
- Playing
- The Fifth Season
- From
- Marfa Public Radio
In the Chihuahuan Desert region, we spend fall, winter, spring and summer dreaming of and talking about our fifth season—the rainy season. Local wags will tell you it starts on July 4th—with a crash of thunder, a gust of wind, and a torrential downpour that causes Independence Day celebrants to scurry for cover and ranchers to sigh in relief. What does this fifth season’s arrival mean for our plant and animal neighbors?
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Learning to vocalize is a surprisingly unusual ability in the animal world. How do young songbirds master their musical talents?
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Harvester Ants
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From: Marfa Public Radio
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Triops
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These tiny crustaceans come to life for just a short while during our rainy season, but their eggs can wait decades to hatch and ride the wind for hundreds of miles.
Spadefoot Desert Chorale
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Summer storms send many desert frogs and toads into a raucous reproductive frenzy. What role do their choruses play in their hasty courtship?
Attracting Pollinators
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Animals and insects aren’t being altruistic when they pollinate a plant. So how do plants attract and reward them for their services?
Rotifer Diversity
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Piece Description
In the Chihuahuan Desert region, we spend fall, winter, spring and summer dreaming of and talking about our fifth season—the rainy season. Local wags will tell you it starts on July 4th—with a crash of thunder, a gust of wind, and a torrential downpour that causes Independence Day celebrants to scurry for cover and ranchers to sigh in relief. What does this fifth season’s arrival mean for our plant and animal neighbors?
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sky (Reprise) | Dan Gibson, Bill Brennan, Rob Piltch | Country Retreat. | Solitudes | 2000 | 00:00 |
Additional Credits
Host Dallas Baxter. Written by Cathryn Hoyt.




