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Dec. 28, 2023Humpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland

Who"s that in the spotlight? A humpback whale! These gentle giants are a success story of the Endangered Species Conservation Act. They are found in oceans globally and are renowned for their colossal size and distinctive features. Characterised by their long pectoral fins, which can reach up to one-third of their body length, humpbacks are adept swimmers and acrobats. The hump on their back, visible when they arch before a dive, contributes to their names. Known for their songs, these vocalizations are linked to mating and communication. These "gulp feeders" were once on the edge of extinction due to whaling and entanglement in fishing gear, but thanks to conservation efforts, their population is making a comeback, from around 5,000 in 1966 to an estimated 135,000 today.Desktop Version

Dec. 27, 2023Kirkjufell, Iceland

From glaciers and waterfalls to volcanoes and black sand beaches, Iceland"s Snæfellsnes Peninsula has "GoT" it all. Standing here proudly is the 463-metre-high Kirkjufell. The lofty hill is often referred to as "Church Mountain" due to its distinctive shape resembling a church steeple. You might recognise it from the "Game of Thrones" series, where it featured in a scene set north of the colossal ice wall. Because of its pyramid shape, colours that shift with the seasons, and coastal location, this nunatak—a rock formation that protrudes through an ice sheet or glacier—is a frequent subject for photographers. If you"re lucky and the weather conditions align, Kirkjufell also offers a magnificent view of the northern lights.Desktop Version

Dec. 26, 2023Happy Boxing Day!

The holiday season isn"t quite over yet! December 26 marks Boxing Day—an opportunity to keep the festive spirit going or to enjoy a wintry walk through the local markets while sipping hot chocolate. The origin of the day is thought to come from the old British tradition of giving "boxes" filled with presents to people in need on the day after Christmas; modern Boxing Day is celebrated here in Canada and several other Commonwealth countries. Although this holiday is still associated with giving gifts, it also has other customs. Various events are held across Canada: ice hockey fans gather to cheer on their favourite teams and people gather to enjoy a festive meal and spend time with their families. Just like winter sunshine, the holiday season ends sooner than you think, so make the most of it!Desktop Version

Dec. 25, 2023Christmas Day

Somebody play "Jingle Bells" because Christmas is here! The season begins with the lighting of Christmas trees in town squares and homes, spreading a festive glow. Get your boots on and enjoy winter activities such as skating, skiing, and sledding to welcome the holiday atmosphere. Families gather for wholesome feasts on Christmas Day, often featuring a succulent turkey at the centre of the table. Festive decorations adorn homes, and cities host vibrant parades, events and set up local markets. Additionally, multicultural influences enrich the celebration, with various communities incorporating their customs. We hope that Santa Claus stopped by and left your presents under the tree. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!Desktop Version

Dec. 24, 2023Christmas Eve

There"s a certain magic in knowing that in towns around the world, shops are closing, streets are emptying and friends and families are gathering together to take comfort in the company of one another on Christmas Eve. Each of us have our own traditions, from filling stockings to hosting parties and playing festive music. Today"s snapshot portrays the annual celebration in the Town Hall Square of Tartu, Estonia, which is illuminated with gleaming lights and adorned with a display of Christmas trees. Tartu"s Christmas fair has a merry atmosphere, featuring sleigh rides, fire kettles and wooden animal carousels. All of this is accompanied by smoked meats, hot drinks and crispy gingerbread. Whether you"re watching a classic holiday movie or cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa as the clock strikes twelve, let the Christmas spirit reign on this peaceful night—and don"t forget the milk and cookies!Desktop Version

Dec. 23, 2023Festivus

Sometimes when stuck with family around the holidays, it might be tempting to give them an earful, like this chinstrap penguin is doing here on the South Sandwich Islands. If that sounds appealing, or if you want a break from mandatory seasonal joy, Festivus might be the holiday for you. The secular holiday was popularised in a "Seinfeld" episode in the show"s final season. The Costanza family has a collection of odd traditions, including putting up an aluminum Festivus pole—for its high weight-to-strength ratio—and airing their year-end personal grievances. Since the episode debuted, the holiday has taken on a life of its own both among fans and people looking for an alternative way to celebrate the season. Those who love Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa are welcome to them, and Festivus is for the rest of us.Desktop Version

Dec. 22, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia

What a lovely city! The Slavic word "ljub" means "to love", and it serves as the prefix to Slovenia"s capital city, Ljubljana, and the Ljubljunica River that runs through it. This relatively small capital, with a population just under 300,000, was established on a trade route connecting the northern Adriatic Sea and the Danube region. To the south of the city lies the Ljubljana Marsh, the largest marsh in the country, covering 163 square kilometres. While modern buildings have cropped up on the city"s periphery, the core of the town preserves its historic structures, which have ancient Roman and mediaeval elements. Examples include the Ljubljana Castle, the Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge, and the historic Old Town. Keep an eye out while you stroll around, you might encounter the city"s symbol, the Ljubljana Dragon.Desktop Version

Dec. 21, 2023December solstice

Here"s to a great night out or a cozy night in on the longest night of the year! On this day, the Northern Hemisphere, where Canada is located, is tilted farthest from the sun, resulting in the earliest sunset and the shortest day of the year. Called the December solstice, it marks the official beginning of winter and longer days ahead, giving a nice boost to the festive mood.Desktop Version

Dec. 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy

The Val Gardena valley in Northern Italy is renowned as a tourist destination for skiing, rock climbing, and woodcarving enthusiasts. Don"t let the model village appearance fool you, Val Gardena is a real, yet magical site in the Dolomites of South Tyrol that transforms into a place known as Christmas Valley during the festive season. Wooden huts open their doors to visitors, and a nostalgic cable car ride, each cabin adorned with twinkling fairy lights, travels above the Christmas Village. During the 18th century, the valley became famous for its production of statuettes and intricately carved wooden figurines, which were initially crafted to decorate Catholic churches. Amongst those creations, the peg wooden doll emerged as one of Val Gardena"s best-known products and is still being produced today.Desktop Version

Dec. 19, 2023Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland

During the early days of December, the streets and squares of Warsaw, Poland, get dressed for the festive season. The city is adorned with Christmas decorations and comes alive in the evenings with thousands of sparkling lights. The display continues down the Royal Route, which extends from the Royal Castle at Castle Square to the end of the Old Town of the Polish capital, culminating at the nearly 9-metre-tall Christmas tree in Castle Square. Bundled patrons wander through Warsaw"s Christmas Market at the Square while browsing through seasonal souvenirs and savouring a warm beverage. The Royal Castle and surrounding Old Town have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1980.Desktop Version

Dec. 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Carved by time, wind, and water, Capitol Reef National Park showcases rust-hued cliffs and the natural beauty of the American West. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognised the park"s splendour by designating it as a national monument in 1937, and later it was elevated to a national park in 1971. The park was named after a series of Navajo sandstone domes that were said to resemble the US Capitol Building, while the Waterpocket Fold was referred to as a reef since it obstructed smooth transportation. Known as "a wrinkle in the Earth"s crust," the Waterpocket Fold was carved by eons of erosion. The 161-kilometre-long monocline—a step-like fold—was presumably formed around 50 to 70 million years ago and is home to towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and colourful rock formations.Desktop Version

Dec. 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings

Among their feathered friends, Bohemian waxwings, clad in their elegant greyish-brown plumage, stand out as the wandering singers of the Northern Hemisphere. Their striking appearance comes from the contrast between their velvety grey body and the vibrant, waxy red tips gracing their secondary wing feathers. If alarmed, they freeze with their bill and neck pointing upwards. In winter, they feast upon cotoneaster, juniper, and rowan berries—the latter is their favourite. As spring casts its spell, these nomads engage in nesting. The female waxwings craft the nests, laying 2 to 6 bluish-grey eggs. The hatchlings are fed a diet of insects and fruits by both parents. One can easily spot these sociable birds, as they often gather in chirpy flocks in North America and Eurasia.Desktop Version

Dec. 16, 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium

Located in the heart of Belgium, Brussels is a vibrant capital city that combines rich history with a modern, cosmopolitan feel. Famous for its architecture and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place of Brussels exudes an air of grandeur with its ornate guildhalls and centuries-old buildings.Desktop Version

Dec. 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland

Amid the snowy landscapes of Lapland, Rovaniemi is a captivating winter wonderland that claims to be the official hometown of Santa Claus. This vibrant city in northern Finland is not only a gateway to the Arctic Circle but also a destination where reality and folklore blend seamlessly. Visitors can watch the beautiful Northern Lights, explore the Arctic wilderness and experience the magic of Christmas at SantaPark, pictured in today"s image. The park offers a wide range of activities, including elf workshops where skilled artisans craft timeless treasures and fun train rides through the park. Rovaniemi is also the capital city of Lapland and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Finland.Desktop Version

Dec. 14, 2023Boreal owl

In the world of birdwatching, the Christmas Bird Count is a fun highlight of the year. This annual bird census was first launched in 1900. The first bird count involved just 27 people spread over 25 locations in Canada and the US. Since then, the count has grown exponentially, with more than 2,360 locations across the Western Hemisphere participating.Desktop Version

Dec. 13, 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Housed in the Arctic Circle, Norway"s Lofoten Islands are a crossroads of traditional life and modern industry. One of two towns in Lofoten, Svolvaer boasts a long history as a fishing village. Before it became a town of its own, it was part of the town of Vågan, where people have lived for over 1,000 years. Beyond fishing, it also serves as a sanctuary for travellers looking for a peaceful getaway, with as many as 200,000 visitors in a single year. The traditional rorbu houses, built on poles over water, add a distinctive layer of charm to the town. These cabins were once made for travelling fishermen and have now been refurbished to meet contemporary tastes.Desktop Version

Dec. 12, 2023Poinsettia Day

During the holiday season, poinsettias are often seen adorning homes and festive displays, serving as symbols of goodwill and community spirit. Joel Robert Poinsett, a botanist and former minister to Mexico, introduced the plant to other countries to spread appreciation of its beauty. Poinsettias can be found in nature from Mexico to Guatemala, and the ancestors of the modern, commercially available version have been traced to the Mexican state of Guerrero. The crimson-leaved plant was used by the Aztecs as a red dye and as a fever-reducing medicine.Desktop Version

Dec. 11, 2023International Mountain Day

Peek at your calendars! December 11 is International Mountain Day, a special day designated by the United Nations General Assembly back in 2003. The theme for this year"s commemoration is "Restoring mountain ecosystems," connecting with the UN"s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.Desktop Version

Dec. 10, 2023Sand dunes in the Sahara, Algeria

The Sahara is a vast expanse of desert in North Africa that spans over 7,770,000 square kilometres. The wilderness" vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and occasional oases create a landscape like no other. Although it is the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara is home to a variety of unique life, including drought-resistant plants like acacia and palm trees and hardy animals such as camels and fennec foxes. One of the Sahara"s intriguing features is its constantly shifting sand dunes, pictured in today"s image, some of which can reach heights of over 152 metres. The desert also holds historical significance; ancient rock art and fossils have been discovered, providing insights into early human civilisations and prehistoric creatures. Sandstorms are common, shaping the ever-changing scenery and adding to the mystique of this natural wonder.Desktop Version

Dec. 9, 2023Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina

Pack your bags and plan a trip to the Andes mountains to catch a glimpse of a guanaco, the wild cousin of the domesticated llama. Guanacos are believed to have originated in the central plains of North America approximately 40 million years ago. However, they gradually migrated to South America, where they were domesticated around 4,500 BCE, gaining the llama moniker.Desktop Version

Dec. 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey

Just off the coast of Normandy, France, lies Jersey, a British island with a Norse name. Found on the southeastern shore of the island is La Rocque Harbour, home to a white, sandy beach and an elevated walkway that stretches out into the water. The shoreline"s granite and plutonic rocks, which originated more than 420 million years ago, showcase a variety of colours and textures. Visible from the harbour are the round, stubby Icho Tower and the taller Seymour Tower, built in the 18th and 19th centuries, respectively, as coastal defence structures. Both structures are over 548 metres away from the shore and can be reached on foot with a sturdy pair of shoes, but only on the days of the year where the tide is lowest.Desktop Version

Dec. 7, 2023Verdon Gorge, France

Stretching nearly 100 kilometres, the Verdon Gorge is Europe"s largest canyon, with majestic cliffs climbing up to 750 metres in height. The emerald hue of the Verdon River"s waters, hidden far below this blanket of clouds, lends its name to this spectacular natural site, shaped by millions of years of erosion. Visitors or residents of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Hiking in the southeast of France can visit the canyon for rock climbing, kayaking, paragliding—the adventure options are endless. If you find yourself in Marseille or Nice, a day trip may be in order.Desktop Version

Dec. 6, 2023Computer Science Week

Computer science is a dynamically developing discipline that has changed our lives rapidly within a few decades and is in constant evolution. This week, we celebrate information systems and their never-ending potential to connect the world, 24 hours a day. The European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN—the birthplace of the World Wide Web— is an ideal setting to celebrate Computer Science Week. The CERN centre in Switzerland has dedicated The Globe of Science and Innovation, an 27-metre-tall building seen in today"s image, to its visitors and offers engagement and knowledge about the research carried out by the organisation. Quiet observers can wander around exhibitions and follow guided tours, and curious minds can take part in lab workshops and science shows for a first-hand experience.Desktop Version

Dec. 5, 2023Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, Bavaria, Germany

The Bavarian Alps, a majestic mountain range in southern Germany, are home to two castles: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century. This Romanesque Revival palace is renowned for its fairy-tale-like architecture, towers and breathtaking mountain backdrop. Across the valley, gazing out over Lake Alpsee, is the equally spectacular Hohenschwangau Castle, built by Ludwig II"s father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. These two castles boast rich interiors, displaying intricate artwork and historical artifacts. Both castles attract millions of visitors every year, offering a glimpse into the opulent past of Bavaria.Desktop Version

Dec. 4, 2023Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

In the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, where the African savanna stretches as far as the eye can see, cheetahs reign as the sprinting champions of the wildlife kingdom, with measured speeds up to 129 kilometres per hour. Cheetahs, with their sleek bodies and black spots, thrive in this vast expanse, alertly watching for signs of prey. The reserve is known for its exceptional East African cheetah population. Sadly, habitat loss and human influence threaten their survival; hence, conservation efforts are crucial to protecting these incredible animals. Masai Mara stands as a vital stronghold for cheetahs, where the synergy between the landscapes and the unparalleled speed of these big cats creates a captivating spectacle.Desktop Version

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