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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
Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Every December, as morning unfolds, a chorus of rattling calls fills the marshes of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This 231 square kilometres sanctuary in central New Mexico prepares to stage one of nature"s most stirring performances as sandhill cranes return from their seasonal journey. Soon, tens of thousands of snow geese and other migratory birds join the scene, filling the sky with movement and sound.Desktop Version
Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market
Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market
They"ve got long beards, red hats and a knack for stealing a tad bit of Santa"s thunder every Christmas. Meet the gnome—known as "tomte" in Sweden and "nisse" in Norway—whose traditions vary across regions. Rooted in Scandinavian folklore, these tiny guardians watch over homes and farms, keeping families safe through long, dark winters. But there"s a catch: treat them kindly or they may play tricks. A warm bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve is their favourite reward. Said to bring luck and laughter, they might even befriend your garden gnomes, since they often resemble them.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
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
Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
The shiver felt under a full autumn moon, when the air hints at winter"s arrival, has a way of lingering in memory. One of China"s most cherished holidays, the Mid-Autumn Festival—also known as the Moon Festival—adds another touch of magic to the end of the harvest season. It"s celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar—this year, on October 6. According to legend, it"s also the night when the moon goddess Chang"e watches over the world.Desktop Version
Fall colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Fall colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
It"s that time of year in the United States when the hills shed their summer greens, unveiling a blaze of colours that lights up the season. The change usually begins in September and early October, with higher slopes turning first, followed by the lower valleys. Among the stars of this display are the aspens, whose leaves shimmer like gold coins in the sunlight. The magic of aspen colours, however, isn"t guaranteed year after year. Their golden glow depends on many factors—tree health, local weather shifts, soil moisture and where they grow in terms of altitude and latitude. Healthy aspens are the true stars of the season: strong, thriving groves burst with brighter colours and hold onto their leaves longer, while stressed or weakened trees often fade quickly, offering only a glimpse of their usual brilliance. A spot that dazzled one fall might look muted the next.Desktop Version
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
As Christmas Eve arrives, millions embrace customs that connect us to our roots—or introduce us to entirely new cultures. In snowy regions like the Bavarian Alps in Germany—a frost-kissed landscape seen in today"s image—festive lights glow against winter"s chill. Elsewhere, the sun blazes brightly: think of the Caribbean, Australia, or Brazil, where Christmas often means golden beaches instead of frosty mornings.Desktop Version
Penguin Awareness Day
Penguin Awareness Day
Penguins thrive in some of Earth"s coldest waters. Today"s image shows a gentoo penguin beneath a vault of shimmering blue ice, its sharp silhouette etched against the frozen world around it. Penguin Awareness Day, observed on 20 January, shines a spotlight on the birds that bring life, noise and personality to Earth"s iciest coastlines.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
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
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
Eurasian red squirrel in Northumberland, England
Eurasian red squirrel in Northumberland, England
Who could resist that squishy face? A Eurasian red squirrel perches on a snowy pine branch, paws clutching a pine cone like it"s the last snack on Earth. These little acrobats stay busy collecting nuts, seeds and fungi—feasting on fresh finds in summer and on stored cones through winter.Desktop Version
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff in Alberta, Canada, didn"t grow quietly. It arrived with railways, hot springs and a vision: to protect places of rare beauty. In 1883, railway workers stumbled upon warm mineral water bubbling from Sulphur Mountain—an unlikely surprise in the cold sweep of the Rockies. The discovery drew attention quickly. By 1885, the surrounding land has been set aside as a protected reserve. What did that lead to? The beginnings of Banff National Park, Canada"s first, and a blueprint the country would return to again and again.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
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
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
Interstellar clouds in the Lagoon Nebula
Interstellar clouds in the Lagoon Nebula
The universe hums with creation. Featured here, in the Lagoon Nebula, a cluster called NGC 6530 is kindling newborn stars, a glowing reminder that beginnings are woven into the fabric of the cosmos. About 4,350 light-years away and a few million years old, it is a stellar formation still in its earliest chapter. It"s the kind of sight that once drew astronomer Carl Sagan"s attention—a glimpse into how the universe continues to build itself, star by star.Desktop Version
Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
In Minnesota, United States, autumn carries more than crimson leaves—it brings the crisp promise of apple season. From mid-August through late October, orchards across the state open their rows of Honeycrisp, Haralson and dozens of other cultivars, each bred for flavour, resilience and charm. Today"s image captures that moment: branches heavy with ripe fruit, ready for harvest. This land takes its apples seriously. The state apple, the Honeycrisp, now a world favourite, was born in the orchards of the University of Minnesota, where scientists have cultivated apples for over a century.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
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
Akbars tomb, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Akbars tomb, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Some emperors leave behind crowns;. Akbar left a blueprint. Located in Sikandra, near Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Akbar"s tomb reflects the vision of one of the Mughal Empire"s most influential rulers. Built between 1605 and 1613 and completed by his son Jahangir, the mausoleum blends Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Persian design elements. It"s unity carved in stone.Desktop Version
Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, Germany
Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest, Germany
Nestled in the heart of Germany"s Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, the dramatic rock formations known as the Externsteine rise majestically into the sky. These sandstone pillars, formed around 70 million years ago, are among Germany"s most significant natural and cultural landmarks. They captivate visitors with their unique shapes and rich historical significance, attracting thousands each year. The rocks reach heights of up to 35 metres. As early as the Middle Ages, the site was used as a place of worship, as evidenced by a remarkable 12th-century relief carved into the stone depicting the Descent from the Cross. It is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps.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
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