星空迷

从地球上空225英里处俯瞰墨西哥湾沿岸各州的夜间景象 Nighttime view of the Gulf Coast states from 225 miles above Earth (© Stocktrek Images/Getty Images)

巨大的成功 A stratospheric success

墨西哥湾沿岸的夜景

看不见的气体、老式发胶和卫星有什么共同点？它们都在历史上最伟大的环境复苏之一中发挥了作用。从225英里高空俯瞰，墨西哥湾沿岸如同一片星辰——点点灯光散落在黑暗中。但真正让这一景象成为可能的，却是肉眼无法看见的：臭氧层，它默默地保护着下方的一切免受太阳紫外线的侵害。到了20世纪80年代，这层屏障正迅速变薄——被曾用于制冷和气溶胶产品的化学物质所破坏。解决方案？一项全球协议。1987年签署的《蒙特利尔议定书》促使臭氧层破坏物质迅速被淘汰。如今，卫星数据显示南极上空的臭氧层空洞正在缩小。科学家认为，到本世纪中叶，它可能完全愈合。

9月16日，我们迎来国际保护臭氧层日——这是一个庆祝科学、全球合作与共同意志的节日。它提醒我们，再小的分子也可能产生巨大的影响。但它也证明，只要采取正确的行动，即使是肉眼看不见的损害也能被修复。

Nighttime view over the Gulf Coast

What do invisible gases, vintage hairspray, and satellites have in common? They all played a role in one of the greatest environmental comebacks in history. Seen from 225 miles above, the Gulf Coast glows like a constellation—clusters of light scattered across the dark. But what truly makes this view possible can't be seen: the ozone layer, silently shielding everything below from the sun's ultraviolet rays. By the 1980s, that shield was thinning fast—damaged by chemicals once used in refrigeration and aerosol products. The solution? A global pact. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, led to a swift phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. Today, satellites show that the hole over Antarctica is shrinking. Scientists believe it could be fully healed by mid-century.

On September 16, we mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer—a celebration of science, global cooperation, and collective will. It's a reminder that no molecule is too small to have a massive impact. But it's proof, too, that with the right action, even invisible damage can be undone.

奥林匹克国家公园的瀑布, 华盛顿, 美国 A waterfall in Olympic National Park, Washington (© Chris Moore/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

苔藓与薄雾 Moss and mist

奥林匹克国家公园, 华盛顿

奥林匹克国家公园拥有罕见的多元地形——这正是其独特魅力所在。这里汇聚了高山脊岭、宁静的森林，以及美国本土48州中最长的未开发海岸线之一。这片占地近1400平方英里的华盛顿州区域，作为联合国教科文组织世界遗产地，在2024年吸引了超过370万名游客。该地区最初于1909年由西奥多·罗斯福总统以“奥林匹斯山国家纪念碑”之名设立为保护区，并于1938年正式成为国家公园。

雨在这里不是问题——正是雨让这片苔藓覆盖的区域得以存在。在公园的西部边缘，霍雨林每年降雨量约为140英寸——超过11英尺——它自豪地承载着每一滴雨水。高耸的西黄松、西部红杉和海岸道格拉斯冷杉沿着像“苔藓大厅”这样的步道排列，而香蕉蛞蝓、猞猁和奥林匹克黑熊则以这片森林为家。霍雨林是世界上保存最完好的温带雨林之一。如果你在追寻瀑布，索尔杜克瀑布绝对不会让你失望——三条溪流倾泻入狭窄的苔藓峡谷。奥林匹克国家公园是一个坚实的提醒：最好的徒步旅行并不总是伴随着晴朗的天空。

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park covers a rare mix of terrain—and that's part of its unique appeal. Alpine ridges, quiet forests, and one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 all meet here. Spanning nearly 1,400 square miles in Washington State, this UNESCO World Heritage Site drew over 3.7 million visitors in 2024. Originally protected in 1909 as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, the area became a national park in 1938.

Rain isn't a problem here—it's the reason this moss-draped area exists. On the western edge of the park, the Hoh Rainforest receives about 140 inches of rain a year—over 11 feet—and it wears every drop proudly. Towering Sitka spruces, western red cedars, and coast Douglas firs line trails like the Hall of Mosses, while banana slugs, bobcats, and Olympic black bears call the forest home. The Hoh is one of the best-preserved temperate rainforests in the world. And if you're chasing waterfalls, Sol Duc Falls delivers—three streams plunging into a narrow, mossy gorge. Olympic is a solid reminder that the best hikes don't always come with clear skies.

烟囱岩, 雷斯岬国家海岸, 加利福尼亚州, 美国 Chimney Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore, California (© Enrique Aguirre Aves/Getty Images)

崎岖而狂野 Rugged and wild

雷斯岬国家海岸, 加利福尼亚州

这里没有经过精心打磨或精心策划——而这正是它的精髓所在。从旧金山向北驱车仅需一个多小时，便可抵达点雷斯岬国家海岸公园——一个雾气缓缓飘荡、 tule 鹿自由漫步、时间仿佛停滞的地方。该公园于1962年的今天由国会设立，旨在保护这片海岸线，供公众游览和环境保护之用。公园面积超过100平方英里，拥有令人惊叹的景观，从沿海草原和风吹雨打的岬角，到沙滩和道格拉斯冷杉林。

在公园的东界，烟囱岩（如今日图片所示）延伸至太平洋，高耸的悬崖与壮丽的海景相映成趣。其步道被视为西海岸观赏灰鲸迁徙的最佳地点之一。冬季时节，附近隐秘的海滩成为北象海豹的避难所，为观赏野生动物提供了绝佳机会。凭借超过490种鸟类、80多种哺乳动物及众多稀有植物，点雷耶斯（Point Reyes）跻身全国生态多样性最丰富的地区之列。超过150英里的步道邀请游客放慢脚步，沉浸于自然环境之中。

Point Reyes National Seashore in California

It's not polished or curated—and that's exactly the point. Drive just over an hour north of San Francisco, and you'll reach Point Reyes National Seashore—a place where fog drifts slowly, tule elk roam freely, and time seems to pause. Established by Congress on this day in 1962, the park was set aside to protect this piece of coastline for public enjoyment and environmental conservation. It covers over 100 square miles and features an impressive array of landscapes, from coastal prairie and blustery headlands to sandy shores and Douglas fir woodlands.
At the park's eastern boundary, Chimney Rock—seen in today's image—extends into the Pacific Ocean with towering cliffs and sweeping sea views. Its trail is considered one of the best spots on the West Coast to witness the gray whale migration. In the winter months, nearby secluded beaches become a refuge for northern elephant seals, offering an opportunity for wildlife viewing. With over 490 species of birds, more than 80 types of mammals, and numerous rare plants, Point Reyes ranks among the most ecologically diverse places in the country. Over 150 miles of trails invite visitors to slow their pace and immerse themselves in the surroundings.

蒙弗拉圭国家公园塔霍河畔的猎鹰岩，西班牙 Peña Falcon rock on Tagus river in Monfragüe National Park, Spain (© Daniel Viñé Garcia/Getty Images)

准备仰望天空吧！ Get ready to look up at the sky!

蒙弗拉圭国家公园，西班牙

探索蒙弗拉圭国家公园，这座位于埃斯特雷马杜拉自治区心脏地带的自然瑰宝。从卡塞雷斯市的萨尔托德尔吉塔诺观景台，您可以欣赏到西班牙最壮丽的日落之一，四周环绕着嶙峋的悬崖，天空被金色的光辉染成一片金黄。两条河流——塔霍河和蒂埃塔尔河——横贯公园，塑造了其崎岖的地形，并滋养了丰富多样的野生动植物和地中海植被。这片天堂是自然爱好者和观鸟者的理想之地。秃鹫在公园上空自由翱翔——这里是欧洲最大的秃鹫群落所在地——与西班牙帝国鹰和埃及秃鹫共同栖息，使这里成为真正的生物多样性热点。

当夜幕降临，蒙弗拉格国家公园呈现出一幅截然不同的景象。2011年，该公园因其异常晴朗的夜空——堪称观星的理想之地——而被提名为“星光计划”的星空质量认证候选地。

拥有清晰标记的步道、地中海植物群落以及一座古老阿拉伯城堡的遗址，这座公园是负责任旅游和宁静逃离的理想之地。渴望探索自然、历史与无垠的天空？蒙弗拉格公园应有尽有。体验这片独特之地——无需远行，即可感受远离尘嚣的宁静。

干草捆，北约克郡，英格兰 Hay bales, North Yorkshire, England (© Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images)

阳光明媚，赶紧打草 'Hay' there!

北约克郡的干草捆,英格兰

“趁着阳光明媚，赶紧打草”这句谚语听起来可能有些陈旧，但在农业领域，它却是实实在在的真理。打草捆在全球农业中扮演着至关重要的角色。这一过程包括割草、晾干和包装草料，以便在寒冷季节喂养牲畜。整个流程高度依赖天气条件：草料必须在打捆前完全干燥，否则容易发霉。农民必须在干旱天气来临时迅速行动，因此这成为了一场季节性的赛跑。

干草打捆技术可追溯至数个世纪前，从19世纪的马力打捆机演变为如今能在数分钟内完成打捆、包裹和排出草捆的高功率机械。在英国北约克郡（今日照片拍摄地），起伏的低地与高地草甸为种植和晾晒优质干草提供了理想条件。由于放牧牲畜（如羊和牛）占农场总数的约40%，干草已成为支撑该地区农村经济的关键饲料资源。因此，当你看到金黄色的田野上点缀着整齐的、沐浴在阳光下的干草卷时，你正在见证精心规划与辛勤劳动的成果。这一传统至今仍与往昔一样重要。

Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England

'Make hay while the sun shines' may sound like an old proverb, but in farming it's a practical truth. Hay baling plays a crucial role in agriculture worldwide. It involves cutting, drying, and packaging grasses to feed livestock during the colder months. The process depends heavily on the weather: the grass must be dry before it's baled, or it risks molding. Farmers must act quickly once a dry spell arrives, making it a seasonal race.

The practice of baling dates back centuries, evolving from horse-powered balers of the 1800s to today's high-powered machines that can wrap and eject bales in minutes. In North Yorkshire, England—where today's image was taken—the rolling lowlands and upland meadows create ideal conditions for growing and curing high-quality hay. With grazing livestock such as sheep and cattle making up around 40% of farm holdings, hay is a key feed resource supporting the region's rural economy. So, when you see golden fields dotted with neat, sunlit rolls, you're witnessing the result of careful timing and hard work. It's a tradition that remains as important today as ever.

位于莫特拉瓦河河畔的格但斯克市，波兰 Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława, Poland (© Oscar Dominguez/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

淡彩的梦境和静水 Pastel dreams and still waters

莫特拉瓦河河畔的格但斯克市，波兰

格但斯克是波兰滨海省一座充满活力的城市，鹅卵石铺就的魅力与清凉的海岸交相辉映。它是格但斯克湾沿岸的三联城（Tricity）的一部分，该区域包括邻近的沿海城市索波特和格丁尼亚市以及周边城镇。这座城市的名字很可能源于“Gdania”，这是流经该市的莫特拉瓦河（Motława）的早期名称。

这座城市起源于10世纪后期的一座斯拉夫人堡垒，最早的记载出现于997年，当时它受到了波兰国家的早期影响。几个世纪以来，格但斯克经历了波兰、德国和独立统治，每个时期都在该地区的特征上留下了印记。主城区吸引着大多数游客，尤其是沿着Ulica Długa（长街）和Długi Targ（长市场）的热闹长廊。这条步行街两侧是装饰华丽的大门，两旁排列着以17 世纪风格重建的庄严联排别墅，充满魅力。它曾是波兰皇室的礼仪之路，现在被亲切地称为皇家之路。这条道路像一座活生生的博物馆一样展开，点缀着高地门、琥珀博物馆、乌法根之家、主市政厅、海王星喷泉和宏伟的阿特斯法院等历史地标。

Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława, Poland

Where cobbled charm meets coastal cool, Gdańsk is a dynamic city in Poland's Pomorskie province. It is part of Tricity—a metropolitan area along the Gdańsk Bay that includes the neighboring coastal cities of Sopot and Gdynia, along with nearby towns. The city likely takes its name from 'Gdania,' an earlier name for the Motława river that runs through it.

The city originated as a Slavic fort in the late 10th century and was first recorded in 997, when it came under the early influence of the Polish state. Over the centuries, Gdańsk has experienced Polish, German, and independent rule, each leaving a mark on the region's identity. The Main City draws most visitors, especially to the lively promenade that runs along Ulica Długa (Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market). Flanked by decorative gates and lined with stately townhouses rebuilt in 17th-century style, this pedestrian stretch is steeped in charm. Once the ceremonial path for Polish royalty, it's now fondly known as the Royal Route. The path unfolds like a living museum, dotted with historic landmarks like the Highland Gate, Amber Museum, Uphagen's House, Main Town Hall, Neptune's Fountain, and the grand Artus Court.

太平洋公园，圣莫妮卡州立海滩，加利福尼亚州，美国 Pacific Park at Santa Monica State Beach, California (© EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/Getty Images)

完美的夜晚 A pier-fect evening

太平洋公园，圣莫尼卡州立海滩，加利福尼亚州

当夕阳西下，洒下橙色、粉色和紫色的光芒时，圣莫尼卡从悠闲的氛围中转为灯火通明。真的！这片海滩拥有超过3英里的沙滩、一座历史悠久的码头，以及风景如画的太平洋海岸公路，不仅仅是一条美丽的海岸线。让我们先从沙滩说起。宽阔、洁净，无论是打排球还是悠闲地读一本好书，这里都是日光浴爱好者和沙堡建造者的理想之地。

然后是圣莫尼卡码头。它建于1909年，至今仍屹立于木桩之上，拥有一个名为太平洋公园的游乐园、游乐场、餐厅，以及著名的太阳能摩天轮。想体验更多运动？马文·布劳德自行车道（Marvin Braude Bike Trail），又名斯特兰德（Strand），是一条22英里长的自行车道，蜿蜒穿过海滩。租一辆自行车，骑过滑旱冰者、遛狗者，以及一边吃冰淇淋一边自拍的游客。这里的冲浪也是一大亮点。初学者可以在这里体验人生中的第一波浪潮，而专业人士则时刻关注着更远处的海浪。

Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California

When the sun clocks out in streaks of orange, pink, and purple, Santa Monica goes from laid-back to lit up. Literally. With over 3 miles of sand, a historic pier, and the Pacific Coast Highway keeping things scenic, this beach is more than just a pretty shoreline. Let's start with the sand. Wide, clean, and ready for volleyball or just flopping down with a good book, it's ideal for sunbathers and sandcastle architects alike. And yes, 'Baywatch' was filmed along Santa Monica Bay. Feel free to run in slow motion.

Then there's the Santa Monica Pier. Built in 1909 and still standing tall on wooden legs, it's got an amusement park called Pacific Park, arcade, restaurants, and that famous solar-powered Ferris wheel. Up for more movement? The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, or the Strand, is a 22-mile bike path that zips right through the beach. Rent a cruiser and ride past rollerbladers, dog walkers, and tourists trying to juggle ice cream and selfies. Here, the surf is another draw. Beginners can catch their first wave here, while pros keep an eye on the swells farther out.

享受宁静 'Embrace Serenity

独木舟区荒野, 明尼苏达州, 美国

这里是位于明尼苏达州东北部的边界水域独木舟荒野区。该区域跨越超过100万英亩，由相互连接的湖泊、河流和针叶林组成。这里的地貌由冰川雕琢的水道、岩石露头和茂密林地交织而成，为驼鹿、狼、鸥鸟及无数其他物种提供了理想栖息地。该地区拥有超过1200英里的皮划艇航线和2000多个露营地，为人们提供了难得的与自然亲密接触、享受宁静的机会。

Annivesary of the Wilderness Act of 1964

The Wilderness Act of 1964, passed 61 years ago today, established the legal definition of wilderness in the United States. Its purpose was to preserve areas 'where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man.' This landmark legislation created the National Wilderness Preservation System, protecting millions of acres from development, roads, and mechanized use.

Among the most iconic areas protected under this act is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. Spanning over one million acres, it is a vast expanse of interconnected lakes, rivers, and boreal forests. The landscape is a mosaic of glacially carved waterways, rocky outcrops, and dense woodlands, offering a haven for moose, wolves, loons, and countless other species. With over 1,200 miles of canoe routes and more than 2,000 campsites, it provides a rare opportunity for solitude and immersion in nature. The Wilderness Act laid the foundation for safeguarding places like the Boundary Waters, ensuring they remain wild and untouched for future generations to experience and cherish.

风景如画的葡萄园 Picturesque vineyards

凯撒施图尔，德国

凯撒施图尔山是巴登-符腾堡州南部一座低矮的小山脉，靠近弗莱堡，是德国阳光最充沛的地区之一。凯泽斯图尔因奥托三世皇帝于994年在此统治而得名。这片风景如画的地区是自然爱好者、寻求放松身心人士以及葡萄酒鉴赏家的天堂。肥沃的土壤和温和的气候，使灰皮诺和黑皮诺等葡萄品种在这里茁壮成长。过去的火山活动留下了富含矿物质的土壤，赋予了该地区葡萄酒独特的风味。连绵起伏的丘陵、田园诗般的村庄以及包括珍稀绿蜥蜴在内的多种野生动物，使凯泽斯图尔成为自然爱好者的迷人目的地。

路标清晰的徒步和自行车道穿过葡萄园、森林以及福格茨堡和恩丁根等历史名镇，这些小镇以其半木结构的房屋和巴登人的热情好客而令人着迷。春天，兰花盛开，秋天，充满情调的葡萄酒节令人心驰神往。您可以欣赏无尽的葡萄园梯田全景，感受巴登人的热情好客。

彩绘的云，静默的悬崖 Painted clouds, still cliffs

斯科茨布拉夫国家纪念碑, 内布拉斯加州

在GPS问世之前，像斯科茨布卢夫（Scotts Bluff）这样的自然地标就已高耸于大草原之上，为西行的旅人指明方向。在1887年杰林镇（Gering）建镇之前，以及内布拉斯加州于1867年成为美国州份的数十年之前，这些砂岩和泥岩地貌已然引导着成千上万的旅人沿着俄勒冈小径、加利福尼亚小径和摩门教徒小径前行。斯科茨布卢夫国家纪念碑（Scotts Bluff National Monument）以皮毛商人希拉姆·斯科特（Hiram Scott）命名，他曾是落基山皮毛公司（Rocky Mountain Fur Company）的成员，于19世纪20年代在附近地区因神秘原因去世。

如今，这座占地近3000英亩的纪念碑包括两座主要悬崖——北部的斯科茨悬崖和南部的南悬崖。它还保护着五处显著的岩石突起：圆顶岩、鹰岩、皇冠岩、马鞍岩和哨兵岩。在地面上，骡鹿与黑尾草原犬鼠一同觅食，而豺狼在周围游荡，短草在风中摇曳。更高处，景观发生变化，刺叶丝兰和耐寒灌木依附于岩石斜坡，而大角羊则轻松地在悬崖间穿行。尽管马车早已消失，斯科茨悬崖仍作为历史与地形的向导屹立不倒。

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska

Long before GPS, natural landmarks like Scotts Bluff rose high above the prairie, signaling to travelers that they were on the right path heading west. Before Gering became a town in 1887 and decades before Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867, these sandstone and siltstone formations were already guiding thousands along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Scotts Bluff National Monument is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trader with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company who died under mysterious circumstances nearby in the 1820s.

Today, the nearly 3,000-acre monument includes two main bluffs—Scotts Bluff to the north and South Bluff. It also protects five prominent outcroppings: Dome Rock, Eagle Rock, Crown Rock, Saddle Rock, and Sentinel Rock. At ground level, mule deer graze alongside black-tailed prairie dogs, while coyotes prowl and short grasses ripple in the wind. Higher up, the landscape shifts, spiny yuccas and hardy shrubs cling to rocky slopes, and bighorn sheep navigate the cliffs with ease. Though the wagons are long gone, Scotts Bluff still stands as a guide through both history and terrain.

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