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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is an untamed wilderness of cliffs and canyons nestled in the heart of southern Utah. The Grand Staircase is a fascinating sequence of five majestic sandstone cliffs, rising approximately 1,675 metres across the expanse of the monument. Each step displays a different era in Earth"s geologic history, a showcase of time that is unrivalled by any other place on the planet. Archaeologists have found prehistoric artefacts, petrified wood, and fossils dating back over 75 million years ago, from the Cretaceous Period. In human history, the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont people mastered the art of farming in this challenging terrain. They ingeniously constructed granaries to store and preserve their bountiful harvests. Today, it is a splendid getaway for nature enthusiasts and travellers seeking adventure.Desktop Version
Annas hummingbird
Annas hummingbird
Meet the tiny, feathered acrobat that flitters in the skies. Anna"s hummingbird was named after a French courtier, Anna de Belle Massena, Duchess of Rivoli. We can enjoy the year-round presence of these birds in Canada since they can withstand cooler climates and are able to slow down their metabolism, a state known as torpor. Anna"s hummingbirds, weighing less than a loonie, have a wingspan of 12 centimetres. They can beat their wings over 40-50 times per second, enabling them to hover and even fly backwards with ease.Desktop Version
An engineering marvel
An engineering marvel
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Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site
Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site
Perched on the rugged coastline of Esquimalt Harbour, the Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site is a specimen of maritime history. Built on Fisgard Island in 1860, it was the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. The 15-metre bricked tower guided mariners through the treacherous Strait of Juan de Fuca. Operated by generations of dedicated keepers, it became automated in 1929 after which its light beamed in a "one second on/one second off" pattern also known as isophase light. Visitors today can explore the keeper"s house-turned-museum to uncover tales of shipwrecks and the intrepid lightkeepers who kept the flame alight, ensuring the safe passage of seafarers. The Fisgard Lighthouse continues to illuminate the past, captivating those who come to uncover its storied legacy.Desktop Version
Boxing Day
Boxing Day
As the last notes of Christmas carols linger in the air, Boxing Day arrives. This day is celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries. In the past, it was customary for the wealthy to give boxes filled with gifts to their servants on the day after Christmas. The tradition evolved into a day for charitable giving to the less fortunate. Today, while the spirit of giving remains, it has transformed into a holiday centred around enjoying bustling sales and a lineup of football matches.Desktop Version
Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Welcome to nature"s bowling alley. Bowling Ball Beach on the Mendocino Coast in California is named after the striking rock formations strewn across the shore. These sandstone balls—a phenomenon known as concretions—formed over millions of years as sedimentary layers built up around a central core of sand and stone held together by mineral cement. Erosion gradually wore away the outer layers to expose the spherical shapes we see today. This created a fascinating spectacle that only appears at low tide. Concretions are rare, and there has been plenty of wild speculation about where they come from, with some believing them to be extraterrestrial debris while others wondering if they are dinosaur fossils. The answer, however, is quite simple: it is the forces of nature at play.Desktop Version
Surrounded by a sea of sand
Surrounded by a sea of sand
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A scented sea of purple
A scented sea of purple
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Victoria Day
Victoria Day
Every May, Canadians roll out the red carpet and prep the fireworks for a queen who never set foot here. Victoria Day marks Queen Victoria"s birthday—24 May—and has been observed since 1845, celebrated on the Monday preceding that date. Officially recognised as a holiday in the mid-19th century, it"s a nod to the country"s colonial roots and a reminder of the queen"s lasting influence. It"s more than just a long weekend; for many, it marks the unofficial start of summer, with parades, picnics and festivities across the country, particularly in British Columbia.Desktop Version
A beach of many colours
A beach of many colours
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World Teachers Day
World Teachers Day
World Teachers" Day, observed on October 5, celebrates our educators, professors, instructors, and all teachers who dedicate their lives to transmitting knowledge, skills and experience. The commemoration is based on the 1966 Paris Conference, held on the same day, in which the adoption of the "1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers" was discussed. The 1966 Recommendation not only acknowledges the essential role of teachers, but also establishes a framework for their rights, responsibilities, and the standards that define their craft.Desktop Version
Postcard from the Canadian Rockies
Postcard from the Canadian Rockies
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A sky full of stars
A sky full of stars
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Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin
Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin
As the summer is fading away, we find ourselves reminiscing about vacations and long hours of lively evenings. But let"s not bury the picnic days just yet! There is plenty to look forward to, especially if you are in Berlin. The Long Night of Museums only happens once a year—on the last Saturday of August since 1997—but it shakes up Museum Island and the rest of the German capital. The event series is more than a peaceful appreciation of artefacts—quite the opposite—you can expect music, talks, workshops, cocktails, dance and more from 6 PM into the small hours of the morning. Featured in today"s image, Museum Island—embraced by the Spree River—is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is home to a museum quintet: Altes, Bode, Pergamon, Neues Museums and Alte Nationalgalerie.Desktop Version
A mirror reflecting natures beauty
A mirror reflecting natures beauty
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International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day
Known as nature"s engineers, beavers have been shaping the world for millions of years. Historically, North American beavers faced challenges from humans. They were hunted for their fur, and their "nuisance" freshwater abodes were destroyed. However, these buck-toothed, paddle-tailed dam builders have been gaining new respect in recent years. These animals have beneficial effects not only on water quality but also on land. With their iron-coated orange incisors, beavers fell trees, diligently constructing not just homes but habitats. Their dams create life-sustaining wetlands for countless species. Meanwhile, their lodges are masterpieces of security and comfort, the entrance strategically submerged to deter predators and provide privacy. The rodents have no trouble getting in, as they can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes. So, "woodn"t" it be nice to give a shout-out to these creatures on International Beaver Day?Desktop Version
Remembering D-Day
Remembering D-Day
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Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
The Hustai National Park in Mongolia is home to a very special and rare breed of horse, the Przewalski"s horse. This equine species, which is regarded as the only truly pure wild horse today, is easily recognised by its pale yellowish-brown coat, a short, stiff mane, and short legs. The Przewalski"s horse, also called "takhi" in Mongolia, was once extinct in the wild but has been successfully reintroduced through conservation efforts in the 1990s. An interesting fact about these horses is that they have 66 chromosomes, compared to 64 in domestic horses. Remarkably, Przewalski"s horses can mate with domestic horses to produce hybrids. These hybrids have 65 chromosomes and can breed and have their own offspring.Desktop Version
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
As summer"s warmth gently yields to autumn"s cool embrace, the Mid-Autumn Festival lights up the sky on the full moon of the year"s eighth lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Celebrated since China"s Shang dynasty, the festival honours the harvest season, during which families reunite to enjoy delectable mooncakes, admire the beauty of the moon, express gratitude, and tell tales of the Moon Goddess Chang"e, the Chinese goddess of the moon, and her husband Hou Yi, a legendary archer. Jiaxiu Tower was built in 1598, so it has witnessed many Mid-Autumn Festivals over the centuries. Under the moonlit sky, lanterns adorn the tower, illuminating the streets and symbolizing hope, good fortune, and unity.Desktop Version
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, United States
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, United States
Sometimes it"s nice to get away. Thanks to environmentalist Howard Zahniser, Americans can do that in one of the country"s many wildernesses—areas sheltered from human activities. Pictured in today"s image, Crystal Lake is one such protected area. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington, the Enchantments has more than 700 lakes and ponds and some of the best rock climbing in the Western United States. It"s also home to mountain goats, ptarmigan, pikas and numerous types of alpine flowers. If you want to see Alpine Lakes Wilderness yourself, however, be prepared to wait. Few permits are granted for day hikes, and of the 40,000 people who entered last year"s lottery for overnight permits, only 2,558 received one.Desktop Version
Don’t look down!
Don’t look down!
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Black sands in a tropical paradise
Black sands in a tropical paradise
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Leap Day
Leap Day
Are you a "leapling?" No, not like this Eurasian red squirrel; rather, that"s the term for anyone born on leap day! A leap year is a calendar oddity that exists because Earth"s orbit and our usual year count are slightly out of sync. Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, to revolve around the sun. To compensate for those extra 5 hours, February gets an extra day—leap day—every four years. The concept, dating back to the ancient Romans, was refined in the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. While the purpose of the day is to keep our year aligned with the solar calendar, it can also serve as an extra day to prepare for spring! Cultures worldwide mark leap days and years with unique customs. In Ireland and Britain, women propose to men, in Greece, marrying during a leap year is said to bring misfortune, and in France, a satirical newspaper is published.Desktop Version
So close, yet so far
So close, yet so far
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A galaxy full of stars
A galaxy full of stars
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