Plot Synopsis

As Earth travels around the sun, wildlife across America navigates the changing seasons, and AMERICA'S WILD SEASONS is a four-part documentary series that captures the drama and spectacle of the American wilderness during these seasons. Captured over the course of a full year -- on the ground, in the air and beneath the waves -- this series weaves tales of the diverse and iconic American landscape and the distinctive wildlife that call it home. Each one-hour episode features a different season, including:

Autumn: It's autumn in America and the foliage is showing its colors from the Pacific Northwest to New England. But it's not just the trees that are taking a cue from autumn's chill; across the country, creatures are flying south and stocking up before the long, brutal winter arrives. Witness the busiest of America's wild seasons as we follow Wyoming beavers working their tails off to gather food, white pelicans cruising the Mississippi Flyway on their way south, Montana bighorn sheep playing king-of-the-mountain for mating rights, and more.

Winter: It's winter in America, when darkness falls faster, food grows scarcer, and wildlife is pushed to the limits. Some animals will tough it out during these brutal months while others will turn it into an advantage. Still others will escape to the warmth of the south...where survival is still far from guaranteed. Join us as we explore wild America during the most demanding season of the year, from tiny monarch butterflies to mammoth humpback whales, and from colorless landscapes buried in snow and ice to the vibrant beauty of the aurora borealis.

Spring: Spring is a time of great awakening in America, bringing an explosion of new growth and new life throughout the country. Join us as we track this season of birth and movement, from state-to-state, from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice. We'll witness gulls and eagles feasting on frozen gizzard shad in the thawing Mississippi River, discover the delicate courtship rituals of Florida alligators, observe a horseshoe crab invasion on the Jersey Shore, and more, all captured by a team of award-winning wildlife cinematographers.

Summer: Follow America's creatures as they soak up the sun, look for mates, and fight for survival during a wild summer.

Starting with Autumn, AMERICA'S WILD SEASONS had its U.S. premiere on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel. The series continued through the four seasons -- with a new episode debuting each Wednesday -- ending with Summer on October 28.