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Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island
Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island
Welcome to the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Located on the southern part of the island, this valley has art and history that echo through its green mountains, like Mount Prevost. The region is home to the band government of the Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nations band in British Columbia. The city of Duncan has an impressive collection of indigenous art, including intricate carvings and paintings. While here, you must visit the collection of totem poles, which stand as towering symbols of indigenous history as they depict ancestral legends and clan symbols.Desktop Version
Almond trees in full bloom, California
Almond trees in full bloom, California
In the sun-kissed orchards of the Golden State, almonds reign supreme, enticing the taste buds and adorning the natural surroundings. California grows 80 percent of the world"s commercial supply, and 100 per cent of the United States". Almonds have heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and are nutritional powerhouses, packed with fibre, protein and an array of vitamins and minerals. During February and March, in California"s Central Valley, these seeds—not nuts—emerge from the delicate blossoms of the almond tree and mature within a protective, fuzzy hull. These trees, which belong to the rose family, burst into a spectacle of beauty during full bloom, with fragrant flowers painting the orchards in hues of white and pink.Desktop Version
Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Hidden among the forests of northern Armenia, Haghartsin Monastery is a gem of medieval Armenian architecture. Surrounded by the lush landscapes of Dilijan National Park, the monastery complex consists of several ornate structures, including the Church of the Holy Mother of God, St. Gregory"s Church and St. Stepanos" Church. The buildings date back to the 10th century and are adorned with intricately carved stone monuments, crossing arches and other decorative details, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of the era. Haghartsin, which translates to "dance of the eagles," offers a serene escape for those seeking to connect with the country"s rich history. A sense of timelessness pervades as you wander through its quiet courtyards and explore the forested surroundings.Desktop Version
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
The Brighton Bathing Boxes on Melbourne"s Brighton Beach, beaming with a rainbow of colours, are enduring relics. With recent additions bringing their total to 96, these huts have become one of Melbourne"s premier tourist attractions. The history of the bathing boxes is as colourful as their appearance. They first popped up on Brighton"s coastline in 1860, providing a modest cover for bathers swapping for their bathing suits. Worn out and damaged during the post-World War I depression, the beach huts received collective maintenance in 1934. Despite the upkeep, the multicoloured structures were faced with the threat of removal in 1952. But thanks to the Brighton Bathing Box Association for successfully securing their survival, we can still enjoy the vibrant coastguards today!Desktop Version
Firefall at Yosemite
Firefall at Yosemite
Fancy witnessing a fiery waterfall? What might sound like an oxymoron can be found at Yosemite National Park! Horsetail Fall is a seasonal waterfall that flows during the winter and early spring months when there has been ample snowfall and a subsequent temperature warm enough to melt it. For a couple of weeks in February, if the skies are clear, the water is flowing and the sun shines at just the right angle, the long, slender waterfall takes on a glowing, flame-hued appearance. Hundreds gather in Yosemite Valley to observe this mesmerising natural occurrence, to the point where finding a space to watch from can be a challenge. This phenomenon has earned the moniker "firefall," a homage to the historic Yosemite Firefall, a manmade event that was organised in the park from 1872 to 1968. Eventually, park rangers decided that dumping embers over a cliff onto the land below wasn"t the brightest idea.Desktop Version
Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Within the vast expanse of the Peak District National Park in the United Kingdom lies the Kinder Scout Nature Reserve, the site of a significant people"s movement in British history. At 636 metres, Kinder Scout stands tall as the highest point in the Peak District, its rugged moorlands and windswept plateaus having drawn adventurers and nature enthusiasts for generations. In 1932, this area was the stage for a historic mass trespass, where hundreds of people on foot protested for public access to these lands. This act of civil disobedience contributed to the passing of legislation that established national parks in the United Kingdom. The creation of the Peak District National Park ensured that these hills and valleys would be preserved for future generations to enjoy, marking a significant victory for public access and conservation efforts.Desktop Version
Toledo, Spain
Toledo, Spain
Toledo, a city situated in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, is known for its unique geography. Positioned on a raised mass of land, the city is embraced by the Tagus River on three sides. This splendid city was called "The City of Three Cultures" during the Middle Ages, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities coexisted harmoniously. Toledo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and its historical core is packed with mosques, synagogues and an impressive Gothic cathedral. The city has a strong Moorish cultural influence, left over from their arrival around the eighth century. The city was once home to the painter El Greco in the 16th century. He had an impact on Toledo, creating some of his most significant works, like the Assumption of the Virgin, which is considered one of his greatest masterpieces. Before the 16th century, Toledo"s sword-making industry was known as one of Europe"s finest.Desktop Version
World Whale Day
World Whale Day
Ahoy there, giants of the sea! World Whale Day is surfacing yet again, along with these sperm whales off the coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica. Established in 1980 in Maui, the day originally aimed to celebrate the humpback whales in Hawaiian waters and has evolved into a global event advocating for the conservation of all whale species.Desktop Version
Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
This winter wonderland is Rügen, Germany"s largest island. From the iconic chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park to sandy beaches, the island provides a diverse landscape for nature enthusiasts to revel in. Many artists have come here in the past to give free rein to their creativity. The chalk cliffs inspired one of Germany"s most famous painters—Caspar David Friedrich. Pictured here is Sassnitz lighthouse, a maritime beacon that has guided sailors through the Baltic Sea since its establishment in 1905. Though ice may be covering the shore, the lighthouse still stands, frozen as over, shining a light for ships to sail by.Desktop Version
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
For the next four days, birdwatchers all over the world will be taking part in a special yearly event: the Great Backyard Bird Count. During the count, bird lovers are encouraged to identify the feathered friends they see or hear in their area and report their findings. The data helps scientists understand and protect birds by providing information about how populations and habitats change over time.Desktop Version
Valentines Day
Valentines Day
Love is in the air as Valentine"s Day arrives! This holiday is often associated with various romantic symbols, such as Cupid or Romeo and Juliet, the famous star-crossed lovers of William Shakespeare. Symbols of love can also be found in nature, such as red-crowned cranes, seen today in the reed marshes and frozen lakes of Hokkaido Island, Japan. These graceful birds engage in captivating mating dances to strengthen their lifelong bond—and symbolise good fortune, longevity and fidelity in Japanese culture. These gentle creatures even inspired a traditional paper craft, the origami crane; according to legend, folding a thousand cranes can grant wishes.Desktop Version
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
Get ready to revel, because Mardi Gras is here! Also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, the holiday was originally celebrated to live life to the fullest before fasting and giving up other indulgences for Lent—though many modern celebrators are just happy to use the occasion as an excuse to party. Fat Tuesday celebrations take place in cities and countries around the world, particularly those with French influence, due to the settlers that brought the custom. Out of these places, New Orleans has become intrinsically linked with the festival thanks to its massive four-to-eight-week-long celebration.Desktop Version
Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island
Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island
The Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise is one of the 49 species of tortoises known for their dome-shaped shells. They are found on Isabela Island in the Galápagos archipelago. The tortoises get their name from the volcano that dominates Isabela, these herbivores thrive in the lush highland regions where they graze on a variety of vegetation like fruits, leaves and grass. They showcase distinctive breeding behaviours as the males make guttural sounds to attract females and compete with each other using various techniques like biting and raising their head higher than the other. Nesting occurs on the volcanic slopes during the months of May and June, where females deposit their eggs in soft soil.Desktop Version
Happy Lunar New Year!
Happy Lunar New Year!
Let"s mark the first new moon of the lunar calendar with a celebration! People gather to usher in the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, which ends 15 days from now with the Lantern Festival. In Chinatown, Vancouver, the streets come alive with the rhythm of drums during the parade, showcasing the traditional lion and dragon dance on the second day of the festival. Visitors can also take in martial arts displays and lively floats. The Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together, and it is responsible for one of the world"s largest annual human migrations. Did you know that 2024 heralds the Year of the Dragon, a mighty symbol of nobility, power and success?Desktop Version
Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
If you"re seeking an unspoiled landscape where nature displays raw beauty and power, Pegadung Rock on the southern coast of Indonesia"s island of Sumatra, could be the place for you. While the beach boasts turquoise waters, sandy shores and crashing waves, it"s the shark-teeth-like rocks, standing as tall as 10 metres against the currents of the Indian Ocean, that truly steal the show. These rock formations have earned the area nicknames such as "rock screen" and "shark"s teeth." While this beach has no tourist accommodation, the nearby Kiluan Bay village presents a haven for visitors. For those ready to trade lounging for exploring, this Sumatran treasure awaits.Desktop Version
Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood graces Oregon"s skyline with a pointed, snow-capped peak. Standing at nearly 3,429 metres, this dormant stratovolcano is the tallest mountain in the state, drawing adventurers and nature aficionados alike. With 12 named glaciers and numerous snow fields, Mount Hood offers a wintry playground all year round. Beyond its snow-laden allure, it sustains diverse ecosystems, nurturing ancient forests and serving as a haven for wildlife, including cougars and wolves. Over the past 1,800 years, the volcano has erupted three times. According to geologists, the mountain is primarily dormant, but there is still a chance that it could erupt one day.Desktop Version
St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
St. James Beach, nestled along the Cape Town coastline, is a small, sheltered beach popular for its row of vibrant Victorian bathing boxes that add a kaleidoscope of colour against the azure ocean backdrop. The ambience is perfect for leisurely strolls and soaking up the sun"s warmth while observing the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tides. However, it"s the St. James Tidal Pool that steals the spotlight—a protected bathing area teeming with small marine life. Built between rugged rocks, the pool offers crystal-clear waters for a tranquil swimming experience. The pool is warm compared to the ocean and is perfect for floating around without worrying about strong currents, making it a safe water playground for kids and adults.Desktop Version
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Peeking out of Lake Tahoe—the largest Alpine lake in North America and the second-deepest lake in the United States— Bonsai Rock and its surroundings are a popular tourist destination in the Sierra Nevada range. The peculiar sight of four trees growing out of what appears to be a massive granite rock inspired a name that comes from the Japanese art of growing miniature trees. Bonsai traditionally contain a single tree or a small group of trees of the same species, so the description fits this site well. Part of the purpose of bonsai is to provide an opportunity for contemplation, so if you visit Bonsai Rock, find a place to relax and explore your thoughts.Desktop Version
Monarch butterflies, Goleta, California
Monarch butterflies, Goleta, California
Monarch butterflies, with their vibrant orange and black wings, are found across southern regions, from coastal meadows to urban gardens. Born on fragrant milkweed leaves, their tiny caterpillars store the plant"s essential chemicals for protection. As they transform into butterflies, they embark on a journey soaring south, to wintering grounds in Mexico and California. Those gathered to see the clumps of butterflies in 30-metre-tall trees might confuse them for clumps of leaves, however, as the sun"s rays gently fall upon the insects, their wings will begin to flutter. Bring your binoculars and take the opportunity to witness these winged wonders huddled together, it"s truly a sight to behold!Desktop Version
Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Step into the depths of Devetashka Cave and journey through time in one of Bulgaria"s many natural wonders. However, there is one condition for this adventure: you must not be afraid of bats! About 30,000 of these flying mammals call the cave home. The karst cave, which was formed by the dissolution of carbonate rocks by water, is now part of a public park. The presence of humans in Devetashka Cave is thought to date back to the Early Stone Age, around 70,000 years BCE, and Neolithic artefacts from 6,000-4,000 BCE have been found here. Several large openings in the cave cast natural light into the chambers, offering better illumination for photographers and nature lovers alike.Desktop Version
Carnival of Venice
Carnival of Venice
Don your tricorn hat and gilded disguise, it"s time to visit the Carnival of Venice, a centuries-old festival shrouded in mystique and beauty. This annual winter celebration combines revelry with anonymity, thanks to masks that often follow certain character archetypes such as the bauta, volto, Colombina and Zanni—the last two are borrowed from Italian commedia theatre. Over the course of the festivities, thousands of people take to the streets in elaborate costumes that imitate traditional 17th-century Venetian clothes. There are parades, parties and processions galore during the carnival, along with concerts and street performances, all of which last until Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 13 this year. While revelling in the streets, you might pass by the Santa Maria della Salute, seen towards the back of today"s image, a baroque basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who was considered to be the protector of the Republic of Venice.Desktop Version
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Curious about how long this winter will last? The superstitious can take a cue from Groundhog Day"s forecast based on whether the titular animal sees his shadow. On February 2, the well-known prognosticator, Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario, emerges from his burrow to predict the arrival of spring. The outcomes? Six more weeks of winter or early spring. Once the prediction is made, it is read to the crowd, who cheer Willie on either way. The original Willie passed away in 1999, and since then, the celebration has been held with a successor to the original Willie. A relative of Willie"s, the Alpine marmot seen here today, has its own winter tradition of stocking up on food to prepare for a long hibernation. Let"s hope that Willie doesn"t see his shadow so we can exit our own.Desktop Version
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba
In the rugged terrain of Churchill, Manitoba, a polar bear finds solace on a bed of stone covered with ice and snow. Every year, as Hudson Bay freezes over, polar bears congregate here, waiting to return to their icy hunting grounds. The largest land carnivores, equipped with an incredible sense of smell and powerful limbs, traverse the rocky landscapes. They primarily feed on various species of seals, walruses and beluga whale. Their thick fur is perfect for insulation, and their large paws are designed like snowshoes, making them capable of surviving in the harshest of climates. A lot of globetrotters are found here during this season, paying a visit to these marine mammals, as 64 to 80 per cent of polar bears worldwide are found in Canada.Desktop Version
International Zebra Day
International Zebra Day
It"s time for some black-and-white thinking. January 31 is International Zebra Day, a day to honour these stripey creatures. While all zebras have the iconic black-and-white stripes, there are actually three different species of zebras: plains, mountain and Grévy"s zebras. Today"s snapshot shows Burchell"s zebras, a subspecies of the plains zebra, in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa. Found across eastern and southern Africa, zebras thrive in savannas, shrublands, woodlands and even mountain regions. They spend most of their time eating—grasses, leaves and shrubs are their favourites—and have been known to travel hundreds of kilometres in search of food and water. Sadly, all three varieties of zebra are under threat from hunting and habitat destruction, so events like International Zebra Day that draw attention to their plight are more necessary than ever.Desktop Version
Aýna, Albacete, Spain
Aýna, Albacete, Spain
Snow might not be the first thing that pops into your mind when thinking about Spain, but thanks to its diverse landscapes from high peaks to warm beaches, Spain has it all. Featured in today"s image, the tiny village of Aýna—with a population of less than 1,000—lies in the steep valley carved by the river Mundo in the Sierra del Segura mountain range. Because of its snow-capped mountains during the winter months, the town is frequently called Manchegan Switzerland—with "Manchegan" referring to the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha that Aýna is a part of. About 240 kilometres south of the capital, Madrid, Aýna offers a unique glimpse into Spanish village life.Desktop Version