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Quiver trees in Namibia
Quiver trees in Namibia
The quiver trees pictured on our homepage are uniquely suited to Namibia"s hot, dry climate. They are not trees at all, but an endangered species of aloe plant. These succulents can grow up to 30 feet tall and live for 200 years. The name comes from the Indigenous San people who made quivers out of the plant"s tube-shaped branches to hold their arrows while hunting. You can see scattered quiver trees across southern Namibia, but for sheer numbers, head to the Quiver Tree Forest, where more than 200 of these distinctive plants grow among dolerite rock formations outside the city of Keetmanshoop. In June and July, during Namibia"s winter, you can see the plant"s flowers in bright, yellow bloom.Desktop Version
Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
"Don"t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story." Today, on Tolkien Day, fans around the world honor the master storyteller who crafted the epic adventures of Middle-earth: J.R.R. Tolkien. While Tolkien may have started the tale, it"s his readers who carry it forward, generation after generation, diving into the pages of "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and beyond. Tolkienists are encouraged to celebrate the author"s birthday with a toast at 9 PM local time—to participate, all you must do is stand and raise a glass of your choice, say "The Professor," and take a sip.Desktop Version
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
The highest concentration of geysers in the world is found here in this corner of Yellowstone National Park, called the Upper Geyser Basin. They include what is perhaps the most famous geyser of them all: Old Faithful. But the Upper Basin contains many other geysers as well, including the tallest predictable geyser (Grand Geyser) and the most voluminous geyser (Giant Geyser). Yellowstone contains about 500 geysers, roughly two-thirds the number in the entire world.Desktop Version
Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Ancient and beautiful, Rock House is the only true cave in Ohio"s Hocking Hills State Park. This corridor, halfway up a 150-foot cliff, was carved by erosion and has offered shelter to various dwellers over different periods. Long before European settlers arrived, the area"s Native American people are believed to have used Rock House as a refuge. Small recesses in the rock walls are thought to have been used as baking ovens, while troughs gouged in the cave"s floor helped them to collect water. The walls of Rock House have seven window-like openings, allowing sunlight to filter through, casting beautiful patterns inside the cave and offering cliffside views over the trees for generations of Rock House dwellers.Desktop Version
Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Sweeping downhill in our homepage image are the famous rice terraces of Tegallalang, one of Bali"s most popular tourist attractions. They are carved into the side of a valley near the town of Ubud and use the traditional Subak irrigation system, which dates back to the 9th century. Bali"s rivers and streams provide year-round water for its crops but here people work hand-in-hand with nature, and a network of irrigation channels distribute water to each paddy field. They carefully tend rice plants during the growing season, as generations have done before them, before harvesting and distributing the rice between the community. The Subak system is so important in Balinese culture, it has been recognised by UNESCO. These terraces offer visitors panoramic views over the surrounding rice fields and lush landscape, as well as a picturesque example of people living in harmony with nature.Desktop Version
Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
Step into serenity at one of the largest freshwater lakes in the southern Spanish province of Granada, in Andalusia. The Negratín Reservoir, created by a dam on the Guadiana Menor River, sits the heart of the Granada Geopark, a unique, semi-desert landscape surrounded by the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.Desktop Version
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day
This striking photo lets us showcase two noteworthy events in one day, at no extra charge. (You"re welcome.) National Public Lands Day is observed on the fourth Saturday in September, and today"s also part of the Acadia Night Sky Festival, which celebrates the starlit skies over Maine"s gem of a national park.Desktop Version
Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day
In one of the darkest places on Earth there"s a cluster of telescopes that examine the heavens each night, sending detailed information about the celestial bodies they observe to astronomers across the planet. Far from any population centers or light pollution, the Atacama Desert is the world"s driest nonpolar desert. It"s the perfect place for La Silla Observatory, one of the largest observatories in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to be used by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), a research organization made up of astronomers from 16 European nations. The first ESO telescope at the La Silla site in Chile began operating in 1966.Desktop Version
International Day of the Tropics
International Day of the Tropics
On the International Day of the Tropics, we are in the Banyak Islands of Indonesia, a group of more than 70 islands, most of which are uninhabited and unnamed. The Banyak Islands offer miles of pristine sandy beaches, lush green trees, and clear waters as far as the eyes can see. This tropical paradise also boasts some great surfing and snorkeling spots and draws millions of visitors a year.Desktop Version
Playa del Silencio, Spain
Playa del Silencio, Spain
Spain"s Asturias region, known for its greenery, artistic legacy, and excellent food, has many hidden gems. Our homepage image shows Playa del Silencio, or Beach of Silence, a shell-shaped cove with a natural rock amphitheater. Far away from urban areas and noisy crowds, the beach enjoys a sense of isolation and solitude. Rugged cliffs surround golden sands perfect for soaking up its peaceful vibes, while nearby caves and water activities provide exciting adventures for those who crave them.Desktop Version
Cappadocia, Türkiye
Cappadocia, Türkiye
Welcome to Cappadocia, a historical region in Türkiye known for its fantastical landscape. A magical moment to enjoy here is watching dozens of hot air balloons rising into the dawn sky. Every sunrise and sunset gives life to the "fairy chimneys" of this striking region, mysterious towering rock formations reaching up to 130 feet high. The unusual landscape was formed over millions of years by volcanic eruptions. Another attraction here that you won"t see from the air is Derinkuyu, a city dating from 1400 BCE that is completely underground. This subterranean city sheltered citizens from invaders who swept through over the centuries. When you experience the ancient wonders of Cappadocia, it"s easier to understand how old the world is.Desktop Version
European hedgehog in Sussex, England
European hedgehog in Sussex, England
Join us for a trip across the pond as we take a moment to examine the prickly European hedgehog. Our friend in today"s photo is in Sussex, England, but European hedgehogs are widespread across the continent. They"re thought to be the largest and heaviest of the hedgehog family. A nocturnal creature, the hedgehog can often be found in gardens snacking on its preferred diet of insects.Desktop Version
Big Bend National Parks birthday
Big Bend National Parks birthday
Happy birthday, Big Bend National Park! Since this humongous park was established in Texas in 1944, it has welcomed millions of nature lovers and adventure seekers. The park"s southern boundary is marked by the Rio Grande, which separates Texas and Mexico. If you look at a map, it"s clear how the area got its name. The river has a drastic change in course, bending from southeastern to a northeastern flow around the park"s boundaries.Desktop Version
Halloween
Halloween
Halloween is here! A night when glowing jack-o"-lanterns decorate doorsteps across the country. The custom has its roots in 19th-century Ireland, where turnips and potatoes were sculpted into scary faces. When Irish immigrants arrived in the US, they found pumpkins much easier to carve and a new tradition was born. The digital age has made things easier still, for those whose carving skills are not up to scratch. This image was created with Bing Image Creator (now even better with DALL·E 3)—create your own jack-o"-lantern with the power of AI.Desktop Version
Frankenstein Friday
Frankenstein Friday
If the sight of storm clouds gathering over Lake Geneva puts you in a dark mood, then you have an idea of Mary Shelley"s frame of mind when she conceived the story that would become her seminal work. While Shelley wrote several historical novels and travel books, it was this macabre story of a grotesque creature that made her legacy.Desktop Version
Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
The orange glow of a lava tube like the one pictured here is a frequent sight on Kīlauea, the youngest volcano on the island of Hawaii. In near constant eruption for the last 40 years, Kīlauea is widely considered the most active volcano in the world and is the main attraction at Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park, which was created on this day in 1916. The park, which was designated an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, also includes another active volcano, Mauna Loa, the world"s most massive shield volcano, which last erupted in 1984. Together, they are among the most studied volcanoes in the world.Desktop Version
Diamond Beach, Iceland
Diamond 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
Common raven
Common raven
The common raven is an intelligent and adaptable bird known for its striking appearance and remarkable behaviors. This elegant bird is easily identified by its characteristic wedge-shaped tail and glossy black feathers. Their keen eyesight and agile flight make them proficient hunters, often scavenging for prey or stealing from other predators. Ravens are known for their playful behavior and their omnivorous diet, feeding on a wide variety of foods, including carrion, insects, and small mammals.Desktop Version
Berlin Festival of Lights
Berlin Festival of Lights
The double-decker Oberbaum Bridge is one of Berlin"s most beloved and iconic landmarks. For centuries the Oberbaum Bridge connected the two districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg until they were separated by the Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1989. The first bridge at this spot was built in the 1700s, although the current road-and-rail Oberbaum was constructed at the end of the 19th century.Desktop Version
Marshland, Gloucester, MA
Marshland, Gloucester, MA
Lit by bright New England sunshine, the salt-tolerant grass growing here really stands out against the turquoise sea water lapping against it. Salt marshes are important coastal wetlands that protect shorelines from erosion, are major contributors to the aquatic food web, and provide nurseries for birds, fish, and other wildlife.Desktop Version
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
On this day in 1980, the single largest expansion of protected lands in history doubled the size of the US National Park System. As a result, Alaska now has eight national parks, plus numerous monuments and preserves that protect more than 157 million total acres. When President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the public was granted the right to appreciate stunning locations like the one in today"s photo: the braided river delta of the 51-mile-long Tlikakila River in Lake Clark National Park.Desktop Version
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Many celebrations of Cinco de Mayo owe a debt to these rolling fields of blue agave, or agave azul, the source material required to make genuine tequila. The distilled spirit is to Mexico what Scotch whisky is to Scotland and sake to Japan. Tequila is also the base ingredient in the beloved margarita cocktail certain to be served in abundance today.Desktop Version
Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland
Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland
They say Paris is the City of Love but there"s a lesser-known place where love is the whole reason it even exists. We"re in a Scottish village now known as New Abbey, about 8 miles south of Dumfries. We"ve stepped inside the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey, a 13th-century testament to the love between a husband and wife. Founded in 1273 by "lady of substance" Dervorguilla of Galloway, the abbey was constructed solely to commemorate her love for English nobleman John de Balliol upon his death in 1268.Desktop Version
Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Summer up north belongs to the bears. When the sun reigns, so do the brown bears of Alaska—like this mother and cub in Katmai National Park and Preserve, about 260 miles southwest of Anchorage. Also known as grizzly bears in Alaska, the brown bears pack a year of living into the summer months, foraging, feasting, frolicking, fighting, and mating under skies of nearly perpetual daylight.Desktop Version
Modica, Sicily, Italy
Modica, 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