That's me, Fred the house cat.

When my family leaves for the day, I don't just sit inside watching the world go by.

I become...

Nature Cat!

Backyard explorer extraordinaire!

♪ Oh, go, go, go ♪ ♪ Tally-ho ♪ ♪ Go, go, go ♪ ♪ Tally-ho ♪ ♪ We're climbing up the trees now ♪ ♪ We're swinging through the breeze now ♪ ♪ We're getting muddy knees now ♪ ♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat, Nature Cat ♪ ♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat, Nature Cat ♪ ♪ So what are we waiting for ♪ ♪ We're so excited to explore ♪ ♪ All that nature has in store ♪ ♪ With Nature Cat Go, go, go ♪ ♪ Tally-ho ♪ ♪ Go, go, go Tally-ho ♪ ♪ He's our favourite nature guy ♪ ♪ We just can't wait to get... ♪ Outside!

♪ Swinging through the trees now ♪ ♪ We're jumping in the leaves now ♪ ♪ We're getting muddy knees now ♪ ♪ With Nature Cat ♪ ♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat Tally-ho ♪ ♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat Tally-ho ♪ (Nature Cat): The leaf fairy.

(birds chirping) (soft music) (Hal): I'll need my favourite bone, and my second favourite water bowl, some snacks, some more snacks... You know I'm the right dog for this secret mission, right, Chewinsky?

(squeaking) Oh, thank you for your support, Mr. Chewinsky!

I love ya, baby!

Hal, my pal!

Whatcha doing?

Can't talk now, I'm on a secret mission!

Oh, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that I'm going on a secret mission!

It's okay, because the mission is still a secret.

Nary I know what the mission is!

Phew, because if I told you the mission was to stop all the fall leaves from falling off all the fall trees, then I really would've been telling you my secret mission!

(Daisy): A secret mission to stop the fall leaves from falling from the trees?

A-say what?!

What are you talkin' about, big dog?

(whispering): My mission has been compromised.

But why do you want to stop the leaves from falling off the trees?

Well, because...

I mean, look at those beautiful leaves!

(Nature Cat): Haha, yes!

Mine eyes see the robust reds and outrageous oranges.

(Daisy): And purples and yellows!

I know, it's like a party in my eyes and everybody is invited!

So, what's the problem then, Hal?

It's just not fair that the leaves fall to the ground!

The colourful fall leaves are so beautiful, they need to stay up there now, and forever, and always!

Is that too much to ask?

Tough question...

Uh, Daisy, you wanna take this one?

Or...

I plead the fifth.

I need to get ready for my secret mission!

Uh, so, uh, about that secret mission... How exactly are you going to stop the leaves from falling?

You're either with me or with me!

Secret mission time!

Well, if those are the only two choices, then I'm with you, baby!

Me too!

Me too, too, as well!

You see what I did there?

'Cause in this episode I'm like the Hal.

So I-- (gasps) Wait for me!

(upbeat music) (Nature Cat): Hal?

Yeah?

So, how exactly are you going to stop the fall leaves from falling?

Find the Leaf Fairy.

Leaf Fairy?

Yep!

And I'm gonna stop her from using Leaf Fairy Magic to make all the leaves fall.

Um, who told you this was how to stop leaves from falling?

Well, my best friend Charlie the Dog knows a dog whose best friend's sister's best friend's cousin's best friend's brother, who just so happens to be my best friend Charlie the Dog, told me about the Leaf Fairy.

Hal, you had me at Charlie the Dog.

I'm in!

Me too!

Which way is the Leaf Fairy so we can stop her?

Wait!

How can you really be sure that there even is a Leaf Fairy?

Then how can you explain all the leaves turning colours and then falling from the trees, Daisy?

Huh.

I can't.

Then you're either with me or with me!

(together): With you!

With me!

Onward and yonward to find the Leaf Fairyward!

Tally-ho!

Leaf Fairy?!

Show yourself!

Leaf Fairy!?

Leaf Fairy?!

Leaf Fairy?!

Leaf Fairy!

Oh, Leaf Fairy, where are you?

It's me, Hal!

(shouting) (grunting) (Daisy gasps) (Daisy): It's not the Leaf Fairy, but Gracie hibernating!

Now, to find Leaf Fairy...

Leaf Fairy?

Leaf Fairy?!

Oh, Leaf Fairy, where are you?

(geese squawking) (Hal): Excuse me, Goosies?

Have you seen the Leaf Fairy?

They don't have time to stop, Hal.

They're flying south for the winter.

Oh, the pretty colours not staying on the trees is so... wasteful!

Like the trees are just throwing the leaves in the trash!

We must find the Leaf Fairy and stop this madness!

But how?

We've looked everywhere!

(Daisy): Hey, I've never seen tracks like those before!

(gasps) (Hal): Fairy tracks!

They gotta be Fairy tracks!

Come on!

(gasping) (leaves rustling) (Nature Cat): Fairy sounds!

This is it!

Get ready to stop the Leaf Fairy!

And don't fall for any of those Leaf Fairy magic tricks!

No idea what you're talking about, but we are with you, Hal!

(leaves rustling) Hello!

A chickadee?

Oh, I thought you were the Leaf Fairy!

Uh-uh, the name's Leslie.

Sorry that I'm not the Leaf Fairy, but there's no such thing as a Leaf Fairy.

Oh, yes there is!

Allow me to explain.

We are on a top-secret mission... ...to stop the colourful fall leaves from falling off the trees... ...by stopping the Leaf Fairy!

Oh.

Well, I can tell you why the trees drop their leaves, even why the leaves change colours!

And it's not by a Leaf Fairy.

It has to be the Leaf Fairy.

Hal, I'm not so sure you can handle the truth.

Of course I can handle the truth, Leslie!

I mean, I can handle and I can truth, and all at the same time, obviously.

Come on, I'll show you why trees drop their leaves in the fall.

Oh, hey!

That's where Gracie's hibernating!

(geese squawking) And more goosies are getting ready for the winter by heading south.

Hi, Goosies!

It's me, Hal!

Well, like animals, some kinds of plants also need to get ready for winter.

Man-oh-man!

I have some garden plants that look like they die every fall, but then grow again in the spring.

They must do something special to get ready for winter!

Yep, see this plant?

Everything above ground dies, but the roots stay alive under the ground.

That's one way some plants survive winter.

Some trees drop their leaves in the fall and go dormant.

They slow way down, and stop growing.

Sort of like Gracie's hibernating.

I just wish those leaves can stay all red and beautifully up there forever.

But if the Leaf Fairy doesn't make the leaves fall and change colour, then, then, what does?!

Oh, we gotta go back to when the leaves are green and still on the tree.

(Leslie): The leaves are working hard to make food for the tree so it can grow.

(Squeeks): Oh!

You're talking photosynthesis!

We learned that Season Three in our Nature Plant episode!

Oh-ho!

Now, that episode was a hoot!

Can we roll a quick clip, Phil?

Because plants need water, and carbon dioxide, and the sun so they can make their own food.

That's how plants make green beans!

And it's how strawberries and tomatoes and trees and grass grow!

It's all because of photosynthesis!

Now, that was really weird.

But right!

(Leslie): When the days get shorter, these trees stop making food in their leaves.

And because the leaves aren't making food anymore, the colour changes from green to other colours.

(Hal): The reds and yellows and purples and oranges!

Oh no, there goes another leaf!

Why!?

Oh, why are these leaves falling?!

Because the food factory is closed for the winter, and the tree doesn't need the leaves anymore, Hal!

(Leslie): Right on, Nature Cat!

Dropping the leaves makes it easier for the tree to save energy by slowing down until the spring.

Then it will use the food it stored in the fall to grow new leaves so it can start making food again.

(together): Yay!

And that, Hal, is the truth about fall leaves.

There is no Leaf Fairy, and you should really want the leaves to fall.

Oh, okay!

No Leaf Fairy!

(nervous chuckling) Leaves should fall.

Oh, I can't handle the truth!

(all): Hal!

Wait!

Hal!

We're with you, remember?!

Hal, my pal!

Hal, where are you?!

Hal!

Oh, I was worried that Hal couldn't handle the truth.

Hey!

Hey, hey, hey!

I think I found Hal!

Follow me!

Hal?

Where's Hal?!

Hal?!

You okay, buddy?

(Hal): There's no Hal in here!

Hal?

No one's judging you, okay?

You wanna come out?

Halbert Alexander Dog!

Yes?

Hello.

Hal, why are you so sad?

It's just that since I can't stop the leaves from falling, then they'll all just blow away.

Bye, yellow leaf.

Bye, orange leaf.

Oh, bye, other little orange leaf.

Oh, bye, other, other orange leaf.

Oh, what a waste of leaves!

Oh, Hal.

It's not a waste!

The leaves may not be making food anymore, but they can still help nature!

Oh, yeah?

Like what?

Look under here.

(Leslie): Under leaves are where lots of bugs, snails and other small critters spend the cold winter.

(Hal): I would never ever want little buggies or snailsy-wailsies to be cold in the winter.

I guess leaves are like a blanket, huh?

Yep!

And leaves are also good for the soil!

Oh, oh, oh!

I know this one, Leslie!

The leaves break down and feed the soil, which helps the flowers and veggies and other plants grow.

I love hearing that leaves have a future helping plants.

I can handle the truth, Leslie!

I understand why it's important for leaves to turn colours and fall in the fall!

But I'm still going to miss them.

Buh-bye, red leaf.

Oh, Hal.

You don't have to say goodbye to the colourful leaves.

Really?

Really, really!

So, you put the leaves inside books, and keep them in there for a few weeks.

And when done... Dun-duh-duh-duh!

They'll look like this and will keep their beautiful colour for longer!

I can decorate my dog house with these!

Let's make a lot!

Thanks, Leslie!

Oh, you're welcome, Hal!

(giggling) (Nature Cat): Midge over tr oubled water.

(Hal): Here comes Hal!

Like lightning through the slalom!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

And another whoosh too, too, baby!

Hal, what are you doing?

Getting ready for Nature Cat's big ski day, obviously.

Ski day?

But it's summer!

Sorry, Brendan, looks like I don't need you after all.

(clicking) Whoa!

(shouting) (crashing) Hal!

You can't go snow skiing on a hot, summer day!

Ha!

But Nature Cat said he was skiing today!

What kind of skiing is he skiing with skis?

(Nature Cat): Well, since we are by the water, I thought we should do a little... waterskiing!

(all): Waterskiing?!

But you don't like to go in the water, Nature Cat.

And you certainly don't like getting wet!

And water scares you too, too, also, also, also!

(gasps) A third also for emphasis!

True.

I do worry about getting wet, but luckily, I am such an amazing waterskier I never end up in the water.

Like, ever!

(all): Really?!

Observe!

Houston, fire up the boat!

Yes, sir!

(engine rumbling) Let us do this thing.

Tally-ho!

Woo-hoo!

Haha!

(Squeeks): Whoa, Nature Cat!

Sweet!

(Hal): Woo-hoo!

Go, Nature Cat!

Sir, looks like some sort of trouble ahead.

Haha!

No rain cloud can stop this waterskiing cat!

I don't think it is a rain cloud, sir.

I think it is a cloud of bugs.

A cloud of what?!

(shouting) Yuck-yuck-yuck-yuck-yucky!

Ahh!

I'm wet!

I'm wet!

The bugs are in my nose and I'm wet!

(shivering) What happened, Nature Cat?

I waterskied through millions of bugs!

Egh!

Argh!

Egh!

Ugh!

(buzzing) (sighing) I'm guessing those are the bugs.

Nose bugs, super freaky!

Maybe they're mosquitos.

I don't know, Hal.

This looks a little different than a mosquito and it hasn't bitten me yet.

Maybe they're something else.

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

(whirring) Six legs!

(Daisy): That means it's an insect.

(Houston): And I see feathery antennae.

(Squeeks): Hey!

That's like moths!

But it doesn't look like a moth.

Let's run my Insect Identifying Software.

(beeping) (Houston): It's a tiny fly called a midge.

There are lots of kinds of midges.

Some bite and some don't.

This is the kind that doesn't bite.

Midge?

Midge?

Is that even a word?

Midge?

Midge.

A whole swarm of midges!

Wow!

Midges or no midges, today I'm waterskiing, and no tiny, little bug is gonna stop me.

Haha!

Time for the kitty corkscrew twist!

Woo-hoo!

Man-oh-man!

Ten out of ten!

(all cheering) Heading for the midge swarm again.

Go around them, Houston!

Around!

Why aren't we going around?

Too many midges, sir.

(shouting) Argh!

Argh!

Ah, my nose!

They're heading for my nose!

(screaming) (shivering) Nature Cat, are you okay?

(buzzing) Not again!

Ahh!

Ah...

I'm fine now.

But how am I going to waterski with all of those midges on the lake?!

(Daisy): Hey, look what we discovered, Nature Cat!

Maybe this can help.

When I raise my arm, they fly around it away from my face.

That's perfect, Daisy!

I can waterski with one hand in the air!

Houston, let's ride!

(buzzing) Midges dead ahead, sir.

I'm ready, Houston!

(grunting) I don't think I can waterski with just one hand!

Whoa!

Ahh!

Not the nose!

Not the nose!

(Nature Cat exclaiming) (grunting) Ahh!

That's it!

I'm done playing Mr. Nice Kitty with these midges.

If I want to waterski today, there is only one thing I can do.

The old swat and ski!

Houston, to the boat!

Uh, Nature Cat, you shouldn't try and swat the midges.

Aren't you the one who is always telling us to respect nature and all living things?

Yes!

But these are just annoying little bugs!

Midges couldn't possibly be good for anything.

Oh, yes they are!

Midges do lots!

And possibly something else.

Midges are just here to be annoying and prevent me from waterskiing!

Well, not today!

(Daisy): Hold on, Nature Cat.

Maybe the midges aren't important to you, but they may be important to something else.

Yeah, things in nature are connected to each other.

Remember Flo the heron and the pond where she lived?

Yeah, when the algae went away, so did the fish, and then Flo had no fish to eat.

Fine!

Let's see why midges are worth caring about.

Yes!

Houston, fire up the boat!

Yes, ma'am.

Approaching the swarm!

(buzzing) Onward and swarmward!

Not too close!

Not too close!

Houston, let's take a look at what these midges are doing.

(Houston): Already on it, ma'am.

(beeping) (Houston): According to this, it appears the male midges swarm like this to attract female midges.

Once they mate, the females lay their eggs on the water.

And those eggs sink to the bottom, and when they hatch, the baby midges are called larvae.

Ooh!

Baby midges!

Oh, I wanna see that!

Don't you, Nature Cat?

That depends on if they're in my nose or not.

The larvae will be in the water, not your nose, sir.

(beeping) (whirring) (beeping) Oh, hi, cute little larvae.

It's me, Hal.

What are ya doing?

Eating, sir.

Oh!

Eating what?

All this midge watching is making me hungry.

Looks like some kind of algae, ma'am.

They're also eating decaying plant and animal matter.

Are you trying to tell me that these midges help keep the lake water clean?

I believe so.

Hmm.

Then I guess midges are important to me.

I'd certainly rather ski in a clean lake!

Too bad they can't just stay in the water.

That they do not, sir.

The larvae grow and transform into an adult midge.

(Houston): That's when they form wings and fly!

Wow!

Did you see that?

The fish are eating the midges.

Wow!

They're dragonfly food, too!

So, midges help keep the water clean, and they feed other animals?

Midges aren't just annoying little creatures, they're annoying little treasures!

I shall never swat another midge as long as I live!

(buzzing) (Daisy): You okay, Nature Cat?

(grunting) (groaning) I appreciate midges, but I do not like them in my nose.

I guess no waterskiing today.

Let's take the boat home, Houston!

Yes, sir.

(Daisy): Wait, Houston!

Yes, ma'am?

Nature Cat, maybe there's a way for you to waterski without the midges flying in your nose.

How?

Oh!

I have an idea!

We can dress like midges and do a midgey-midge dance to attract the midges towards us, leaving you to waterski the day away.

Hal, I don't think that'll work.

Did I mention that we'll be in midge costumes?

(chuckling) I don't think you heard me.

I said midge costumes!

(together): Oh!

(all): Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Wee!

Oh, it's not working, Hal.

Maybe we just need to put a little more midge in our step!

(all): Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

It's working!

Let's ride, Houston!

Yes, sir.

(Hal and Squeeks): Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Is this actually working?

Don't worry about it and keep dancing, baby!

(all): Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Do the midgey-midge!

Ah!

The midges are flying up my nose!

Mine too!

Mine too, also, even!

(shouting) Well, I guess that didn't work.

Ah!

I can finally waterski in peace.

I think you spoke too soon, sir.

(buzzing) (shouting) Whoa!

Phew!

(squawking) Mother.

Ahh!

(buzzing) (grunting) And stay out!

Aww!

I didn't even get a chance to waterski.

I'm not giving up!

Yeah!

If we want to have fun but not be annoyed by the midges, we need something to stop them from flying up our noses.

You know, in my house, they use screens on the windows to keep bugs from getting in when the window's open.

So, we just need the same material they use for screens!

Screens are made from netting.

What are we waiting for?

Let's make some midge screens and start waterskiing!

Midges are in front of us, ma'ams and sirs.

We are protected and ready, Houston!

Tally-ho!

It's working!

(giggling) The midges aren't going in our noses!

Ba-bam!

We're waterskiing and we're not bothering nature!

And it's all thanks to my nature-loving pals!

Thanks, friends.

Onward and waterskiward!

(cheering) (upbeat music) Subtitling: difuze (♪) (♪)