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Explorer of the sea
Explorer of the sea
This blue shark is swimming near the Azores, a Portuguese chain of islands about 850 miles west of mainland Portugal. The inspiration for the shark"s name comes from its back color, which can vary from a light blue to a darker shade. Its slender, tapered body is propelled through the water with agility and grace by a long tail fin that sweeps from side to side. Listed as "near threatened," blue sharks are found off the coast of every continent except for Antarctica, making them the most widely distributed of all sharks. Swift and powerful swimmers, blue sharks migrate long distances. It"s common for them to swim 1,200 to 1,700 miles or even farther, following the clockwise currents of the Gulf Stream in search of food, mates, and "just right" water temperatures.Desktop Version
It s Tolkien Reading Day
It s Tolkien Reading Day
For Tolkien Reading Day, we"re featuring Oxford University"s Radcliffe Camera, the reading room for the Bodleian Library, which is home to the world"s largest archive of J.R.R. Tolkien"s original manuscripts and drawings. While Tolkien never worked in the Radcliffe Camera (Latin for "room"), he both studied at Oxford (graduating in 1915 with first-class honors in English language) and taught here as a professor.Desktop Version
The long and wiggling path
The long and wiggling path
In 1926, Walter Ruesch, the first superintendent of Zion National Park in Utah, oversaw the construction of this section of the Angels Landing Trail, one of the park"s most ambitious trails. Although he had no previous engineering experience, Ruesch planned the steep 21-switchback path out of Refrigerator Canyon up to Angels Landing. The section of the trail, now affectionately called Walter’s Wiggles, was first built to enable horses" access to Cabin Spring. One of the most difficult and dangerous sections of the Angels Landing Trail, Walter"s Wiggles was resurfaced in 1985 in a project that required 258 helicopter flights to haul in concrete for the job.Desktop Version
Sailing on thick ice
Sailing on thick ice
New York"s Hudson River, winter of 2014: Temperatures were so cold for so long that sailors were able to take their antique wooden ice yachts out for a sail on this 20-mile stretch of thick ice. It was a rare sight for the area. Global warming meant that the Hudson River hadn"t frozen thick enough for safe iceboating in years.Desktop Version
A day for the dolphins
A day for the dolphins
We"re celebrating World Dolphin Day with a small pod of pantropical spotted dolphins. Award-winning photographer Christian Vizl captured this serene scene off the coast of Ixtapa, Mexico, where these cetaceans can be, er, spotted in abundance. As their name would suggest, pantropical spotted dolphins live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They"re the second-most common dolphin after the bottlenose and grow between 6 and 7 feet long. That may seem big if you were swimming next to one, but it"s really pretty small compared with the big kahuna of the dolphin family—the orca. Orca bulls can be up to 32 feet long and tip the scales at 11 tons. Let"s all take a moment today to spread the love of dolphins big and small and recognize their importance to our ecosystem. To see more of Vizl"s stunning nature photography, select the link below.Desktop Version
Aloe in bloom
Aloe in bloom
The bright flowers of these aloe plants offer a striking contrast to their more recognizable green, spiky stems. Native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula, aloes—including the well-known aloe vera species—are now grown outdoors in many locations that boast mild winter climates. They can bloom at any time throughout the year. And yes, even indoor potted aloes can be encouraged to bloom with the right amount of sunlight, water, and fertilizer.Desktop Version
Islands of the Salish Sea
Islands of the Salish Sea
The San Juan archipelago is made up of over 400 islands and rocks, some only visible during low tide. They"re scattered across the Salish Sea between Washington state and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. No bridges connect the San Juans to the mainland, but four of the largest islands—San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw—are accessible via the Washington State Ferries system. Tourists come to the islands to take in the stunning coastal views, catch a glimpse of resident orcas, and partake in many outdoor activities, such as sea kayaking, biking, and hiking.Desktop Version
Salmon migration in full swing
Salmon migration in full swing
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you may get a chance to view migrating salmon this fall. For the sockeye salmon shown here, the epic journey takes them from the waters of the Pacific Ocean back to the freshwater lakes and streams where they were born. There they’ll spawn, their bodies turning from a silvery blue to crimson and changing shape in the process. This isn’t always an easy journey. Dams and other human interventions have affected salmon runs, and West Coast salmon numbers have been in decline. We’re fans of groups like Long Live the Kings, a Pacific Northwest nonprofit that’s helping rebuild salmon populations and protect their habitat—for the long run.Desktop Version
A tower of light
A tower of light
Today is the International Day of Peace, an annual observance created by the United Nations and first celebrated in 1982. To recognize this noble effort, we bring you to Viðey Island, just north of Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik. The island is home to the Imagine Peace Tower, a ring of lights and mirrors that beams up nearly 2.5 miles into the night sky. It was created by Yoko Ono as an extension of the peace campaign started by the artist and her late husband, John Lennon. The base features the phrase ‘Imagine Peace’ in 24 different languages. When speaking of today’s observance, the UN defines ‘peace’ in the broadest terms–ceasefires and truces, however temporary, are all lauded as efforts to create a world free of violence.Desktop Version
Lake Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Lake Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Turquoise waters surrounded by jagged peaks and lush forests—that"s Lake Pehoé for you. Nestled in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, this glacial lake reflects the towering peaks of the Cuernos del Paine, pictured here bathed in the sun"s rays. The lake gets its color from finely ground rock particles and minerals, known as glacial flour, suspended in the water. The word "paine," pronounced pie-neh, in the park’s name is believed to have its roots in a Tehuelche word meaning "blue" while "torres" means towers. The park is named after three striking granite peaks that reach up to 8,200 feet above sea level but boasts many other spectacular mountains. At 700 square miles, Torres del Paine is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a huge amount to offer visitors, from hiking and kayaking to stargazing. So, pack your sense of adventure and head south to beat the blues.Desktop Version
Three cheers for polar bears!
Three cheers for polar bears!
February 27 is International Polar Bear Day, an observance created to bring attention to the important role these alpha predators play in the Arctic ecosystem. Though polar bears aren"t endangered—their current conservation status is "vulnerable"—these magnificent beasts have become a sort of mascot for the race to slow the melting of Arctic sea ice. The Arctic ice is crucial to the bears" survival, as they hunt the ringed seals that bob up through holes in the ice. As Arctic ice decreases, the polar bears" hunting ground does too.Desktop Version
It s National Mushroom Month!
It s National Mushroom Month!
Is it just us or does this porcini mushroom look straight out of a fairy tale? We"re featuring this sweet "shroom today because September is National Mushroom Month, a non-official holiday inaugurated in 1992 as part of a governmental effort to promote mushroom farming in the US. Some of the biggest celebrations this month occur in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, which is recognized as the Mushroom Capital of the World. The town of just 6,000 people cultivates around 500 million pounds of mushrooms each year, about half of the total US crop.Desktop Version
A bull, some flowers, and a stratovolcano
A bull, some flowers, and a stratovolcano
It"s grape-harvesting time on Pico, a centuries-old tradition that kicks off in early September. Pico is one of nine islands comprising an autonomous region of Portugal called the Azores archipelago. The islands themselves are the peaks of vast volcanic mountains that rise high above the North Atlantic Ocean.Desktop Version
Of moles and liquid nitrogen
Of moles and liquid nitrogen
What a coincidence! Three days into National Chemistry Week, we dive further into STEM education to celebrate Mole Day. We’re not toasting the burrowing animal, but the unit of measurement (mole) used primarily in chemistry and molecular science studies. We don’t know how many moles of liquid nitrogen are in this photo, but we do like the dynamic look of the super-cooled element, which in liquid form can resemble boiling water. We hope this photo doesn’t depict liquid nitrogen after somebody in the lab dropped their keys into the vat. At minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit, liquid nitrogen tends to flash-freeze anything immersed in it.Desktop Version
Lighting it up for Vivid Sydney
Lighting it up for Vivid Sydney
It’s winter in Australia, and the residents of Sydney fend off the winter gloom with a citywide festival. The wild light shows of Vivid Sydney encourage people to explore the city and see it in a new light. (Sorry. That had to happen.) Our photo shows the interior of "PJ the Port Jackson Shark," a light sculpture at the Taronga Zoo. It allows visitors to walk into the mouth of the ‘shark.’Desktop Version
It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
Here on the green grass of Cape Coral, Florida, this owl looks ready for his closeup, and ready for National Camera Day. June 29 commemorates photographs, the camera, and their invention. The history of the camera goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Chinese, who used pinhole cameras (camera obscuras), similar to what you might use to view a solar eclipse. The camera obscura could project an image but didn’t leave a lasting one.Desktop Version
Barn owl, England
Barn owl, England
Barn owls, distinguished by their white heart-shaped faces, are one of the world"s most widespread birds, found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in woodlands, farms, and on cliffs, but barn owls also enjoy roosting in places like bell towers and barns—hence the name. They are nighttime predators that fly over open lands to hunt rats and mice. During heavy rain, they are unable to hunt because their feathers aren"t waterproof, leaving them vulnerable to starvation during long periods of wet weather. Although some see them as a symbol of wisdom and fortune, their haunting cries and ghostly appearance mean they have often been seen as bad omens in rural areas.Desktop Version
Climb a tree for wild animals and plants
Climb a tree for wild animals and plants
Today is World Wildlife Day, the annual United Nations celebration of the incredible diversity of our planet"s wild animals and plants. The theme of this year"s WWD is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet." Through a series of virtual events, and a panel at UN headquarters, UN representatives and partner wildlife groups will examine the links between the state of our planet"s forests and woodlands and efforts to preserve the millions of livelihoods that directly depend on them. A particular emphasis will be placed on the role of Indigenous peoples who still live and work in forested areas, how they"ve successfully managed their forest ecosystems for centuries, and what that can teach us about sustainability.Desktop Version
Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
Any visitor to Iceland knows that driving the Ring Road rewards the traveler with incredible changing landscapes. Today, we"re taking a quick detour to visit this chiseled stretch of Iceland"s southern coast, where black sand beaches meet spiky basalt sea stacks. This is Reynisfjara Beach, widely considered the most beautiful example of Iceland"s black sand beaches. The sea stacks fronting the beach are known as Reynisdrangar and were formed when a volcano erupted, spewing flowing lava that cooled into these formations. Ask the locals how they formed, however, and you may get a different story, one involving trolls and a battle with a three-masted ship.Desktop Version
Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
In honor of the UN’s International Day of Families, we present the hyrax–a species with a rather surprising family tree. These furry mammals are often mistaken for rodents, but they’re more closely related to the elephant and manatee. Hyraxes even sport tusk-like incisors like their elephant cousins. To stay warm, they spend much of their time sunbathing, an activity which makes them vulnerable to predators. But even hyrax families look out for one another—and a male hyrax will stand guard to watch for potential threats.Desktop Version
Sky island views
Sky island views
Though it"s December, it isn"t cold and snowy everywhere in North America. Here, near Tucson, Arizona, the Sonoran Desert stays warm year-round. In this photo, we"re looking at a "sky island"—an isolated, high-elevation woodland surrounded by radically different lowland environments. In this case, the desert land at the base of the mountain is peppered with saguaros—a stately cactus recognized for its long arms. The snow-capped Santa Catalina Mountains in the distance are part of the Madrean Sky Islands and are home to Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, which is the southernmost ski destination in the US. The ski area covers the slopes of Mount Lemmon, which reaches an elevation of about 9,100 feet at the summit and can receive around 180 inches of snow annually.Desktop Version
It s International Jazz Day
It s International Jazz Day
We’re joining the rest of the world in celebrating International Jazz Day with this 1959 image of the legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong. Jazz music has its roots in Armstrong’s hometown of New Orleans, but it quickly spread throughout the United States before developing an international appeal and influence. April 30 is designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as International Jazz Day to highlight the music and its role in cultures around the world.Desktop Version
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday
These common terns sharing a fish have the right idea for today, which is Giving Tuesday. Held annually on the Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving, the global movement serves to encourage acts of generosity during the holidays, when consumerism seems to be the focus for so many. Giving Tuesday was founded in 2012 by New York"s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Originally observed only in the US, it"s grown into a worldwide celebration of generosity promoted by a newly independent organization. There are several ways you can participate: Donate to the cause of your choice, volunteer your time, or just do something nice—even sharing a fish counts.Desktop Version
Unearthing a queen s lost tale
Unearthing a queen s lost tale
Almost 3,500 years ago under Queen Hatshepsut"s reign, Egypt enjoyed decades of peace and flourishing culture, and this elegant temple is just one piece of her larger-than-life legacy. But the pharaoh who succeeded Hatshepsut forbade all mention of her rule, taking credit for her monuments and leaving her name all but unknown for millennia.Desktop Version
Arctic fox in Norway
Arctic fox in Norway
We"re visiting Norway"s Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park, where this small but mighty Arctic fox is undergoing changes to prepare for the cold, Nordic winter. While animals have many ways to adapt to winter weather, such as migrating, hibernating, and growing thick fur, the Arctic fox does none of these. Instead, its coat transitions from brown and gray to a snowy white every autumn. The fox"s pelt acts as camouflage, allowing it to blend in among the rocks and tundra for half of the year and, after turning white, hide in the snow and ice the other half.Desktop Version