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Polar bear season in Manitoba
Polar bear season in Manitoba
On the shore of Hudson Bay, the Canadian town of Churchill in Manitoba is quite remote, but the seasonal sights that await are worth the trek. From beluga whales and northern lights to the shipwreck of the SS Ithaka and the Sea Walls murals, there"s no end to the surprises you"ll find here. Moreover, it"s the ultimate polar bear hotspot, earning it the title of "polar bear capital of the world". From October to November, these white giants pass through, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can head out to hunt seals. Scared? Tourists can safely view polar bears from the comfort of custom vehicles. A so-called "polar bear jail" is also maintained to manage bear-human interactions. So, are you ready for a wild adventure that"ll send chills down your spine, but in a good way?Desktop Version
International Polar Bear Day
International Polar Bear Day
Bear with us as we head north for International Polar Bear Day, highlighting the challenges faced by the world"s largest bear species. It was set up by Polar Bears International, an organisation dedicated to protecting these mammals and their habitat. The date was chosen to coincide with the time when cubs are in their dens being protected by their mothers, as this is the most vulnerable time in a polar bear"s life.Desktop Version
Hogmanay
Hogmanay
When it comes to ringing in the New Year, Scotland takes the cake—or perhaps the haggis, its national dish. From torchlight processions to street ceilidhs, Hogmanay is the New Year"s Eve celebration that says, "Why settle for one night of celebration when you can have three?" The term "Hogmanay" has murky origins—some link it to the French "hoguinané," which means "gala day," others to Norse or Gaelic roots. But what it means today is clear: an unmissable celebration filled with fireworks, folk songs and feasting. This year, the festivities kicked off on December 29 with a dramatic torchlight procession.Desktop Version
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Featured in today"s image is a winter wonderland in Alberta, Canada. Banff National Park is the perfect place for those seeking a refreshing escape. Established in 1885, it became the first national park in the country following the discovery of hot springs near Sulphur Mountain. Over time, Banff"s boundaries expanded, and it became part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning over 2,500 square miles, this national park transforms into a snowy playground during the winter, attracting visitors eager for skiing, snowshoeing, curling, skijoring and wildlife tours that offer plenty to explore.Desktop Version
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Today"s image gives us a glimpse of beautiful Grand Teton National Park, in the United States" least populous state, Wyoming. The park, established in 1929, includes numerous lakes, the Snake River and the Teton Range, famed for its series of sharp, jagged peaks. Bring your binoculars with you, and if it"s summertime, be on the lookout for pronghorn, who travel about 150 miles to get there. They aren"t the only creatures to visit seasonally; elk and bison are also summer visitors. These migrations play a vital role in the ecosystem of Grand Teton National Park. The animals help disperse seeds and provide food for predators.Desktop Version
British Summer Time ends
British Summer Time ends
Time is of the essence today: the last Sunday of October marks the end of British Summer Time. At 2 AM this morning, the clocks fell back one hour, meaning there was an extra hour of sleep. While the idea of summer time was mentioned in 1784 by American inventor Benjamin Franklin, the first serious proposal for changing the clocks in the United Kingdom came from British builder William Willett in 1907. He valued having more daylight and felt so strongly about this that he published a pamphlet called "The Waste of Daylight. Over time, many countries adopted the practice to give people more daylight in the evenings during the summer months.Desktop Version
Lake Tahoe, USA
Lake Tahoe, USA
Peeking out of Lake Tahoe—the largest alpine lake in North America and the second-deepest lake in the United States— Bonsai Rock and its surroundings are a popular tourist destination in the Sierra Nevada range. The peculiar sight of four trees growing out of what appears to be a massive granite rock inspired a name that comes from the Japanese art of growing miniature trees. Bonsai traditionally contain a single tree or a small group of trees of the same species, so the description fits this site well. Part of the purpose of bonsai is to provide an opportunity for contemplation, so if you visit Bonsai Rock, find a place to relax and explore your thoughts.Desktop Version
Ring of fire solar eclipse
Ring of fire solar eclipse
Sky gazers and scientists have all been counting down to witness today"s annular solar eclipse which will pass over parts of the Americas. A solar eclipse is nothing more than an alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon that has the Earth passing through the Moon"s shadow. But why is the solar eclipse in today"s image different? It occurs when the Moon is farthest from the Earth because of its elliptical orbit. When this happens, it appears smaller, letting the sun"s brilliance peek through and creating a halo—the "Ring of fire". Viewers in specific regions can witness this cosmic show, but please be cautious. This eclipse should not be looked at directly without wearing specialised eye protection.Desktop Version
Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
From waterfalls to temples, Shivamogga, in the South Indian state of Karnataka, offers experiences waiting to be discovered. Steeped in timeless lore, the city is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, epics composed as poems and set in the ancient Hindu kingdoms of India. The region"s name itself holds a spiritual significance, derived from the Sanskrit words "Shiva-Mukha," meaning the "face of Shiva," the Hindu god.Desktop Version
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada
Welcome to the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Located on the southern part of the island, this valley and its green mountains echo with art and history. The region is home to the band government of the Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nations band in British Columbia. The city of Duncan has an impressive collection of indigenous art, including intricate carvings and paintings. While you’re in town, you must visit the collection of totem poles, which are towering symbols of indigenous history, depicting ancestral legends and clan symbols. The Cowichan Valley is also celebrated for its flourishing wine, cider and brewery scenes. The region"s moderate climate and fertile soil create ideal conditions for vineyards and orchards. Visitors can explore these vineyards and sample locally crafted beverages. Before you leave, you might want to get a Siwash sweater knitted by members of the Cowichan Tribes.Desktop Version
Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Let"s take a trip to a forest of stones: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA. In the park, named after the Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, lies Sunset Point, seen in today"s image, a spot to see the hoodoos. These rock formations are created by frost weathering and stream erosion, which shape the stone into an otherworldly landscape. Perched at 2,400 to 2,700 metres, this overlook offers a panoramic view of rocky spires in red, orange and white. The most iconic of them is Thor"s Hammer, a hoodoo that overlooks a part of the park known as the "Silent City." The Queen"s Garden Trail, which leads from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, offers even more vistas and rock formations, including the Queen Victoria hoodoo. According to the legend told by the Paiute indigenous people who inhabited this area, hoodoos are people who have been turned to stone for their misdeeds by the trickster Coyote. Whether you"re a hiker, a photographer or simply a traveller, the hoodoos are waiting.Desktop Version
Grey seal pup
Grey seal pup
If you happen to visit England"s Norfolk coasts around this time, you"re very likely to see some grey seal pups experiencing the world for the first time. About 3,000 grey seal babies are born on the shoreline between early November and January each year—slightly earlier than the ones living on the US coasts—making the area one of the most significant breeding regions in the United Kingdom. The seal moms feed their pups on the beach for three weeks, and their effort is noticeable. The offspring gain approximately 2 kilograms each day in those weeks! Following the feeding period, the young seals are not water-ready just yet. They stay on the beach until their pale fur darkens to a mottled grey, then head to the sea and learn to hunt themselves.Desktop Version
Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California
Unlike its Italian namesake, Venice in California is not known for canals and quaint cobblestone streets. It is, instead, a skateboarder"s paradise. Located next to the sun-kissed shores of Venice Beach, the Venice Skatepark stands as a testament to the rich history of skateboarding in the state.Desktop Version
Mount Fuji Day
Mount Fuji Day
Around 60 miles southwest of Tokyo stands one of Japan"s cultural icons: Mount Fuji. The country"s tallest mountain rises more than 3,600 metres above the surrounding landscape, with its near-symmetrical cone covered in snow for nearly five months each year. For centuries, Fujisan—as it is known in Japanese—has been worshiped as a sacred mountain. In the Shinto faith, Fuji is deified as Asama no Okami, and shrines dedicated to it are built within sight of the mountain. February 23 is celebrated as Mount Fuji Day (富士山の日) because the word "Fujisan" can be interpreted as "2, 2, 3." Although it"s not a national holiday, people often take the opportunity to learn more about this majestic peak. It"s also a day to reflect on the future of the mountain, and how it can be preserved for future generations. Every year, more than 300,000 people climb Mount Fuji, and overtourism has become a real concern.Desktop Version
Northern hawk-owl
Northern hawk-owl
Do you find yourself thriving in the daytime while your friends love to stay out late? If so, you"ve got a friend in the northern hawk-owl, one of the world"s few owls that is only active during the day. This vocal bird inhabits the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia and has different calls for mating, communicating with young and announcing that danger is nearby. Northern hawk-owls aren"t picky eaters, they"ll consume mice, rats, voles, lemmings, rabbits, shrews, moles, occasionally other small birds and have even been seen eating frogs and fish. No worries, we"re not on the menu, but if you wander too close to their nest, protective parents have been known to swoop at humans to keep them away.Desktop Version
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Saint Paul Winter Carnival
A chilly paradise awaits at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival! This annual celebration transforms the US state of Minnesota"s capital city, Saint Paul, into a winter wonderland of festivity and joy, this year between January 25 and February 4. In 1885, a group of reporters visited and referred to Minnesota as another Siberia, which offended city officials. As a response, they devised a plan to showcase the area"s winter beauty. The Winter Carnival was born, featuring various seasonal activities such as bobsleighing and ice horse-racing. Today, the celebration serves not only to impress visitors but to strengthen community bonds through parades, markets, winter sports and ice carving competitions and displays, such as the beautiful frozen skyline seen in today"s image.Desktop Version
Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
Stockholm Public Library, Sweden
If you"re ever in Sweden and looking for a quiet place to get "shelved," the Stockholm Public Library, or "Stadsbiblioteket" as it is known to locals, is your spot. Opened in 1928, this library is not just a place to borrow books; it"s a cultural icon and an architectural marvel. Here, more than 2 million volumes wait to unfold stories in over 100 languages. Designed by architect Erik Gunnar Asplund in the 1920s, this Nordic Classicist composition features the geometry of a cylinder intersecting a cubic base. Its accessible façade belies a treasure trove within a 360-degree rotunda, inviting even the casual reader into a literal circle of knowledge.Desktop Version
Carnival of Venice
Carnival of Venice
Don your tricorn hat and gilded disguise, it"s time to visit the Carnival of Venice, a centuries-old festival shrouded in mystique and beauty. This annual winter celebration combines revelry with anonymity, thanks to masks that often follow certain character archetypes such as the bauta, volto, Colombina and Zanni—the last two are borrowed from Italian commedia theatre. Over the course of the festivities, thousands of people take to the streets in elaborate costumes that imitate traditional 17th-century Venetian clothes. There are parades, parties and processions galore during the carnival, along with concerts and street performances, all of which last until Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 13 this year. While revelling in the streets, you might pass by the Santa Maria della Salute, seen towards the back of today"s image, a baroque basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who was considered to be the protector of the Republic of Venice.Desktop Version
Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, Italy
Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, Italy
Today"s photo shows an evocative sunset that illuminates the town of Sestri Levante with stunning colours. This pearl hidden among the coasts of the Riviera Ligure di Levante enchants its visitors with its natural beauty and a historical heritage that dates all the way back to Roman times. Situated between Portofino and the Cinque Terre, it offers breathtaking landscapes and beaches such as the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, the latter linked to the legend of Hans Christian Andersen and his "Little Mermaid." The Punta Manara Natural Park and the ancient medieval streets enrich the experience, making Sestri Levante a destination of rare beauty and historical charm.Desktop Version
Angkor, Cambodia
Angkor, Cambodia
Towering ancient temples, moss-covered ruins and enchanting forests can all be found in the ancient site of Angkor in Cambodia. In the 12th century, it was the bustling capital of the Khmer Empire, ruled by King Jayavarman VII. A gem within Angkor is Angkor Thom (pictured here is its North Gate), the "Great City." Strolling through Angkor Thom"s intricate ruins, gates and the iconic Bayon Temple—with its 216 gigantic smiling stone faces—is like stepping into an adventure movie. Angkor"s star attraction, Angkor Wat, is the world"s largest religious monument—spread across 163 hectares—and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It was initially constructed as a Hindu temple before becoming a Buddhist site. So, if you"re looking for a blend of history, art and nature, this UNESCO World Heritage Site guarantees an unforgettable journey into the past.Desktop Version
Channel Country, Australia
Channel Country, Australia
There is a patchwork quilt of earth tones and narrow waterways running like veins through the Australian Outback"s Channel Country. This sprawling area is famous for its crisscrossing river channels and its transformation from a parched desert canvas to a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers when rainfall is abundant. Indigenous Australians have lived off this land for tens of thousands of years, and some in the area offer tours and classes that teach visitors how to survive in the Outback. This unspoiled region is also home to a bonanza of wildlife—kangaroos that bounce along the plains, emus that strut their stuff and preening purple-crowned fairywrens. If you"re lucky, you might even spot a bilby—a nocturnal marsupial that has rabbit-like long ears. So, are you ready to "channel" your inner explorer?Desktop Version
Saint Georges Day
Saint Georges Day
Are you ready to wave your flags and celebrate all things English? Saint George"s Day has rolled around once again. Today is a commemoration the death of the patron saint of England who was a Roman soldier famed for his dragon-slaying. This feast day is not just about honouring the saint, it"s also about celebrating English culture and heritage. From dragon-themed parades in Derby to traditional feasts fit for a king, there"s something for everyone to enjoy. Coincidently, today also marks the birth and death dates of William Shakespeare. So, don a rose, raise your glass and let"s hear it for all things English!Desktop Version
Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Housed in the Arctic Circle, Norway"s Lofoten Islands are a crossroads of traditional life and modern industry. One of two towns in Lofoten, Svolvaer boasts a long history as a fishing village. Before it became a town of its own, it was part of the town of Vågan, where people have lived for over 1,000 years. Beyond fishing, it also serves as a sanctuary for travellers looking for a peaceful getaway, with as many as 200,000 visitors in a single year. The traditional houses—called rorbu—are built on poles over water, and add a distinctive layer of charm to the town. These cabins were once made for travelling fishermen and have now been refurbished to meet contemporary tastes.Desktop Version
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
The Brighton Bathing Boxes on Melbourne"s Brighton Beach, painted with a rainbow of colours, are enduring relics. With recent additions bringing their total to 96, these huts have become one of Melbourne"s premier tourist attractions. The history of the bathing boxes is as colourful as their appearance. They first popped up on Brighton"s coastline in 1860, providing a modest cover for bathers swapping for their bathing suits. Worn out and damaged during the post-World War I depression, the beach huts received collective maintenance in 1934. Despite the upkeep, the multicoloured structures were faced with the threat of removal in 1952. But thanks to the Brighton Bathing Box Association for successfully securing their survival, we can still enjoy the vibrant coastguards today!Desktop Version
Cave Dale and Peveril Castle, Derbyshire
Cave Dale and Peveril Castle, Derbyshire
Peveril Castle was once a medieval fortress, standing tall on a limestone outcrop. Its ruins now overlook the village of Castleton in the Peak District in Derbyshire, England. Construction of the castle began shortly after the Norman conquest in the 11th century, although it wasn"t completed until the 14th century. From the castle, visitors can enjoy views of Cave Dale, a ravine that was carved by glacial meltwater over many years. In the limestone walls of the dale, there are caves and disused lead mines. From hidden caves to towering battlements, this corner of the Peak District is bursting with history and is just waiting to be explored.Desktop Version