
13:09I'm Daisy!
13:10And this is Nature Cat Squeaks and Hal!
13:13Hi there!
13:14Fern's the name!
13:15Hi, Fern!
13:16That's a nice name!
13:17Hey, cool!
13:18I've never met a salamander before!
13:19Nice to meet you!
13:20Wonderful to meet you, Fern!
13:21And since you won the race, in addition to the beautiful flowers, you get to be serenaded
13:26by me!
13:27You are the champion, my salamander friend!
13:34You won the race at the very end!
13:40Yeah, Nature Cat, I love that song, really.
13:43Yeah, really, I do.
13:44But, you know, I have something a little more important to do.
13:47Oh, well.
13:48And what, pray tell, could be more important than being serenaded for winning a pretend horsey race?
13:54Well, I need to lay my eggs.
13:56Okay, that is more important.
13:58Excuse me.
14:00Oh, where does a salamander like you lay their eggs?
14:03The safest place in the forest, of course.
14:06Oh, oh, wait, don't tell me.
14:07In a big nest like a birdie?
14:10No, sir.
14:12Hmm, interesting quandary.
14:15What about a hollow log?
14:17Nope.
14:18One of those little boxes at the bank with a key?
14:20That's pretty safe.
14:22Oh, even safer than that, honey.
14:23I'm heading out of the pond in the middle of the forest.
14:27Uh, pond?
14:28I hate to tell you this, Fern, but there is no pond in the middle of the forest.
14:33Nature Cat, there most certainly is.
14:37Uh, I don't think so, Fern.
14:39For you see, I know these woods like the back of my hand.
14:42Dear me, what is on the back of my hand?
14:44Uh, Nature Cat, there is a pond out there.
14:47I should know I was born there.
14:49If you give me a lift, I'll show you myself.
14:52You're on, Fern.
14:53Hitch a ride on my hat.
14:55Now, which way to the pond?
14:58That-a-way.
14:59Onward and pondward.
15:03I like the way you think, Fern.
15:05Tally-ho.
15:08Okay, now the pond is just up ahead on the other side of those trees.
15:12Fern, I've been to this area a million times.
15:16There is absolutely no pond-
15:18That's a pond.
15:19Whoa!
15:24Where did this come?
15:26I've never seen this.
15:28What-what he's trying to say.
15:31Welcome to a vernal pond!
15:35But Nature Cat's right.
15:38A pond hasn't always been here.
15:40We came here in the fall.
15:42Roll flashback, please.
15:44We were playing leapfrog and Nature Cat jumped into a pile of leaves.
15:48Tally-ho.
15:50There was no pond.
15:52Just a small depression in the ground.
15:54And then when we went sledding last winter, there was no frozen pond.
16:00Tally-snow.
16:01Tally-ho.
16:01Tally-ho.
16:02Tally-ho.
16:05Nope.
16:05It's called a vernal pond.
16:08Vernal means spring.
16:09And that's when this pond happens.
16:11So did the pond just magically appear?
16:14Well, kind of.
16:16After last winter, the snow melted.
16:18And that, along with the rain we've been having, filled up this sunken space.
16:23It happens every year.
16:24Voila!
16:25A vernal pond.
16:26Well, I'd love to hear more about this vernal pond.
16:28How about you give it to me in song form?
16:30Hit it!
16:31Frog, toad, and salamander all have one great wish.
16:35A safe place to lay our eggs that's in water but away from fish.
16:40So when the snow melts and spring comes, a cool thing occurs.
16:43What's that?
16:44Some water sticks around to form a temporary habitat.
16:47Wow!
16:48A vernal pond.
16:50It's only here for part of the year, then poof, it's gone.
16:57Migrating ducks stop for a swim, and birds like to nest around the rim.
17:01They never starve, but live off the larva.
17:03A vernal pond.
17:05This is the bestest for bugs and insects.
17:07A vernal pond.
17:09Fairy shrimp thrive here, live their whole lives here.
17:11For an amphibian, it beats the Caribbean.
17:14You've learned your lesson, shallow depression makes vernal ponds.
17:20It's just amazing how so much life can happen in a pond so small.
17:27Yeah, so the duck says.
17:29Put it on my bill.
17:32Girl, you crack me up.
17:35You mean quack me up.
17:37Yeah!
17:38Wow!
17:47Hey, Fern, you said there was no fish in the pond,
17:49but I am seeing something in here.
17:51Oh, sugar, those are the fairy shrimp.
17:54Fairies?
17:55Wow, this pond is really magical.
17:58No, no, not fairies, Hal, honey.
18:01Fairy shrimp.
18:03Oh, okay, well, how did they get there?
18:05Oh, wait, don't tell me.
18:07A shrimp fairy.
18:09Oh, no, not quite.
18:11Those are newly hatched fairy shrimp.
18:12They live their whole lives in just a few months.
18:16They hatch from eggs, grow up, and lay their own eggs
18:18all before this pond dries up
18:20so it can happen again next year.
18:22But wait, what?
18:23Hold on.
18:24The eggs can survive even when the pond dries up?
18:27What?
18:29You betcha, Daisy.
18:30And next year, those eggs will hatch
18:32and start the next generation of fairy shrimp.
18:34Hello, fairy shrimp.
18:38It's me, Hal.
18:41Huh?
18:42Uh, speaking of eggs.
18:44Yes, right.
18:45The whole reason we're here.
18:47I mean, not we, you know, it's you.
18:49That's why you're here, Fern.
18:52Well, that is right, Nature Cat.
18:54So I just need to find a safe place here at the Vernal Pond.
18:58Okay, we can help.
19:00Ooh, how about there?
19:02You mean those rocks?
19:04Sure.
19:05Why?
19:06No good.
19:07Uh, Nature Cat, I don't need a rock.
19:09I need the pond.
19:11Actually, I need the pond water for my eggs,
19:13just like the frogs and toads.
19:15Now, we all start out as eggs in the water.
19:18Right!
19:19How about over there?
19:21Oh, that looks gem-dandy.
19:29Ooh, this is lovely.
19:32Ha, ha, ha.
19:33Standing with my back to Fern while she lays her eggs.
19:38Well, mission accomplished.
19:41Nailed it.
19:43Wow, they're so cool.
19:46Oh, Fern.
19:47They look exactly like you.
19:50They're eggs, Hal.
19:51Yeah, I know, but still.
19:52Excuse me, Fern.
19:54Not to get too personal, but what's that clear jelly stuff covering your eggs?
19:58Oh, that gel helps keep my eggs safe.
20:01And I like this pond, because there are no fish here.
20:04Yeah, fish like to eat eggs like these.
20:06And just look around at all the other eggs laid here.
20:10Frog eggs, toad eggs, and more salamander eggs, all in this little pond.
20:15Well, thank you for giving me a lift to the pond, nature cat.
20:19Nah, come on.
20:20More like thank you for showing us this brand new world.
20:25Uh, guys, it's starting to get dark.
20:27We should be getting back.
20:29Say, come back in a month or so to see the baby salamanders.
20:33Mm, the cutest things you ever did see.
20:36I already can't wait.
20:37Fern, it would be an honor to return to your pond.
20:41Okay, Pony, you ready for a re-batch?
20:44Oh, it's so on.
20:47Giddy up, Halbiscuit.
20:48Oh, no.
20:49Oh, yes.
20:50So long, Fern.
20:51Bye, Fern.
20:52Bye.
20:54Now, what do you say we fast forward about a month?
21:02Hey, guys, look.
21:06Fern's eggs are gone.
21:08And now there are tadpoles.
21:10And it looks like these tadpoles will be salamanders soon.
21:14Maybe next time we visit.
21:16Hooray!
21:21Oh, I just can't wait to see Fern's babies.
21:26You think they're still cute little tadpoles?
21:29Oh, I don't think so.
21:30Fern's babies should be all-out salamanders.
21:34Oh, it's gonna be the best...
21:36Wait, where's the pond?
21:39Where's all the critters?
21:40It's the end of the summer.
21:42The pond dried up.
21:43And it'll never come back?
21:45Oh, don't worry, Hal.
21:46It'll come back next spring.
21:48Oh, Fern.
21:50I wish I got to meet your salamander babies.
21:54Come on, guys.
21:55Nothing to see here.
21:57Hey, Nature Cat.
21:58Hi.
21:59Hi, Nature Cat.
22:01Hello to you as well.
22:03That's Uncle Nature Cat to you.
22:06Fern!
22:06Oh, I'm so glad I got to see you and meet your full-grown babies.
22:12They're so cute.
22:14Hi, I'm Caroline.
22:16Oh, hello there, little Caroline.
22:18I'm Daisy.
22:20I like your ears.
22:22Oh, thank you.
22:23I like your tail.
22:25Whoa, you're like enormous.
22:29Yeah, I like you.
22:31Well, now that they can survive on land, they're headed out to their new homes.
22:35But we'll all be back next spring along with the ducks and frogs and fairy shrimp and such.
22:41Oh, yeah.
22:42The fairy shrimp eggs are sleeping here until the pond comes back.
22:45Shh, be quiet, okay?
22:48Hush, little fairy shrimp.
22:49Don't say a word.
22:51Hal's gonna sing you a song that rhymes a lot.
22:55It was so great seeing y'all before we go.
22:58Thanks for everything.
23:01Bye, Fern.
23:03Bye, babies.
23:04And all of you that grow up so fast.
23:08Bye.
23:10Later, skaters.
23:11See you later.
23:12Bye.
23:13See you next spring.
23:14Nature Cat, Squeaks, Daisy, and Howl are cartoon characters and not real animals.
23:22To keep all of our animal friends safe, check with a grown-up before you bring a pet on your next nature adventure.
23:29Yahoo!
23:44That's beautiful.
23:56Bye.
23:58Bye.
24:02Bye.
24:03Bye.
24:04Bye.
24:13Bye.
24:13Bye.
24:13Bye.
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