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Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica
Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica
Costa Rica"s 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 other 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, when full, account for about 30% of their body weight. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats, which helps to camouflage them 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 emphasize the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.Desktop Version
Alaska moose
Alaska moose
After months of eating, roaming, and avoiding predators, Alaska moose spend autumn trying to propagate the species during what is called the rutting season, which runs from late September to early October. Males, called bulls, will mark their scent on trees to attract females. They’ll also fight other bulls for access to females, called cows.Desktop Version
Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a well-earned day of rest for many workers across America. The food we eat, the shelter over our heads, and the transportation that moves us around all exist thanks to our collective labor. Organized labor movements grew in the 19th century, along with calls for a day to honor workers" contributions. The first Labor Day was celebrated with a parade in New York City in September 1882 and similar events spread throughout the country. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill declaring the first Monday in September as Labor Day. Today, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, but let"s not forget to take a moment to give thanks for the work we all put in to take care of our communities, our families, and ourselves.Desktop Version
Totally Thames Festival, London
Totally Thames Festival, London
Welcome to the Totally Thames Festival in London, England. Each year, it brings together communities, artists, and nature enthusiasts in a month-long tribute to the river. Highlights for 2024 include the annual boat marathon, Great River Race, and the Clean Thames Challenge.Desktop Version
Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Surrounded by forests and embraced by fjords, the Norwegian port city of Drammen is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Birch trees flourish at high altitudes, making them a natural fit for the mountainous region. When autumn arrives, their leaves transform into a mosaic of gold and crimson, in stark contrast to their pale, slender trunks. Long associated with new beginnings and renewal, birch trees don"t just look good, they provide a home and sustenance for wildlife, and can be used for firewood and in construction.Desktop Version
Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Want to witness waterfalls so grand that they make Niagara look modest? Let"s explore Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. The name "Iguazu" comes from words in the regional languages Guarani or Tupi , which mean "big water." These series of waterfalls are formed by the Iguazu River, on the border between Argentina"s Misiones province and Brazil"s Paraná state. They feature a striking staircase formation, with a two-step cascade created by three layers of basalt.Desktop Version
Patriot Day
Patriot Day
On September 11, Patriot Day is observed as a national day of service and remembrance to honor the 2,977 people who died in the attacks on the United States in 2001. Congress established the day in 2002 with bipartisan support, and ever since, US government buildings, both domestic and abroad, fly the American flag at half-staff. Many citizens and businesses do the same in remembrance. Patriot Day also honors the hard work and sacrifice of the first responders who bravely put themselves in harm"s way in the hours and days after the attacks.Desktop Version
World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day
If you are a nature enthusiast, or simply enjoy listening to the sound of rumbling rivers, you might like to know that today is World Rivers Day. First held in 2005 during the United Nations" "Water for Life’ campaign, it was proposed by Canadian river conservationist Mark Angelo, who founded BC Rivers Day in western Canada in 1980. World Rivers Day is held on the fourth Sunday of September to celebrate and raise awareness of the benefits that rivers provide to people and the planet.Desktop Version
Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary
Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary
The strange stripes in our homepage image reveal tiers of fossil beds in Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Beneath the multicolored surface lies the land"s history, including the remains of ancient horses, camels, tigers, and rhinos. The barren landscape, dotted with pinnacles and prairies, was formed by two geological processes: deposition, where the layered rocks were gradually stacked up on top of each other by inland seas, winds, and rivers over millions of years, and erosion, which began about 500,000 years ago. The Red Shirt Table, at 3,340 feet, is the highest point in the park, which was established on this day in 1978. It protects 379 square miles of rocky buttes, pinnacles, and prairies. This inhospitable terrain was called "Mako Sica," or "land bad" by the Oglala Lakota people, who have lived here for hundreds of years. Still thirsty for knowledge? Visit the national park"s museum collection. There are over 360,000 objects that have a lot more to reveal!Desktop Version
Plum blossoms in China
Plum blossoms in China
Plum blossoms, inspiration for countless artists and writers, bloom as symbols of endurance and elegance. The flowers of the Prunus mume tree bloom in late winter to early spring. Native to China, the species has been introduced to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Found in China"s iconic spots like Nanjing"s Plum Blossom Mountain, Wuhan"s East Lake, and Hangzhou"s West Lake, these fleeting blooms attract visitors eager to witness their ephemeral magic. In Chinese culture, plum blossoms represent purity and the arrival of spring, whereas in Japan, they symbolize new beginnings. With over 300 varieties, this tree can thrive in gardens of all sizes, offering a variety of shapes and colors. Beyond their visual appeal, plum blossoms are also used in traditional cuisine, such as floral teas and preserved plums.Desktop Version
Silvereyes in South Korea
Silvereyes in South Korea
Yellow, round, tiny, and gregarious—say hello to these silvereyes enjoying cherry blossoms in South Korea. While this family of passerine birds is native to Africa, Australasia, and Asia, several of its species can be found in places like French Polynesia and Hawaii, where they appeared by introduction. Also known as white-eyes or wax-eyes, these birds come in a range of colors and patterns, but they all share that trademark eye ring. They have a sweet tooth for nectar, but they"re not picky eaters, happily feeding on fruits, insects, and berries. Let"s celebrate these beauties for adding a touch of wonder to spring!Desktop Version
World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day
On World Migratory Bird Day, we introduce the indigo bunting, a tiny bird with plumage like the twilight sky. They traverse thousands of miles using the stars to navigate as they fly between North America, and their wintering grounds in Central America and northern South America.Desktop Version
Happy International Zebra Day!
Happy International Zebra Day!
Celebrate the beauty of zebras on International Zebra Day! These striking animals, known for their unique black and white patterns, are mostly found in the African savanna, stretching from Kenya to South Africa. Of the three zebra species, Grévy"s zebra, plains zebra, and mountain zebra, the Grévy"s zebra is the most endangered, with more than half its population lost in only three decades. While plains zebras are thriving, mountain zebras face significant threats, such as poaching and habitat encroachment. Zebras play an essential role in the ecosystems they live in, coexisting with predators like lions and hyenas while shaping the grasslands they call home.Desktop Version
World Water Day
World Water Day
It"s World Water Day, a United Nations event that ripples across the globe, reminding us of the importance of this essential resource. Water quenches thirst and irrigates harvests, and its absence can derail prosperity and stability. The World Economic Forum lists the water crisis among the top global risks, with 2.2 billion people still lacking access to clean water. From educational forums to local cleanups, each action, big or small, contributes to the wave of change needed to address the crisis. This year"s theme, "Water for Peace," invites us to reflect on water"s power to foster unity. So, are you ready to dive into a current that flows deeper than New Zealand"s Blue Spring at Te Waihou Walkway, pictured on our homepage? This clear spring is renowned for its purity, supplying about 70% of the country"s bottled water. For those in regions without easy access to safe water, World Water Day is here to promote greater cooperation to help conserve this crucial resource, for everyone.Desktop Version
South Stack Lighthouse, Holy Island, Wales
South Stack Lighthouse, Holy Island, Wales
Built on the rugged cliffs of Holy Island, Wales, the South Stack Lighthouse stands watch over the deep waters of the Irish Sea. The 91-foot-tall white tower has guided sailors since its completion in 1809; it provides safe passage for ships on the Dublin-Holyhead-Liverpool route. When it was built, sperm whale oil was used to light the lamps; however, over the years, the mechanism has been upgraded to more advanced technology like LED bulbs and Fresnel lenses. Automated in 1984, the lighthouse continues to serve as a vital navigational aid, with its powerful beam shining up to 28 miles. As the sun sets and the sky fills with colors, the silhouette of the South Stack Lighthouse in the dusk makes for a stunning sight. Visitors brave the 400-step descent down the steep cliff face to explore the lighthouse, including its engine room and exhibition area.Desktop Version
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Today, the country remembers "a date which will live in infamy." President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these words to Congress in 1941, the day after Japan"s attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Oahu, Hawaii. The destruction inflicted on the US Pacific Fleet is one of military history"s most devastating surprise attacks. More than 3,500 US servicepeople were killed or wounded, and eight battleships were destroyed or damaged in less than two hours. Following Roosevelt"s speech came a declaration of war and the entrance of the US into World War II. Congress named December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in 1994.Desktop Version
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC
Every spring, Washington, DC, transforms into a sea of pink and white as the cherry trees 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 US, symbolizing the friendship between the two nations.Desktop Version
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day
On World Oceans Day, you"re invited to dinner below the sea, hosted by these long-beaked common dolphins. This pod, off the Eastern Cape in South Africa, is employing an ingenious hunting technique, herding a school of frantic sardines toward the surface of the water so they have no escape, essentially driving them against a wall. Once pinned near the surface, the sardines are easy pickings for the hungry dolphins and any other lucky bystanders, like these dive-bombing Cape gannets who are quick to pounce on the opportunity. The technique requires teamwork of course but that comes easy to dolphins, known for their intelligence and tight familial bonds.Desktop Version
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
The "bathing boxes" on Brighton Beach, Melbourne, beam with a rainbow of colors against golden sands, the ocean, and the city skyline. A popular tourist attraction, they first popped up on Brighton"s coastline in 1860, providing somewhere for swimmers to change into their bathing suits. They have been moved, repaired, and added to since then, and while they each have their own distinctive coat of paint, the bathing boxes are built in the same traditional style. Despite facing the threat of removal over the years, these vibrant coast guards remain, adding a splash of color to the beach, and providing their owners with somewhere to sit and enjoy the view.Desktop Version
Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Founded in 1778 by aristocrat Helena Radziwiłłowa, Arkadia Park is an English-style landscape park in central Poland. The park displays architecture and landscapes that evoke ancient and medieval eras, like this recreation of a Roman-style aqueduct. These features are brought to life by the garden"s lush greenery, tranquil water, and intricately crafted sculptures throughout the grounds, which illustrate the beauty of intermingled nature and art. Today, Arkadia Park stands as a testament to Helena Radziwiłłowa"s lasting vision and creative legacy.Desktop Version
European beech forest, Belgium
European beech forest, Belgium
Beech trees are pretty amazing. There are several species worldwide, but the European beech steals the spotlight in much of Europe. With its smooth gray bark, short trunk, and sweeping branches, this tree is a standout in Belgium"s forests, as shown in today"s image. It grows in temperate regions and prefers well-drained, fertile soils, taking up to 30 years to mature. Not only do these 160-foot-tall trees dominate the landscape, but their wood is also used to make some of the sturdiest furniture, flooring, and even kitchen tools.Desktop Version
Seitan Limania Beach, Crete
Seitan Limania Beach, Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of all the Greek islands, and also the farthest from the mainland (in fact, it"s just about halfway to Turkey). This big little island is small enough to drive across in a few hours but full of wonders, from mountain ranges to gorges to beautiful beaches. Take this jewel box of turquoise water near the port city of Chania, for example. Set on the easternmost of three peninsulas that stick out like horns from the northwest shoreline of Crete, Seitan Limania is one of the most photographed beaches on the island.Desktop Version
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest
Oom-pah, oom-pah… That sound can mean only one thing (at least that isn"t chocolate factory-related). It"s Oktoberfest season! Don"t start the party too fast, though: You might want to ride the Wellenflug swing carousel seen in today"s photo before you get too much of that distinctly German beer in your belly. And it is distinct: Due to strict Reinheitsgebot ("purity orders") regulations in place since 1516, real German beer can only be made with certain ingredients—originally just barley, hops, and water, though other additions have trickled in over time.Desktop Version
International Day of Forests
International Day of Forests
Today we"re rooting for woodlands worldwide as we celebrate the International Day of Forests. Established by the UN 11 years ago, the day draws attention to the need to preserve these essential ecosystems, which supply food, water, medicines, and other resources. Covering over 30% of land on Earth, it is thought that woodlands around the world contain more than 60,000 tree species. Featured here is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest in Uganda, which is home to 160 species of trees and 100 species of ferns, as well as an extraordinary 50% of the world"s mountain gorilla population. The forest has thickets of bamboo growing between the trees, making access on foot difficult, giving the Impenetrable Forest its name.Desktop Version
Spring equinox
Spring equinox
Goodbye winter! Today marks the spring or vernal equinox, the official beginning of springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. Starting today, regions north of the equator will have longer days than nights.Desktop Version