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America the Beautiful Episode 101 - "Land of Heroes"

Never-before-seen stories of heroic animals — endearing, majestic, and downright bizarre — play out against a breath-taking backdrop of America’s most iconic landscapes. Aerial cameras take viewers on a thrilling journey from the ice caps to the desert, from sea to shining sea. From grizzlies hunting caribou in the Alaskan mountains to prairie dogs battling a tornado, find out what it takes to be an American hero.

To download high-res images, click on the image and then use the Download button in the overlay that appears.

  • In the hope of impressing a mate, a male roadrunner catches a lizard and displays it proudly before the female. (National Geographic for Disney+/Neil Anderson)

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    In the hope of impressing a mate, a male roadrunner catches a lizard and displays it proudly before the female. (National Geographic for Disney+/Neil Anderson)

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  • Mother caribou must keep their calves on the move as they traverse the beautiful but brutal Alaskan wilderness. (National Geographic for Disney+/Florian Schulz)

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    Mother caribou must keep their calves on the move as they traverse the beautiful but brutal Alaskan wilderness. (National Geographic for Disney+/Florian Schulz)

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  • While harassed by her offspring, a Black-tailed Prairie Dog mom takes a stretch. (National Geographic for Disney+/Dawson Dunning)

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    While harassed by her offspring, a Black-tailed Prairie Dog mom takes a stretch. (National Geographic for Disney+/Dawson Dunning)

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  • An American alligator drifts slowly through its watery world, on the lookout for prey such as White tailed deer. (National Geographic for Disney+/Austin Ferguson)

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    An American alligator drifts slowly through its watery world, on the lookout for prey such as White tailed deer. (National Geographic for Disney+/Austin Ferguson)

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  • A common dolphin surfing a wave off the coast of California. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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    A common dolphin surfing a wave off the coast of California. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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  • After dolphins, sea lions and sea birds have all eaten their fill of an anchovy bait ball, a humpback whale arrives late to the party. (National Geographic for Disney+/Ryan Lawler)

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    After dolphins, sea lions and sea birds have all eaten their fill of an anchovy bait ball, a humpback whale arrives late to the party. (National Geographic for Disney+/Ryan Lawler)

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  • Caribou traverse a snowcapped ridge in Nelchina Public Use Area. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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    Caribou traverse a snowcapped ridge in Nelchina Public Use Area. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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  • Caribou grazing on grass amongst the high peaks of Nelchina Public Usea Area. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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    Caribou grazing on grass amongst the high peaks of Nelchina Public Usea Area. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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  • A Caribou runs along a ridge, flanked by snowcapped mountains. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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    A Caribou runs along a ridge, flanked by snowcapped mountains. (National Geographic for Disney+/Nick Hawkins)

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  • A Western diamondback rattlesnake travels through the scorching desert in search of prey. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A Western diamondback rattlesnake travels through the scorching desert in search of prey. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • A spicebush swallowtail caterpillar well camouflaged against a forest bathed in fall colors. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A spicebush swallowtail caterpillar well camouflaged against a forest bathed in fall colors. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • An Oak toad takes cover from predators, such as a garter snake, inside a snail shell. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    An Oak toad takes cover from predators, such as a garter snake, inside a snail shell. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • An Oak Toad on the hunt for dinner amongst the tropical forests of southern Florida. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    An Oak Toad on the hunt for dinner amongst the tropical forests of southern Florida. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • A burrowing owl keeps an eye out for changes in the weather. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A burrowing owl keeps an eye out for changes in the weather. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • A Grizzly bear mother and her two young cubs hot on the trail of a Caribou herd. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A Grizzly bear mother and her two young cubs hot on the trail of a Caribou herd. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • A Caribou on high alert for predators, flanked by the rising peaks of Nelchina Public Use Area. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A Caribou on high alert for predators, flanked by the rising peaks of Nelchina Public Use Area. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • It's Caribou calfing season in Nelchina, Alaska, and that only means one thing for Grizzly bears: dinner. This Grizzly has sniffed a Caribou herd, and is on their trail. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    It's Caribou calfing season in Nelchina, Alaska, and that only means one thing for Grizzly bears: dinner. This Grizzly has sniffed a Caribou herd, and is on their trail. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • A mega pod of common dolphins gather in the waters off California. These mega pods can number up to 10,000 individuals. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    A mega pod of common dolphins gather in the waters off California. These mega pods can number up to 10,000 individuals. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • Storm clouds rolling in over the American prairie. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    Storm clouds rolling in over the American prairie. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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  • Sunrise penetrates through the early morning mist in the Southern swamps, revealing an American alligator on the lookout for an unsuspecting victim. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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    Sunrise penetrates through the early morning mist in the Southern swamps, revealing an American alligator on the lookout for an unsuspecting victim. (National Geographic for Disney+)

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