Behind the Scenes of Threatened Season 3

August 18, 2022

We’re pleased to offer a behind-the-scenes look at Threatened, season 3. Enjoy scrolling through these pictures from the field, stories from the producers, and more!

^{‘Akepa © Bret Mossman}

The third season of Threatened whisked us away to some of the most remote and sonically mystifying spots within the Hawaiian Islands. We heard heartbreaking and uplifting stories about the birds native to Hawai‘i, like the Palilia, the ʻAlalā, and the ‘Ua‘u. We met people who are working tirelessly to ensure that these birds’ songs will be heard in Hawai‘i by future generations. And we learned how the lives of Hawaiian birds are forever connected to the lives of Hawaiian people.

The Episode Artwork

Each episode of Threatened, season 3 is accompanied by individual block-printed artwork – all by Caren Loebel-Fried.

^{Palila birds by Caren Loebel-Fried}

The episode artwork for Threatened: The Mosquito Problem

The episode artwork for Threatened: Rewriting the Story of Extinction

The episode artwork for Threatened: Saving the ʻAlalā

The episode artwork for Threatened: Hope for the ‘Ua‘u

Caren is an artist and author from Volcano, Hawai‘i, who learned the ancient art of block printing from her mother. She creates award-winning books for children through adults, and art for conservation organizations, government agencies, and Hawaiian cultural organizations, providing educational materials about wildlife and conservation, and cultural connections. You can view Caren Loebel-Fried's gallery and learn more about her work on her website.

Artist Caren Loebel-Fried looks at her work hanging in the window.

Artist Caren Loebel-Fried, smiling, looks at her work in a book.

^{Photos of Caren Loebel-Fried by Jessie Eden}

Snapshots From the Field

Jessie Eden

Jessie Eden is a reporter and biologist who brought us stories in "Protecting Palila," "Saving the ʻAlalā," and "Hope for the ‘Ua‘u." Here, Jessie is standing next to a 'Ohi'a lehua plant, on Mauna Loa. You can see more of Jessie's photos from the field below.

A mural on a wall that depicts a Palila bird with the word "Palila" written in yellow font over a blue background.

Jessie Eden treks through a rainforest trail.

An 'Akepa is pictured close up, with its left eye facing the viewer.

A mural painted on a wall that includes many birds, fish, wildlife, and plants of Hawai‘i

Charlotte Forbes Perry

Charlotte Forbes Perry is a wildlife biologist with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and Volcanoes National Park. She and Jessie Eden journey to Mauna Loa in search of the ‘Ua’u on the season 3 finale of Threatened. View the pictures below for scenes from that trip.

Charlotte Forbes Perry stands and smiles before an expansive landscape.

Charlotte Forbes Perry sits in a chair, bundled up, looking up to a starry night.

Charlotte Forbes Perry stands, looking down at the ground with research equipment in her hands.

An orange tent is pitched before an expansive vista.

Bret Mossman

Bret Mossman is a wildlife biologist with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. Bret is featured in "Hope for the ‘Ua‘u." Scroll below to see some of Bret's snapshots, which include extraordinary images of Hawaiian birds.

An ‘I‘iwi bird is perched on a branch with its head tilted upside down as it picks its beak at a flower.

A 'Io hawk is perched at the end of a branch, with its wings almost outstretched, before blue sky.

A Palila bird is pictured before a green background, facing slightly toward the viewer's right.

An ʻAlalā is perched on a tree branch before green leaves.

Alex Wang

Alex Wang is a wildlife biologist with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hawai'i. You can hear his fascinating discussion with Jessie Eden in "Protecting Palila." View some of Alex's pictures from the field, below.

A Palila bird is pictured from its right side

An ‘I‘iwi is perched on a flowering plant.

An ‘Alawi is being held by a human hand before a purple background.

An ‘Akepa is perched on a tree branch surrounded by green leaves.

Rick San Nicolas' Featherworking Studio: photos by Savannah Harriman-Pote

Rick San Nicolas sits at his featherworking studio.

Rick San Nicolas is a master featherworker, carrying on a tradition of making elaborate feather garments that dates back centuries in Hawai’i. He’s recreating the famous pā‘ū, or skirt, given to Hawaii’s Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena nearly 200 years ago on Maui. Listen to "Rewriting the Story of Extinction" to hear Rick's conversation with producer Savannah Harriman-Pote. View Rick's work and pieces from his collection by scrolling through the photos below.

Master featherworker Rick San Nicolas looks down and into a drawer at a piece of his collection.

Three pieces from Rick San Nicolas' collection hang framed on a wall.

Pieces from Rick San Nicolas' collection are stood atop of a dresser. The middle piece is in a glass casing.

Pieces from Rick San Nicolas' collection are displayed in the main studio.

The third season of Threatened was made possible by the people like you who are inspired to take action for birds and conservation. Thank you for listening to the podcast, and for going on this adventure with us to the Hawaiian Islands.

You can support BirdNote's production of the next season! Sign up for BirdNote+ today to help advance our conservation mission, and to get BirdNote podcasts completely ad-free.