Bing 배경화면 검색

The clue isn't the tracks in the snow—it's the frosted faces peeking out like they've just discovered winter. Estonia is one of Europe's best places to spot Eurasian otters, thanks to its clean rivers, wide wetlands and snack-filled coastline. This protected species was named Estonia's Animal of the Year in 2024. While globally considered near threatened, their population here has grown substantially, reaching an estimated 2,000 in recent years, up from a historic low of just 300 before the turn of the millennium.

Chefchaouen, known as the 'Blue Pearl' of the Rif Mountains, is one of the most atmospheric cities in Morocco. Its name comes from a blend of Arabic and Berber—Chef, derived from the Arabic word meaning 'to look,' and Echaouen, a Berber term for 'horns'—together meaning 'look at the horns,' a reference to the two mountain peaks that rise above the town.

Few sights capture the spirit of the Alps like the Matterhorn mirrored in Lake Stellisee's glassy waters. Rising about 4,500 metres on the Swiss-Italian border, this legendary peak has long symbolised natural beauty and adventure, drawing climbers, hikers and dreamers from every corner of the globe.

Step into the realm of giants. Try embracing a BFG (Big Friendly Giant) as you wrap your arms around a thousand years of wisdom in a single tree trunk. Welcome to Muir Woods National Monument, a majestic hall of coastal redwoods just north of San Francisco, in California, United States. These towering redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth—one here stretches about 80 metres, roughly the height of 43 people stacked head to toe. Most are 600–800 years old and some have stood for over a millennium, yet they're still considered 'young' for a species that can live for 2,000 years.

In the Pantanal, Brazil, the diversity of life is extraordinary. Among trees full of fruit, the yellow-chevroned parakeet stands out, as seen in today's image. This bird feeds on seeds and fruits, such as mangoes. Its intense green, marked by yellow stripes on its wings, contrasts with the illuminated canopy, creating a spectacle that reveals the harmony of this unique ecosystem.

In Arches National Park located in Utah in the United States, Turret Arch—seen through North Window—offers a striking reminder: landscapes can take hundreds of millions of years to assemble. Standing approximately 20 metres tall and 10 metres wide, the arch is formed from Entrada Sandstone. These arches began as shifting dunes and shallow seas long before erosion carved the shapes we see today. Even so, these formations are relatively young. Arches National Park protects the highest concentration of natural stone arches on Earth—over 2,000 documented arches, along with spires, fins and balanced rocks. While here, visitors can explore through auto touring, hiking, bicycling, backpacking, canyoneering and rock climbing—permits required for the last three. It's a place where the rocks don't move, but you definitely will.

Picture a city where your daily commute offers views of fjords, drifting ice and the Northern Lights. That's everyday life in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland—a small yet spirited Arctic hub blending Inuit heritage with Nordic modernity. Founded in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, it began as a small settlement called Godthaab—'Good Hope.'

What stands out about Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa isn't just the wildlife—it's the long-term commitment behind it. Since 1926, its 150 square kilometres have supported research and monitored wildlife behaviour in their natural habitat. Located within the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, it is home to Africa's Big Five. Londolozi is part of a larger open system that connects with Kruger National Park, allowing animals such as elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, zebras and many antelope species to move freely without fences holding them back.

Kings Mountain in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, United States, isn't just another bump on the horizon—it's the kind of rugged beauty that makes you slow down and stare. Rising over 1,770 metres and sitting roughly 35 kilometres northeast of Palmer, this peak towers over mile 75 of the Glenn Highway, a route famous for its dramatic scenery. Its slopes bear the marks of ancient glaciers, etched into ridges and valleys that seem tailor-made for adventure.

Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmer in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. The falls cascade 297 metres down a towering cliff, one of Europe's highest free-falling waterfalls, creating a shimmering veil of mist that can be seen for miles around. The town of Lauterbrunnen, with its 72 waterfalls, is often considered one of the most picturesque valleys in the world. This is the landscape a young traveller, J.R.R. 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.

Seeing Venice from above is mesmerising, but this Italian gem's true magic lies within its walls and waterways. Founded in the 5th century on a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the early settlement rose from marshland to become a maritime powerhouse. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a major hub for trade between Europe and the East, fuelling immense wealth and cultural growth. The city's grandeur shines through its Gothic palaces, Renaissance art and landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge.

Today's image features an Arctic fox nestled in its winter den—a perfect picture of comfort and survival in harsh conditions. This highly adapted mammal is native to the cold Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, including parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, northern Europe and Russia. Arctic foxes have evolved unique physical traits that help them thrive in some of the world's most extreme environments.

If a bridge could win 'Best Supporting Role' in a city's story, Germany's Oberbaum Bridge in Berlin would sweep the awards. Spanning the River Spree between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, it connects two districts while juggling trains on top, traffic below and crowds of sunset hunters in between. Originally a wooden crossing, the bridge took on its signature red-brick Gothic revival form in 1896, complete with turreted towers that look like they wandered in from a medieval set. But the real twist came during the Cold War, when the bridge became a strict checkpoint between East and West. After reunification, it was restored in the 1990s and welcomed the U1 line back across its upper deck.

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.

Facing the vast blue expanse of the English Channel, the cliffs of Étretat raise their arches and spires like a mineral cathedral sculpted by time. For millennia, the sea has carved a masterpiece that no architect could have imagined: white chalk cliffs, pierced by Gothic gateways and punctuated by natural columns that interact with the ever-changing light over Normandy's sky in France.

One moment the canopy is still, and the next a burst of black and white shoots through it like a living exclamation mark. That's the black-and-white ruffed lemur, a primate that doesn't shy away from announcing itself with raucous calls. Its coat comes in bold patches, and the thick ruff frames its face.

When winter tightens its grip on Lake Superior in Minnesota, United States, the shoreline transforms into a landscape of tilted, glass-like shards known as plate ice. Thin sheets fracture under shifting temperatures, then drift and stack as the wind presses them toward land. The result is a field of translucent blues and silvers, catching the light at sharp angles and making the water's edge appear sculpted rather than frozen.

If your idea of recharging includes crisp air, mountain views and water, the Lakes of Covadonga in Asturias, Spain are ready to reboot your mood. Set inside Picos de Europa National Park, the glacial duo—Enol and Ercina—prove that nature doesn't need editing software. Enol is the deeper, larger lake, calm enough to mirror the surrounding peaks. Ercina sits slightly higher, shallower and usually accompanied by Asturian cows. Both rest at around 1,000 metres, shaped long ago by slowly retreating glaciers.

Few creatures evoke the magic of the holidays quite like the reindeer. Also known as caribou, they are the spirit animals of Christmas lovers—and they rock it. Sturdy and sure-footed, they've been pulling Santa's sleigh ever since Clement Clarke Moore cast them in the role in his 1823 poem 'A Visit from Saint Nicholas.' And they were born for it. Their hooves shrink in winter to expose a gripping rim, then expand in warmer months for better traction.

When a bird is called a starling, you'd expect it to be a bit of a show-off. True to its name, this little creature knows how to steal the spotlight. From shimmering feathers that glint green and purple in the sun, to its ability to mimic sounds, the starling is the headline act. Originally native to Europe and Asia, the common starling has spread across the globe. In the 19th century, a group of them were introduced to New York's Central Park by an enthusiast of birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.