2019年8月 - 星空迷

洛斯巴鲁埃科斯自然纪念碑上的白鹳，西班牙卡塞雷斯 White storks at Los Barruecos Natural Monument, Caceres, Spain (© Wild Wonders of Europe/Widstrand/Minden Pictures)

Storks ready for take-off

It's migration season for white storks, shown here tending to a nest at Los Barruecos Natural Monument in Central Spain. This destination is known for large, granite boulders intermixed with sculptures created by local artists—and it's a favorite stork nesting spot. In August and September, white storks depart their nests for a 25-day trip south to their African wintering grounds, where they gather in large flocks. The species returns to Europe again nine months later—hence its unique role in folklore, giving parents a low-stress way to answer the question ‘where do babies come from?'

威斯康星州贝菲尔德附近的阿波斯特尔群岛国家湖岸，一只皮划艇正在探索砂岩海蚀洞 Kayaker exploring sandstone sea caves in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, Wisconsin (© Chuck Haney/Danita Delimont)

A ‘Superior' paddle

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore off the northern tip of Wisconsin is a paradise for kayakers and campers, and those who like to combine the two. The park includes 21 islands which, if you're willing to transport your own gear, offer uncrowded camp sites because, well, they're islands. Once you're in a kayak, you can explore some of the red sandstone sea caves, which are best appreciated from the water.

And yet, like many wild and rugged places that offer superlative views, be warned before venturing out. This is Lake Superior, the largest, deepest, roughest, and coldest of the five Great Lakes. Even on warm summer days, the water barely rises above 50 degrees, and the winds can be as fierce as any sea. So if you plan to kayak the Apostles, take care. Enjoy the adventure but make sure you check the weather report and prepare before paddling away.

克拉莫克湖上的倒影，英国坎布里亚湖区 Reflections on Crummock Water in the Lake District, Cumbria, England (© Damian Harrison/Alamy)

Reflected glory of the Lakes

Natural lakes reflect surrounding mountains, fells and forests here in Cumbria's Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose picturesque landscape has inspired writers from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter. Crummock Water and its neighbours, Buttermere and Loweswater sit in one of the prettiest parts of the Northern Lakes, the Vale of Lorton. Their chilly, clear waters make them an ideal home for the Arctic Charr as well as brown trout, sea trout and salmon. Also look out for Lakeland sheep wandering onto the roads and for red squirrels around Loweswater.

The Lake District gets busy during the summer, but Crummock Water is considered one of the quieter lakes. It is a favourite with swimmers however and going for a dip is a popular way to cool off after a walk around its shores. The lake itself is 2.5 miles long, about half-a-mile wide and, in parts, more than 140 feet deep. It's fed by streams, including one from Scale Force, the Lake District's tallest single-drop waterfall, at 170 feet high.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park turns 103

Let's light some candles today—103 of them—for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. On this day in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill to establish the park in what was then the US Territory of Hawaii. (Hawaii wouldn't become a state until 1959.) The park contains a rich array of biodiversity, important historic sites of Native Hawaiians, and the glowing stars of the show—two of the world's most active volcanos, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.

The massive Mauna Loa rises 56,000 feet from the sea floor, which means it's more than 27,000 feet taller than Everest. Kīlauea made headlines in 2018 for oozing lava for four months straight. This eruption destroyed over 700 homes and damaged roadways, park trails, buildings, and other infrastructure. Why did we call this place the land of laze and vog? You'll have to take today's quiz to find out.