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Killer whales in Spildra, Norway
Killer whales in Spildra, Norway
On World Wildlife Day, we"re in the ice-cold waters around the Norwegian island of Spildra with a pod of orcas, also known as killer whales. These apex predators are at the top of the food chain with a diet that includes a smorgasbord of sea creatures including fish, penguins, and even sharks and whales. They hunt in pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals that work together using special hunting techniques sometimes likened to packs of wolves. Despite their scary name, they almost never attack humans and there are no documented cases of wild orcas killing anyone. The name "killer whale" is thought to come from Spanish sailors who saw groups of them hunting big whales. Orcas are also the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae.Desktop Version
Porto Timoni beach, Greece
Porto Timoni beach, Greece
Porto Timoni beach, in Corfu, Greece, is a hidden gem reached either by boat, or by hiking from the historic village of Afionas. Those who make the journey are rewarded with two stunning coves, offering a unique double-beach experience. With clear turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs, Porto Timoni presents a picturesque coastal panorama. Surrounding the beach, lush olive groves and cypress trees add to its charm. Greek islands like Corfu may seem timeless and ancient but they are relatively new in the history of Earth. A leading theory is that around 5.3 million years ago, a great flood poured in between Africa and Europe from the Atlantic Ocean, an event called the Zanclean flood. Lakes became oceans and what were previously mountaintops became islands.Desktop Version
International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day
While the uniform style has changed since these American Red Cross nurses proudly posed together in Paris, France, in 1919, the medical care and kindness provided by nurses the world over has remained steadfast. Today we"re celebrating International Nurses Day, which is observed on May 12 each year to turn a well-deserved spotlight on nurses and the contributions they make to society. The theme for 2022"s observance is "Nurses: A voice to lead—Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health." It"s a fitting topic, especially when nurses have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more than two years, nurses have suffered from critical staffing shortages while facing a health crisis of tremendous proportions. For all that nurses have endured and for all they"ve contributed to our personal and collective well-being, we offer our heartfelt thanks.Desktop Version
Ruins of St. Dwynwens Church, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales
Ruins of St. Dwynwens Church, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales
Ynys Llanddwyn is a tiny tidal island which, at low tide, is attached to the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. Ynys means "island" in Welsh and Llanddwyn means "the church of Dwynwen," the country"s patron saint of lovers.Desktop Version
Squirrel Appreciation Day
Squirrel Appreciation Day
What"s that long, bushy tail scurrying across the branches? Chances are, it"s a squirrel. These little rodents are found across most of the globe, and today is their special day: Squirrel Appreciation Day. This unofficial holiday was started by a North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator to encourage people to leave out seeds and nuts for these critters. From the tiny least pygmy squirrel—just 5.5 inches long—to the Bhutan giant flying squirrel at more than 4 feet, these mammals come in all shapes and sizes.Desktop Version
Borovets ski resort in Bulgaria
Borovets ski resort in Bulgaria
This frosty scene shows Borovets, Bulgaria"s oldest winter resort, established in 1896. It"s a budget-friendly skiing alternative to the more expensive resorts in the Alps, especially for beginners and those looking for fun on the slopes without shelling out the big bucks.Desktop Version
World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day
Today is World Wildlife Day, the UN-sponsored tribute to efforts that protect the plants and animals that make our world so special. This year"s WWD theme is "recovering key species for ecosystem restoration"—key species like the greater one-horned rhinoceroses you see here in northeastern India"s Kaziranga National Park. These unique creatures have staged a remarkable comeback from the verge of extinction in the early 20th century, when their numbers had dwindled to a precarious low of around 100 animals. But with the concerted efforts of Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, the population of greater one-horned rhinos has slowly built back up to around 3,700 today.Desktop Version
Teacher Appreciation Day
Teacher Appreciation Day
This mandarin duck and her cute little charges seemed a fitting way to illustrate Teacher Appreciation Week, which peaks today on Teacher Appreciation Day. She is leading by example, safely guiding the next generation on their first forays into the world. Hopefully we appreciate the dedication and wisdom of our teachers year-round, but this special day is certainly a timely reminder. For the last two years educators have battled the staggering challenges of the COVID pandemic; rallying their students, whether online or distanced and masked in the classroom; and doing their best to give children a safe, nurturing environment for learning. Their commitment has helped build a strong foundation for young people"s future well-being and happiness, and it taught the value of community and resilience.Desktop Version
Find a Rainbow Day
Find a Rainbow Day
As Kermit the Frog once sang, "Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide." Every year on April 3, National Find a Rainbow Day celebrates this colorful natural phenomenon that delights people all around the world. Rainbows occur when sunlight reflects and disperses through raindrops in the atmosphere. On Find a Rainbow Day, people take part in activities like searching for rainbows after rainfall or creating rainbow-themed art. In today"s image, we see a rainbow splashed across the majestic Kakshaal Too Mountains in Kyrgyzstan. The Kakshaal Too range, with its rugged peaks and pristine valleys, is a fitting backdrop for the fleeting beauty of rainbows.Desktop Version
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This stunning structure is the stone pavilion housing the massive Korean Bell of Friendship in Los Angeles, a city with a large Korean American population. It"s ringing in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which starts today. The month was chosen in recognition of the first documented arrival of Japanese immigrants, on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by more than 20,000 Asian immigrants on May 10, 1869.Desktop Version
Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Rethymno, Crete, Greece
The Venetian harbor in the Old Town of Rethymno, on the Greek island of Crete, invites you to time travel through history. Its Egyptian lighthouse and Turkish elements are proof of different nations leaving their mark on Crete"s old port. Forged in the 14th century under Venetian rule, this port has long served as a bustling hub for commerce and enterprise. For today"s visitors, a replica of an old wooden sailing ship offers a full historic adventure. For a nostalgic inland experience, visit the 16th-century Fortezza, Rethymno"s Venetian fortress. The citadel is visible from every corner of the town and offers a panoramic view of Rethymno.Desktop Version
The Bahamas as seen from the ISS
The Bahamas as seen from the ISS
The islands of the Bahamas are an easy photo op for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The massive hills under the water"s surface make for striking images when seen from the ISS"s vantage point high above Earth. These undersea hills, which appear dark blue in this ocean image, indicate depths that can reach 13,000 feet.Desktop Version
Wahclella Falls, Oregon
Wahclella Falls, Oregon
Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, there"s something special awaiting hikers: the Wahclella Falls. Fed by Tanner Creek, a tributary of the Columbia River, these waterfalls were named after a Native American village by members of the Mazama Mountaineering Club. At the end of a trail, visitors can see the spectacular two-tiered cascade that crashes down 350 feet into a pool below, which is the perfect place to take a dip and cool off. While you"re swimming, keep an eye out for the water ouzel—also known as the American dipper—a species of bird that lives here. They can be spotted flying along the stream and occasionally diving into the water.Desktop Version
San Blas Islands, Panama
San Blas Islands, Panama
Nestled off the northern coast of Panama, the San Blas Islands are an archipelago of more than 360 islands in the Caribbean Sea. Known for their clean, calm waters, they are the perfect place for adventure sports such as snorkeling, surfing, and diving. Staghorn and pillar coral are among the species found in coral reefs surrounding the islands, which teem with marine life. The islands are inhabited primarily by Gunas—people indigenous to Guna Yala—who preserve their way of living with vibrant, traditional clothing, thatched-roof huts known as "bohíos," and intricate, handcrafted mola textiles.Desktop Version
Twosday
Twosday
Is this pair of dual-humped Bactrian camels heralding hump day? Nope, it"s not quite Wednesday yet—but you can double down on your celebratory mood this February 22, because Tuesday, 2/22/22 occurs just once every 400 years. So on this deuce of a day, beware of two-timers claiming they"ll pay you back next Twosday—you"ll be short your two bits until February 22, 2422.Desktop Version
Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Meet the Atlantic puffin! Known as "sea parrots" or "clowns of the sea," about 60% of all Atlantic puffins nest on the coasts of Iceland. If you visit between June and September, you might see baby puffins being flung off a cliff. Do not be alarmed! It"s part of puffling season, a yearly tradition on Iceland"s Westman Islands, home of the largest puffin colony in the world. Residents search with a flashlight for lost or wayward pufflings—baby puffins—around cliffs, harbors, and the seaside area. They pick them up with gloved hands, take them to a cliff before sundown, and toss them over the edge. Why? Well, the lights of the town can confuse pufflings, who use the light of the moon and stars to guide them to the ocean, where they live for much of the year. Residents are simply doing their part to ensure they find their way to their natural habitat.Desktop Version
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Contrary to what many people believe, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico"s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. Instead, May 5 marks Mexico"s victory over better-equipped French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although the French Empire would counterattack and take the city a year later, the unexpected victory was a morale boost which still has symbolic significance. While in the US, Cinco de Mayo is a popular festival celebrating Mexican American culture, celebrations in Mexico are relatively quiet and focused mostly on Puebla.Desktop Version
World Wildlife Conservation Day
World Wildlife Conservation Day
We"re taking a walk with these beautiful beasts for World Wildlife Conservation Day. Tanzania"s Mount Kilimanjaro, known as the Great White Mountain to local tribes, stands sentinel as these African bush elephants cross the vast savannahs of Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Habitat loss and poaching for ivory have decimated the populations of the bush elephant and its cousin the forest elephant, which roams the nearby foothills of Kilimanjaro.Desktop Version
Black History Month
Black History Month
They were just high school kids, named Ernest, Elizabeth, Jefferson, Terrence, Carlotta, Minnijean, Gloria, Thelma, and Melba, who made history in 1957 when they became the first Black pupils at their school, in the face of fierce opposition. We start Black History Month here in Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas, at the Little Rock Nine Monument, named for that group of kids who played an important role in desegregating public schools. Their contributions to the civil rights movement are a moving reminder of how far we"ve come as a nation, and of how very different life was for Black Americans not so long ago.Desktop Version
Icelandic horses, Iceland
Icelandic horses, Iceland
The Icelandic horse is a small, unique breed that arrived alongside the first Norse settlers in this island country sometime between 860 and 935 CE. More than 1,000 years later, they remain purebred thanks to strict regulations prohibiting the importation of horses. And once exported, they can never come back—rules designed to stop the spread of disease.Desktop Version
Frog Month
Frog Month
This sleepy-looking Javan tree frog, which is only found on the Indonesian island of Java, is the perfect mascot for National Frog Month. While not everyone is a fan, frogs play a critical role in the food chain, eating pests like mosquitoes, flies, spiders, and even mice.Desktop Version
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth"s surface, so it"s no surprise they play a crucial role in our planet"s climate and ecosystem, supporting a huge amount of marine life. Humpback whales, like the one in our homepage image, can be found in all oceans and have among the world’s longest migrations, traveling thousands of miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder waters in search of food. They are also known for their haunting "songs." There are many theories about why they sing, but some research suggests it might be a sign of loneliness. The good news is, that a global ban on commercial whaling has seen their numbers increase, so there is less need for whales to feel lonely.Desktop Version
Baltic Sea, Estonia
Baltic Sea, Estonia
The Baltic Sea in northeast Europe is a peculiar body of water, combining the characteristics of a sea with those of a lake and an estuary, too. Strictly speaking, it is in fact a sea and thus appropriately named, joined to the Atlantic Ocean through three straits in Denmark: the Öresund, Great Belt, and Little Belt. Technically, the Baltic is classified as a brackish sea, meaning it is not entirely fresh and not entirely saline. The Baltic Sea isn"t landlocked, but it does border many countries, including Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—and it"s the Estonian coast featured in today"s image.Desktop Version
World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day
The migration of birds, such as the pelicans seen here over California"s Salton Sea, is part of the pulse of our planet"s ecosystem. Around 40% of bird species migrate, typically in the fall and spring, some traveling incredible distances. Tiny hummingbirds can migrate 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico overnight. Arctic terns fly between the Arctic and Antarctic each year, potentially racking up more than 1.5 million miles over a lifetime. The bar-tailed godwit can travel 7,000 miles in eight days, without stopping. On World Migratory Bird Day, we can help our feathered friends by protecting their habitats and taking simple steps like leaving less lights on at night, leaving out birdseed, and making windows more visible to avoid collisions.Desktop Version
National Take the Stairs Day
National Take the Stairs Day
New year, new goals—so why not start by taking a step toward better health? On this National Take the Stairs Day, let"s climb into the past. The Great Wall of China, one of the longest humanmade structures in the world, offers the perfect inspiration. Stretching more than 13,000 miles and dating back thousands of years, the ancient marvel in today"s picture is a series of fortifications spanning rugged mountains, valleys, and deserts. Featuring steep trenches and watchtowers, parts of it were designed to keep invaders at bay. Hiking the Great Wall offers a unique glimpse into this historical landmark. The experience varies from well-preserved sections like Mutianyu to wild, unrestored parts such as Jiankou. Some steps are so high, they"re more like steps on a ladder! Talk about a workout—taking these stairs could rival any modern fitness challenge.Desktop Version