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Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
The bright light of the full moon is mirrored by lit lanterns launched skyward in the Thai festival of Yi Peng. It"s a beautiful celebration, as you can see, and it happens around the second full moon at this time of year ("yi" means "two" and "peng" means "full moon day"). Our photo shows the lanterns in Chiang Mai, Thailand"s second-largest city and the home of the most famous Yi Peng observance, which has strong ties to the Lanna people of northern Thailand.Desktop Version
Surströmming Day
Surströmming Day
Get your clothespins ready, it"s Surströmming Day! For the uninitiated, that means we"re in Sweden and cracking open this year"s surströmming harvest to enjoy its putrid wonder. Surströmming is Baltic herring that"s been caught in April and May, then lightly salted and allowed to ferment. Beginning in the 1940s, a royal ordinance forbade the selling of Surströmming before the third Thursday in August to prevent incompletely fermented fish from being sold. The ordinance is no longer on the books, but the tradition holds.Desktop Version
World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day
Penguins are pretty amazing. From their social personalities to their impressive talent for swimming and diving, they"re a bird worth celebrating. Today, World Penguin Day, is the perfect time to learn more about these flightless birds, noted for their swimming prowess.Desktop Version
Procida, Italy
Procida, Italy
Procida is a charming Italian island in the Gulf of Naples, boasting colorful buildings, picturesque streets, and stunning sea views. The island has a rich history, having been settled by the Greeks, Romans, and other civilizations over the centuries, but is less well-known than its larger neighbours, Capri and Ischia. Its oldest fishing village, Marina Corricella, features pastel-colored buildings and narrow streets and is a great place to enjoy fresh seafood and soak up the atmosphere. From there, you can climb up to the fortified medieval village of Terra Murata, built on the island"s highest point, which offers panoramic views over the entire Gulf of Naples.Desktop Version
International Geodiversity Day
International Geodiversity Day
These dragon tail-like structures that stretch into the Bay of Biscay are part of one of the most unique and remarkable geologic formations on the planet. The Basque Coast of northern Spain is a wonderland for geologists and for people who just like looking at cool rocks. Guided tours of the Basque Coast Geopark allow visitors to discover 60 million years of uninterrupted geologic history.Desktop Version
Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
All hail Mazezilla, a massive maze of corn found in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. Spread over 11 acres, there is a different one to solve every year, making it a popular attraction each September and October for those who enjoy perplexing challenges on a giant scale.Desktop Version
Summer solstice
Summer solstice
What more atmospheric place to celebrate today"s summer solstice than ancient Glastonbury in Somerset, England? Spend the longest day of the year exploring the town, which is swaddled in myth and history. Pagans and Christians alike have worshipped here through the ages, and both groups still do today. Glastonbury Tor is the striking hill on the horizon, and the lonely tower is the last vestige of the 14th-century church of St Michael, which was built to replace a wooden church toppled by an earthquake in 1275.Desktop Version
Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
In the heart of Vietnam, where emerald rice fields stretch to the horizon and a mighty river flows with life-giving waters, flooding becomes an anticipated dance between nature and culture. The Mekong River experiences flooding every year, which turns this river into a photographer"s paradise. Adorned with elegant lilies that are nourished by the floods, farmers in the Long An province, in southeastern Vietnam, dedicate their days to harvesting the bloom of the plants. The annual floods bring in nutrients from upstream, enriching the fields and helping these flowers grow. These lilies also provide a food supply and contribute to the community"s economy since the stems are edible and the plant can be brewed into tea. These long-stemmed flowers pay tribute to nature"s ability to generate moments of amazing beauty that inspire and uplift the human soul.Desktop Version
The globe skimmers return
The globe skimmers return
This time of year, millions of dragonflies are returning to the Maldives, a stage in the longest insect migration in the world. Flying thousands of miles across the open ocean, these dragonflies are known as globe skimmers, which refers to their migratory behavior. Until about 20 years ago, no one knew where they came from. But researchers have since discovered that the dragonflies take advantage of moving weather systems and monsoon rains to make their epic migration across the Arabian Sea from India. From the Maldives, the dragonflies will continue their journey, passing through the Seychelles and then on to East Africa.Desktop Version
Gemsbok in Namibian sand dunes
Gemsbok in Namibian sand dunes
To quote Jurassic Park"s Dr. Malcolm: "Life, uh, finds a way." Animals and plants are found in some of Earth"s most inhospitable places, from penguins and polar bears in the freezing Arctic to camels in scalding deserts. This lonely gemsbok, seen here in sand dunes in Namibia, is used to living in an inhospitable environment. Also known as the oryx, it is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, especially around the Namib and Kalahari deserts. The gemsbok does not need to drink much water, instead finding hydration in the vegetation it grazes upon—including wild tsamma melons and cucumbers. When vegetation is sparse, they can dig deep to find roots and tubers to supplement their diet.Desktop Version
International Day of the Tropics
International Day of the Tropics
Only in the tropics do forests grow in salt water. Take this forest of mangrove trees in Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand, one of the largest and best-preserved mangrove forests in the country. Adapted to thrive in coastal marshes and swamps, mangroves can filter salt water and withstand strong coastal storms. Virtually all mangrove forests and all species of mangrove grow only in the tropical regions of the world. They are protectors of the coastlines, acting as a buffer against storms and floods.Desktop Version
Dog days of summer
Dog days of summer
Other than our pet dogs, no other canine species has succeeded more at living among humans than the fox. This is despite the fact that people have hunted foxes for sport and for their highly coveted fur, and generally regarded them as pests and nemeses. No matter how we feel about them, foxes seem to have earned our respect. Of all the animals that are arguably clever and crafty, the word we use is "outfoxed," not "outcrowed," or "outbeared," or "outraccooned."Desktop Version
South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
The seaside resort of Miami Beach is perhaps best captured here by the surf at South Beach, its most famous neighborhood. Cosmopolitan Miami Beach is perpetually fixed inside the lens of the world as a playground for the wealthy, glamorous, and aesthetically advantaged set. You"re likely to hear many languages spoken while strolling the sidewalks of Miami Beach. It"s home to the music academy known as the New World Symphony, and host to the visual arts festival, Art Basel. Miami Beach also boasts the world"s largest array of preserved Art Deco structures. It"s a favorite haunt of celebrities—none of whom can outshine the real star, this beach of endless sand.Desktop Version
Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Perched on the edge of a basalt cliff above two rivers, today"s image takes us to Castellfollit de la Roca, in the Spanish region of Catalonia. This town is not for the faint-hearted: There"s a 160-foot drop down to the Toronell and Fluvia rivers, which converge at the base of the cliff. Many of the buildings, which are made of the same basalt that the town stands on, seem to teeter on the edge of the precipice. Pictured at the end of the crag is the 13th-century church of Sant Salvador.Desktop Version
Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
As the holiday season kicks off, St. Stephen"s Basilica becomes the dazzling centerpiece of one of Budapest"s iconic Christmas markets. The fair buzzes with holiday spirit, offering a mix of Hungarian craft, festive décor, and local delicacies, capturing the essence of a traditional Christmas. The Advent Feast—an event held in the weeks leading up to Christmas and part of Hungary"s holiday traditions—invites guests to savor dishes like chimney cakes, stuffed cabbage, and goulash soup, while the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air. A highlight for many is the 3D light show projected onto the basilica"s facade, a modern touch that brings this historic structure to life.Desktop Version
National Moon Day
National Moon Day
Bigger and brighter than anything else you can see from Earth in the night sky, the moon has inspired our calendar, our songs, our art, our stories, and our dreams. Today, on National Moon Day, we remember one dream that came true on this date in 1969: the day humans first set foot on the lunar surface. So far, it"s the only place beyond our planet that humans have visited.Desktop Version
National Bird Day
National Bird Day
Look up at the skies and experience the magic of birds—it"s National Bird Day. Birds come in many shapes and colors, but few are as striking as the plum-headed parakeet, seen in today"s image. Native to the Indian subcontinent, these birds are known for their swift, acrobatic flight and distinctive calls that echo through the air. There have been reports of plum-headed parakeets making their way to places like New York, Florida, and even parts of the Middle East.Desktop Version
World Lion Day
World Lion Day
Lions are known as "the king of the jungle," but on World Lion Day, let"s set the record straight: Lions don"t live in the jungle. Lions lounge in lordly leisure and hunt with ferocious focus on grasslands and plains. When they"re not hunting, these majestic creatures nap, wrestle, and groom each other. But in an instant, they"re chasing down a hapless gazelle or a hippopotamus that"s wandered too far from the safety of its river. Like the opening song of "The Lion King" movie says, it"s the circle of life. World Lion Day is our opportunity to (ahem) lionize these regal beasts and raise awareness of threats to their well-being like poaching, habitat destruction, and other human-lion conflicts.Desktop Version
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
October means pumpkin fields, Halloween, leaf-peeping, and the World Series. But in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the beginning of October means a skyful of hot air balloons. The 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of balloonists in the world, with more than 500 hot air balloons going aloft this week. The now nine-day event got its start by launching 13 balloons from a shopping mall parking lot in 1972 to celebrate the birthday of a local radio station. It has easily become the biggest event of the year in Albuquerque, whose entire populace can view balloons in flight simply by stepping outside their homes and looking up.Desktop Version
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Walk through a real-life canvas where vibrant blossoms paint the Earth in the shadow of Mount Vernon. That"s exactly what awaits you at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington. Founded in 1984 by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, it began as a three-day event but has since grown into a month-long fiesta. The festival runs from April to May and draws visitors from all over the world. The floral show spans multiple gardens in the valley, so make sure you explore Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, Garden Rosalyn, and the 50-acre display at RoozenGaarde. You can tour the tulip gardens by bicycle and explore the local wineries, breweries, and restaurants. Among the petals, life slows down just enough for us to remember the simple joys—breathe deeply, smile widely, and revel in the spectacle that is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.Desktop Version
Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
It"s International Zebra Day, and we"re giving a shout-out to the flashiest animal on the African savanna. It"s a day to raise awareness of these distinctive creatures and encourage measures to protect them and their habitat. This group of Burchell"s zebras is hanging out at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in South Africa.Desktop Version
Giant kelp in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Giant kelp in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
All along the Pacific Coast of North America, giant stands of kelp up to 100 feet high, like this one in California"s Channel Islands, provide habitat for a vast number of fish, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Giant kelp, technically a type of brown algae, is the largest of all seaweed and one of the fastest-growing of any organism—as much as 2 feet per day! The gas-filled pods you see in this image help the kelp float. Like the trees in the Amazon, the kelp forests of our oceans are key to the health of marine life.Desktop Version
Gray seal pup, Norfolk, England
Gray seal pup, Norfolk, England
Here in Norfolk, on the east coast of England, a seasonal wildlife spectacle is underway. Between early November and January, thousands of gray seal pups are born on the shoreline, a little earlier than those on US coasts. The seal moms feed their pups on the beach for three weeks, during which time the pups gain about 4.5 pounds a day. They stay on the beach until they shed their pale fur to make way for a waterproof, mottled gray coat. Then it"s time to head to the sea and learn to hunt for themselves.Desktop Version
Golden larches and Prusik Peak, the Enchantments, Washington
Golden larches and Prusik Peak, the Enchantments, Washington
That jagged granite summit is Prusik Peak, an icon of Washington state"s Enchantments region, high in the Cascade Mountain range. Getting here means a long, strenuous hike, and for much of the year it is covered in snow. But from midsummer through the fall, hikers and climbers arrive here as the larch trees turn golden. The granite peaks and autumnal colors are not the only attractions. The Enchantments boasts more than 700 alpine lakes and ponds, as well as herds of grazing mountain goats that roam this corner of the scenic Alpine Lakes Wilderness.Desktop Version
Big Bend National Park turns 78
Big Bend National Park turns 78
Join us for a hike at one of America"s least-visited national parks. Big Bend National Park may be among the country"s largest national parks with an area of over 800,000 acres (about the size of Rhode Island), but it"s also one of the most remote. Found in West Texas along the Rio Grande at the Mexico border, the park entrance is roughly a two-hour drive from the nearest interstate. The good thing is, even in a "busy" year when half a million people visit, there"s plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors unhindered by crowds.Desktop Version