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Sep 2, 2023Allens Hummingbird

With their vibrant plumage, delicate features and ability to hover mid-air, hummingbirds are one of the wonders of the natural world. The rapid flapping of their wings—an average of 53 times a second—creates their trademark humming sound. That gives them quite an appetite: these little birdies can feed every 10–15 minutes! Today"s specimen is an Allen"s hummingbird, which can be found along the western coast of North America, most commonly in California. They arrive in these areas as early as January and gradually become easy to spot.Desktop Version

Apr 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird

Get your binoculars and field guide and head to a local park to spot a hummingbird! Birds come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and behaviours, making them one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth—from imposing eagles to today"s tiny snowy-winged star, a leucistic Anna"s Hummingbird. These hummingbirds are typically vibrant in colour, but leucism means that they have decreased pigmentation, resulting in a paler appearance. Unlike albino birds, these hummingbirds retain some colour in their eyes. They are equipped with specialised adaptations like a long tongue for feeding on nectar from flowers. However, their diet is not limited to nectar alone; they also supplement their nutrition by consuming small insects and other arthropods. Their lighter plumage reduces protective camouflage, making them more vulnerable to predators such as hawks and feral cats.Desktop Version

Nov 1, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Let"s explore the breathtaking beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park! Located in the northeastern region of Maranhão, Brazil, this park is a conservation unit that covers an impressive area of more than 1,550 square kilometres. Created to protect the region"s flora, fauna and natural beauty, the park is a true ecological treasure, part of the coastal marine and cerrado biomes. Here, unique ecosystems such as mangroves, sandbanks and dunes are shaped by strong winds and regular rainfall.Desktop Version

Get ready for the blood moon

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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. At the heart of this vast, arid expanse is Sossusvlei, seen in today"s image. A salt and clay pan surrounded by towering dunes, Sossusvlei tells a story of contrasts. Every 10 years or so, an extraordinary event occurs when the Tsauchab River floods the pan, transforming it into a stunning turquoise lake. From the adaptable gemsboks to the ingenious Namib desert beetle that drinks fog droplets that collect on its back, the Namib is brimming with stories of survival and resilience.Desktop Version

Sep 14, 2024Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile

Welcome to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, Chile—one of the world"s most remote and enchanting paradises. Famous for its iconic moai statues, this stunning island is a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Experts are divided on the timeline of the Polynesians" arrival, though many researchers suggest that it occurred around the 8th century. Take in the mesmerising sunrise featured in today"s image and explore the striking volcanic craters and lush, grassy plains where the imposing statues stand. The World Heritage property of Easter Island spans more than 68 square kilometres, including four nearby islets.Desktop Version

Jan 10, 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada

Ever heard of frozen bubbles? Abraham Lake in Alberta, Canada, has them during the winter, and they"re not just beautiful—they"re science in action. Created in 1972, Abraham Lake is a man-made reservoir that spans more than 50 square kilometres along the North Saskatchewan River. Thanks to glacier-fed waters from the Rocky Mountains, the lake stays transparent even in the coldest months. The glacial meltwater carries fine sediment that scatters sunlight, while natural filtration through rocks keeps pollutants to a minimum.Desktop Version

Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada

Canada is the second-largest country by landmass after Russia, and every corner abounds in natural treasures—like the Great Bear Rainforest, the Northwest Passage, the Columbia Icefield or the Haida Gwaii archipelago—with 80% of its land being unoccupied. Looking out at the pleasant waters of Colwood"s natural harbour is the Fisgard Lighthouse, seen here. The tower was the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada, built on the Fisgard Island in the Esquimalt Harbour, British Columbia, in 1860. Automated since 1929, it displays a white isophase light with a 2-second period in a sector from 322° to 195°, at a height of 21.6 metres above mean sea level. In other directions, it features red shutters. The lighthouse, with its white tower standing 14.6 metres tall, is floodlit below the balcony level.Desktop Version

Mar 3, 2025World Wildlife Day

What better time to shine a spotlight on nature than on World Wildlife Day? This day serves as a reminder that wildlife conservation is a shared responsibility. This year"s theme is "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." The events emphasise exchanging ideas, presenting solutions and diving into how innovative finance can help stop biodiversity loss and create a more sustainable future. Schools, conservation groups and wildlife parks host events such as nature walks, workshops, art contests, wildlife photography competitions and conservation talks to raise awareness. One species worth learning about is the southern yellow-billed hornbill, pictured here, a bird found throughout Southern Africa and commonly spotted in Kruger National Park in South Africa.Desktop Version

Panoramic Penzance

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Oct 8, 2024World Octopus Day

Today, we celebrate a creature with three hearts and the uncanny ability to change colour at will: the octopus. Octopuses are cephalopods, marine animals like squids and cuttlefish that have tentacles. Among their many species is the mototi octopus, pictured here. It was discovered in 1999 around Rapa Island in the South Pacific and is known for the "fake eyes" or ocelli—vibrant blue and yellow rings—between its eyes and arms. Found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Indonesia, Australia and Okinawa in Japan, mototi octopuses are masters of disguise. They usually have a dull orange-cream-brown colour but when alarmed, they can quickly shift to striking maroon with white stripes along their body and arms. Also known as poison ocellate octopuses, these cephalopods are highly venomous. But you don"t need to worry about running into one, because they tend to be shy and solitary, often hiding in crevices, shells or man-made objects like bottles and cans.Desktop Version

Dec 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States

Today, we"re getting ready for Christmas at Pacific Beach in San Diego, California, United States. While it might not snow here, there"s still plenty of yuletide spirit leading up to Christmas in sunny Southern California. Among many beautiful examples on San Diego"s Christmas Tree Trail is an over 6-metres tree at the end of a festively decorated Crystal Pier.Desktop Version

Oct 1, 2023Lake Bled, Slovenia

Nestled amidst the Julian Alps is the 145-hectare Lake Bled in Slovenia, inviting you to step into a storybook setting. The star of the show? A tiny island called Bled Island beckons with the allure of legends and "rowmance." Hop on a traditional pletna boat and make your way to this island sanctuary. These flat-bottomed boats are unique to Bled and only 23 boats navigate the lake, piloted by skilled oarsmen whose profession has been handed down through generations since 1740. The island is home to the 17th-century Assumption of Mary Church, which hosts a special bell that legend says will make wishes come true! If you look to the shore, you can spot Bled Castle overlooking the lake"s expanse. The castle - one of the oldest in Slovenia - is positioned on a precipice above the town of Bled on the northwestern shore of the lake.Desktop Version

Jun 23, 2024Dhaka, Bangladesh

Cultural opulence, bustling economy and spirited locals—welcome to Dhaka in Bangladesh! This megacity on the Ganges Delta, home to over 10.2 million people, is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. Once known as Jahangirnagar after ruling emperor Jahangir, Dhaka was the provincial capital of the Mughal Empire for 75 years in total.Desktop Version

Night outside the museum

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Getting starry-eyed at the moon

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Mar 23, 2024World Meteorological Day

"When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the Earth"s refreshed with frequent showers"—there"s a whisper of truth to this old proverb for the storm clouds, also known as cumulonimbus or anvil clouds, which are pictured here. Today, on World Meteorological Day, we honour the marvel that is our atmosphere. This observance, which was first held in 1961, commemorates the establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation in 1950. But this day is more than just a nod to history; it is all about recognising the vital role meteorology plays in our lives. Weather forecasts may not always appear fully reliable, but thanks to advances in technology like satellites and supercomputers, they have come a long way. Because of these advancements, global weather models provide forecasts for up to 16 days and, the average lead time for tornado warnings has gone from -15 minutes in 1974 to around 15 minutes today. Cheers for the progress made and much more to come!Desktop Version

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