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Aug. 31, 2023Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona

Massive succulents against a mountainous backdrop, underneath the sun-kissed sky—it"s prickly perfection. Pictured here are saguaro (pronounced "sah-wah-roh") cacti at Arizona"s Ironwood Forest National Monument in the Sonoran Desert of North America. Even if you haven"t seen one in person, when you hear the word cactus, you"re probably thinking of saguaro—tall, green, cylindrical, with arms pointing upward. Though they are slow growers, these plants have been known to live over 200 years and reach enormous heights, with one setting the record at 23.8 metres. Another saguaro cactus, known as "Grandaddy," survived in the sweltering desert for about 300 years, eventually succumbing to old age in the early 1990s. Cacti may not be for everyone, but they tend to grow on you (figuratively, of course)!Desktop Version

Perfect, pastoral Palouse

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A mirror reflecting natures beauty

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Spiralling upward...

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Oct. 5, 2023World 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

Remembering D-Day

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Dec. 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!

The winter solstice is here. Today marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, while last night was the longest night of the year. This has been an important event for millennia, with evidence of celebrations going back as far as 10,000 BCE. Some of the world"s most famous Stone Age monuments, including Stonehenge, are aligned with the point that the sun rises or sets on the winter solstice. Traditionally, it was a time for feasting and lighting of fires to symbolise the darkest day of the year. Ancient Germanic tribes celebrated the winter solstice by bringing evergreens into their homes as a symbol of the returning light and the coming spring.Desktop Version

Reflecting its stylish past today

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Mar. 25, 2024Happy Holi!

It"s Holi; get ready to become a walking rainbow and sprinkle joy wherever you go! This festival of colours, spring and love is a cornerstone of Indian and Nepali culture. It is also celebrated in other countries with large Hindu populations, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Canada, the United States, Suriname, Indonesia and Malaysia. The festivity lasts for a night and a day. It starts on the evening of the last full moon of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which usually falls in March in the Gregorian calendar. As the sun sets, people gather to light bonfires, a ritual known as Holika Dahan, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The following day, the streets come alive with people splashing each other in colours, giving everyone a vibrant makeover. Are you ready for a dash of colour?Desktop Version

Jan. 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia

Picture a sea of shifting sand dunes glowing orange in the sunrise, stretching as far as the eye can see. Welcome to the Namib desert, spanning thousands of kilometres across Namibia. Estimated to be 55 million years old, it is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. It also boasts some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth, including the famous "Big Daddy," which towers roughly 325 metres; Dune 7, the highest dune in Namibia at 383 metres; and Dune 45, which, at roughly 170 metres, is a favourite among photographers.Desktop Version

Jul. 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Let"s take a trip to a forest of stones: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA. In the park, named after the Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, lies Sunset Point, seen in today"s image, as a spot to see the hoodoos. These rock formations are created by frost weathering and stream erosion, which shape the stone into an otherworldly landscape. Perched at 2,400 to 2,700 metres, this overlook offers a panoramic view of rocky spires in red, orange and white. The most iconic of them is Thor"s Hammer, a hoodoo that overlooks a part of the park known as the "Silent City."Desktop Version

Mar. 3, 2024World Wildlife Day

It"s time to step into the wild! World Wildlife Day is an annual event that emphasises the need for worldwide conservation efforts. This year"s theme focuses on advances in digital technology that can be used to help preserve wildlife: It can improve research, communication and DNA analysis. Digital platforms can also be a way to get younger people involved in the efforts to protect our planet"s animals.Desktop Version

Dec. 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Nestled in Rovaniemi, Finland, and pictured in today"s image, Santa Claus Village is a magical year-round destination where visitors can step into the enchanting world of Christmas. Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this village offers unique experiences, like meeting Santa Claus himself or crossing the Arctic Circle line. Children and adults alike can meet Santa"s loyal reindeer and explore a vibrant collection of Christmas-themed attractions designed to delight visitors of all ages.Desktop Version

Nov. 13, 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain

The history of olive cultivation in one of the Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain, dates back over 2,000 years. The Phoenicians and Greeks, who were early settlers here, introduced the first olive trees to the island. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, which adorns the north coast, is home to these olive groves. The olive groves expanded during the Islamic era, and olive oil became a crucial ingredient in Majorca"s gastronomy and culinary traditions.Desktop Version

Aug. 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

California"s Joshua Tree National Park has a history that began way before it was made a national monument on August 10, 1936. Located where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, it has been home to various cultures for thousands of years. Its earliest known residents were people from the Pinto Culture, who lived here from 8000 to 4000 BCE. Centuries later, this land was inhabited by the native Cahuilla, Serrano and Chemehuevi peoples. The park"s namesake, the Joshua tree, grows in a landscape covering 3,218 square kilometres. Despite their name, they are not really trees, but rather a kind of succulent. Native to southwest US and northern Mexico, they can grow up to 12 metres tall.Desktop Version

Go fly a kite!

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Jun. 19, 2024Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Giraffes have fascinated travellers from around the world for a long time. These animals were viewed as symbols of status and treasured as pets among royalty. Featured here are reticulated giraffes, found mostly in the Kenyan wild at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where they roam with poise under the vast African sky. Established in 1995, this sanctuary has become a haven for these gentle giants, distinguished by their vividly tessellated coats, and polygonal-shaped spots that extend onto the lower legs, tail and face. Unfortunately, only around 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain in the wild, less than half of the approximately 36,000 recorded in the 1980s. Nevertheless, recent years have observed a promising trend in northern Kenya, where populations are rebounding thanks to places like the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. So, let"s pledge to protect these creatures and their habitats.Desktop Version

The other continent down under

A bridge that holds up history

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Nov. 9, 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway

Norway is home to many beautiful natural features, and birch forests are one of them. Surrounded by the "silver forests" and situated within the embrace of the fjords, Drammen, a city in Norway, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Birch trees flourish at high altitudes, making them a natural fit for the mountainous region. When summer passes and autumn takes over, birch leaves transform into a mosaic of gold and crimson, in stark contrast to the slender trunks and pale bark. This striking seasonal change may be part of why birch trees are associated with new beginnings and renewal. These trees aren"t just for looks, they provide habitat and sustenance for wildlife and can be used for firewood and in construction.Desktop Version

Sep. 3, 2024Alpine 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

Jul. 24, 2024Cousins Day

Family gatherings wouldn"t be the same without them. Today, we are celebrating the unique bond between cousins. Cousins Day offers the perfect opportunity to reminisce about those shared adventures, secrets and the countless memories that have brought you closer together. First cousins share about 12.5% of their DNA; this could explain why you often have so much love and understanding with them. So, go ahead and make some plans with your cousins, whether it is a picnic or a shared meal at your favourite local haunt. And while you are at it, don"t forget to pose for a photo, much like this group of Swaledale sheep in the North Yorkshire dales of England. Chances are, there are at least a few cousins in this flock.Desktop Version

May 26, 2024Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington

If you"re looking for meadows blanketed with vibrant beds of wildflowers, the Methow Valley in the North Cascade Mountains, Washington, US, is the place for you. Lupines, with their characteristic spiky blooms in purple, blue and white, and balsamroot, with its large, golden-yellow flowers, create a picturesque contrast with the rugged mountain backdrop. These flowers also play crucial roles in the valley"s ecosystem. Lupines are nitrogen-fixing plants; they help improve soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by neighbouring plants. Balsamroot, on the other hand, attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which helps in plant reproduction and, in turn, contributes to the biodiversity of the region. Whether you"re a seasoned botanist or nature enthusiast, the wildflowers of the Methow Valley will surely leave a lasting impression of the enchanting wilderness.Desktop Version

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