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Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Here on New Zealand"s rugged South Island, the waters of Lake Tekapo display such striking electric-blue colors because of glacial silt flowing into the lake, carried by the braided Godley and Macauley Rivers, seen at the bottom of our image. These rivers are themselves fed by the melted waters of glaciers in the nearby Southern Alps. As these active glaciers slowly bulldoze the mountainsides, they pulverize rocks along valley floors and walls. All that grinding eventually produces a fine-grained powder of silt, sometimes called glacial flour. Meltwater picks up the silt, carrying it downstream and into lakes like Tekapo. The particles are so light and fine, they"re slow to sink to the bottom, remaining suspended in the water column instead.Desktop Version
Let the holiday shopping commence
Let the holiday shopping commence
Were you among the crowds camped outside retail stores early this morning, hoping to cash in on Black Friday deals? Perhaps you can even see yourself reflected in these Christmas ornaments hanging in New York City’s Macy’s department store. The day after Thanksgiving is big business for retailers. Last year, 174 million Americans shopped on Black Friday weekend, according to the National Retail Federation, presumably moving retailers’ balance sheets from red (losses) to black (profits). But the term ‘Black Friday’ has a darker history. It was originally used to describe a financial crisis in 1869, and later adopted by Philadelphia police to describe post-Thanksgiving chaos at department stores in their city. Retailers later co-opted the phrase ‘Black Friday,’ giving it more positive connotations–a shift toward profitability at the start of the crucial holiday shopping season.Desktop Version
Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
Göreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
Both natural wonders and historic landmarks, the "fairy chimneys" of Göreme may suggest the fantastical dwellings of an alien species, or an illustration from a Dr. Seuss book. These and similar rock formations are known by many names—hoodoos, tent rocks, earth pyramids, as well as fairy chimneys—and are typically found in dry, hot areas. Here in Cappadocia, in south-central Turkey, they were formed when a thick layer of volcanic ash solidified over millions of years into soft, porous rock called tuff that was overlaid by hard basalt. Cracks in the basalt allowed wind and rain to gradually wash away the softer bottom layer, leaving the hard basalt to cap tall columns of the tuff. The result is these unusual, often beautiful—and perhaps puzzling—formations that spread across the Anatolian plain.Desktop Version
The crossroads of empires
The crossroads of empires
Today, we"re 11,000 feet above sea level in the city of Cusco, in the Peruvian Andes. Cusco is considered the historical capital of Peru, a designation that"s even enshrined in the country"s constitution. The city served as a capital for the Incan Empire in the three centuries before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.Desktop Version
It s World Bee Day
It s World Bee Day
Today we"ve buzzed to Provence, France, to enjoy this scenic view brought to you by bees. These hard-working insects are key pollinators of flowers, like the sunflowers and lavender seen growing here. That’s why beekeepers have strategically placed these hives near the flower crops. Bees are also critical for the pollination of fruits and vegetables—about a third of the food we eat is a result of honeybee pollination. In the US, honeybees, whether tended by beekeepers or living in the wild, pollinate about $20 billion worth of crops every year. That"s a lot of gold—and doesn"t even include their delicious honey. So today on World Bee Day, we invite you to stop and smell the flowers and give a nod to the bees that help color our world.Desktop Version
Spot on for International Cat Day
Spot on for International Cat Day
One of the smallest of the big cats, the leopard is known for its shy personality, athleticism, and its spots, called rosettes. You can find leopards in many parts of Africa and Asia, but the subspecies pictured here roams the semiarid terrain of Sub-Saharan Africa. Skilled climbers and predominantly solo travelers, leopards can often be found draped along the branch of an acacia or other tall tree. They climb trees to hunt, but also to eat—they don’t like to share food, and they like to eat slowly.Desktop Version
It s not always sunny in Abu Simbel…
It s not always sunny in Abu Simbel…
…but when it is, it"s pretty spectacular. This tiny lakeside settlement"s Great Temple of Ramesses II was positioned on the orders of that powerful pharaoh so the inner sanctum (in this picture, that"s the small room at the very back) is lit by the sun only twice a year. On February 22 and October 22 (thought to be Ramesses" coronation and birth dates, respectively), the first light of dawn illuminates the sanctuary and three statues within: one of Ramesses, one of the sun god Ra, and one of the chief god Amun. A fourth statue depicting the underworld figure Ptah is permanently shrouded in shadow.Desktop Version
A path lain with petals
A path lain with petals
Pisgah National Forest, in western North Carolina, is primarily a hardwood forest boasting 500,000 acres of mountainous peaks and cascading waterfalls that attract hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, and more. But from mid-May to mid-June, the crowds flock here to hike trails that lead to incredible views: acres of native Catawba rhododendrons in full blossom.Desktop Version
The tallest animal in the world on the longest day of the year
The tallest animal in the world on the longest day of the year
Happy summer! Today marks the first full day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Today also happens to be World Giraffe Day, so we"ve picked this Rothschild"s giraffe dining on tree leaves in Kenya"s Lake Nakuru National Park to honor both occasions.Desktop Version
Its Halfway Day!
Its Halfway Day!
Today is Halfway Day, which means we are halfway through 2023! Halfway Day begins at noon on July 2 during a regular 365-day year, and at midnight on July 2 during a leap year—so this year, we"re celebrating at lunchtime.Desktop Version
A new park with a new mission
A new park with a new mission
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch has been open to visitors since 1967 and became part of a national park on Feb 22, 2018. With that new status come new reflections on what the arch represents. Originally it symbolized a ‘gateway to the West’—marking the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition and celebrating the westward expansion of the US. But history has many stories to tell and the Gateway Arch, with its new national park status, includes many more perspectives on our nation’s westward growth. The arch and surrounding grounds are now literally more accessible as well, with redesigned grounds that have better integrated the park into the city’s landscape.Desktop Version
The National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian
Today, on the first day of Native American Heritage Month, we’re visiting the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, DC. It"s part of the large network of the Smithsonian Institution, and has branches in New York and Maryland. Together, the three museums share one of the world"s largest collections of Western Hemisphere Native artifacts, "from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego."Desktop Version
It s time to fall back
It s time to fall back
While today"s image may look like a scene from the "Doctor Who" TV show, it actually shows workers maintaining Big Ben"s clock face. But like the Doctor, the show"s main character, today we"re all time travelers. This morning we fell back (or will fall back for night owls and insomniacs reading this before 2 AM) in time an hour for the end of daylight saving time. And like changes to "Doctor Who," this shift isn"t without controversy. Since the 1970s, many studies have tried to quantify the advantages or disadvantages that come with falling back and springing forward, but as yet there"s no definitive answer.Desktop Version
World Jellyfish Day
World Jellyfish Day
Today we"re celebrating World Jellyfish Day—even though these creatures are best described as otherworldly. Despite their alien qualities (not to mention their inability to vocalize), jellyfish have a lot to say to us about the history of life on Earth.Desktop Version
Happy Mother s Day
Happy Mother s Day
Zebras can walk within 20 minutes of being born, but they still need help from mom. On Mother"s Day, we"re looking at a Burchell"s zebra mother and foal. For the first two days after the foal is born, the mother will keep it close by and limit contact with other zebras, so the foal gets to know her by sight, smell, and sound. Over the next year, the foal will follow its mother, learning what to eat, where to migrate in the dry and rainy seasons, and how to avoid predators. Those might not be the exact skills your mom taught you, but she surely played a part in your survival and growth—so be sure to wish her a happy Mother"s Day today.Desktop Version
Decorating for Diwali
Decorating for Diwali
During Diwali, the five-day festival of lights, vibrant patterns of all shapes and sizes are created on the floor out of materials such as colored rice, sand, and flower petals. The charming Indian folk art, called rangoli, is usually made near the entrance of a home to welcome guests and deities, and is said to bring good luck on special occasions. Celebrations might be a bit different this year, but buildings will still be brightened by these decorative drawings, twinkling lights, and small oil lamps, known as diyas.Desktop Version
Welcome to the Alien Egg Hatchery
Welcome to the Alien Egg Hatchery
The otherworldly rock formations in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness inspired some creative names—such as the "Alien Egg Hatchery" seen in this photo. More than 70 million years ago, this desert was a tidal swamp along the shore of the long-evaporated Western Interior Seaway that once bisected North America. A diverse array of sediment and rock was deposited by the waters, and after the seaway retreated, the rocks remained.Desktop Version
Of moose and Maine
Of moose and Maine
As spring unfolds in Maine, the backwoods teem with life small and large. We"d say this water lily-munching moose belongs in the second category. Moose are the bulkiest members of the deer family, trouncing their relatives in size: Bulls can weigh in at well over 1,500 pounds. And while this hulking hoofer"s velvety antlers are still sprouting, they may soon span more than 6 feet.Desktop Version
Let’s talk fossils
Let’s talk fossils
Was there a time in your childhood when you told your parents, ‘I want to study dinosaurs when I grow up!’? On National Fossil Day, we encourage you to channel that childhood curiosity. The event, a celebration of paleontology, often includes events at local museums, parks, and schools. Participants may get to see amazing remnants of the past, such as the dinosaur tracks on our homepage, which were photographed near Tuba City, Arizona, in the Navajo Nation.Desktop Version
A ‘city’ within Valencia
A ‘city’ within Valencia
Inspired by the City of Science and Industry in Paris, the Valencian Autonomous Government created the City of Arts and Sciences, enlisting the talents of architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela to give the Spanish city a modern cultural attraction. Built in a park on the drained riverbed of the Turia River, the first portions of the multi-building attraction opened in 1998. Several additions followed, the most recent being L"Àgora, a covered plaza that opened in 2009 to host concerts, exhibitions, and other events.Desktop Version
Denali National Park
Denali National Park
Someone ought to tell these Dall sheep they don"t blend in here at Polychrome Pass. Their white coats may be great camouflage against the Alaskan snows, but the warm tones of this tundra make them stick out a bit. And they aren"t the only thing sticking out in this national park: It"s home to the tallest mountain in North America.Desktop Version
An island hopper s paradise
An island hopper s paradise
Welcome to sunny and sultry Seychelles, a tropical island nation just south of the equator in the Indian Ocean, roughly 900 miles off the eastern coast of Africa. The gorgeous beach you see here is Anse Source d"Argent on the island of La Digue, one of 115 islands that make up this tropical republic. Anse Source d"Argent has long been a favorite of photographers, who are drawn to its contoured, dark granite boulders, pristine white sand, and turquoise-colored water. Beachcombers and sun worshippers also flock to the Seychelles because of their consistently great weather—daily high temperatures almost always stay within a comfortable range of between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit all year round.Desktop Version
Looking down on the Otter
Looking down on the Otter
Otter Creek is the longest river entirely contained within the borders of Vermont and has been an important waterway since people settled in the area around 10,000 years ago. Originally an important trade route for the indigenous Abenaki, Algonquin, and Iroquois nations, it remained a vital part of the economy of the early European settlers and up through the 19th century. It winds through some of the Green Mountain State"s most scenic towns, from Brandon to Middlebury to Vergennes, and empties into Lake Champlain. It is also the water source for more than one of Vermont"s many microbreweries, including Otter Creek Brewery. With at least 60 breweries serving just over 600,000 people in the state, Vermonters lead the nation in beer brands per capita. Cheers!Desktop Version
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Bluespotted ribbontail ray
We"re not sure whether it deserves the blue ribbon for most colorful stingray or most literal name, but there"s no doubt the bluespotted ribbontail ray is a standout. Shower it in accolades from a distance, though. Those bright blue polka dots are—as is the case with many brightly colored animals—a warning to predators that the ray"s stinging tail packs a potent poison.Desktop Version
A special day for a special cat
A special day for a special cat
With short, limber legs and a long tail, the clouded leopard is perfectly adapted for living in the trees. Flexible ankle joints allow it to descend trunks headfirst, one of only two cat species that can pull this off. A long tail provides stabilizing balance for leaps between trees. Sharp, retractable claws let this jungle climber dangle off branches in all sorts of gravity-defying positions.Desktop Version