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International Whale Shark Day
International Whale Shark Day
If you"ve never seen a nearly 12-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.Desktop Version
JRR Tolkien Day
JRR Tolkien Day
Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmers in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. This is the landscape a young traveller, JRR Tolkien, crossed during a hiking trip in 1911, long before he became the storyteller behind "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Its soaring cliffs, silver waterfalls and crisp mountain air left a lasting impression and are believed to have inspired his vision of Rivendell, the elven refuge hidden deep in Middle-earth.Desktop Version
St Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye
St Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye
On a windswept plateau in eastern Türkiye, along the border with Armenia, the ruins of the ancient city of Ani rise from the landscape with striking clarity. A millennium ago, Ani was a thriving Armenian capital on a major Silk Road route, its fortifications and busy streets shaping trade and culture across the region. Today, the city is quiet, but its outline still carries the weight of its past.Desktop Version
Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
"Make hay while the sun shines" may sound like an old proverb, but in farming it"s a practical truth. Hay baling plays a crucial role in agriculture worldwide. It involves cutting, drying and packaging grasses to feed livestock during the colder months. The process depends heavily on the weather: the grass must be dry before it"s baled, or it risks moulding. Farmers must act quickly once a dry spell arrives, making it a seasonal race.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
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 25 centimetres from nose to tail, this species is North America"s smallest chipmunk.Desktop Version
Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
High on a hill rising over 180 metres in Rajasthan, India, Chittorgarh Fort spans approximately 690 acres (280 hectares). It stands as a proud witness to the valour of the famed warrior clans—the Rajputs. Their name comes from the Sanskrit "rajaputra," meaning "son of a king," and they are celebrated for their noble lineage and martial traditions across northern India. The fort"s stone walls have witnessed centuries of courage, pride and romance, remembered in the songs of Rajasthan"s bards. According to legend, Bhim, a hero from the Hindu epic "Mahabharata," first laid its foundations.Desktop Version
Winter solstice
Winter solstice
Ever felt as if the night just wouldn"t end? That"s the winter solstice working its magic. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring around December 21 or 22. In the Southern Hemisphere, the same happens around June 21 or 22. It marks the moment when one of Earth"s poles tilts farthest from the sun. From that instant, daylight slowly begins to lengthen again.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 225 miles 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
Burns Night
Burns Night
Each January 25, Scots and friends around the world raise a toast to Robert Burns, Scotland"s beloved national poet. A Burns Night supper blends warmth and wit: the centrepiece is haggis, a savoury pudding made from minced meat, oats and spices, served with neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes). Add plenty of good cheer, readings of Burns"s verse and a dram of whisky, and you have a celebration that ends with a rousing chorus of "Auld Lang Syne."Desktop Version
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Ever heard coins clinking louder than applause? That"s the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, for you—a spot where history, hope and selfie sticks collide. Completed in 1762, it marks the endpoint of one of ancient Rome"s earliest aqueducts, the Aqua Virgo, which still supplies water today. The name "Trevi" comes from Tre Vie—"three roads"—signifying the junction where it stands. Designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and finished by Giuseppe Pannini, this 26-metre marvel is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous in the world. Its sculptures show Oceanus, the god of the sea, surrounded by Tritons and horses.Desktop Version
Blooming sunflowers
Blooming sunflowers
Bright and bold, sunflowers are loved by bees, birds and just about everyone. The name of their genus, helianthus, comes from the Greek words for sun (helios) and flower (anthos). These annual plants are known for their large, daisy-like flowers and radiant charm. While sunflowers come in shades of red, orange and maroon, it"s the classic yellow blooms with brown centres that are the most common.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
Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska, United States
Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska, United States
Long before GPS, natural landmarks like Scotts Bluff in Nebraska, United States, rose high above the prairie, signaling to travellers that they were on the right path heading west. Before Gering became a town in 1887 and decades before Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867, these sandstone and siltstone formations were already guiding thousands along the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. Scotts Bluff National Monument is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trader with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company who died under mysterious circumstances nearby in the 1820s.Desktop Version
The staircase of the Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece
The staircase of the Fortress of Palamidi, Nafplio, Greece
Some landmarks invite you in. This one makes you work for it—857 steps, eight bastions and centuries of power plays later, the Fortress of Palamidi still believes history should be earned the hard way. Rising 216 metres above the city of Nafplio in Greece, this Venetian-built stronghold dates to 1714. Each bastion of this impressive fortification is designed as an independent unit so that if one fell, the others could still be defended. The Ottomans captured the fortress a year after completion, and Greece reclaimed it in 1822, renaming the bastions after heroes like Achilles and Leonidas. Today, visitors often test themselves on the fortress"s famous staircase—once believed to have 999 steps, though the actual count is 857. At the top, sweeping views of the Argolic Gulf make every step worthwhile.Desktop Version
World Olive Tree Day
World Olive Tree Day
Ancient yet vibrant, twisted yet resilient, olive trees can live for over a thousand years. Even when scarred or hollowed, their trunks still send out fresh leaves each season—a living record of survival through drought, wind and fire. In 2019, UNESCO established November 26 as World Olive Tree Day, recognising these trees that have been cultivated by humans since about 6,000 BCE. Olives have carried both practical and symbolic weight through the ages: their oil was pressed for anointing, medicine and daily sustenance; crowns of their leaves graced Olympic victors; and their branches became a lasting emblem of peace.Desktop Version
Big Garden Birdwatch
Big Garden Birdwatch
Every January, gardens across the United Kingdom turn into open-air theatres. The performers arrive uninvited, refuse encores and steal snacks without apology. Welcome to Big Garden Birdwatch—the one weekend when staring out of the window is officially productive.Desktop Version
Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
Not every science lesson requires a classroom. In La Jolla, in California, United States, tide pools teach you about ocean life—right at your feet. Along the rocky shoreline of this San Diego coastal neighbourhood, tide pools form during low tide as seawater gets trapped in natural depressions. These shallow pools form naturally along La Jolla"s rocky shorelines, especially near Windansea Beach, Shell Beach, South Casa Beach and Hospital Point. The water that remains trapped in sandstone and reef depressions creates habitats for everything from sea hares to brittle stars.Desktop Version
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
Somewhere in the wide prairies of northeastern Wyoming, United States, stands Devils Tower, a stone formation that rises from the open plains. Once called Bear Lodge, the butte gained its current name during an 1875 expedition led by Colonel Richard Irving Dodge, possibly after an interpreter mistranslated a Native phrase as "Bad God"s Tower." The missing apostrophe in its official title follows standard geographic naming conventions—hence, the signs read "Devils Tower." In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it the nation"s first national monument; a milestone whose anniversary falls today.Desktop Version
Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan
Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan
In Japan"s colder months, there"s a morning moment when stillness breaks—not with wind or footsteps, but with a bright, rolling call that sweeps across the water. Whooper swans have touched down. One loud whoop—and winter suddenly feels awake. These birds migrate from Siberia and the Russian Far East, choosing Japan as their seasonal home because its lakes offer what long-distance travellers crave: open water, steady food and a safe place to rest. One of their favourite destinations is Kotoku Pond in the Kantō region on Japan"s largest island.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.Desktop Version
Autumn equinox
Autumn equinox
Autumn isn"t just marked by the calendar. Each September, Earth"s subtle tilt brings the autumn equinox—one of two times a year when day and night are nearly equal in length. It marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. From solar alignments to changing leaves, nature offers its own quiet signals that the season has shifted. While for most of us it may seem like just another day, ancient cultures paid close attention to this change. Sites like Chichén Itzá in Mexico and England"s Stonehenge were designed to align with the rising or setting sun during equinox days.Desktop Version
Corona Arch near Moab, Utah, United States
Corona Arch near Moab, Utah, United States
Just outside Arches National Park in Utah lies a natural wonder that rises like a colossal doorway against the sky, drawing photographers, nature lovers and hikers. Welcome to Corona Arch, seen in today"s image, a towering Navajo sandstone formation that offers big adventure without the big crowds. The Corona Arch Trail starts off easy but packs a punch of scenery: railroad tracks, slickrock scrambles and even a metal cable assist make it more than just a walk in the desert. After 1.5 miles of walking, the payoff is big: a massive arch that"s 43 metres wide and 32 metres high. It"s so large that people once swung from it on ropes, until that was banned for safety reasons. Even without the adrenaline stunts, the hike offers beautiful views and unforgettable moments in the heart of Red Rock Country. Also known as Little Rainbow Bridge, it shares visual similarities with the iconic Rainbow Bridge arch near Lake Powell—but Corona Arch holds its own in a more peaceful setting.Desktop Version
World Lake Day
World Lake Day
Nature has its tricks, and Sørvágsvatn is one of its best. World Lake Day is the perfect occasion to explore this optical illusion in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark. Also called Leitisvatn, this lake on the island of Vágar appears to float far above the ocean. In reality, it sits about 30 metres above sea level. As the largest lake in the Faroes, Sørvágsvatn has a surface area of about 1.3 square miles and feeds the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where its waters pour dramatically into the sea.Desktop Version
Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sea Otter Awareness Week
Think sea otters are just about whiskers and floating naps? There"s more going on behind those button eyes. Every year, Sea Otter Awareness Week highlights their role in maintaining coastal ecosystems. Launched in 2003 by Defenders of Wildlife—an American nonprofit conservation organisation—this week promotes education and action. In Prince William Sound, in Alaska, United States, sea otters drift on ice or crack shellfish on their bellies using their favourite rock, as seen in today"s image. Less visible is how their appetite for sea urchins helps protect kelp forests.Desktop Version