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Jan 1, 2025Happy New Year!

Happy New Year"s Day! Humans have celebrated the new year since at least 2000 BCE, but various cultures have chosen different days coinciding with equinoxes or lunar cycles. The Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, but this fell out of favour throughout Europe during the medieval era. Since 1582 and the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, however, much of the world now celebrates the new year today. In addition to watching fireworks, drinking champagne and making resolutions in the wee hours of the morning, other global traditions include making noise, eating lucky foods and giving gifts.Desktop Version

Mar 15, 2025Ides of March

As Shakespeare wrote in his play "Julius Caesar," "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Today is the Ides of March, a day steeped in Roman history and tradition. The term "Ides" referred to the midpoint of the month in the Roman calendar, often marking the full moon. It was a time of celebration, with festivals and public gatherings. However, in 44 BCE, the Ides of March became synonymous with political upheaval, betrayal and an event that would trigger the fall of the Roman Republic. On that fateful day, Julius Caesar, Rome"s powerful dictator, was assassinated by a group of senators. The conspirators, including his close ally Brutus, believed they were saving the Republic from Caesar"s growing authority. Caesar was attacked near the Theatre of Pompey, but the tension of that moment echoed through the Roman Forum—the beating heart of Rome"s political and social life.Desktop Version

Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA

Amid dusky hues, lighthouses mark where Lake Michigan meets the St. Joseph River. In the 19th century, two piers were built on Lake Michigan, one on either side of the mouth of the St. Joseph River to help protect ships sailing upstream. In the early 20th century, a lighthouse was built at the end of each pier. These were the St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, pictured here. Lighthouses at the end of the piers were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Lighthouses not only mark coastlines, hazards and safe entries to harbours, but they"re beautiful and rugged icons that have represented stability for centuries, and they"ll continue doing so as long as humans travel the seas.Desktop Version

Dec 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania

As the winter chill sets in, the city of Sibiu transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland as it hosts one of Romania"s most popular Christmas markets. The Sibiu Christmas Market, known in Romanian as Târgul de Crăciun din Sibiu, is held in the central square from the end of November until early January. Sparkling strings of lights drape across the square, seen in today"s image, creating a canopy that bathes the cobblestone streets in a warm, festive glow. There also stands a beautifully lit Christmas tree, surrounded by charming wooden huts selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to locally made treats like cozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet bread; vin fiert, an aromatic mulled wine; and covrigi, a type of pretzel served warm and sprinkled with salt.Desktop Version

Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari

Black and yellow plumage, bright eyes and an oversized bill—meet the collared aracari, a fascinating tropical bird. Gracing the forests from Mexico through Costa Rica, where today’s image was taken, to Colombia and Venezuela, this member of the toucan family gets its name from the red collar on the back of the neck. Measuring 38 to 40 centimetres long and tipping the scales at a mere 175 to 249 grams, this bird is a wonder of nature"s design. Both male and female aracaris share the same dazzling appearance. These birds circle through the air in groups of 6 to 15, and at night, they snuggle together in tree cavities. Their song is as unique as their look—a sharp "seek" or a whimsical "pink," sometimes a purring sound or even a raspy "grhhrr." Although deforestation and hunting pose threats to these birds, they are currently classified as a least-concern species. For now, collared aracaris remains a captivating sight, a splash of colour and a burst of life amidst the sprawling branches.Desktop Version

Apr 9, 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece

As daylight fades or just before it emerges, the island of Naxos in Greece takes on an azure glow, immersing itself in the magic of the blue hour. When the sun is positioned well below the horizon, during this brief window, the lingering sunlight casts a deep blue hue across the sky.Desktop Version

Jul 25, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA

Fancy a walk through the Smokies in Tennessee, seen in today"s image? Spanning over 2,112 square kilometres between North Carolina and Tennessee in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity. Home to more than 19,000 documented species, scientists estimate that tens of thousands more remain undiscovered. Kilometres of hiking trails wind through the dense woodlands, leading adventurers to cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks.Desktop Version

Jul 11, 2024World 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

Apr 7, 2025North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States

Beavers are remarkable creatures known for their dam-building skills, which create wetlands, benefiting numerous species. As North America"s largest rodents, they can grow not more than 1 metre long, not including their distinctive flat tails. Their continuously growing teeth, with thick enamel giving them an orange hue, are essential tools for gnawing on trees—a behaviour that maintains both their dental health and their environment. No wonder their strong choppers make them one of nature"s best engineers. So, take a moment to appreciate these incredible ecosystem engineers and their hardworking, tree-chomping ways. Who knew a furry little architect could have such a big impact on nature?Desktop Version

Apr 26, 2025Indian Head Cove, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada

Carved by time and water, Bruce Peninsula National Park protects a breathtaking stretch of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. Designated in 1987, it safeguards a landscape of towering limestone cliffs, hidden caves, dense forests and untouched shorelines. As part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it"s a haven for species that have adapted to its rugged terrain, like black bears, massasauga rattlesnakes and white-tailed deer.Desktop Version

Nov 23, 2024Fibonacci 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

The festival of colours

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Dec 12, 2024Poinsettia

Here"s the red poinsettia, one of the plants from the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. With its striking star-shaped leaves, the poinsettia has become a symbol of Christmas cheer, brightening homes and public spaces during winter. The history of the poinsettia can be traced back to ancient civilisations. The Aztecs, who called it cuetlaxóchitl, used it to make a reddish-purple dye and to treat fevers. But the plant"s association with Christmas has roots in Mexican tradition, where it"s known as "la flor de Nochebuena" or "Holy Night flower." According to legend, a young girl, unable to afford a gift for Baby Jesus, was inspired to offer humble weeds, which miraculously transformed into the vibrant poinsettias we know today.Desktop Version

Feb 9, 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States

If you"re chasing sunsets and jaw-dropping views, come to Alstrom Point. Located in southern Utah"s Kane County, this spot in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area stands at an impressive height of over 1,400 metres. Made mostly of Entrada Sandstone, it has the same geological roots as nearby sites like Romana Mesa, its parent peak, and Gunsight Butte, another sandstone summit to the east. Part of the Lake Powell region, Alstrom Point extends southward into the vast waters of the lake, in between Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay. When the lake is full, Alstrom Point towers nearly 300 metres above the water, offering views of the surrounding canyons. Lake Powell, spanning across Utah and Arizona, attracts around 3 million visitors every year.Desktop Version

Let there be lights!

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Mar 28, 2025Black-naped monarch

Watch closely; you might catch a glimpse of the black-naped monarch. This bird is part of the monarch flycatcher family, which also includes shrikebills, magpie-larks and paradise flycatchers. Found across tropical southern Asia, from Iran and Sri Lanka to Indonesia and the Philippines, this feathered creature prefers dense forests and other lush, wooded spots.Desktop Version

Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scotland

Striking appearance, strong presence and impressive antlers—meet the red deer, photographed in the ancient forests of Glen Affric, one of Scotland"s most beautiful valleys. Found across Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa, this species is Britain"s largest land mammal and an integral part of the Caledonian pinewoods. From featuring in cave art found throughout Europe to medieval hunting traditions, red deer have always held a special place in the human imagination. In many parts of the world, their image is synonymous with the wild, free spirit of nature. Glen Affric, with its lochs, moorlands and mountains, provides the perfect habitat for these magnificent creatures. The area is a national nature reserve, making it a haven for hikers, climbers and nature enthusiasts.Desktop Version

Wind powered ice racing

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May 24, 2024Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Huesca, Spain

Today"s image showcases Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, which is situated in the Pyrenees Mountain range of northeastern Spain. The park"s name, Monte Perdido, meaning "Lost Mountain", reflects the grandeur of its second-highest peak, which is often covered in mist. This national park was established with the primary aim of preserving the high mountain landscape of the surrounding region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the area predominantly has rugged terrain, limestone formations and a plethora of karst features including sinkholes and caves.Desktop Version

Jun 16, 2024Happy Fathers Day!

Today"s all about the dads. Father"s Day is the perfect time to celebrate everything they do for us, how they look after us, help us grow up and tell the best dad jokes. There are also great dads in the animal kingdom, like the foxy father seen in today"s image. Female red foxes need to stay in their dens with their young after giving birth, so males spend their time going out to bring her food. When the pups are a little older, their father takes time to play with them, teaching them survival skills they"ll need in later life, like hunting and scavenging.Desktop Version

Jul 8, 2024Blueberries growing in the wild

Indulge in the sweet, tangy flavours of blueberries! They belong to the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium, which also includes cranberries, bilberries, huckleberries and Madeira blueberries. Both wild (lowbush) and cultivated (highbush) commercial blueberries are native to North America, with highbush varieties introduced to Europe in the 1930s. Typically, blueberries are prostrate shrubs varying in height from 10 centimetres to 4 metres. In commercial blueberry production, the species with small, pea-sized berries on low bushes are referred to as "lowbush blueberries" or "wild blueberries," while those with larger berries on taller, cultivated bushes are known as "highbush blueberries." Canada is the leading producer of lowbush blueberries, and the United States accounts for about 40% of the world"s highbush blueberry supply.Desktop Version

Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain

Gaztelugatxe is a stunning islet located on the coast of Biscay in the Basque Country, Spain. It"s famous for its dramatic scenery and the small hermitage, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, dedicated to John the Baptist at its peak. The hermitage, which dates back to the 10th century, has been rebuilt several times due to damage from battles and fire. Today"s building is perched atop the islet and is accessible by a narrow path that includes 241 steps. It"s a popular pilgrimage site, and visitors often ring the church bell three times and make a wish. According to legend, John the Baptist himself set foot on the islet. The views from the top offer panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline and the Cantabrian Sea.Desktop Version

Where can you find this cute creature?

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Stairway to heaven?

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