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Dec. 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!

The winter solstice is here. Today marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, while last night was the longest night of the year. This has been an important event for millennia, with evidence of celebrations going back as far as 10,000 BCE. Some of the world"s most famous Stone Age monuments, including Stonehenge, are aligned with the point that the sun rises or sets on the winter solstice. Traditionally, it was a time for feasting and lighting of fires to symbolise the darkest day of the year. Ancient Germanic tribes celebrated the winter solstice by bringing evergreens into their homes as a symbol of the returning light and the coming spring.Desktop Version

Celebrating the Scottish bard

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Jul. 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Let"s take a trip to a forest of stones: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA. In the park, named after the Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, lies Sunset Point, seen in today"s image, as a spot to see the hoodoos. These rock formations are created by frost weathering and stream erosion, which shape the stone into an otherworldly landscape. Perched at 2,400 to 2,700 metres, this overlook offers a panoramic view of rocky spires in red, orange and white. The most iconic of them is Thor"s Hammer, a hoodoo that overlooks a part of the park known as the "Silent City."Desktop Version

Ever seen garlic bloom?

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Keep practicing, little guy

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Where are these spectacular peaks?

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Dec. 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania

As the winter chill sets in, the city of Sibiu transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland as it hosts one of Romania"s most popular Christmas markets. The Sibiu Christmas Market, known in Romanian as Târgul de Crăciun din Sibiu, is held in the central square from the end of November until early January. Sparkling strings of lights drape across the square, seen in today"s image, creating a canopy that bathes the cobblestone streets in a warm, festive glow. There also stands a beautifully lit Christmas tree, surrounded by charming wooden huts selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to locally made treats like cozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet bread; vin fiert, an aromatic mulled wine; and covrigi, a type of pretzel served warm and sprinkled with salt.Desktop Version

Feb. 28, 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England

Bamburgh Castle perches over a black crag of volcanic rock in Northumberland, England. The castle area and the nearby beaches are covered by the region"s distinct sand landforms, the Bamburgh Dunes, seen in the foreground of today"s image. The fortress, once a strategic Anglo-Saxon stronghold, evolved over centuries into the imposing structure seen today. The castle played a pivotal role in defending against the Viking invasion in 993. However, the Norsemen destroyed the original fortification, after which significant enhancements were made during the medieval period. The castle also served as the seat of the ancient Northumbrian kingdom—a medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom, in present-day Northern England and south-east Scotland. After surviving its share of invasions and attacks, Bamburgh Castle has made its way to the limelight due to its impressive silhouette against the North Sea, having been featured in productions like "Macbeth," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" and "Ivanhoe."Desktop Version

Back to the future

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Oct. 1, 2023Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia

Nestled in the pristine wilderness of British Columbia, Mount Assiniboine and its surrounding provincial park form a captivating alpine wonderland. Also known as the "Matterhorn of the Rockies", this majestic peak rises to 3,618 metres, commanding attention with its rugged grandeur. The name "Assiniboine" pays homage to the Indigenous Assiniboine people who once resided here. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, a protected expanse spanning over 39,000 hectares, offers adventurers a captivating mix of sublime landscapes. The wilderness also fosters wildlife encounters, from elusive grizzlies, cougars to mountain goats. A network of trails weaves through this terrain, providing opportunities for hiking, skiing, and camping. Sheltered by the mountain, this park embodies the essence of untamed beauty in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.Desktop Version

Golden cliffs of deep space

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Starry, starry night

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Say hello to these halophytes!

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Jan. 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia

Picture a sea of shifting sand dunes glowing orange in the sunrise, stretching as far as the eye can see. Welcome to the Namib desert, spanning thousands of kilometres across Namibia. Estimated to be 55 million years old, it is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. It also boasts some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth, including the famous "Big Daddy," which towers roughly 325 metres; Dune 7, the highest dune in Namibia at 383 metres; and Dune 45, which, at roughly 170 metres, is a favourite among photographers.Desktop Version

Jun. 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland

As spring gives way to summer in Iceland, the rugged landscape puts on a colourful parade. Lupines were introduced to Iceland in the 1940s for soil erosion control due to their roots" soil-binding properties. The plant flourishes in sandy and salty soils and propagates rapidly, painting the countryside with hues of purple, pink and blue. Although some consider lupine to be an invasive species that threatens native plants, its arrival is welcomed by locals and tourists as a cherished characteristic of the summer landscape. You can find lupine fields in various regions, including Reykjavík and near the Skógafoss waterfall. These flowers also line the road leading to the Hellissandur Church in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as seen in today"s image.Desktop Version

Aug. 20, 2023International Lighthouse Weekend

Every year, on this day, lighthouse enthusiasts and maritime history buffs around the world come together to celebrate International Lighthouse Weekend, which was established by the members of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland. It aims to honour the rich history and functionality of these iconic beacons. The event also encourages lighthouse workers and owners to welcome people to view their lighthouses. These humongous structures function by utilising a combination of light, instruments, and precise engineering.Desktop Version

A painters palette of natures hues

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Oct. 7, 2023Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA

Katmai National Park, situated in southern Alaska, is renowned for its breathtaking wilderness and unique natural features. One of its famous inhabitants is the brown bear, with a population of approximately 2,000. Each year, park rangers organise a bracketed tournament to crown one ravenous grizzly as the fattest bear. Bears such as Beadnose and Bear 747—everyone has their own number—are repeat champions. Katmai also houses the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a landscape created by a volcanic eruption called Novarupta. Here visitors can explore this otherworldly terrain, hike trails, enjoy the view of the pristine lakes, and have a look at the salmon-filled rivers.Desktop Version

An archaelogical treasure

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Jul. 24, 2024Cousins Day

Family gatherings wouldn"t be the same without them. Today, we are celebrating the unique bond between cousins. Cousins Day offers the perfect opportunity to reminisce about those shared adventures, secrets and the countless memories that have brought you closer together. First cousins share about 12.5% of their DNA; this could explain why you often have so much love and understanding with them. So, go ahead and make some plans with your cousins, whether it is a picnic or a shared meal at your favourite local haunt. And while you are at it, don"t forget to pose for a photo, much like this group of Swaledale sheep in the North Yorkshire dales of England. Chances are, there are at least a few cousins in this flock.Desktop Version

Jan. 30, 2025Vancouver International Boat Show

Boats, gadgets and good vibes—sound like your kind of scene? Welcome to the 62nd edition of Vancouver International Boat Show, held from January 29 to February 2! Over time this event has grown into the country"s largest boat show, attracting tens of thousands each year. Held across two venues—BC Place and the Granville Island, as seen in today"s image, it is the ultimate hub for all things boating. This is one of the few shows with a floating venue. Granville Island"s docks offer an up-close experience with large vessels, letting you step aboard and imagine your next adventure.Desktop Version

Aug. 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

Perched on the edge of a basalt cliff, a town peers at the river running below. Today"s image takes us to Castellfollit de la Roca in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain. This town isn"t for the faint-hearted: there"s a 50-metre drop down to the Toronell and Fluvia Rivers, which converge at the base of the cliff. Many of the buildings, which are made of the same basalt that the town stands on, seem to teeter on the edge of the precipice. Pictured at the end of the crag is the 13th-century church of Sant Salvador.Desktop Version

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