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Surströmming Day
Surströmming Day
Get your clothespins ready, it"s Surströmming Day! For the uninitiated, that means we"re in Sweden and cracking open this year"s surströmming harvest to enjoy its putrid wonder. Surströmming is Baltic herring that"s been caught in April and May, then lightly salted and allowed to ferment. Beginning in the 1940s, a royal ordinance forbade the selling of Surströmming before the third Thursday in August to prevent incompletely fermented fish from being sold. The ordinance is no longer on the books, but the tradition holds.Desktop Version
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, Estonia
Lake Peipus, the fifth-largest lake in Europe, dates back hundreds of millions of years to the Paleozoic Era and is known for its sand dunes, which can "sing" when the wind blows just right. In the winter the frozen lake surface may feature ice hummocks, as seen in this image. The hummocks are caused by slow, uneven pressure in the ice pack.Desktop Version
The globe skimmers return
The globe skimmers return
This time of year, millions of dragonflies are returning to the Maldives, a stage in the longest insect migration in the world. Flying thousands of miles across the open ocean, these dragonflies are known as globe skimmers, which refers to their migratory behavior. Until about 20 years ago, no one knew where they came from. But researchers have since discovered that the dragonflies take advantage of moving weather systems and monsoon rains to make their epic migration across the Arabian Sea from India. From the Maldives, the dragonflies will continue their journey, passing through the Seychelles and then on to East Africa.Desktop Version
Happy Boxing Day!
Happy Boxing Day!
The holiday season isn"t quite over! December 26 marks Boxing Day—a popular day to get outside and enjoy a walk after a day of indulgence. Our homepage image shows a wintry sunrise over fields near the village of Dedham, in Colchester, England¬—perfect walking country.Desktop Version
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
Making a New Year"s resolution to boost your fitness? Let us present National Take the Stairs Day. (You"re welcome.) The annual event began informally in 2016 and was later adopted by the American Lung Association. It"s an ingenious way to nudge people to exercise—most of us encounter stairs during our day, so there"s really no excuse. Climbing stairs is a low-impact activity that raises your heart rate and burns calories.Desktop Version
Perseid meteor shower over Oregon
Perseid meteor shower over Oregon
What must our ancestors have thought when they saw meteors light up the night sky? Was it terrifying or an event of wonder? Thankfully, we now know that this celestial cascade is a harmless annual event. The Perseid meteor shower thrills stargazers from mid-July to late August and is due to peak today. The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle. When the cosmic debris hits our atmosphere, it disintegrates in a colorful, fiery light display. It"s a good night to catch the Perseids if you can—the moon is projected to only be 10% illuminated, so the meteors should really stand out against the dark sky.Desktop Version
Humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii
Humpback whales in Maui, Hawaii
If you ever want to feel insignificant, just think about the sheer size of a humpback whale. With adults growing up to 56 feet long, humpback whales are one of the biggest mammals on Earth. In February, Hawaii celebrates the return of these migrating giants with its Maui Whale Festival. This month-long event encourages people to get involved in conservation efforts and includes whale-watching tours, allowing closer views of these beautiful creatures.Desktop Version
Holi festival
Holi festival
The ancient Hindu festival of Holi will find revelers caked in these colorful powders by the day"s end. Also referred to as the Festival of Spring, the Festival of Love, and the Festival of Colors, Holi is celebrated during the full moon in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around the middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. This year it"s March 18. Holi symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and celebrates the beginning of spring, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love in all forms. It"s a time for affirming friendships, burying old grievances, and letting romance bloom.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
May the Fourth be with you! The "Star Wars" universe has captured the imagination of fans for decades and its impact, like the "Force," is all around us. The original 1977 film introduced us to a galaxy far, far away, a cast of unforgettable characters, and a gripping battle between good and evil. Its reach has since extended to television, books, comics, theme parks, thousands of products, and a day of its own to celebrate the much-loved sci-fi franchise.Desktop Version
World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day
These giants are the largest land animals on Earth, African bush elephants, which can reach 13 feet in shoulder height and weigh as much as 11 tons. They are one of three living species of elephant, alongside their smaller relatives, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Their immense size is not the only incredible thing about them. Studies suggest that elephants can recognize themselves in the mirror and that these mammals display emotions such as grief when they lose family members. World Elephant Day—held on August 12—was set up to admire them but also to highlight the difficulties they face. Amboseli National Park in Kenya—where this photograph was taken—is one of the few remaining habitats where African elephant herds can still be found in large numbers.Desktop Version
International Day of Color
International Day of Color
Wherever there is light, there is color. It lends liveliness and character to the world around us, but we can also use it strategically to convey particular tones and messages. Blue creates a sense of tranquility, purple gives a sense of luxury, and red can express passion or danger. On International Color Day, organizations around the world meet to discuss research and share knowledge about color theory and its use in the fields of industry, arts, science, and design. As you go about your day, stop and take in the colors around you and think about why they were chosen and how they make you feel. It might just make you consider how you use color in your own life.Desktop Version
Black Fell in England s Lake District
Black Fell in England s Lake District
Today"s lovely landscape requires a slight bit of explanation. We"re at Black Fell, which can be found in the Lake District of England. The term "fell" originates from the Old Norse term for mountain, but it mostly applies to high, barren areas and, in the Lake District specifically, the area was usually uncultivated and used for grazing. Black Fell, which is a little over 1,000 feet high, has some acclaim, having been mentioned in Alfred Wainwright"s "Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells" as a prime viewing area. No matter which direction you gaze, you"re sure to see something wonderful.Desktop Version
Mother s Day
Mother s Day
Among mothers, few can claim as deep a bond with her baby as a koala mom. Because her pregnancy lasts only a month—likely making her the envy of other mammal mothers—her baby emerges into her embrace still in the embryonic stage, about the size of a jellybean. Mom will spend the next year carrying her baby, called a joey, either inside her pouch or on her back, a feat that makes her annual Mother"s Day card well-earned.Desktop Version
Pi Day
Pi Day
Did Neolithic humans build this structure to celebrate Pi Day? Not likely. Pi Day is a relatively recent phenomenon—invented by a physicist in 1988 and designated by Congress a national holiday in 2009. But it"s already almost certainly the most popular holiday celebrating a mathematical constant. While Pi Day is a young tradition, the number π (pi) itself has been a fascination since antiquity, when it was first calculated as the ratio of a circle"s circumference to its diameter.Desktop Version
Porto Cathedral, Portugal
Porto Cathedral, Portugal
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Douro River, the Porto Cathedral is one of the best-known monuments in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Built in the 12th century, this Roman Catholic church has an eclectic architecture style that combines Romanesque and Gothic influences with later Baroque additions. The space inside the cathedral is artfully decorated with blue and white azulejo tiles, which showcase some scenes from the Bible. Tiles like these are found throughout Portuguese cities, on apartment buildings, churches, and public buildings.Desktop Version
Mute swans
Mute swans
These proverbial "ugly ducklings" are anything but. Soon, they will indeed grow up to become graceful swans. The young mute swans, called cygnets, are sheltered under mom"s tail feathers in the Massapequa Preserve on Long Island, New York, a tranquil oasis in the suburban sprawl of Nassau County.Desktop Version
Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
You won"t find a lot of solitude on the Hickman Bridge Trail, a 1.7-mile route in Capitol Reef National Park that leads to this magnificent natural arch. The trail is used by hikers, runners, and nature lovers drawn by incredible rock formations, gullies, and remnants from the ancient Fremont Culture civilization. Hickman Bridge itself is one of the best-known geologic features of the park.Desktop Version
Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
As the sun rises on Bryce Canyon, its snow-capped red rock formations start to glow. These slender towers are called hoodoos, and Bryce Canyon National Park has the highest concentration of them anywhere on Earth.Desktop Version
International Beaver Day
International Beaver Day
Behold the mighty beaver, nature"s engineer. They fell trees with their massive orange incisors, using the wood to build two main structures, the dam, which creates a pond in which they can build their living quarters—the lodge. A beaver uses a lodge to hide from predators, store food, rest, and protect their offspring.Desktop Version
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
As December approaches, New York gears up for a sparkling spectacle. On November 29, the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting will bring you festive vibes. The roots of this holiday tradition go back to 1931, when builders put up a balsam fir to show gratitude for their jobs amid the bleakness of the Great Depression. That tree was decorated with paper garlands and tin cans and in 1933 the first tree-lighting ceremony took place. Today, this towering Norway spruce is adorned with over 50,000 multicolored LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The illumination of the 80-foot tree is a full-blown extravaganza with musical performances and celebrity sightings. Its mesmerizing glow marks the official arrival of the holiday season in the city that never sleeps, and you don"t want to miss it!Desktop Version
Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
Huddled beneath these pink-gray stone monoliths is the pretty village of Agüero, in Huesca province, northern Spain. The textured cliffs known as the Mallos de Agüero act as a 660-foot-high backdrop to this picturesque village, drawing both climbers and photographers keen on capturing the perfect shot. This hidden gem in the foothills of the Pyrenees has about 130 residents and is popular with tourists, thanks to the 12th-century Church of Santiago. A national monument with intricate stone carvings of beasts and religious scenes, the church was never finished but is considered one of this region"s most beautiful Romanesque temples. If you consider yourself a history buff, a rock climber, or both, put Agüero on your travel list.Desktop Version
Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
A beautiful island popularly known as "Norway in miniature," Senja"s diverse landscape boasts mountainous terrain as well as lush greenery. At 600 square miles, it is Norway"s second-largest island, connected to the mainland by the Gisund Bridge. The most notable spot on Senja is pictured today, Mount Segla, a magnificent peak that is visited frequently in summer, with a trail starting in Fjordgård, a fishing village in the north of Senja. It"s a tough hike to the top, more than 2,000 feet above sea level. Other tourist attractions include Ånderdalen National Park and Tranøya, an island off the south coast of Senja known for its tranquility.Desktop Version
Barcelona bids farewell to summer
Barcelona bids farewell to summer
Every year, for four days in September, locals and tourists flock to one of Barcelona’s biggest events, La Mercè Festival. It got its beginnings in 1687 when Barcelona was suffering from a plague of locusts. In desperation, city officials voted to ask for the assistance of La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy). Eventually, having been delivered from the pestilence, the officials named the Virgin of Mercy the patroness of Barcelona, and an annual festival has been celebrated in her honor in the city ever since.Desktop Version
Dolomites
Dolomites
Few places in Europe offer the opportunity to take in the Milky Way like the Dolomites. Far from cities and light pollution, and thousands of feet above sea level, the Dolomites offer a stunning, vibrant night sky above sheer, jagged peaks that cut the dark. Also known as the "Pale Mountains," the Dolomites are named for the sedimentary carbonate rock called dolomite that was first identified in this range.Desktop Version
Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico
Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico
It may seem odd to celebrate death—after all, it"s the end of our personal era. But tell that to people who celebrate the Day of the Dead, or el Día de los Muertos, and they"ll smile. They may explain that death is part of the circle of life, and as natural as any other human milestone. As our photo shows, the Day of the Dead is a big holiday in Mexico, where calacas—skeleton figures of musicians, workers, and other folks in merry scenes of everyday "life"—lurk everywhere for weeks before the main event. Of course, living people also play dead for the day, donning skeleton outfits, masks, and grotesque makeup. Music, processions, and food add to the quirky, fun carnival atmosphere.Desktop Version