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Welcome to the Ring of Fire
Welcome to the Ring of Fire
Today we"re visiting the pair of volcanoes known as Tolbachik—the flat-topped Plosky (Flat) Tolbachik on the left of our image, and the majestic Ostry (Sharp) Tolbachik on the right, which soars 12,080 feet above the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. These are just two of roughly 300 volcanoes scattered through the region; 29 of them, including the Tolbachik complex, are still active. In fact, there is so much volcanic activity here that UNESCO calls the peninsula "one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world," and has designated it a World Heritage site.Desktop Version
Sitting down and taking a stand
Sitting down and taking a stand
Here at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, you can sit down next to a sculpture of civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who was born on this day in 1913. Parks was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her defiant action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the longest and most successful movements against racial segregation in our nation’s history. At the time, African Americans made up most of the ridership on Montgomery city buses. The year-long protest finally ended when the US Supreme Court ruled that Alabama’s laws enforcing segregation on city buses and other modes of transportation were unconstitutional.Desktop Version
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
Glimmering in aquamarine tones, Lake Louise rests amid the Canadian Rockies in Alberta"s Banff National Park. The Indigenous Nakoda people refer to the lake as Ho-run-num-nay, meaning "lake of the little fishes." It was later renamed by settlers, inspired by Britain"s Princess Louise, whose husband was governor general of Canada between 1878 and 1883. The adjoining hamlet is also called Lake Louise and, at an elevation of almost 5,200 feet, is Canada"s highest community.Desktop Version
National Park Week begins
National Park Week begins
To kick off National Park Week, which starts today, we"re turning our lens on Vernal Fall in California"s Yosemite National Park. This time of year, the waterfall flows in a torrent, but by late summer it can be reduced to a trickle of small streams slipping over the edge. Most years, Vernal Fall is at full power by May, as the spring thaw in the mountains melts the snowpack, turning the falls into a raging tumble of water spilling to the valley floor where the Merced River flows.Desktop Version
Saffron in bloom
Saffron in bloom
It"s harvest time for saffron, the precious seasoning that"s mostly grown in Iran, but used in cuisines around the world. Saffron is derived from the saffron crocus, an autumn-flowering plant with purple petals as richly hued as the vivid crimson stigmas (called "threads") in the center of the bloom. These threads are carefully extracted by hand with tweezers and dried before they"re used for cooking. Each flower comes with just three threads, and it takes a lot of them—roughly 75,000 crocuses will yield just one pound of saffron. The entire harvest can last only about a week or two, because that"s the short life of the saffron crocus bloom.Desktop Version
Trevi in bloom
Trevi in bloom
Perched high above the lush Italian countryside is Trevi, a great medieval hill town. Trevi is considered one of the prettiest and most authentic of the medieval towns that dot the Umbria region. Counts and cardinals built these communities to show off their wealth and they built them up high to keep them safe from rivals.Desktop Version
Red fox
Red fox
Even in the most flattering daylight, foxes somehow always seem up to no good. Not to mention when they"re spotted slinking up a fallen tree in a dank, shadowy Black Forest in Germany. These cunning canids get away with a lot just by being cute, don"t you think?Desktop Version
Fighting evil with costumes
Fighting evil with costumes
Wearing costumes made of furs, fabric, and wood, these performers are known as kukeri. They march and dance, while making noise with the many bells on their costumes. It’s a pagan Slavic custom dating back to ancient times and still takes place each winter in many cities and villages in the Balkan Peninsula of southeastern Europe. The elaborate costumes and loud noises are intended to keep evil spirits at bay. Meanwhile, a member of each participating family—usually the youngest—conducts a blessing called a survakane; using a decorated staff, he or she lightly pats other family members on the back, giving a blessing of happiness and prosperity for the coming year. Traditionally, kukeri performers were men, though women now participate as well.Desktop Version
A glimpse of the Blue Forest
A glimpse of the Blue Forest
What color do you normally associate with a forest? Well, in the case of the Hallerbos forest of Belgium, that would be blue, for reasons you can clearly see here. For about 10 days every year, usually in late April or early May, this forest floor is transformed as bluebell hyacinths wake up from their winter slumber and carpet it in blue.Desktop Version
An island for the birds
An island for the birds
Those white specks scattered around the surface of the Bass Rock are northern gannets—seabirds that spend their springtime breeding and nesting season on the islands and shores of the North Atlantic. At the height of the birds’ nesting season, roughly 150,000 gannets arrive on the Bass to rear their chicks, making this location the largest gannet colony on Earth. There are no human inhabitants on the Bass—the lighthouse is automated. The tiny volcanic plug island is just over a mile off the coast of the Lothian region of eastern Scotland in the Firth of Forth.Desktop Version
Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
There is much mythology surrounding the Australian baobab tree, known for its large, swollen trunk. Commonly called a boab in Australia, the species is related to other baobab species in Arabia and Africa. Other names for the Australian boab are ‘bottle tree,’ ‘upside down tree,’ and ‘gouty stem tree.’ All seem appropriate to us. Some indigenous communities relied on the trees for water (stored in its massive trunk), food, and medicine. Ancient baobabs were cherished as beloved individuals.Desktop Version
Protecting Alaska
Protecting Alaska
On this day in 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which converted massive tracts of Alaskan wilderness into protected land. That single act 40 years ago doubled the size of the entire National Park System. Alaska"s eight national parks cover more than 54 million acres. The Cove of Spires, shown here, is just one of the dramatic glacial landscapes that you can experience in Kenai Fjords National Park. Located near Seward, the park is home to 38 glaciers, which cover over half the park"s area in ice—though climate change has reduced them drastically over the last decades.Desktop Version
Pandas pucker up for International Kissing Day
Pandas pucker up for International Kissing Day
On International Kissing Day, take some inspiration from these two adorable panda cubs, nuzzling in a tree in their native country, China. This unofficial holiday is all about smooching your loved ones. When you’re done with that, consider how else you might spread some love—perhaps to our panda friends. It’s estimated that fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund are working to protect their habitat, and your support can make a difference.Desktop Version
National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Join us in celebrating Black History Month here at the Contemplative Court fountain of the Smithsonian Institution’s newest museum, the National Museum of African History and Culture in Washington, DC. Even before Black History Month was established in the United States, the second week of February was important to black communities who celebrated the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb 14).Desktop Version
Green sea turtle on World Oceans Day
Green sea turtle on World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day takes us to the warm waters off Maui, home to this green sea turtle and many other species that rely on healthy oceans. The annual celebration, recognized by the UN, is an effort to raise awareness about ocean conservation with events around the world, including here in Hawaii. This year’s theme is preventing plastic pollution. Plastics pose a serious threat to marine animals, including sea turtles, which are known to ingest them and become seriously injured or killed. Here’s an easy way to help: Reduce, reuse, and recycle.Desktop Version
‘Stepping’ into Black History Month
‘Stepping’ into Black History Month
The African American tradition of stepping (aka step-dancing) uses footsteps, claps, and the spoken word to create intricate rhythms. These dancers are part of Step Afrika!, an American dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. They’re shown here rehearsing ‘The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence’ at their home base, Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC. ‘The Migration’ is a show that tells the story of African American migrants who moved away from the rural American South to the more industrialized North in the years between World War I and World War II. On stage, the performance features a backdrop of images from artist Jacob Lawrence’s ‘The Migration Series,’ a group of 60 paintings he made about the same topic in 1940 and ’41.Desktop Version
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
‘Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!’ That’s what you might hear if you find yourself in Ireland on March 17. And if you do, be sure to join in the celebration, because it means ‘Happy St. Patrick’s Day!’ The holiday originated as a religious feast in the 17th century, but today it’s better known for parades, festivals, and green attire. And, for some, green beer. Here in County Galway, St. Patrick’s Day is an official public holiday. That means residents have time to enjoy the local surroundings, like the medieval ruins of Ross Errilly Friary, shown here.Desktop Version
Bridge over the River Tara
Bridge over the River Tara
In northern Montenegro, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge is the fastest passage between the villages of Budečevica and Trešnjica. The five-arch concrete bridge was completed in 1940 just as World War II was spreading across Europe. By 1941, Italian forces from the Axis powers had invaded this region. Local guerrilla fighters took an extreme measure to keep the Italian army from crossing the Tara River Valley: They blew up one of the arches, making the bridge unpassable and slowing the advancement of the invading forces. The bridge was rebuilt in 1946, and though it retains its original name, some still call it the anti-fascist bridge. And now you know an awesome story about a bridge in Montenegro.Desktop Version
Road to Sa Calobra, Majorca, Spain
Road to Sa Calobra, Majorca, Spain
Though twists and turns abound on this road leading to Sa Calobra, on the Spanish island of Majorca, you"d have a hard time getting lost out here—there"s only one road in and out of this coastal town. Rather than cut a more direct path through the mountains via tunnels, the road"s designer chose to incorporate numerous switchbacks and hairpin turns, allowing sightseers to journey above ground. After all, if you make the long trip to this Mediterranean island paradise, you won"t want to miss a thing—just keep an eye on the road too!Desktop Version
Cannes, France, in the spotlight
Cannes, France, in the spotlight
Since its founding in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has become known for the glamour and luxury of its host city, which sparkles day and night. Celebs come to hang out on yachts and be seen on the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals convention center. But it"s not all about the glitz—Cannes is considered one of the three most prestigious European film festivals, along with the Venice Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival. This year, the French Directors’ Guild will honor horror legend John Carpenter ("Halloween," "Christine’) with the Carrosse d"Or (Golden Coach Award) for his body of work. New films will compete for the festival"s top prize, the Palme d"Or.Desktop Version
Did it see its shadow?
Did it see its shadow?
For many people, the last year has been a bit like the movie "Groundhog Day," with every day feeling the same. But today actually is Groundhog Day. This marmot in Austria popped up to see…a rainbow? We"re not sure what that means for the weather forecast, but it feels like a good sign. (The groundhog is a type of North American marmot.) In the US, the tradition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter are in store. If it doesn"t, then we"re looking at an early spring. There"s no science behind it; the custom has its roots in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and was popularized by the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper in Pennsylvania in 1887—and again by the Bill Murray movie in 1993.Desktop Version
A unique perspective from Italy’s ‘golden sands’
A unique perspective from Italy’s ‘golden sands’
This is a photo–not a painting–of a beach in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Sabbiadoro roughly translates as ‘golden sand’ in Italian). The town and commune is a popular summer getaway in northern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea coast. And no, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you—the optical illusion was intentional. It’s a composite image created by combining multiple exposures. We hope it takes you to a vacation state of mind, even if you can’t get to an actual beach this summer.Desktop Version
In the Navajo Nation for Code Talkers Day
In the Navajo Nation for Code Talkers Day
This expansive and iconic view, as seen from Hunts Mesa in the Navajo Nation, is none other than Monument Valley, also known as the Valley of the Rocks when translated from the Navajo language (Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii). The red sandstone formations are synonymous with the American Southwest and have stunned moviegoers for nearly a century. The largest of American Indian territories, Navajo Nation covers more than 27,000 square miles and reaches into portions of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.Desktop Version
Welcome to the Year of the Pig
Welcome to the Year of the Pig
Today marks the start of Chinese New Year festivities, which begin on the first day of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The celebration culminates 15 days later with the Spring Lantern Festival. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 is the Year of the Pig. These lanterns were photographed in Xi"an, China, but celebrations will occur throughout the vast nation as well as in neighboring countries. And other parts of the world with significant Asian populations will also see large public celebrations. It’s traditionally a time to reunite with relatives, and the period sparks one of the largest annual human migrations, with millions of people from major cities journeying home to see their families in more rural areas. Happy New Year!Desktop Version
Green is the new black
Green is the new black
Black Friday traditionally marks the start of the holiday shopping season, but while bargain hunters scramble online this year to bag a discount or two, we"ve found a treat that money can"t buy—this view. Here on the crystalline waters of a lake in Glacier National Park, there"s no waiting in line as we take in the stunning scenery and marvel at the towering snow-capped peaks along the Continental Divide. If you prefer your adventure to take place on dry land, there are over 700 miles of trails to hike within the park—perfect for burning off those turkey and pumpkin-pie calories.Desktop Version