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Oktoberfest begins!
Oktoberfest begins!
Every autumn, Theresienwiese, a square in Munich, Germany, transforms into one of the world"s largest festivals—Oktoberfest. First held in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, it has grown into a 16- to 18-day tradition attracting more than six million people from around the globe. The scale is staggering: the festival grounds span around 4,20,000 square metres and host 14 main tents, each seating thousands. Each year, visitors consume around seven million litres of beer, along with mountains of pretzels, sausages and gingerbread hearts. All beer served at Oktoberfest comes from Munich breweries and meets the strict standards of the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law.Desktop Version
International Whale Shark Day
International Whale Shark Day
If you"ve never seen an over- 10-metre, polka-dotted fish gliding past coral reefs, you are missing out. Today is International Whale Shark Day, a reminder that these slow-motion giants need our attention. First observed in 2008, the day is used by researchers and marine advocates to spotlight conservation efforts and threats like vessel strikes, plastic pollution and unregulated tourism. Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea, but don"t let the word "shark" fool you. They"re plankton-eating giants with no interest in humans. Found in warm waters from the Maldives and Mozambique to Mexico"s Yucatán coast, they often show up in food-rich, calm waters. Their mouths can stretch over a metre wide, but they feed by suction, not biting.Desktop Version
Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Mists curl, waters glimmer and legends linger—welcome to Glen Brittle. On the Isle of Skye, Scotland"s fabled "Misty Isle", the glen stretches in a sweep of purple heather carpeting its rugged slopes. The landscape hums with echoes of the past: dinosaurs left footprints on these cliffs long before Mesolithic hunters traced its streams over 8,000 years ago. In the 9th century, seafaring Norse Vikings settled here. Centuries later, the powerful MacLeod and MacDonald clans claimed these lands, their castles standing guard over countless battles and alliances.Desktop Version
Amethyst laccaria mushrooms, Seabeck, Washington, United States
Amethyst laccaria mushrooms, Seabeck, Washington, United States
Far more than pizza toppings or sautéed sides, mushrooms are ecological powerhouses, essential for healthy forests. They break down dead matter, recycle nutrients and support tree growth through underground networks called mycorrhizae. Some also help store carbon in the soil, playing a role in climate regulation.Desktop Version
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
On 2 December 1980, the United States passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), a landmark law that reshaped America"s conservation history. With one sweeping law, more than 40 million hectares of Alaska"s wild lands gained lasting protection, like the Wrangell–St Elias National Park and Preserve, seen here, now the largest national park in the country. ANILCA balanced preservation with tradition, safeguarding ecosystems while honouring rural subsistence rights.Desktop Version
Rainbow houses, Houten, Netherlands
Rainbow houses, Houten, Netherlands
You won"t find souvenir shops or tourist maps pointing the way—but follow the edge of Lake Rietplas in Houten, and you"ll stumble upon one of the Netherlands" most unexpectedly photogenic sights. While many flock to Amsterdam"s canals or Rotterdam"s cube houses, this quiet commuter town offers its own architectural twist. Lined up like a mirage, the Rainbow Houses shimmer in bold, painterly hues—a residential block turned an understated cultural landmark.Desktop Version
Village of Saranac Lake, New York, United States
Village of Saranac Lake, New York, United States
Some places are just stops on the map, but Saranac Lake in Adirondack Mountains, in New York, United States, is a destination that keeps people hooked year-round. Despite its name, this village isn"t directly on the Saranac Lakes themselves but rather on Lake Flower, a wide section of the Saranac River. For centuries, the area—nicknamed "The Capital of the Adirondacks"—was used by Indigenous peoples for hunting and travel. By the late 19th century, it gained fame as a health retreat, where Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau pioneered fresh-air treatment for tuberculosis. The cure cottages from that era still stand today.Desktop Version
Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
There are big statues—and then there"s the Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved into a riverside cliff at the confluence of the Min, Qingyi and Dadu Rivers in Sichuan, China, this statue is an ancient engineering marvel. Construction began in 713 CE under a monk named Hai Tong, who hoped that the Buddha"s presence would calm dangerous river currents that threatened passing boats. He was so devoted that when funding ran out, he reportedly gouged out his own eyes to prove his sincerity. Construction took roughly 90 years and was completed long after Hai Tong"s death. At approximately 70 metres tall, it is the largest stone Buddha in the world. Its shoulders stretch about 28 metres wide, its ears measure nearly 7 metres long and each foot extends over 8 metres. Drainage channels built inside the statue protect it from erosion, helping explain its remarkable preservation for more than 12 centuries.Desktop Version
Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Today, we step into the Martimoaapa Mire Reserve in Finland, where wide, cold-climate wetlands and peatlands stretch across a landscape shaped over thousands of years. This reserve is more than just mires—it carries layers of history. During Finland"s Prohibition era (1919–1932), smugglers hauled sacks of liquor from Sweden across these bogs, following a "spirits" route that passed through Martimoaapa. Parts of that path can still be traced today. Imagine trekking with a heavy pack over soggy ground—would you have made it?Desktop Version
Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Amid the lush eucalyptus canopy of Great Otway National Park, koalas reign as sleepy sentinels of Australia"s wild soul. Often misnamed "koala bears," these marsupials are actually closer to wombats and tend to be instantly recognisable by their stout, tailless bodies, fluffy ears and velvety black noses.Desktop Version
Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast
Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast
What do invisible gases, vintage hairspray and satellites have in common? They all played a role in one of the greatest environmental comebacks in history. Seen from over 350 kilometres above, the Gulf Coast glows like a constellation—clusters of light scattered across the dark. But what truly makes this view possible can"t be seen: the ozone layer, silently shielding everything below from the sun"s ultraviolet rays. By the 1980s, that shield was thinning fast—damaged by chemicals once used in refrigeration and aerosol products. The solution? A global pact. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, led to a swift phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. Today, satellites show that the hole over Antarctica is shrinking. Scientists believe it could be fully healed by mid-century.Desktop Version
Jellyfish swimming in the Pacific, Guerrero, Mexico
Jellyfish swimming in the Pacific, Guerrero, Mexico
They don"t have brains, bones or even hearts, yet jellyfish have pulsed through Earth"s oceans for half a billion years. Their habitats face growing threats from pollution, nutrient-rich runoff and ocean acidification—pressures that make marine conservation essential to restoring coral health and sustaining the species that depend on these waters.Desktop Version
European fallow deer in England
European fallow deer in England
Flat antlers? Check. Spotted coat? Check. Side-eye from the bushes? Also check. Say hello to the European fallow deer. These medium-sized deer have been strutting through British woodlands and parklands for centuries. Though they look right at home, they weren"t born here. The Romans likely brought them over, and the Normans later made them common in hunting parks. Now, they"re regulars in landscapes from Sussex to Scotland.Desktop Version
World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day
Big ears, bigger hearts—elephants are more than just icons of the wild. Every year on August 12, we celebrate World Elephant Day—a global movement to raise awareness about the majestic giants that roam places like Amboseli National Park in Kenya, pictured here. What makes elephants so extraordinary isn"t just their size; it"s their minds. These animals have incredible memories.Desktop Version
Grizzly bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, United States
Grizzly bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, United States
Millions of incredible animals roam, fly, swim and slither across our planet. Among the most iconic of these is the grizzly bear, a symbol of the American wilderness. Young grizzlies often "play-fight" to build strength, sharpen skills and establish social bonds. These heavyweight champs can weigh up to 410 kilograms and still sprint faster than most humans. Once widespread across the western United States, grizzlies now primarily roam Alaska and parts of the Northern Rockies.Desktop Version
International Day of the Snow Leopard
International Day of the Snow Leopard
Ever tried spotting a snow leopard in the wild? It"s called the "ghost of the mountains" for a reason—you"re more likely to see its pawprints than the big cat itself. But every October 23, the species steps into the spotlight on International Day of the Snow Leopard, a day set aside to protect this elusive predator and its rugged home.Desktop Version
Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Some towns evolve slowly over centuries. Pienza? It received a full rebrand in the 1400s from a pope who wanted to prove a point—and maybe show off a little. This tiny Italian town is perched above the Val d"Orcia, surrounded by rolling hills that look exactly like you think Tuscany should: cypress trees, winding dirt roads, the occasional sheep. It"s peaceful. And then you step inside the town walls, and it gets clever.Desktop Version
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Every August, Edinburgh stops being just a city and starts acting up—literally. From pub basements to park benches, stages appear in the strangest places and shows pop up on quiet streets. Welcome to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, or the Fringe. The story began in 1947, when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to the Edinburgh International Festival. They performed anyway. That spirit of rebellion stuck, and the Fringe was born.Desktop Version
Sea otters, Prince William Sound, Alaska, United States
Sea otters, Prince William Sound, Alaska, United States
Think sea otters are just about whiskers and floating naps? There"s much more behind those button eyes. In Prince William Sound, in Alaska, United States, they drift on ice or crack shellfish on their bellies with a favourite rock, as seen in today"s image. Less obvious is how their taste for sea urchins helps protect kelp forests. Otters also depend on clean, cold water—their fur traps air for warmth rather than repelling water, making them highly vulnerable to oil spills.Desktop Version
Rock River Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States
Rock River Falls, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States
Nestled within Michigan"s Rock River Canyon Wilderness in the United States, Rock River Falls emerges amid a landscape shaped by glaciers, dense woods and layers of history. In the Upper Peninsula, humans have left their traces for millennia: Indigenous Algonquian-speaking peoples were followed by French and British explorers and waves of Finnish, Swedish and French-Canadian immigrants settled there during the 19th-century mining and logging booms. Today, this sparsely populated region hosts barely 3% of Michigan"s residents, cradling its forests and waterfalls in near-natural serenity.Desktop Version
Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
In the world of woodland critters, the least chipmunk might seem like the "undersquirrel"—but don"t count it out. With survival smarts and turbo-charged feet, this tiny rodent proves that being "least" is no reason to squirrel away your potential. Weighing less than a deck of cards and measuring under 30 centimetres from nose to tail, this species is North America"s smallest chipmunk.Desktop Version
Great white egret, Hungary
Great white egret, Hungary
Meet the great egret, also known as the great white egret. Found in the Americas, Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, these birds are often seen wading through wetlands, tidal flats and quiet streams. Patient and precise, they stand motionless for minutes, waiting for just the right moment to deliver a lightning-fast strike. Fish are their main prey, but they also eat frogs, reptiles and even small mammals. In the late 1800s, the great egret"s beautiful plumes became a must-have in women"s fashion across North America, driving their population down by an estimated 95%. The killing might have continued if not for two Boston socialites, Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall, who led a boycott of the feather trade. Their activism helped launch the National Audubon Society.Desktop Version
A young bull moose
A young bull moose
He may be young, but these antlers speak of future battles. In Denali National Park, Alaska, United States, a young bull moose lifts his head above the shrubs. At this stage, his antlers are more crown than weapon—still covered in velvet. But even now, they hint at a life shaped by instinct, sparring and the quiet pull of dominance.Desktop Version
Keel-billed toucan, Costa Rica
Keel-billed toucan, Costa Rica
Spot a flash of yellow on its chest and a bill that looks painted by an artist—that"s the keel-billed toucan. A member of the Ramphastidae family, which includes toucan barbets, it is one of more than 40 toucan species. Found from southern Mexico to northern Colombia, it spends much of its day plucking fruit with a rainbow-coloured bill about one-third of its total length. It also eats insects, eggs and small reptiles when available. The bill not only helps it eat but also keeps the toucan cool by radiating excess heat—thanks to the blood vessels running through it. This social bird often moves in small groups, chattering and gliding between treetops. With each wing measuring around 17–20 centimetres, the keel-billed toucan moults, or sheds its feathers, just once a year.Desktop Version
Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława river, Poland
Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława river, Poland
Where cobbled charm meets coastal cool, Gdańsk is a dynamic city in Poland"s Pomorskie province. It is part of Tricity—a metropolitan area along the Gdańsk Bay that includes the neighbouring coastal cities of Sopot and Gdynia, along with nearby towns. The city likely takes its name from "Gdania," an earlier name for the Motława river that runs through it.Desktop Version