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Great horned owl
Great horned owl
The Halloween season is upon us, so let"s meet one of the holiday"s icons: the great horned owl. With its keen vision, eerie vocalisations and silent flight, this owl has historically been revered and feared. In folklore and mythology, owls were considered symbols of wisdom and omens of death. On Samhain, the Celtic precursor to Halloween, the owl was believed to be the kin of roaming spirits.Desktop Version
Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Welcome to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance! Let the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore transport you through time. More than just a church, this Gothic structure, with its red-tiled dome, is steeped in centuries of history. Built over an older cathedral dedicated to Santa Reparata, construction began in 1296 under the supervision of architect Arnolfo di Cambio.Desktop Version
Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
In the Italian province of Ravenna lies the Basilica of San Francesco, recognised for its beauty and historical significance. This Romanesque church, originally built in 450 CE, features a sturdy square bell tower added in the 9th century, enhancing the basilica"s exterior. Its design features three naves, divided into two rows of 12 columns each. Featured in today"s image is the basilica"s real showstopper: the basement crypt, or burial chamber is a stunning model of early religious design. Complete with vaulted ceilings that slope down into rows of stone columns, its floor is a work of art itself. It"s inlaid with beautifully intricate mosaic tiles that have withstood the test of time.Desktop Version
An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
Flower viewing is a beloved tradition in Japan, with each season bringing its own natural spectacle. Just as the last sakura (cherry blossom) petals drift away, Tokyo"s gardens start gearing up for their next big show: the iris bloom. Featured here is an iris garden in Tokyo. The iris is a flowering plant genus that has 310 recognised species, known for their bold and beautiful blossoms. The genus is named after the Greek word "îris", meaning "rainbow," which is also the name of the Greek goddess of rainbows. During the Edo Period (1603-1867), a fascination with breeding Japanese irises led to an explosion of new varieties. Today, there are over 2,000 types, which are planted in March and nurtured by tsuyu, Japan"s rainy season. These vibrant flowers make their grand entrance in early June, marking the start of summer.Desktop Version
Let the Great Backyard Bird Count begin!
Let the Great Backyard Bird Count begin!
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Glacial rivers, Iceland
Glacial rivers, Iceland
Glacial rivers in "the land of fire and ice"—Iceland—have shaped the landscape over thousands of years. The rivers seen in today"s image are formed from the meltwater of vast glaciers like Vatnajökull, Langjökull and Hofsjökull. Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Iceland, covers over 7,500 square kilometres—approximately 10% of the country"s landmass. As the glaciers melt, the water carries fine sediments, creating a braided river system with a milky appearance that contrasts with the earthy tones of the volcanic terrain. Every spring and summer, the rivers swell with seasonal meltwater, continually shaping and reshaping the land. Aerial views reveal their intricate patterns, resembling complex artworks that interweave across the terrain toward the North Atlantic Ocean. The water in Iceland is more than just a beautiful sight; it plays a significant role in renewable energy. Its flow powers hydroelectric power stations, reinforcing Iceland"s status as a leader in sustainable energy.Desktop Version
Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Gather "round, explorers, as we tiptoe into the Registan Square in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan! Meaning "sandy place" or "desert" in Persian, Registan was the centre of activity during the Timurid Empire. The square embodied the essence of the Timurid Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual revival, which spread throughout the Muslim world between the 14th and early 16th century CE.Desktop Version
Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Today, let us step into the Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram province, Thailand. Here, Khmer architecture and history come to life. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries, this remarkable site served as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It"s on the rim of an extinct volcano, offering views of the surrounding paddy fields and the towering Dongrek Mountains of Cambodia in the distance.Desktop Version
International Whale Shark Day
International Whale Shark Day
On August 30, India unites with the global community to shine a spotlight on whale sharks. Originally discovered off South Africa"s coast in the 1820s, these creatures have patrolled the seas for more than 240 million years. The whale shark holds the record as the largest fish on Earth, reaching lengths up to 12 metres, with one exceptional individual measuring a remarkable 18.8 metres. Found in tropical oceans around the world, these filter feeders glide through the water, mouth wide open, straining plankton and small fish. Each pattern on their dotted, starry skin is as unique as a human fingerprint.Desktop Version
Teddy bears of the sea
Teddy bears of the sea
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Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain
Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain
Within the scenic landscape of Navarra, northern Spain, the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park is like a surrealist painting come to life! This park is renowned for its desert-like landscapes sculpted by millennia of erosion. Featuring rocky plateaus, canyons and whimsically shaped clay structures called cabezos, the park is a playground of geological wonders.Desktop Version
Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Tucked away in the highlands of Costa Rica, Los Quetzales National Park offers a kaleidoscope of lush habitats, including one that"s home to the blue-throated toucanet. Measuring 27–38 centimetres in length, these non-migratory birds use their dexterous toes to navigate branches, while their distinctive bills deftly forage for fruits, insects and small lizards.Desktop Version
Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Perched on a rocky headland is Methoni Castle, a symbol of medieval might situated on the shores of the Ionian Sea in southern Greece. The fortress is in Methoni, a village in the Messinia region. Built by the Venetians in the early 13th century, this castle was a key trading post and a defensive bastion, protecting the southwestern coastline from invaders. Its Bourtzi tower, an extension of the fortress standing on a small islet, was once connected to the main castle by a stone bridge.Desktop Version
Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Welcome to Point Reyes National Seashore, where the sky meets the earth. This stunning 287 square kilometres coastal haven on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, United States, pictured in today"s images, is a gem of the Californian coastline, boasting breathtaking views and diverse wildlife. Filled with scenic trails that wind through lush forests and along rugged cliffs, Point Reyes has much to offer its visitors.Desktop Version
Tulips, Netherlands
Tulips, Netherlands
From the famous tulip fields to the world"s largest flower auction, the Netherlands and tulips go a long way back. Interestingly, tulips didn"t originate here. These beauties arrived in the country in the late 16th century, brought from the Ottoman Empire. By the 17th century, they became so valuable that a single bulb could cost more than a house. This period, known as "tulip mania," is considered one of the first recorded financial bubbles. When prices crashed in 1637, fortunes were lost, but the love for tulips remained.Desktop Version
Where two continents meet
Where two continents meet
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Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA
Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA
Buckle up, Earthlings, as you venture into an extraterrestrial realm right here on our planet! Surrounded by the rugged landscape of Idaho, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve was born of the volcanic forces that shaped the region thousands of years ago. Visitors are greeted by a surreal vista of vast lava fields, cinder cones and spatter cones, reminiscent of a lunar surface, spread across almost 218 square kilometres. Did you know that the Apollo 14 astronauts trained here to prepare for their moon missions? The space travellers were able gain insight into similar conditions found on the moon by exploring the unique volcanic geology of the Craters of the Moon. So, if you ever want to visit outer space without leaving Earth, Craters of the Moon should be right up your alley.Desktop Version
Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Today, we are in a wildlife-packed wonderland with rainforests older than the Amazon—Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. Established in 1980, the park is home to diverse wildlife, including the Malayan tapir, white-handed gibbon, gaur and hornbill, making it an ideal destination for anyone ready to swap city noise for jungle sounds. And then there"s Cheow Lan Lake—a reservoir created for hydropower in 1982 when the Rajjaprabha Dam was built. Over time, the lake transformed the landscape into something you"d think was straight out of a movie, as featured in today"s image. The dam, originally known as the "Cheow Lan Project," was later renamed Rajjaprabha, meaning "light of the kingdom," a tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled from 1946 to 2016.Desktop Version
Masterpiece of acoustic science
Masterpiece of acoustic science
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Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Steeped in history, the Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice is a prime example of Baroque architecture. Constructed between 1631 and 1687, the church was a votive offering for the city"s deliverance from a devastating plague in 1630. Built at the entrance to the Grand Canal, its dome dominates the Venice skyline, as seen in today"s image. Italian architect Baldassare Longhena envisioned this structure at the age of 26, and it became his lifelong project, which was completed after his death. The exterior of the church, with its volutes—spiral, scroll-like ornaments—and statues contrasts with the spacious octagonal interior adorned with works by Renaissance artists like Titian and Tintoretto. Each November, Venice commemorates the church"s significance during the Festa della Madonna della Salute, a cultural celebration that includes festive processions and offering of candles in gratitude for deliverance from the plague.Desktop Version
A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy
A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy
Pictured here is a spectacular view of a delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy. Spanning over 500 square kilometres, this lagoon is a rich mosaic of islands, mudflats, canals and marshes, and it"s one of the largest wetlands in the entire Mediterranean Basin. The lagoon isn"t just a scenic wonder—it"s a place steeped in history and innovation. Today, the lagoon is still central to local life, supporting fishing, tourism and even sustainable aquaculture. It"s connected to the Adriatic Sea by three inlets and is famous for "acqua alta," or "high water," when tides flood parts of Venice. From ancient refuge to modern marvel, the Venetian Lagoon is a reflection of how people and nature can shape a place together.Desktop Version
‘The hills have a power to soothe and heal...’
‘The hills have a power to soothe and heal...’
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Alfanzina lighthouse, Algarve, Portugal
Alfanzina lighthouse, Algarve, Portugal
The lighthouse featured in today"s image stands in Carvoeiro in the Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal. Built in 1919, the Alfanzina lighthouse shines out over the ocean to help ships navigate the dangerous waters that surround the area. A popular tourist destination, the lighthouse also became a symbol of the region"s deep links to the sea. Lighthouses have been keeping sailors safe almost as long as humans have been sailing the seas. Originally, lighthouses were powered by fires and oil lamps, requiring lighthouse keepers to maintain them. These days, however, most lighthouses have been automated and installed with electric light sources. In waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable to build a lighthouse, lightships have often been used. If you"re lucky enough to live near a lighthouse, this weekend is the perfect time to pay it a visit.Desktop Version
International Day for Biological Diversity
International Day for Biological Diversity
Today we"re celebrating the biodiversity of our planet! What exactly is biodiversity? It refers to all living things, from animals and plants to fungi and microorganisms, in one area. This delicate but vigorous balance in nature is what keeps us all alive. That"s definitely worth celebrating! May 22 was officially declared to be the International Day for Biological Diversity by the United Nations in 2000. Unfortunately, the biodiversity of Earth is slowly decreasing due to climate change, the draining of natural resources, urbanisation and pollution, among other factors. It is our responsibility to return nature"s favour to us and protect our environment. After all, we are blessed with intriguing species such as the Tasmanian snow gum—the tree seen in today"s image—which takes root in one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet, the Mount Field National Park in Tasmania, Australia.Desktop Version
Songkran—Thai New Year
Songkran—Thai New Year
New Year celebrations don"t always come with fireworks—sometimes, they come with buckets and a nationwide water splash fest! Thailand"s Songkran festival is a unique mix of spiritual traditions and all-out water fights. Held from April 13 to 15 this year, the holiday is deeply rooted in Buddhist customs and focuses on cleansing and starting afresh. During this time, people visit temples, offer food to monks and pour scented water over Buddha statues and elders" hands as a sign of respect. Those seeking a calmer way to celebrate might consider visiting Wat Tang Sai Temple in Ban Krut, seen in today"s image. Perched on Thong Chai Mountain, this temple complex is home to an over 10-metre-tall Buddha statue and Thai-style pagodas. Built in 1996 to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) on his 50th year of reign (1946–2016), it remains an important spiritual site. With stunning coastline views, Wat Tang Sai offers a peaceful setting to meditate and feel the vibrations of Buddhist chants.Desktop Version