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Jul 14, 2018Does this shark have an Irish accent?

Our Shark Awareness Day celebrity is a blue shark swimming in the cold waters off Cork, Ireland. The inspiration for its name comes from the blue shark’s back color, not its mood. It’s currently listed as ‘near threatened’—a status all too common for sharks today. Why celebrate an apex predator that most humans associate with horror movies? Because without sharks acting as population control on other marine life, the world’s oceans would be a very different place. Blue sharks eat a lot of squid and fish, and like land predators, help to keep their prey from overpopulation. Mother Nature keeps us in a delicate balance, so it’s important that we don’t accidentally remove a vital member of that system… even if that creature seems scary to most of us.Desktop Version

Jul 13, 2018The puffin-rabbit connection

Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea—either flying over the surf as they migrate and search for fishing spots, or diving into the water to gobble up fish. But in spring and summer they come ashore to nest, meet up with their mates, and with any luck, raise a chick or two. Puffins can dig their own burrows, as they prefer to build nests underground atop seaside cliffs. But if there are rabbit warrens around, the puffins have no problem moving into empty burrows. They’re not even above kicking a rabbit out to take over.Desktop Version

Jul 12, 2018Provence blooms with lavender at Sénanque Abbey

Lavender season is in full swing in Provence, and tourists are flocking to destinations like Sénanque Abbey to see the sweet-smelling spectacle of fields painted purple. The monks here at Sénanque cultivate lavender for their livelihood and these days the herb is in demand mostly for its essential oil, which lends a soothing scent to cosmetics, cleaning products, and even food. Lavender ice cream, lemonade, and cakes are popping up on menus around the globe.Desktop Version

Jul 11, 2018All is silent for Big Ben’s musical milestone

‘Big Ben’ is the name commonly used to describe the tower, the clock, and the bell of this London landmark. But technically, Big Ben refers only to the tower’s Great Bell, which Londoners first heard chime on this day in 1859. Ordinarily, four quarter bells chime at 15, 30, and 45 minutes past the hour and again just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. However, Big Ben is silent for today’s anniversary. It stopped tolling in 2017 to undergo significant renovations that are expected to last through 2021. Eager tourists can still visit the tower, which was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.Desktop Version

Jul 10, 2018Wyoming celebrates its statehood

On this day in 1890 Wyoming became the 44th state in the US, which is good news for wilderness fanatics. Wyoming is home to iconic outdoor spaces such as the Tetons, Devils Tower, the Black Hills, and Yellowstone. Shown here is Bridger Wilderness, part of Bridger-Teton National Forest, named for the famous frontiersman Jim Bridger. Bridger was a trapper, explorer, and wilderness guide who is often called the ‘Daniel Boone’ of the Rockies. He’s credited with discovering Wyoming’s Bridger Pass as well as being the first European American to see the Great Salt Lake. And it’s not just the state’s spectacular landscape that sets it apart—Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote in 1869, earlier than anywhere else in the country. And in 1924, the people of Wyoming elected the nation’s first female governor. Here’s to you, Equality State!Desktop Version

Jul 9, 2018Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit

Gauchos are a national symbol here in Argentina, which celebrates its independence today, 202 years after it broke free from Spanish rule. These gauchos are showcasing their skills in the town of San Antonio de Areco, home to an annual gaucho festival that draws people from all over. The gauchos gather to share traditional food, folklore, and competition. Since the 18th century, gauchos have been known as skilled, brave horsemen and their exploits are celebrated in South American literature and popular culture.Desktop Version

Jul 8, 2018Travel Sunday: Flamenco in Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Flamenco is just one highlight of Spanish culture showcased in the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance, which wraps up today. The festival takes place at venues throughout the city, including at the Alhambra, a fortified palace and high-profile tourist destination that’s steeped in history–just like flamenco. Here in the region of Andalusia, flamenco is more than just a dance. It’s a cultural expression that dates back centuries, to the Roma migration to Spain. Traditionally, the art focused on the cante–or singing–and was performed outside. The introduction of flamenco cafes in the 19th century saw the art form evolve to showcase baile (dance) and toque (guitar music).Desktop Version

Jul 7, 2018The Grand Départ: Tour de France begins

All eyes are on France today as 22 teams begin the 105th Tour de France, the prestigious cycling race that takes competitors more than 2,000 miles through the countryside. Our image show the peloton (the main pack of riders) racing down a tree-lined road from Montélimar to the Parc des Oiseaux in Villars-les-Dombes during Stage 14 of the Tour de France in 2016. If you’re new to the competition, here’s what you need to know: The race includes 21 stages that span 22 days. Competitors will climb at grades of up to 11 percent through the Alps and Pyrenees, and pedal over miles of cobblestone and dirt roads, country lanes and highways, at last coming to a finish at the Champs-Élysées in Paris. When you see the peloton, keep an eye out for the yellow jersey–at each stage it’s worn by the cyclist with the overall leading time and is ultimately awarded to the winner. Bonne chance, riders!Desktop Version

Jul 6, 2018Pandas pucker up for International Kissing Day

On International Kissing Day, take some inspiration from these two adorable panda cubs, nuzzling in a tree in their native country, China. This unofficial holiday is all about smooching your loved ones. When you’re done with that, consider how else you might spread some love—perhaps to our panda friends. It’s estimated that fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund are working to protect their habitat, and your support can make a difference.Desktop Version

Jul 5, 2018Does it swim in slow motion too?

This pygmy three-toed sloth isn’t swimming for safety or fun. It’s most likely swimming to see if that sloth it spotted across the surf is available for a long-term relationship. Swimming—a rare sight—is the fastest way to get to a potential mate. These slow-moving vegetarians spend most of their days in the forest canopy of Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small island off the coast of Panama. It’s the only place the rare creatures are found.Desktop Version

Jul 4, 2018Let’s celebrate

The citizens of Morton, Minnesota, are probably doing a repeat performance of this pyrotechnic display today as they join the rest of the US in a celebration of Independence Day. If you want to blow the minds of your family and friends at the barbecue, steer the conversation toward fireworks and casually drop this truth bomb: Gunpowder, the fuel that makes the fireworks explode, was invented in ancient China by Taoist alchemists who hoped to create an immortality elixir. That’s some dramatic irony, at least in hindsight. Be safe!Desktop Version

Jul 3, 2018To the 155th on the 155th

There are multiple monuments to the people who fought and died at the Battle of Gettysburg. Our photo shows the statue erected to honor the 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, a volunteer regiment that joined up with the Army of the Potomac, which was led by Union General George Meade. And 155 years ago today, the Confederate forces began to retreat to Virginia after three days of vicious combat. With total casualties on both sides of roughly 50,000 lives, the Battle of Gettysburg remains the most costly conflict in US history in terms of lives lost.Desktop Version

Jul 2, 2018Keep watching the skies

There are two World UFO Day observances, one on June 24 and the other today, and you’re free to celebrate both. Though today’s observance takes inspiration from the famous Roswell UFO incident of 1947 in New Mexico, our photo was snapped in northeastern Wyoming, at the striking natural geographical feature known as Devils Tower.Desktop Version

Jul 1, 2018Let the games begin

Welcome to Seattle, Special Olympians! After today’s opening ceremonies, thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities will compete in a variety of team and individual sports, including gymnastics, powerlifting, and even bocce ball. The games highlight the spirit of competition and ‘inclusion for all’ that lie at the heart of the Special Olympics mission. While you’re here, take a spin in the Great Wheel on Seattle’s waterfront to get a one-of-a-kind view of the Emerald City.Desktop Version

Jun 30, 2018The aftermath of a meteorite

Today’s a special day for astronomy enthusiasts: It’s both Asteroid Day and Meteor Watch Day. To celebrate, we’re at the rim of a 560-foot-deep crater with a 3,900-foot diameter, creatively called "Meteor Crater." (Scientists call it Barringer Crater, for the name of the man who first theorized it was a meteorite-impact crater.) Some 50,000 years ago, parts of an asteroid fell to Earth here, in a location just east of Flagstaff, Arizona. And today, we can see just how devastating the collision must have been to leave a basin so large.Desktop Version

Jun 29, 2018Waiting for the perfect shot

We’re celebrating Camera Day by getting a glimpse of what goes into taking a good photo. In the case of today’s image, that means standing in the cold surf on a beach in Norway at night, while keeping the shutter on the camera open long enough to capture something as ephemeral as the northern lights. Ask any experienced nature photographer: as glamorous as all the travel might seem, much of the job requires patience.Desktop Version

Jun 28, 2018A unique perspective from Italy’s ‘golden sands’

This is a photo–not a painting–of a beach in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Sabbiadoro roughly translates as ‘golden sand’ in Italian). The town and commune is a popular summer getaway in northern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea coast. And no, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you—the optical illusion was intentional. It’s a composite image created by combining multiple exposures. We hope it takes you to a vacation state of mind, even if you can’t get to an actual beach this summer.Desktop Version

Jun 27, 2018In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’

The lure of Route 66 isn’t extinct here in Holbrook, Arizona, where you can still spy giant concrete dinosaurs, kitschy truck stops, and teepee-shaped motel rooms that were constructed during the road’s heyday. Route 66 was established in the 1920s and within the next few decades, as millions of Americans acquired their first automobiles, it became a destination unto itself, even inspiring a hit song, ‘(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,’ by Bobby Troup. In 1985 the highway was decommissioned--it had been replaced by the new Interstate Highway System. But for the adventurous road-tripper, there’s still plenty of the old highway to explore.Desktop Version

Jun 26, 2018Celebrating Madagascar on its Independence Day

Who needs fireworks when you have a starry view like this? June 26 is Independence Day in Madagascar, marking the date in 1960 when the island country off the coast of East Africa broke free from France’s rule. In honor of the occasion, we’re featuring the baobab tree, Madagascar’s national tree, known for its oversized trunk. Several species of the baobab are endemic to Madagascar–which isn’t surprising, as about 90 percent of the plants and animals here are found nowhere else on Earth.Desktop Version

Jun 25, 2018Tracking ships on the Day of the Seafarer

June 25 is the Day of the Seafarer, a global event highlighting how much we rely on the maritime industry. Turns out, it’s a whole lot, as ships transport more than 80 percent of global trade. In honor of this occasion, we’re showing a NASA satellite view of ship tracks over the Pacific. And what are ship tracks, you ask? They’re clouds that form around particles in ship exhaust when it hits the damp ocean air. These clouds often stretch in narrow paths as in this image, reflecting ships’ courses. To the seafarers out there (1.5 million, according to the International Maritime Organization), we wish you smooth sailing and a good day at sea.Desktop Version

Jun 24, 2018The Twin Cities celebrate Pride

June is Pride month, and cities across the nation are celebrating the LGBTQ community. Here in Minneapolis, the Interstate 35W Bridge is lit up with rainbow colors—a longtime symbol of gay pride. The rainbow flag first debuted 40 years ago, in 1978, after San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk suggested that designer Gilbert Baker create a flag for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Baker, who died last year, once said he was inspired by rainbows because they’re part of nature, and representative of everyone.Desktop Version

Jun 23, 2018Commemorating peace in Antarctica

We feel chilly just looking at this image of the Europa sailing the Penola Strait, near the Antarctic Peninsula. This three-masted barque may resemble polar explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated ship Endurance, which was lost to the ice in an expedition to the South Pole in 1915. But the Europa is a modern, refitted lightship that now sails the world with paying passengers and makes annual trips to Antarctica.Desktop Version

Jun 22, 2018Celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day

If every dog has its day, today may just be yours. Even if you can’t bring your dog to the office today, it’s the perfect time to paws and reflect on the benefits they bring to our lives. Proponents of Take Your Dog to Work Day, now in its 20th year, say canine companions reduce stress in the workplace and make for cheerful employees. Sounds like a win-win—now can you fetch me a coffee and a beagle? (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.)Desktop Version

Jun 21, 2018Inhale and exhale, it’s Yoga Day

You may not be able to join a massive yoga session at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, but you can celebrate both the summer solstice today, and Yoga Day, by trying a sun salutation or two on your own. Yoga not your thing? No problem. It’s still solstice, and in most of the Northern Hemisphere, that’s considered the first official day of summer, and that’s reason enough to celebrate. As for the yoga aficionados reading this, please step to the front of your mat...Desktop Version

Jun 20, 2018Today is World Refugee Day

In marking World Refugee Day, which is observed on June 20th, the United Nations notes that on any given day thousands of families are fleeing from their homes to escape violence. The map we’re showing represents the movements of these refugees around the globe from 2000 to 2016. Each orange or red dot represents 17 refugees. The UN established World Refugee Day to increase awareness among all people that those fleeing war and oppression are not a burden, but a responsibility for all of us. It’s an occasion to demonstrate support for the millions forced to flee.Desktop Version

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