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Aug 21, 2019Look before you leap

There’s no rest for the wildebeest, especially as it crosses the crocodile-infested Mara River between Kenya and Tanzania, shown here. Each year, as many as 1.5 million blue wildebeest move through this region following seasonal rains. The annual migration is one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles, a journey that will take the wildebeest some 800 miles, as they seek out lush, green grass and fresh water. August often finds the herd here in the northern Serengeti Plains, a favorite destination for safari-goers who will also see some 200,000 zebras—as well as smaller numbers of gazelles and elands—that accompany the herd. The great number of animals makes this phenomenon one of the largest land migrations on Earth, often called the ‘world cup of wildlife.’Desktop Version

Jun 13, 2019A unique elephant encounter in Nantes

Created by François Delarozière, Pierre Orefice, and their team of artists and engineers at La Machine Company workshop, the Grand Éléphant was the first of three artworks/attractions constructed for the Machines de l’île (Machines of the Isle) in Nantes. The elephant is a mechanical sculpture that’s so big it can take up to 49 passengers for a 45-minute walk. After unveiling the elephant in 2007 and the Carrousel des Mondes Marins (Marine World Carousel) in 2012, they"re now working on an ambitious third project, L’Arbre aux Hérons (Tree of Herons), scheduled for 2022. The efforts of these visionary creators have turned a shuttered industrial shipyard on the Loire River into a unique place where art, architecture, tourism, and urban planning come together to delight all who visit.Desktop Version

Jul 5, 2021How green is my valley

Cabo Verde ("Green Cape") celebrates its independence today. Located about 350 miles off the western coast of Africa, the country consists of 10 volcanic islands. We"re looking at the Serra da Malagueta mountain range in the northern part of the island of Santiago, which is protected as a national park. At nearly 3,500 feet, it"s the highest point of northern Santiago and offers views of nearby Fogo and Maio islands, as well as diverse plants and wildlife.Desktop Version

Apr 5, 2023Black grouses lekking

These showy males are squaring up in Kuusamo, Finland, a popular hang-out spot for black grouse as they take part in a flamboyant courtship ritual. They fan their tail feathers and inflate their necks while letting out a murmuring coo, hoping that a female selects them. This communal display is called lekking, and though we only see two birds here, these groups can number up to 200. Black grouse aren"t the only animals known to participate in leks—bats, paper wasps, Atlantic cod, and fiddler crabs are among the many other species which go to the same lengths to find the right mate.Desktop Version

Feb 22, 2021Invisible no longer

As the calendar nears the end of Black History Month, we"re paying a visit to the memorial for American writer Ralph Ellison in New York"s Riverside Park. The 15-foot-tall bronze monolith depicts a striding, purposeful figure—or rather, the absence of a figure. For this sculpture, by artist Elizabeth Catlett, was inspired by Ellison"s most famous written work, "Invisible Man," published in 1952. The lyrical, uncompromising novel is narrated by an unnamed Black man who describes his agonizing search for identity in a society largely hostile to African Americans and blind to the suffering and indignities of the Black experience. The sculpture bears an inscription of the novel"s opening words: "I am an invisible man…I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me." Widely recognized as one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century, "Invisible Man" won the National Book Award in 1953 and remains one of the most searing portraits of modern American life.Desktop Version

Aug 6, 2020Space-age style by the sea

This pod-like structure near the seaside resort of Binz, on the Pomeranian coast of northeast Germany, provides a snapshot into a different era, delivered by the architect Ulrich Müther. Originally a lifeguard tower, it was constructed in 1968 in a style known as shell architecture using an innovative thin, poured-concrete material. Müther designed and built roughly 70 buildings in this manner, many of them here on the island of Rügen, where he lived. His work is regarded as some of the most outstanding examples of architecture in the region.Desktop Version

Dec 7, 2018Honoring our fallen heroes

For Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we’re at the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, a landmark that sees more than 2 million visitors each year. The memorial can only be reached by boat, since it straddles the sunken hull of the Arizona, which was bombed in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941. The event killed 2,403 Americans, and many of their names are inscribed here. The Arizona memorial is undergoing repairs this winter, but it’s slated to reopen to the public in March 2019. A commemoration ceremony is planned nearby for today’s observance.Desktop Version

Oct 20, 2019Meet the slowest flirt in the animal world

We hate to break it to you, but the affable grin on this pale-throated sloth is probably not due to its laid-back lifestyle. Our adorable tree hugger looks content thanks to its facial mask and the natural shape of its mouth. Spotting one of these slow-moving solitary animals takes a little skill. The thick outer layer of a sloth"s coat is an ideal growing medium for green algae, which forms a natural camouflage in the canopy of tropical forests here in northern South America. If you do spot a pale-throated sloth it will likely be enjoying a simple meal of leaves, limbs, and tree buds. Because sloths don"t have incisors, they spend most of their waking hours smacking their lips together "to chew" their food. This would drive most animals to starvation (if not culinary madness), but the sloth"s metabolism is so slow that it"s evolved to survive on less food.Desktop Version

Sep 1, 2019Bidding summer adieu

Today, on the traditional end of the French summer season, we"re featuring the wild beauty of the Gorges du Tarn, a canyon formed by the Tarn River in south central France. The Tarn Gorge is about 33 miles long and, at points, almost 2,000 feet deep. It"s a popular spot for tourists, especially kayakers and rock climbers. History buffs also find much to explore, including the castles and villages built along—or even carved into—the canyon walls, like Castelbouc in today"s image.Desktop Version

Jul 12, 2022Bay Marker Lookout, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia

It"s an easy, circular trail to the Bay Marker Lookout, but you have to make it under your own steam—sorry, no cars allowed. This is one of the five Sydney Olympic Park Markers, cone-shaped earth mounds installed for the 2000 Olympics in Australia. They are cleverly placed to look from the air like the Australian flag"s Southern Cross. From the ground, the Bay Marker gives a stunning full-360-degree view of Wentworth Common—a large grassy park—and the larger Olympic Park and stadium. You can also look over Homebush Bay (the community and the body of water) to the north. It"s a dramatic melding of urban landscape, the city skyline, the wetlands and greenery, rivers, and beaches.Desktop Version

Nov 2, 2020Waiting for winter

These polar bears seem to be just as happy as we are to visit Torngat Mountains National Park today. Located in Canada at the tip of the Labrador Peninsula and bordering the Labrador Sea, the park is accessible only by boat, charter plane, or helicopter. The name "Torngat" comes from the Inuktitut word "Tongait," meaning "place of spirits." The Inuit have lived here for centuries and still fish and hunt across the wide tundra valleys where these polar bears roam. This time of year, polar bears are waiting for the sea ice to form so they can venture out onto the Labrador Sea to hunt for seals.Desktop Version

May 6, 2019Love blossoms

Today marks the first day of National Wildflower Week, so we"re shining a light on fireweed—a ‘weed’ in name only and a wildflower that’s a welcome sight wherever it grows. This tall, willowy perennial is a pioneer species, which means it"s often among the first plants to colonize an area cleared by fire or other damaging events. Native to temperate zones in the Northern Hemisphere, fireweed thrives along streams, roadsides, and forests, creating stunning blankets of pink in open meadows.Desktop Version

Oct 14, 2021Happy birthday, Saguaro National Park

If you know what these distinctively shaped cactuses are called, you can name this patch of public land in the Sonoran Desert. Saguaro National Park was established on this day in 1994 to protect giant saguaros like these. The slow-growing, prickly behemoths have been known to reach almost 80 feet into the Arizona sky. Just don"t be tempted to climb one—take it from us, a closer look at that celestial display isn"t worth getting jabbed by 3-inch saguaro spines.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

Jun 4, 2019Breaking the fast for Eid

Here in the Draa River Valley, farmers grow date palms in the oasis town of Zagora, which for many is the last stop before a long journey into the Sahara. Today the Muslim population of Zagora will join billions of Muslims around the world to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The food-filled holiday marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.Desktop Version

Sep 4, 2021Humming along

Did you know that in the US, the first Saturday in September is National Hummingbird Day? You do now! And what a terrific bird to celebrate. Hummingbirds, such as the Anna"s hummingbird in this photo, are crucial to healthy ecosystems. Many flowers have evolved funnel-shaped blooms specifically to attract hummingbirds—large insects like bumblebees can’t always squeeze into these tubular blossoms. But hummingbirds can plunge their long, narrow bills deep into the blooms to find the nectar that accumulates in the base and in the process, they spread pollen from flower to flower.Desktop Version

May 23, 2020Bask in the glow—It s World Turtle Day

For the last 20 years, on May 23, turtle lovers everywhere have emerged to honor these shelled reptiles that have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years. The over 350 known species of turtles alive today are found on every continent, except Antarctica. But despite their wide distribution, most turtles are endangered due to loss of habitat, illegal wildlife trade, and hunting and fishing. World Turtle Day aims to change that by raising awareness about their plight and encouraging conservation efforts. So today, we invite you to stick your neck out for turtles.Desktop Version

Feb 8, 2020Lanterns alight in Pingxi

Today"s Lantern Festival marks the final day of Lunar (aka Chinese) New Year celebrations, which began back on January 25. The day of the festival is filled with dancing, firecrackers, children"s games, and food. Nighttime brings a quieter, more thoughtful way to start the new year. After sundown, celebrants may gather at a designated area to light and release paper lanterns into the dark sky. Many think of the lantern as symbolic of the "old you"—and by letting the old you go, the past is released and you can start the new year fresh. This multiple-exposure composite image shows the trail of "sky lanterns" as they"re ascending over Pingxi, a district in Taiwan.Desktop Version

Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

Each week hundreds of tourists make the journey to the summit of Haleakalā, a dormant volcano at Haleakalā National Park, to watch the sunrise at 10,000 feet above sea level. Legend says this protected place is the site where demigod Maui lassoed the sun and convinced it to slow down and make our days last longer. Thanks, Maui! Now is there any chance you can make the weekend longer, too?Desktop Version

Feb 15, 2020Whales in winter

Wintertime brings large numbers of humpback whales to the icy waters off the Norwegian coast, where they feed on herring and krill—and delight whale watchers with powerful leaps, tail-slaps, and glimpses into their underwater world. Male humpbacks are famous for their haunting songs, which can last up to 20 minutes and be heard over great distances underwater. Scientists aren"t sure why exactly the males sing these ballads, but some theorize it"s related to courtship. That sounds romantic enough, but ladies take note—the humpback isn"t one to settle down. It"s a migratory animal that swims up to 16,000 miles a year, traveling from southern breeding grounds to Arctic waters like these.Desktop Version

Apr 8, 2024Total solar eclipse

Put on your solar glasses and turn your eyes skyward. Today, you can witness a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse! As the moon perfectly aligns between the Earth and the sun, daylight will shift eerily to twilight. The total solar eclipse will be visible across North America, from Mazatlán, Mexico, to eastern Canada"s Newfoundland Island, for up to four and a half minutes between 10:57 AM PST and 4:47 PM ADT. It will be the first total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States since August 21, 2017, although one occurs somewhere on Earth approximately every 18 months. Astronomers study the sun"s corona, which is the outermost part of its atmosphere, its magnetic fields, and the behavior of Earth"s atmosphere during the eclipse. Keep an eye on the time today and find a good spot to put on eclipse-safe solar glasses and see the golden ring emerge.Desktop Version

Aug 10, 2020Kings of the Kalahari

We"re celebrating World Lion Day with these two lion cubs in the Kalahari Desert region of Botswana. The young cats may be cute and cuddly now, but they"ll soon grow up to be one of the most powerful and majestic animals in the world. The predominant predator in the region, Kalahari lions cover vast territories spanning harsh shrublands and desert. As prey becomes scarcer, Kalahari lions travel in smaller prides and often cover longer distances in search of their next meal. As of 2015, lions were listed as vulnerable and placed on the World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species. World Lion Day supports and promotes organizations and conservation efforts that address the dwindling wild lion population.Desktop Version

Mar 31, 2020What a twist

No, it"s not a sci-fi movie set—but maybe it should be. The Twist seems like an intrusion from the future amidst the dense woods and preserved historical buildings of Jevnaker, Norway, home to the Kistefos Museum"s sculpture park. The Twist is a bridge, but also an art gallery. Its unique construction features straight slats set at increasing angles as one moves toward the center—"like a stack of books," as its architects at the Bjarke Ingels Group describe it—to create a 90-degree turn where a wall becomes the ceiling and vice versa.Desktop Version

Sep 7, 2018An historic forest

When explorers from Portugal landed on the shores of what is now Brazil in 1500, the Atlantic Forest, seen here, is what greeted them. Before colonization, the forest the Portuguese called ‘Mata Atlântica’ is estimated to have covered nearly 400,000 square miles, and possibly as many as 600,000. As Brazil celebrates its independence today, the Atlantic Forest is in peril--85 percent of it has been destroyed to make room for agriculture and development.Desktop Version

Oct 19, 2018Portland celebrates its bounty

Colonial settlements in Portland, Maine, began with an economy based heavily on fishing, but over the years it has built up a bustling culinary scene as well. In fact, it’s been dubbed the ‘Foodiest Small Town in America.’ This week the Harvest on the Harbor Festival is showcasing what Portland’s chefs and other food and drink professionals can do with the region’s abundant foods, especially locally caught lobster. Harvest on the Harbor lasts until October 21, so if you’re the jet-setting type, there’s still time for a weekend getaway.Desktop Version

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