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29 Nov 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

A tidal marvel and a slice of medieval life all rolled into one rocky outcrop—welcome to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, northern France. The story of this "Wonder of the West" goes back to the early 8th century, when Archangel Michael was said to have appeared to the bishop of Avranches in a vision. The divine message was clear: build a sanctuary on this rock. Taking this angelic advice seriously, the bishop laid the foundations of what would eventually become the abbey that dominates the island today. Over the centuries, this UNESCO World Heritage Site grew in size and reputation, attracting monks, pilgrims and invaders alike.Desktop Version

25 Dec 2024Merry Christmas!

Deck the halls, it"s Christmas time! Christmas Day is a holiday packed with joy, warmth and cherished traditions. For many, it"s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, bringing family and friends together to exchange gifts, share meals and enjoy festive décor. Beyond its spiritual roots, Christmas also lights up the season with beloved customs—decorating trees, carolling and eagerly awaiting Santa"s arrival. These traditions, blending both old and new, make the holiday a magical experience filled with connection and cheer.Desktop Version

5 Sep 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival

Cinema aficionados, assemble. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) gears up to dazzle with its 49th edition in Toronto, Canada, the city seen in today"s image. Since its establishment in 1976, the TIFF has become one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. The event draws a diverse tapestry of attendees, from seasoned directors to rising stars and eager cinephiles. The festival has seen the premieres of critically acclaimed films over the years, including "The Fabelmans" and "Black Swan."Desktop Version

30 Mar 2024Brown-throated three-toed sloth

Costa Rica"s lush forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which can make up to 30% of their body weight when full. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats. This symbiotic relationship provides them with a greenish hue, offering effective camouflage within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-President Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasise the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.Desktop Version

Reflecting the beauty of the Lakes

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When life imitates art

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8 Dec 2024Notre-Dame reopens

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.Desktop Version

Underwater underground

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24 Jan 2025Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival

What could be better than warming up winter with a feast that"s a little wild and a lot of fun? Thorrablot, Iceland"s midwinter festival, invites you to dive headfirst into tradition. This celebration of survival, culture, and community, which dates to the Viking Age, was once a way for Icelanders to honour Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Today, people celebrate by gathering to feast on an array of local delicacies, including fermented shark, smoked lamb, rye bread and shots of Brennivín—often called "black death" schnapps.Desktop Version

5 Feb 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Being the "black sheep" isn"t always a bad thing—just ask the Scottish Blackface, seen here in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. With its striking dark features and a knack for thriving in places others wouldn"t, this British breed has turned the idiom on its head. Far from an outcast, it"s the backbone of Scotland"s rural life and a true champion of the hills and moors. Interestingly, the Blackface sheep didn"t originate in Scotland but south of the Anglo-Scottish border. The breed"s history is fascinating, and varieties such as the large-framed Perth and the medium-framed Lanark types are found across the United Kingdom. Though it"s the most common breed in the region, the Blackface sheep has spread across the world. Its coarse fleece is perfect for making durable products like carpets and tweeds—definitely not your average sweater material.Desktop Version

22 Sep 2023Hobbit Day

Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist and title character of "The Hobbit", once famously said, "not all those who wander are lost," but in this realm of Castell y Gwynt, momentarily losing your sense of direction is half the fun! Though it looks like Middle-earth from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, this craggy place is nestled in Snowdonia, Wales. Castell y Gwynt, which translates to "Castle of the Wind," is perched high on Glyder Fach, one of Snowdonia"s rugged peaks.Desktop Version

Purple mountain majesties

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13 Nov 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain

The history of olive cultivation in one of the Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain, dates back over 2,000 years. The Phoenicians and Greeks, who were early settlers here, introduced the first olive trees to the island. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, which adorns the north coast, is home to these olive groves. The olive groves expanded during the Islamic era, and olive oil became a crucial ingredient in Majorca"s gastronomy and culinary traditions.Desktop Version

29 Oct 2024Great horned owl

The Halloween season is upon us, so let"s meet one of the holiday"s icons: the great horned owl. With its keen vision, eerie vocalisations and silent flight, this owl has historically been revered and feared. In folklore and mythology, owls were considered symbols of wisdom and omens of death. On Samhain, the Celtic precursor to Halloween, the owl was believed to be the kin of roaming spirits.Desktop Version

8 Aug 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand

Think you can win a staring contest with one of these? With piercing yellow eyes against a grey-brown face, spotted owlets are often seen when small birds spot them during the day and mob them. Once located, these primarily nocturnal owls will often stare down intruders, bob their heads and emit a loud "chirurrr-chirurrr-chirurrr" screech, or what"s sometimes described as laughter or chuckling.Desktop Version

Alps of the sea

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11 Apr 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela

In the heart of the wilderness, an awe-inspiring sight plummets from a mountain—the Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela! Also known as Dragon Falls, the cascade featured in today"s image is in a narrow niche at the southern end of the canyon that divides the mountain of Auyan Tepui. Falling from 979 metres, Churún Merú is joined by a neighbouring stream in the wet season. Venezuela is home to some of the world"s most impressive natural wonders, including the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls, found some 4 miles south of Churún Marú. James Angel, who is often wrongly credited with finding Angel Falls, may have discovered the Dragon waterfall. Something that supports this theory is the fact that Angel Falls is often misidentified as the Dragon Falls. So, whether you"re after Angels or Dragons, Venezuela has a waterfall for you!Desktop Version

24 Sep 2023World Rivers Day

If you are a nature enthusiast, an environmental advocate or just simply enjoy listening to the sound of rumbling rivers, you might like to know that today is World Rivers Day. Following the United Nations" "Water for Life Decade" movement between 2005 and 2015, Mark Angelo—Canadian river conservationist, teacher, author and speaker—proposed a global event to celebrate rivers. World Rivers Day dedicates the fourth Sunday of September each year to waterways, to increase awareness of the many benefits that rivers provide to people and the planet.Desktop Version

26 Mar 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam

Welcome to Hang Rai, a blend of ancient rock formations and vibrant coral reefs! Also called Rai Cave, this cavern is part of the Vinh Hy Bay—enclosed by Nui Chua National Park—in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam. The area"s natural coral reefs are surrounded by rock formations, that are carefully stacked upon each other to form a group of caves. One origin of the name "Hang Rai" or "Rai Cave" comes from otters (rai) that were occasionally seen seeking shelter in the cave. Another explanation is attributed to the abundance of rai trees in the area, whose oil was used to waterproof boats. The landscape has an awe-inspiring sight both under and above water: colourful corals for deep divers and a scenic sunset for those who like camping in the sea breeze.Desktop Version

4 Apr 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC, United States

Every spring, Washington, DC, in the United States, transforms into a sea of pink and white as the cherry blossoms bloom, marking the return of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This beloved event commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo"s Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the United States, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two nations. This year"s festival is running through April 13, with peak bloom expected to last four to seven days, depending on the weather. The Tidal Basin is the most popular spot for viewing, offering breathtaking scenes near landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.Desktop Version

16 Apr 2024Union Square, Manhattan, New York, USA

"These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you." Alicia Keys sure knows how to serenade the vibrant, bustling life of the Big Apple in the United States. Today"s homepage image takes us to a spot in the City that Never Sleeps—Union Square in lower Manhattan. At this historic intersection, you can find statues of George Washington—the oldest statue in any park in NYC—and Abraham Lincoln, crafted by the sculptor Henry Kirke Brown. In 1882, workers exercised their rights to free speech and assembly, organising the first Labour Day parade in Union Square. In 1997, United States Department of the Interior recognised this park as a National Historic Landmark due to its importance in US labour history. These days, you"re more likely to see street chess players, musicians, skateboarders, dance crews and vendors of all types in the square.Desktop Version

17 Oct 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

If you"ve ever seen photos of endless red fields that look like they"re on fire, you"ve seen kochia in action. In the spring and summer, this annual herb starts off with a fresh green look, resembling a fluffy green ball. As the seasons change, so does its colour—transforming into shades of red, orange and even pink.Desktop Version

18 Jul 2024Coral Reef Awareness Week

Blooming pillar corals, green sea turtles and colourful reef fishes—welcome to the thriving underwater universe of coral reefs. Running from July 15 to 21, Coral Reef Awareness Week is the perfect time to honour them. Coral reefs are formed by tiny marine organisms called coral polyps, which create vast colonies that serve as homes to a diverse array of marine species. As we turn our attention to their beauty and benefits, it"s vital to recognise the lurking threats–climate change, pollution and harmful human activities.Desktop Version

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