Flower farm in Lompoc, California (@ Craig Aurness/Corbis)

Flower farm in Lompoc, California (@ Craig Aurness/Corbis)

comments,

• From way up here it\s hard to fathom how many flowers you\d need…""To make this colorful carpet below
• A local farmers\ market and a bowling alley became pretty well known here…""After appearing in a staggering Hollywood blockbuster
• Domesticated flowers like these are descended from wild varieties that have been cultivated over generations.""Meet a group set on safeguarding the world\s wildest plants
• These fields are near a city named after an Indian word that means “stagnant waters.”""Stagnant or not, water\s a good thing to have in the “Flower Seed Capital of the World”

Opuntia, prickly pear cactus (@ Flowerphotos/Superstock)

Opuntia, prickly pear cactus (@ Flowerphotos/Superstock)

comments,

• Don\t get too close to this ornery bud.""We hear its paddles are prickly
• Intrepid foragers enjoy this plant\s tasty leaves and fruit.""But there\s nothing wrong with just looking at them, from a safe distance
• Look beyond its sharp spines and needles…""And you\ll see a fresh sweetie just waiting to get juiced
• Some like it hot, and this wild one is no exception.""You\ll find it in the hot, arid deserts of the Americas, especially in this country

Wild piglets in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (@ Gerhard Schulz/age fotostock)

Wild piglets in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (@ Gerhard Schulz/age fotostock)

comments,

• “Suuuuuuu-eeee!”""Maybe we should leave the hollering to the professionals
• These little piggies were born for the camera.""Could there be a cuter pair? Perhaps…
• Yeesh, keep your voice down around these little porkers, they\re already feeling prickly:""It\s National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
• Though these porcine pals make their home in the land of Brothers Grimm and the Big Bad Wolf…""They never fear with “Baby the Bulldog” near

The ceiling of Southwark Cathedral in London, England (@ Loop Images/Superstock)

The ceiling of Southwark Cathedral in London, England (@ Loop Images/Superstock)

comments,

• You\re looking up into some heavenly rafters here.""What does this Gothic ceiling cover?
• In honor of the Bard\s 448th birthday, try brushing up on your “thees” and “thous.”""If you require assistance, these knaves will serve you well
• Not far from this soaring cathedral, a theatre stands again after having first been destroyed by fire, and then by Puritans.""It only took some 400 years to rebuild
• This is a city that spans millennia, where you often spot the new with the old, and the hip with tea and crumpets.""Where is this place?

Nevada Solar One at sunrise in the Mojave Desert near Boulder City, Nevada (@ David Nunuk/Corbis)

Nevada Solar One at sunrise in the Mojave Desert near Boulder City, Nevada (@ David Nunuk/Corbis)

comments,

• Put on your sunglasses!""These mirrors aren\t here for you to check your hair
• Because this plant generates 64 megawatts of clean power without carbon emissions, it\s like taking 20,000 cars off the road each year.""So, how do these shiny things work?
• All around the world, people are taking time today to appreciate and be awed by the power of nature.""Happy Earth Day!
• While the lights of a nearby gambling mecca blink and shine, these moving panes have their own bright future.""It helps that they\re planted in a super-sunny desert

The Space Needle and its reflection on the surface of the EMP Museum in Seattle, Washington (@ Lonnye Bower)

The Space Needle and its reflection on the surface of the EMP Museum in Seattle, Washington (@ Lonnye Bower)

comments,

• What made its debut 50 years ago painted in Astronaut White, Orbital Olive, Re-Entry Red, and Galaxy Gold?""A towering saucer on stilts
• Some say this fashionable landmark inspired a cartoon TV show about an employee of Spacely Space Sprockets.""Perhaps you\ve already met him
• It\s too late to “pack up your family and head for the fair!”""But hop on this time machine and travel back half a century
• When the people of this fair city hosted the “Century 21 Exposition” 50 years ago today…""They were launched right into the future

Green sea turtle hatchlings at Boatswain's Bay, Grand Cayman Island (@ Stephen Frink/Corbis)

Green sea turtle hatchlings at Boatswain's Bay, Grand Cayman Island (@ Stephen Frink/Corbis)

comments,

• Does it seem fair to name someone…""For the color of their fat?
• Hatcheries provide young reptiles a safe place to grow.""Visit the crib where these guys were born
• After emerging from under the sand, turtle young are all flippers, a wee bit awkward, and prime targets for predators.""All the more reason to get moving!
• These little swimmers hail from islands that Christopher Columbus called “Las Tortugas” after he noticed all the sea turtles.""Today, it may seem that foreign banks are more abundant than turtles here

Nā Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii (@ Frans Lanting/Corbis)

Nā Pali Coast of Kauai, Hawaii (@ Frans Lanting/Corbis)

comments,

• You can get to this secluded spot only by foot, air, or sea.""See why the views are worth the effort
• The west side of this island is one of the wettest places on Earth, but the east side is dry and arid. Which begs the question:""Do the chickens care?
• Countless movies and documentaries have featured this tropical island as a backdrop.""Want to spend a few minutes in paradise?
• Little did he know, but when Captain Cook landed here, he was visiting the oldest island in this archipelago.""Welcome to “The Garden Isle”

Cotton-top or Pinché tamarin of northern Colombia (@ Thomas Marent/Corbis)

Cotton-top or Pinché tamarin of northern Colombia (@ Thomas Marent/Corbis)

comments,

• No matter where he goes, no matter who he sees, it\s always the same question:""“Dude, who does your hair?”
• This species of monkey is so small, an adult weighs only about a pound.""So, how does he defend himself in the face of danger?
• For my modeling gigs, I\m all business up front…""But I\m always ready to party in the back
• To visit the land this monkey calls home, first fly down to the nearby southern town known as the “Venice of Colombia.”""It\ll flip your wig with all its old world charm

U.S. dollar coins (@ Guy Cali/FogStock/Aurora Photos)

U.S. dollar coins (@ Guy Cali/FogStock/Aurora Photos)

comments,

• What\s the Tooth Fairy\s favorite coin?""These are heads and tails above the rest
• If you\re one of the lucky citizens to get a tax return this year, you might want to do more than pocket the change.""Consider paying it forward
• Apparently, the demand for Chester A. Arthur dollar coins is virtually non-existent.""Did you even know that?
• The stamp is on the envelope and your tax return is in the mail.""Perhaps it\s time to turn your thoughts to an exciting (and frugal) escape

Boy looking through glass at an orca whale at SeaWorld in San Diego, California (@ Michael Melford/Stone/Getty Images)

Boy looking through glass at an orca whale at SeaWorld in San Diego, California (@ Michael Melford/Stone/Getty Images)

comments,

• Kids get so close to the residents here, they can almost reach out and…""Tickle, tickle, tickle
• Inspired by the breathtaking world beneath the water\s surface? See how you can sleep with the fishes…""And then wake to explore 10 more exciting underwater adventures
• A whale is a whale is a whale.""Well, sort of…
• Want to see Shamu bust a move?""He can be found here, between splashes

An aerial view of the House of the Doves, Yucatán, Mexico (@ Kenneth Garrett/National Geographic/Getty Images)

An aerial view of the House of the Doves, Yucatán, Mexico (@ Kenneth Garrett/National Geographic/Getty Images)

comments,

• Climb the stairs of a neighboring pyramid to see these crumbling ruins.""It\s clear the place has gone to the birds
• When Queen Elizabeth visited here in 1975, she was caught in a torrential downpour after listening to an indigenous prayer.""Which local deity rained on her bonnet?
• The people who lived among these ruins had a way with telling time and predicting the future.""But could they foretell the end of all time?
• The name of this place translates to “built three times” or “what is to come.”""Today, it\s considered one of the finest examples of pre-Columbian architecture in the world

Creek flowing through rocks in the Porcupine Mountains, Ontonagon County, Michigan (@ Ron Strong/Superstock)

Creek flowing through rocks in the Porcupine Mountains, Ontonagon County, Michigan (@ Ron Strong/Superstock)

comments,

• This creek runs in a mountain wilderness affectionately called…""The “Porkies”
• The motto of this state is, \"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.\"""And as a state with two major peninsulas, you can say that again
• Even though the mosquitos and black flies are thick, locals still consider this the “superior peninsula.”""Follow this river to the source of the nickname
• Folks in these parts are famous for their savory meat pies.""If you make them at home, be sure to call them “pass-tees”

Powdered tika (or tikka) pigments on display in Kathmandu, Nepal (@ Dinodia/age fotostock)

Powdered tika (or tikka) pigments on display in Kathmandu, Nepal (@ Dinodia/age fotostock)

comments,

• You might ask for a couple scoops…""But you wouldn\t want them on a cone
• Hindus splash each other with these vibrant colors during some festivals, often with a water balloon chaser.""(Leave your best clothes in the closet on those days)
• Some revelers are celebrating a new year in this country, but get this:""Their calendar says it\s 2069
• While searching for these bins, you\ll pass by centuries-old palaces, temples, and courtyards abuzz with the noise of a modern city.""You\ll find it all in this Himalayan capital

Photo composite of Earth rising above the lunar horizon (@ Corbis)

Photo composite of Earth rising above the lunar horizon (@ Corbis)

comments,

• It\s impossible to take a bad photo…""When your subject is this lovely
• When the first starman launched into space 51 years ago today, he was up there for about as long as it takes to watch a full-length movie.""Clearly, he had the best seat in the house that night
• Remember that solar system model that hung from a wire hanger when you were a kid?""Leave it in the closet and check out this model instead
• When astronauts eventually travel to Mars, it\s estimated they\ll need the equivalent of several years\ worth of food.""And to avoid menu fatigue, a meal plan is already in the works

Pathway of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan (@ Rudy Sulgan/Corbis)

Pathway of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan (@ Rudy Sulgan/Corbis)

comments,

• If you counted the rays of light along these sacred gates…""You\d soon reach into the thousands
• Wise travelers look for ways to slip past the crowds and discover the true essence of life here.""Meet a fellow who successfully charts his own way
• Once you get here, take a deep breath and compose yourself…""Soon you\ll be hiking along a path guarded by foxes
• You\ll find these red gates in a former shogunate stronghold.""Today it\s a modern city that\s retained its old-world charm

Orange-spotted pipefish in the Lembeh Strait of Sulawesi, Indonesia (@ Daniela Dirscherl/Getty Images)

Orange-spotted pipefish in the Lembeh Strait of Sulawesi, Indonesia (@ Daniela Dirscherl/Getty Images)

comments,

• Oh look! This pretty little ribbon…""Makes a lovely coral accessory
• This straight arrow has hundreds of relatives down here, particularly some attractive, curvy cousins.""But what could have gotten them all bent out of shape?
• The muddy, sediment-rich ocean floor below this coral is home to millions of odd creatures.""They don\t call it Muck Mecca for nothing
• Divers and tourists from around the world are drawn to the beauty of this equatorial archipelago.""It\s as stunning on land as it is in the sea

Aerial view of the Bahama Banks, Bahamas (@ Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images)

Aerial view of the Bahama Banks, Bahamas (@ Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images)

comments,

• There are more than clouds making artful shapes around here.""Check out the carbonate copies below
• One of the pesky things about eating fish is dealing with all the bones.""Then why do locals love a catch-of-the-day that\s anything but boneless?
• These waters are a favorite playground for sailors and boaters.""See why some call it the “Sailing Capital of the World”
• It\s easy to get lost in the long, sandy beaches of the islands, cays, and inlets here.""Set your sails for one of the Commonwealth\s loveliest destinations

Three rabbits sitting on the grass (@ Image Source Ltd./Getty Images)

Three rabbits sitting on the grass (@ Image Source Ltd./Getty Images)

comments,

• These aren\t just rabbits. Oh no…""These are way cuter
• Do you have your bonnet and basket ready?""Today is Easter Sunday!
• When you were very young and impressionable, you likely sang a song intended to instill proper social habits.""Let\s all sing along
• A big house will be hosting a special egg roll tomorrow, but hold your bunnies…""You\ll need a special lottery ticket to attend

Giant lobelia plant from Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (@ Oleg Bulanyy)

Giant lobelia plant from Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (@ Oleg Bulanyy)

comments,

• You may be tempted to cook this like an artichoke.""But step back a bit and you\ll want to reconsider
• You\ll find the leaves of this plant rooted around the base of one of the world\s greatest mountains.""Follow a group of climbers to a “rooftop” known for its snows
• This giant plant is found in a park that lies…""Only 200 miles south of the equator
• Adventurers often journey to this land to visit the plains of the Serengeti and see the wild animals up close.""Where is this eastern land?

Texas bluebonnets on railroad tracks, Texas (@ Jeremy Woodhouse/Corbis)

Texas bluebonnets on railroad tracks, Texas (@ Jeremy Woodhouse/Corbis)

comments,

• You\re looking at a bloomin\ tract of wild peas.""Why are they kind of special around here?
• To explore wild blue trails like this one, you\ll need to go deep into the heart…""Of the 28th U.S. state
• This year, people are celebrating the centennial of a first lady who once declared that these flowers were her favorite.""You can see them for yourself, right here
• There\s nothing quite like the sound of a lonesome train blowing her long, blue whistle at night.""But this may be a close second

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, U.K. (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland, U.K. (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

comments,

• Locals built a fort here in 1214, and after centuries of ups and downs…""The castle\s nearly ready for its 800th birthday
• This castle sits on an island named after a Celtic saint who once lived here.""And no, his name wasn\t Patrick
• “That\s a full rainbow, all the way… Full-on double rainbow, across the sky!”""What does this mean?
• Where do sea lochs, highland mountains, and an iconic castle greet each other?""In one of this country\s most photographed spots

Death's head hawkmoth in Slovenia (@ Ziga Camernik/age fotostock)

Death's head hawkmoth in Slovenia (@ Ziga Camernik/age fotostock)

comments,

• This caterpillar didn\t choose her family.""So, was it her fault she inherited a real downer of a name?
• “Ewww…” What are the chances this larval baby will grow up to be a beautiful butterfly?""Let\s get an expert opinion
• When our little creeper emerges from her cocoon, she\ll look like…""One of the biggest stars of the bug world
• Bears and badgers have been known to raid beehives for the honey inside.""But they\re not the only culprits able to put the sting on bees for a sweet treat

Rainforest in Dominica (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

Rainforest in Dominica (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

comments,

• It\s possible to explore this pristine island in just under 80 seconds.""Just take this fun tour
• In these tropics, the lake and river banks are often formed by the sinewy bois mang trees.""See the rest of the teeming greenery here
• This was the last island in the region to be colonized by Europeans.""But it was the first to embrace a new kind of leader
• Since the 1960s, this nation has diligently protected its lush mountain rainforests and volcanic sand beaches…""Earning its nickname, the \"Nature Isle of the Caribbean\"

Willets in J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida (@ Bill Gozansky/age fotostock)

Willets in J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida (@ Bill Gozansky/age fotostock)

comments,

• Ornithologists call a group of these birds a “contradiction,” “fling,” or “time-step.”""But what if you find yourself alone, face to beak, with just one?
• A famous naturalist and painter once recommended these fowl as food and said that their eggs were “tasty.”""Now, was that any way for this artist to treat his models?
• You\ll find more than birds to watch around these parts.""Take a look at the top 5 things to do here
• Over 75 years ago, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist founded the National Wildlife Federation to protect animal habitats like this one.""And now, over 5,000 acres of tidal flats and wetlands are protected here in his honor

Crowfoot Mountain reflected in Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (@ Daisy Gilardini/Getty Images)

Crowfoot Mountain reflected in Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (@ Daisy Gilardini/Getty Images)

comments,

• Today, and only today…""You have the option of searching upside down
• Some pranksters have made pulling legs into an art form today.""Were you fooled by any of these favorite hoaxes?
• Humor can be a useful tool in our culture, providing us with much-needed perspective. Then again…""Sometimes perspective can play tricks on us
• For such a big view, this is actually a smallish lake…""In what vast, rugged national park?