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Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
If you"re looking for meadows blanketed with vibrant beds of wildflowers, the Methow Valley in the North Cascade Mountains, Washington, is the place for you. Lupines, with their characteristic spiky blooms in purple, blue and white and balsamroot, with its large, golden-yellow flowers, create a picturesque contrast with the rugged mountain backdrop. These flowers also play crucial roles in the valley"s ecosystem. Lupines are nitrogen-fixing plants; they help improve soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by neighbouring plants. Balsamroot, on the other hand, attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which helps in plant reproduction and, in turn, contributes to the biodiversity of the region. Whether you"re a seasoned botanist or nature enthusiast, the wildflowers of the Methow Valley will surely leave a lasting impression of the enchanting wilderness.Desktop Version
International Whale Shark Day
International Whale Shark Day
Say hello to the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. On August 30, we celebrate International Whale Shark Day to honor these magnificent marine creatures. These gentle giants are not related to whales, despite their impressive size—they can reach up to 40 feet in length. Whale sharks are calm creatures which are usually safe for divers to swim alongside. These sharks are filter feeders and consume plankton and small fish by sieving them through their gill plates. There has been a significant decline in their populations, with an estimated 63% decrease in their numbers in the last 75 years. Threats include being hit by boats or tangled in fishing gear and their habitats are being damaged by pollution, coastal development and over-fishing. Advocates work through education and community engagement to help safeguard whale sharks and preserve our oceans.Desktop Version
American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The bison is a majestic, massive creature, a true emblem of the American frontier spirit. These sturdy animals roamed North America"s prairies for thousands of years in numbers estimated to be as high as 60 million. But settlement of the American West caused habitat loss, and that, combined with overhunting, nearly wiped out the species altogether by the end of the 19th century. Ranchers, conservationists, Native American tribes, and politicians worked to save the bison and today, nearly 500,000 bison can be found in North America. About 15,000 animals are in free-roaming herds that graze on US public lands, like the bison in today"s image, shown at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.Desktop Version
Waterfall capital of the world?
Waterfall capital of the world?
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Lei Day
Lei Day
As the first day of May dawns upon Hawaii, Lei Day bursts forth in a riot of colour, fragrance and festivity. Leis are garlands crafted from various flowers, leaves and even shells, carrying significant cultural importance for the natives of the island state. Leis were brought by the Polynesians as they migrated eastward through the Pacific Islands before reaching Hawaii between 1000 and 1200 CE. They represent love, respect and the ever-present aloha spirit, described as "the coordination of mind and heart within each person." Lei Day is an all-day fiesta that includes parades, pageants, lei-making contests, hula dances and feasts.Desktop Version
International Rock Day
International Rock Day
Are you ready to make some noise? It"s International Rock Day! Wait, not that sort of rock. Today, we"re all about granite, limestone and slate. There are three types of rock: igneous are formed from solidified magma and lava; sedimentary rocks are layers of sedimentary particles such as sand; and metamorphic rocks are the result of heat and pressure on other kinds of rock.Desktop Version
The Old Bridge, reborn
The Old Bridge, reborn
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Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United States
Wasson Peak, Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United States
Welcome to Saguaro National Park in Arizona, United States. Today"s image features a rainbow over Wasson Peak, which is the tallest point in the Tucson Mountains at more than 1,400 metres. Hikers can reach the summit via trails like King Canyon, Hugh Norris or Sweetwater, all winding through towering saguaros, prickly pear cacti and desert wildflowers. At the top of the park, the Tucson Basin, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains stretch into the horizon, making the climb worth every step. Named after John Wasson, a 19th-century American journalist, the peak also holds traces of the Hohokam people and Arizona"s mining past, including the Gould Mine. Whether you"re here for the views, history, or challenge, Wasson Peak is a true desert adventure—just don"t underestimate the Arizona sun!Desktop Version
Red rock formations, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Red rock formations, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Sedona, Arizona, in the United States, is a place where nature, history and spirituality converge amidst stunning red rock formations. These fiery sandstone creations, part of the Schnebly Hill Formation, were shaped over millions of years during the Permian Period as sediment accumulated in an ancient sea. Over time, erosion has further sculpted Sedona"s landscapes, which now glow brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. Notable formations such as Wilson Mountain, Seven Sacred Pools and Cathedral Rock offer iconic views.Desktop Version
Waterborne wizardry
Waterborne wizardry
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Castle in the sky
Castle in the sky
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Saint Patricks Day
Saint Patricks Day
Millions of people with Irish heritage across the globe today celebrate Saint Patrick"s Day. The country"s patron saint introduced Christianity to Ireland around 432 CE, and his passing on March 17, 461 CE, became a day of commemoration in his homeland. While the holiday is steeped in Irish tradition, the festivities have taken on a global flair. The celebration typically includes parades, traditional Irish music and dance performances and indulging in Irish cuisine and beverages. Moreover, wearing green is a fun nod to the Emerald Isle. So, have you pinned a shamrock to your jacket yet?Desktop Version
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Though you might instinctively watch out for invading fleets or dragons overhead, you"re more likely to encounter a tourist than a Lannister in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. As you may know, "Game of Thrones" filmed here frequently throughout the run of the show, and you can scarcely blame them; Dubrovnik"s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. For centuries it flourished as the Republic of Ragusa, maintaining independence through diplomacy and robust trade networks. This "Pearl of the Adriatic" has withstood military bombardments and devastating earthquakes, yet the city has always rebuilt and persevered. While pop culture, history, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are all big draws, they might be too effective: A recent report estimated that in 2019 there were 36 tourists for every resident.Desktop Version
Jeju Island, South Korea
Jeju Island, South Korea
The South Korean island of Jeju is full of wonders. If you don"t have a chance to visit its volcanic landscape, ancient stone statues, waterfalls, and rocky coastline, you can dive into the island"s fascinating chronicles from the comfort of your computer. The star of today"s image, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), is the island"s rare tuff cone formation, created by an underwater volcanic eruption about 5,000 years ago. Tuff cones are also called ash cones, referring to the accumulated ash settling in a cone formation after the lava"s forceful explosion. Seongsan Ilchulbong was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in 2007.Desktop Version
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
For many Asian cultures, the point at which the moon reaches its fullest during the harvest season marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. It"s traditionally observed on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Dating back more than 3,000 years to China"s Shang Dynasty, this festival celebrates moon watching and the end of the harvest season. During the festivities, mooncakes—round delicacies filled with sweet bean paste, salted egg yolks or lotus seeds—are often shared among friends and family. Lanterns of different shapes, sizes and hues, symbolising good fortune, illuminate the night. Asian communities across the world come together to showcase a mélange of cultural performances, heartfelt renditions of the Moon Festival"s poetic tales.Desktop Version
The dog days of summer
The dog days of summer
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Ahoy, mateys, it is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Today, landlubbers and seafarers alike put on their tricorn hats and hoist the Jolly Roger. The origin of this holiday goes back to a 1995 joke between two friends, John Baur and Mark Summers. During a racquetball game, one of them exclaimed "Aaarrr!" in response to an injury, and the concept of a day dedicated to pirate lingo was born. Initially an inside joke, Talk Like a Pirate Day gained popularity after the duo shared the idea with humourist Dave Barry in 2002, who promoted it in his syndicated column. Since then, it"s become a day of fun and parodic celebration—people don pirate costumes, engage in pirate-themed activities, like the kid on the ship in today"s image, and embrace mock pirate language. Whether ye be a seasoned buccaneer or a greenhorn, today be for all to enjoy. So, batten down the hatches, set sail and remember: on this day, everyone can be a pirate.Desktop Version
Living rock
Living rock
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Fibonacci Day
Fibonacci Day
On Fibonacci Day, mathematicians and scientists honour one of their own: Leonardo Bonacci. More commonly known as Fibonacci, the medieval mathematician is notable for popularising the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, with its use of zero, decimal points and 10 numbers instead of the ponderous Roman numeral system. He"s most famous, however, for his sequence of numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8... By adding the first two numbers, you arrive at the third, and adding the previous two numbers, you arrive at the next number, and so on. Disregarding the zero, the first four numbers correspond to today"s date, 11/23.Desktop Version
Happy Pi Day!
Happy Pi Day!
They say the only constant in life is change. In mathematics, however, there are many constants and today, we"re celebrating perhaps the most famous of them all: pi. This tasty-sounding constant is the ratio of a circle"s circumference to its diameter, approximately 3.14159. Every March 14, mathematics fans across the world get baking to mark Pi Day—a celebration of both the mathematical constant π and its delicious homophone, pie. It began in 1988, when physicist Larry Shaw connected the date (3/14) with the first three digits of this constant. Today, mathematicians and enthusiasts celebrate Pi Day with pie eating and pi reciting. Did you know that when your clock strikes 1:59 today, you will be three decimal places closer to the real value of pi? Pi is everywhere, even in nature. Pictured here is a bodhi tree in the shape of the pi symbol at Wat Phra Ngam, a temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Whether you"re a math geek or just in it for the treats, Pi Day is for everyone to enjoy!Desktop Version
Celebrating the tropics
Celebrating the tropics
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Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Kenai Fjords National Park is a gem on Alaska"s Kenai Peninsula. Stretching over 1,000 square miles, this landscape features towering fjords, winding river valleys and alpine landscapes. More than half of its terrain is blanketed in ice, with glaciers dominating 51% of its area. Throughout the 20th century, the park"s glaciers have receded, uncovering new land for plant and animal life to take root. From ancient Sitka spruces to delicate fireweed shoots and lush moss carpeting the forest floor, plant life in Kenai Fjords flourishes despite the rugged terrain. The park is also home to diverse terrestrial and marine mammals, including timber wolves, porcupines, Canadian lynxes and cetaceans like orcas and fin whales. It also hosts a variety of birds, such as bald eagles and Peale"s peregrine falcons.Desktop Version
World Population Day
World Population Day
In 1987, the world population reached the five-billion mark, a milestone so significant that it spawned an international observance: Five Billion Day. Back then, the United Nations recognised the need to address the burgeoning issues tied to our global footprint. Thus, World Population Day was established in 1989. Today, it"s not just a day—it"s a call to action. Overpopulation stretches our planet"s resources thin, urging us to confront urgent matters like family planning, an increase in waste and pollution, or a lack of infrastructure. While metropolitan areas struggle with overcrowding, smaller places face the problem of decreasing population, leading to an imbalance. One such example is the Italian town of Gangi, Sicily, seen in today"s image. This village had about 16,000 residents in the 1950s, but today, it is home to a little more than 6,000. Keen on revitalisation, Gangi attracts attention by gifting abandoned houses to those committed to their restoration.Desktop Version
Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Arches National Park, Utah, USA
If you fancy a stroll through time, Arches National Park in the United States is the perfect gateway! With over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of tall pinnacles, large rock fins and giant balanced rocks, this park is among the world"s most scenic destinations. In a space of just over two square miles, there are spectacular sights including North Window, part of the popular windows section, Turret Arch and Double Arch. Named features such as Garden of Eden, Elephant Butte, a 1,723-metre summit, and Parade of Elephants mean that visitors are never short of spectacular landscapes to visit.Desktop Version
Cypress trees in George L Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Cypress trees in George L Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Ever seen the sturdy, swamp-loving and always stylish cypress? These trees can grow to over 30 metres and usually have a pyramid-like shape when they"re young. In today"s image, we"re transported to the George L Smith State Park, which spans 1,634 acres (661 hectares) in Emanuel County, Georgia, United States. The park"s centrepiece, seen in today"s image, is a 412-acre (167-hectare) mill pond, a favourite spot for fishing and canoeing. Out of its waters grow pond cypress and bald cypress trees, two varieties that are native to the United States. Winding through the park are over 7 miles of nature trails, leading visitors through sandy landscapes past a bird sanctuary and tortoise habitat. The hardwood trees here are a haven for woodpeckers and other birds, while the soft soil provides ideal burrowing ground for tortoises. No matter the season, this park promises a peaceful retreat for all.Desktop Version