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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
Florentine garden brings generations together
Florentine garden brings generations together
Because it’s hidden just beyond the walls of the Palazzo Corsini al Prato, the Corsini Garden is never seen by many of the tourists who visit the grand palace. You’ll find the garden and palace in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and capital of Italy"s Tuscany region. Designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti in the early 1590s, the Palazzo Corsini al Prato and Corsini Garden will host the third annual New Generation Festival this week. The festival features a "new generation" of musical talent from around the world performing in a different musical genre each night. For four nights, young and old will enjoy opera, jazz, and classical music in an Italian garden that has enchanted visitors for more than a dozen generations.Desktop Version
Haven t you herd? It s World Elephant Day!
Haven t you herd? It s World Elephant Day!
Maybe this shot reminds you of that scene in "The Jungle Book" where a regiment of elephants thunders through India"s dense brush. We"re actually looking down at the wetlands of Botswana, a country that boasts a pachyderm population of 130,000—more elephants than any other nation. Unfortunately, herds here in the Okavango Delta have been hit hard recently: Mysterious die-offs in 2020 claimed about 350 local African bush elephants—and the deaths have continued, albeit at a lesser rate. Though the problem is still being studied, it"s theorized that high water temps gave rise to poisonous algae blooms in the animals" watering holes.Desktop Version
Here we honor the women who ve served
Here we honor the women who ve served
For this Memorial Day, we"re paying our respects at the Military Women"s Memorial, at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Since the American Revolution, more than 3 million women have served the nation in a military capacity, and this memorial is dedicated to them, honoring their courage, patriotism, and leadership. Opened in 1997, it"s the only major national memorial to honor all the women who have defended the United States in, or with, the armed services. And it"s more than just a memorial. It"s also an education center, with thousands of photographs, documents, textiles, artifacts, and other materials representing all eras and services of American women"s military history.Desktop Version
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Experience nature"s palette at its colorful best at Zelenci Springs, where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet, and multiple springs combine to form this aquamarine lake. Here in Slovenia’s Triglav National Park, these crystal-clear waters are the source of the Sava Dolinka, which runs into the country’s longest river, the Sava. Peer closely at the lakebed and you will see tiny springs bubbling up beneath the water"s surface. These spring waters never freeze as underground water temperatures stay around 41 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to keep flowing through harsh winters in this alpine region.Desktop Version
World Teachers Day
World Teachers Day
Class trip? Looks like this teacher has their youngsters in line. If only it were always this easy.... Today is World Teachers" Day, and we"re celebrating educators of all kinds. This year"s theme is "Teachers at the heart of educational renewal," and it highlights the remarkable efforts of teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. They"ve had to balance health and safety concerns with an abrupt switch to remote learning or partial in-person classes, all while focusing on the education and well-being of their students.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
Valentines Day
Valentines Day
Valentine"s Day is here! A day to celebrate love and tell your significant other how much they mean to you, Valentine"s Day is perhaps one of the most popular holidays around the world. Although its exact origins are not known, it is associated with the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia and the Christian feast day of Saint Valentine. But today, Valentine"s Day has evolved into a huge cultural and commercial celebration of romantic love.Desktop Version
It’s surströmming time
It’s surströmming time
The historic wooden pier of Smögen, Sweden, will be busy—and pungent—today. The third Thursday in August means one thing: surströmming season has arrived and all over Sweden, brave residents stand at the ready with can openers in hand. If you"ve never taken part in a surströmmingsskiva, the Swedish word for this particular event, you"re going to need a bucket of water, some side dishes, and a strong constitution.Desktop Version
Ravens
Ravens
With their black feathers standing in sharp contrast to the misty Alaskan background, this group of ravens perched on a leafless tree conjures up a fitting image for this spooky time of year. In the folkloric traditions of many cultures around the world, these highly adaptable, intelligent birds have been considered symbols of all manner of unpleasantness. In Chinese mythology, they"re blamed for bad weather, while Celts associated them with warfare. In some Native American traditions ravens are often represented as mischievous tricksters, while many European cultures associate them with evil spirits, usually of demonic origin. In English, a gathering of ravens like this is even called an "unkindness"!Desktop Version
Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Are you ready to rock the new year? Today is Old Rock Day, a day for celebrating and learning about old rocks and fossils. Rocks are common and few of us take the time to consider how amazing they are. But forged in volcanoes or molded by millennia of pressure, these solid masses of minerals hold the key to understanding how our planet formed. Rocks can also contain fossils, the remnants of long-extinct organisms, which give scientists clues about what creatures and plants have lived on Earth during its 4.5-billion-year history.Desktop Version
Sunny day, sweepin the clouds away
Sunny day, sweepin the clouds away
On this day 50 years ago, public television stations first introduced to viewers a colorful community of monsters, birds, grouches, and ordinary people all living together on a friendly urban street. TV producer Joan Ganz Cooney had developed the idea for "Sesame Street." She was convinced that television, with its ability to quickly capture the attention of young children, could be used for good—to educate as well as entertain. With the help of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, "Sesame Street"s" unique cast of characters, skits, and animated videos introduced a new way to provide early education for young children.Desktop Version
Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Whether you love snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, paragliding, or simply soaking up some sun, Ölüdeniz on Turkey"s Turquoise Coast will fit the bill. The name of the village and beach—Ölüdeniz—literally means "Dead Sea," a reference to the calm water, but it"s better known as Turkey"s Blue Lagoon for the stretch of tranquil waters set off from the ocean by a long sandbar. Much of the area is protected inside a national park, and the Ölüdeniz beach proudly holds the Blue Flag certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education, which recognizes high environmental and quality standards.Desktop Version
National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
It"s that time again! Grab your binoculars and bird guide and head outside to start counting. The National Audubon Society"s Christmas Bird Count starts on December 14 annually and runs until January 5. Originating as an actual hunt in the 19th century, on Christmas Day in 1900 someone had the bright idea to stop killing the birds and instead just observe them.Desktop Version
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
Stunning sandstone cliffs rise from the desert floor amid spectacular scenery here in Sedona, Arizona, also known as Red Rock Country. Adventure enthusiasts come to enjoy the beautiful trails that dot the region, which is also steeped in Native American history. The earliest settlers are believed to have been the Ancestral Puebloans, who inhabited the area around 1,400 years ago. Without any written history, most of the information about these ancient people comes from the archaeological ruins that remain, including cliff dwellings built under overhangs in the area"s red sandstone rocks. Other Native American groups came to the area such as the Hakataya, the Hohokam, the Sinagua, and the modern-day tribes that live in Arizona today, the Tonto Apache and the Yavapai.Desktop Version
Siblings Day
Siblings Day
Oh brother! April 10 is National Siblings Day, a time to celebrate the special bonds shared by brothers and sisters. From friendly rivalries to shared memories, there"s nothing quite like the relationship between siblings. Siblings Day was created by Claudia Evart in memory of her siblings Alan and Lisette. Today, it is recognized by 49 states and 14 countries. Celebrations of this day can range from something simple, like phoning your siblings to let them know you"re thinking of them, to giving gifts or sharing a meal.Desktop Version
World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day
For World Penguin Day, we"re dropping in on these three kings, who are conferring on matters of state, no doubt. By their grand name, you might expect the king penguin to be the largest of penguin species. In fact, the emperor penguin outranks the king in stature, although they do look similar. The king stands out because of its striking yellow-orange chest feathers and the matching flash of color on the side of its head. Kings can be found in Antarctica and on the subantarctic islands, but their only visits to shore are during the breeding season and when it"s time to molt. The 3-foot-tall kings have one of the longest breeding seasons for birds: It lasts from 14 to 15 months, and they only raise one chick every other year, as it takes nine months for the baby to be fully fledged.Desktop Version
Hang Sơn Đoòng Cave, Vietnam
Hang Sơn Đoòng Cave, Vietnam
In 1991, logger Hồ Khanh stumbled upon something big in what is now Vietnam"s Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park. During a jungle expedition, he found the entrance to a cave with a roaring underground river. It was later named Hang Sơn Đoòng, or "cave of the mountain river" and in 2009, the British Cave Research Association led an expedition to explore it. They realized something incredible: It was the world"s largest cave. Hang Sơn Đoòng"s main passage is 3.1 miles long, 490 feet wide, and 660 feet high. That"s tall enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper.Desktop Version
Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
Curving above the treetops of Biržai Regional Park in northern Lithuania, this unusual structure allows a bird"s-eye view of a unique landscape. Built in 2015, the Kirkilai Observation Tower"s shape is said to resemble a sinking boat, appropriate in an area dotted with water-filled sink holes. About 30 of these small lakes can be seen from the top of the tower, nearly 100 feet in the air. These lakes can be up to 36 feet deep and are just some of the thousands of sinkholes identified in the park. Water-soluble rocks like gypsum lie under the soil in this area, and over time they gradually erode, forming caves, which then collapse. In some cases, they fill with water, creating this mesmerizing landscape. The interconnected lakes mirror the surrounding greenery, creating a scenic haven for nature enthusiasts.Desktop Version
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Surely one of the grandest stores found in any city is the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. It"s not just a place to shop but a destination as popular as any in the City of Light. At a time when department stores are fading and the entire retail industry is shifting, the Galeries Lafayette holds fast. It has survived financial crises, wars, and now the internet, remaining a celebrated part of life in Paris. Like Macy"s or Rockefeller Center in New York, the Galeries Lafayette is synonymous with the holidays. A giant fir is decorated every holiday season under the store"s signature stained glass dome—a ritual of Christmas cheer that Parisians have embraced for generations.Desktop Version
With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
In the canopy of Uganda"s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a mountain gorilla leans into a meal of succulent green leaves. By day"s end, she"ll likely eat close to 40 pounds of foliage. Locals call this forest Bwindi, which means "impenetrable," but to this mountain gorilla, it"s simply home. Like us (and most primates), these gentle giants have opposable thumbs, which makes picking and eating an easy task. Also like us, mountain gorillas prefer hanging out on the ground. In fact, they"re known to stand upright and walk short distances with a remarkably human-like gait. We humans share 98 percent of our DNA with gorillas (both the eastern and western species), nearly as much as we share with chimps and bonobos. So yes, even though they have more body hair, we"re all hominids.Desktop Version
Welcome to my neck of the woods
Welcome to my neck of the woods
It"s peak tourist season in the Tsavo region of Kenya, when the weather"s cooler and dry—a good time to spot wildlife like this gerenuk in Tsavo National Parks. The protected area is actually made up of two separate parks, Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park, separated by a highway and rail line. Together they cover 8,036 square miles, with the East park consisting of flat, dry plains, and the West including mountains, volcanoes, lakes, and springs. The gerenuk (which means giraffe-necked antelope in Somali) is a long-necked antelope also known as the giraffe gazelle. It uses its lengthy neck and ability to stand on its hind legs to nibble on shrubs and trees that other types of antelope can"t reach. It"s less social then other gazelles, so seeing one alone, as we are in this photo, is common.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
This otherworldly desert landscape in Jordan might look familiar to "Star Wars" fans, who today can"t be blamed for blessing each other with the tired pun, "May the Fourth be with you." That"s right, today is Star Wars Day, an annual celebration every May 4 of all things "Star Wars." Wadi Rum, aka Valley of the Moon, in southern Jordan, stood in for the moon Jedha in "Rogue One," and for the planet Pasaana in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." It is easy to see why this desolate landscape was chosen to mimic an alien world.Desktop Version
Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Perched on the edge of a basalt cliff above two rivers, today"s image takes us to Castellfollit de la Roca, in the Spanish region of Catalonia. This town is not for the faint-hearted: There"s a 160-foot drop down to the Toronell and Fluvia rivers, which converge at the base of the cliff. Many of the buildings, which are made of the same basalt that the town stands on, seem to teeter on the edge of the precipice. Pictured at the end of the crag is the 13th-century church of Sant Salvador.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