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Nov 29, 2022Giving Tuesday

The largest heron in North America, the great blue heron makes its nest in a "basket" made from twigs, usually placed high in a tree. The herons line the interior with moss, leaves, grass, and other softer materials, and tend to return to the same nesting site each year, though not the same nest. The male heron finds building materials while the female assembles the nest, then both birds maintain and add to it. The helpful male heron shown here is presenting his mate with nesting material—he seems an apt mascot for this year"s Giving Tuesday.Desktop Version

Sep 22, 2022First day of autumn

There"s a chance this dazzling, ground-up view of fall foliage is not where you think it is. While New England garners most of the leaf-peeping attention in the US this time of year, the high country of Colorado puts on a spectacular show out West. The aspens of the Centennial State turn shades of gold and orange in autumn, which officially starts today. Fall typically marks the end of vacations, the beginning of school, the arrival of chilly nights, and, if you"re lucky, a display of leaves turned brilliant shades of gold and red.Desktop Version

Mar 3, 2023Killer whales in Spildra, Norway

On World Wildlife Day, we"re in the ice-cold waters around the Norwegian island of Spildra with a pod of orcas, also known as killer whales. These apex predators are at the top of the food chain with a diet that includes a smorgasbord of sea creatures including fish, penguins, and even sharks and whales. They hunt in pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals that work together using special hunting techniques sometimes likened to packs of wolves. Despite their scary name, they almost never attack humans and there are no documented cases of wild orcas killing anyone. The name "killer whale" is thought to come from Spanish sailors who saw groups of them hunting big whales. Orcas are also the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae.Desktop Version

May 3, 2023Wildebeests in Maasai Mara, Kenya

Welcome to Kenya"s Maasai Mara National Reserve, where some of its most iconic inhabitants are out for an evening stroll. Wildebeests, also known as gnus, are social animals which often form large herds. There are two types: black wildebeests and blue wildebeests and it is the latter which take part in the famous Great Migration, one of the world"s greatest wildlife spectacles.Desktop Version

Oct 21, 2019The Guggenheim turns 60

Today"s image shows the Guggenheim on the day before its grand opening, 60 years ago today. Since then, it"s become an iconic building in the New York cityscape. Housed in a white spiral building that emerges from Fifth Avenue, the museum started with several private collections, including that of founder Solomon R. Guggenheim. The collection has grown over the decades to contain some of the world’s most notable examples of impressionist, post-impressionist, early modern, and contemporary art.Desktop Version

Mar 2, 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy

When Italy comes to mind, iconic cities like Milan, Rome, and Venice often steal the spotlight. However, on the island of Sicily lies a less famous gem—Modica. It"s a city that rose from the rubble of an earthquake in 1693 to become an architectural wonderland of Baroque-style buildings. With fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts cobbled lanes, echoing with powerful footprints—from prehistoric tribes to the ancient Greeks and Romans to the medieval Arabs and Normans. Landmarks like the San Giorgio Cathedral and San Pietro Church awe visitors with their grandeur, and Modica"s famous chocolate, crafted with Aztec-inspired techniques, tempts the palates of food enthusiasts. So, the next time Italy beckons, how about taking the road less traveled to Modica?Desktop Version

Aug 5, 2023Atlantic puffin, Iceland

Meet the Atlantic puffin! Known as "sea parrots" or "clowns of the sea," about 60% of all Atlantic puffins nest on the coasts of Iceland. If you visit between June and September, you might see baby puffins being flung off a cliff. Do not be alarmed! It"s part of puffling season, a yearly tradition on Iceland"s Westman Islands, home of the largest puffin colony in the world. Residents search with a flashlight for lost or wayward pufflings—baby puffins—around cliffs, harbors, and the seaside area. They pick them up with gloved hands, take them to a cliff before sundown, and toss them over the edge. Why? Well, the lights of the town can confuse pufflings, who use the light of the moon and stars to guide them to the ocean, where they live for much of the year. Residents are simply doing their part to ensure they find their way to their natural habitat.Desktop Version

Jan 28, 2023The Bahamas as seen from the ISS

The islands of the Bahamas are an easy photo op for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The massive hills under the water"s surface make for striking images when seen from the ISS"s vantage point high above Earth. These undersea hills, which appear dark blue in this ocean image, indicate depths that can reach 13,000 feet.Desktop Version

Jul 16, 2022American goldfinch

Birds, bees, and flowers grace today"s photo, but we"re going to bet that potato chips will be what you remember tomorrow. First the basics: We"re in South Carolina looking at a beautiful American goldfinch perched atop a sunflower. While the matching color scheme makes for a great photo, it"s likely this little bird has stopped for a meal. American goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, preferring grains and seeds, especially sunflower seeds. That"s why it"s not uncommon to see them in neighborhoods with well-stocked bird feeders. In fact, human activity has generally benefited American goldfinches overall. The birds thrive in areas where forests have been removed—they prefer open meadows or fields covered in weeds.Desktop Version

Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary

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. While conservation efforts like the creation of national forests and parks began in the late 1800s, untamed wilderness had dwindled to only 2.5% of the nation"s land by the 1960s. To reverse this trend, Zahniser wrote most of what became the Wilderness Act. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 3, 1964, it today protects more than 109 million acres—5% of the land in the US.Desktop Version

Jan 25, 2023Burns Night

Today we"re wishing a very happy birthday to the man regarded as Scotland"s national poet and a pioneer of the Romantic movement, Robert Burns. Perhaps you can celebrate by visiting his statue at the Birks of Aberfeldy in Perth and Kinross, as seen in today"s photo. The birch trees here ("birks" in the Scots language) and a local waterfall inspired him to write a song lyric, "The Birks of Aberfeldy," in 1787.Desktop Version

Dec 11, 2022Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Jasper National Park boasts numerous breathtaking waterfalls, but the multi-tiered cascade of Tangle Creek Falls makes for a must-see spectacle. Located off the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) in Alberta, the falls are easily accessed. Tangle Creek Falls" misty spray can be felt out on the highway itself. If you"re looking to capture some breathtaking shots, it may be worth getting off the highway and going closer to the falls to truly soak in its beauty.Desktop Version

Nov 25, 2023Toledo, Spain

Built on a hill and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River, the Spanish city of Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with history. Its towering Alcázar fortress and impressive Gothic cathedral dominate the skyline, but the city is also home to mosques and synagogues. Toledo bears strong cultural influences from the Moors, who ruled here for centuries, following their arrival in Spain in 711. It was known as the City of the Three Cultures during the Middle Ages, when its Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities coexisted harmoniously. Toledo has been the home of sword making since Roman times and is also famous for its marzipan. In the 16th century, the city was home to the famous painter El Greco, who was inspired to create some of his greatest masterpieces here.Desktop Version

Aug 23, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland

Behold Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. This powerful cascade measures 82 feet across and drops 200 feet over what were once the sea cliffs of the country’s southern coast. The coastline receded seaward, but the cliffs remained, leaving behind this natural wonder, powered by water from two glaciers. Skógafoss, which translates as "forest waterfall," is frequently graced with single or double rainbows, formed by the refraction of sunlight through the mist. Legend has it that a treasure chest is hidden behind Skógafoss, left there by a Viking settler named Prasi Porolfsson.Desktop Version

Oct 31, 2021Happy Halloween!

These mask-like monsters of the Minster wish you a hearty "Happy Halloween"! That"s York Minster, by the way, the towering medieval cathedral in the heart of York, England, decorated with these impish figures meant to scare off evil spirits. Just don"t call them gargoyles (for that title to apply, they"d need waterspouts)! Statues like these fellas bear an even more Halloween-appropriate name: grotesques.Desktop Version

Sep 9, 2022Belize Barrier Reef

One of the greatest marvels of the marine world, the Belize Barrier Reef runs 190 miles along the Central American country"s Caribbean coast. It"s part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System that stretches from Mexico"s Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras and is the second-largest reef in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef has remained relatively healthy even as many of the planet"s reefs are threatened by climate change.Desktop Version

Sep 17, 2019Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a single celebration that commemorates the formation and signing of the US Constitution while also recognizing both naturalized citizens and those born in the US. It"s a day to learn about these subjects, as well as a day many people become naturalized citizens in group ceremonies. (On average, about 700,000 people become US citizens every year.) To celebrate, we"re looking at an unusual close-up of the Statue of Liberty, a welcoming sight to immigrants and a symbol of freedom since 1886. The statue"s tablet has the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) inscribed in Roman numerals: JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.Desktop Version

Aug 20, 2023International Lighthouse Weekend

To mark International Lighthouse Weekend, we"re on England"s southwest coast, where Start Point Lighthouse looks out over the turbulent waters of the English Channel. The lighthouse is perched upon a rugged cliff on one of the country"s most exposed peninsulas, which stretches nearly a mile into the sea in the county of Devon. Built in 1836, the elegant lighthouse was designed by civil engineer James Walker in the Gothic style, as seen in its castle-like parapet. It has undergone many changes since then and more accommodation was added in the 1870s, but no lighthouse keepers live there now—it has been automated since 1993.Desktop Version

Jun 8, 2023World Oceans Day

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth"s surface, so it"s no surprise they play a crucial role in our planet"s climate and ecosystem, supporting a huge amount of marine life. Humpback whales, like the one in our homepage image, can be found in all oceans and have among the world’s longest migrations, traveling thousands of miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder waters in search of food. They are also known for their haunting "songs." There are many theories about why they sing, but some research suggests it might be a sign of loneliness. The good news is, that a global ban on commercial whaling has seen their numbers increase, so there is less need for whales to feel lonely.Desktop Version

Jan 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland

From fjords and lava fields to ice caves and black sand beaches, Iceland is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The volcanic black sand of Diamond Beach, pictured in today"s image, sparkles with pieces of iceberg washed ashore from the nearby Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The contrast between the clear ice and black sand looks particularly surreal when sunlight hits the ice, making it a must-visit destination on Iceland"s south coast.Desktop Version

Jan 25, 2024Ruins of St. Dwynwens Church, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales

Ynys Llanddwyn is a tiny tidal island which, at low tide, is attached to the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. Ynys means "island" in Welsh and Llanddwyn means "the church of Dwynwen," the country"s patron saint of lovers.Desktop Version

Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece

The Venetian harbor in the Old Town of Rethymno, on the Greek island of Crete, invites you to time travel through history. Its Egyptian lighthouse and Turkish elements are proof of different nations leaving their mark on Crete"s old port. Forged in the 14th century under Venetian rule, this port has long served as a bustling hub for commerce and enterprise. For today"s visitors, a replica of an old wooden sailing ship offers a full historic adventure. For a nostalgic inland experience, visit the 16th-century Fortezza, Rethymno"s Venetian fortress. The citadel is visible from every corner of the town and offers a panoramic view of Rethymno.Desktop Version

Feb 18, 2023Eben Ice Caves, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

The Eben Ice Caves only exist during the freezing winters of Michigan"s Upper Peninsula. For the rest of the year, there are only sandstone cliffs and cedar trees here. But when temperatures drop, water flows over the canyon cliffs and turns into these beautiful, colorful ice formations.Desktop Version

Nov 20, 2024World Childrens Day

What"s more creative than a young mind? This World Children"s Day, let"s celebrate the boundless imagination of kids and the ideas they bring to life. A UNICEF initiative, this day is a global day of action for children, by children, which marks the UN"s adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Kids are raising their voices on issues ranging from conflict and climate change to mental health and discrimination, in a bid to influence the future.Desktop Version

Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows

These cool cows are Belted Galloways, also known as "Oreo cows." (And if you like a glass of milk with your cookies…) The heritage breed originated in the southwest of Scotland, and it thrives on the region"s rough pastures and windswept slopes. Belted Galloways fight the elements with a double-layer coat: The long, coarse hair diverts rain, and beneath that, the cow has a soft undercoat to keep it warm and dry in the harsh Scottish winters.Desktop Version

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