2024年11月 - 星空迷

冰岛冰川河流鸟瞰图 Aerial view of glacial rivers in Iceland (© rybarmarekk/Shutterstock)

来自冰与火之国 From the land of fire and ice

冰川河流，冰岛

“冰与火之国”冰岛的冰川河流在数千年的时间里塑造了冰岛的地貌。今天图片中的河流就是由瓦特纳、朗格和霍夫斯等巨大冰川的融水形成的。瓦特纳冰川是冰岛第一大冰川，覆盖面积超3000平方英里，约占冰岛国土面积10%。冰川融化后，冰川水携带着细小的沉积物，形成了乳白色的辫状河流系统，与火山地形的泥土色调形成鲜明对比。每年春夏季节，河流都会因季节性融水而激增，不断塑造和重塑这片土地。从空中俯瞰，可以看到它们错综复杂的图案，就像一幅幅复杂的艺术品，在地形上交织着向北大西洋延伸。冰岛的水不仅仅是一道美丽的风景，它在可再生能源方面也发挥着重要作用。水流为水电站提供动力，巩固了冰岛作为可持续能源领导者的地位。

Glacial rivers in Iceland

Iceland's glacial rivers have shaped the landscape here in the land of fire and ice over thousands of years. The rivers seen in today's image are formed from the meltwater of vast glaciers like Vatnajökull, Langjökull, and Hofsjökull. Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Iceland, covers over 3,000 square miles—approximately 10% of the country's landmass. As the glaciers melt, the water carries fine sediments, creating a braided river system with a milky appearance that contrasts with the earthy tones of the volcanic terrain. Every spring and summer, the rivers swell with seasonal meltwater, continually shaping and reshaping the land. Aerial views reveal their intricate patterns, interwoven across the terrain toward the North Atlantic Ocean. The water also powers hydroelectric power stations, reinforcing Iceland's status as a leader in sustainable energy.

金色的松树，坝上草原，中国 Golden pine trees, Bashang grassland, Inner Mongolia, China (© MelindaChan/Getty Images)

初冬之美 The beauty of early winter

坝上草原，中国

今天是二十四节气之一的立冬，也是冬季的开始。今天图片中地方是位于中国坝上草原地区的松林美景。坝上草原位于内蒙古高原的东南端，大兴安岭的南麓，是内蒙古高原的重要组成部分。

坝上草原地区值得游览的景点颇多，其中的塞罕坝国家森林公园是十分值得一去的地方。塞罕坝国家森林公园总经营面积约940平方千米，其中以落叶松人工林和天然白桦林为主的风景林面积约710平方千米，草原面积约150平方千米，森林覆盖率75.2%。这里不仅有浩瀚的林海、广袤的草原，还有清澈的高原湖泊和清代历史遗迹。是一处集人文景观和自然景观相融合的绝美森林公园。

奥林匹克国家公园石狮海滩，华盛顿州，美国 Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington (© T.M. Schultze/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

日落的阴影 Shades of sunset

石狮海滩，奥林匹克国家公园，华盛顿州

奥林匹克国家公园始建于1938年，是一处未受污染的荒野胜地。该公园位于华盛顿州奥林匹克半岛，占地近1,440平方英里。从冰川覆盖的高山到温带雨林，这里的生态系统如迷宫般错综复杂，既是野生动物的家园，也是探险家和历史爱好者的度假胜地。公园内的石狮海滩宁静美丽，太平洋的浪花拍打着海蚀柱和沙岸，正如今天的图片所示。这个国家公园被认定为国际生物圈保护区，拥有600英里长的小径，徒步旅行者可以沿着海岸线徒步跋涉，在“拱门点”观赏海滩的海拱门。游客可以近距离观赏奥林匹斯山，这里有红胸䴓、冬鹪鹩和斑点猫头鹰等300多种鸟类。观赏完美景后，游客还可以在新月湖中畅游一番。阿拉瓦角以北的沿海荒野地区，包括那里的海滩，2000多年来一直是太平洋西北海岸马卡部落的家园，游客可以在附近的马卡保留地了解其文化。

Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, established in 1938, offers an escape into unspoiled wilderness. It covers nearly 1,440 square miles on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. With a labyrinth of ecosystems that range from glacier-capped mountains to temperate rainforests, the park is a home for wildlife and an International Biosphere Reserve. Within it lies Shi Shi Beach, a serene stretch where the Pacific laps against sea stacks and sandy shores, as seen in today's image.

From here, you can follow one of the park's many trails and trek along the coast to see the beach's sea arch at Point of the Arches, an outcrop that has over 30 sea stacks, columns of rock rising from the beach. Within the park, visitors can get a closer look at Mount Olympus, spot over 300 bird species like red-breasted nuthatches, winter wrens, and spotted owls. They can also take a refreshing swim in Lake Crescent. The coastal wilderness area north of Cape Alava, including Shi Shi Beach, has been home to the Makah Tribe of the Pacific Northwest Coast for over 2,000 years. Visitors can gain an insight into their culture at the nearby Makah Reservation.

马拉赫塞斯国家公园，马拉尼昂州, 巴西 Sunset in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão, Brazil (© thanosquest/Shutterstock)

异世界之美 Otherworldly beauty

马拉赫塞斯国家公园，巴西

让我们一起来领略马拉赫塞斯国家公园令人惊叹的美景吧！该公园位于巴西马拉尼昂州东北部，是一个占地面积超过15万公顷的保护区。作为沿海海洋和塞拉多生物群落的一部分，该公园旨在保护该地区的动植物和自然美景，是真正的生态宝藏。在这里，我们可以看到在强风和定期降雨的作用下形成的红树林、沙洲和沙丘等独特的生态系统。

除了其重要的环保意义，马拉赫塞斯国家公园还以其优美的风景而闻名，曾被选为电影《复仇者联盟3：无限战争》和《复仇者联盟4：终局之战》的拍摄地。游客可以乘坐生态旅游车穿越沙丘，在水晶般清澈的泻湖中沐浴，并观赏繁星点点的夜空。公园因其独特的美景和世界上独一无二的自然现象而闻名于世，常年吸引着来自世界各地的游客，并于2024年7月被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产。快来探索这片自然的天堂，沉醉于这令人惊叹的风景中吧！

坎布里亚湖区，格拉斯米尔，英格兰 Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England (© Thomas Molyneux/Getty Images)

胜过千言万语 Worth a thousand words

坎布里亚湖区，格拉斯米尔，英格兰

这是一个诗意、历史与自然交融的地方——欢迎来到英格兰湖区小镇格拉斯米尔。这座村庄曾是著名诗人威廉·华兹华斯所挚爱的居所，他曾经形容这里为“人类发现的最美丽的地方”。在这里，游客们会看到用当地蓝绿色石材建造的老式农舍和房屋。“鸽子小屋”是华兹华斯在1799年至1808年间的简陋居所，毗邻的博物馆可以让游客深入了解这位诗人的一生。他后来的居所吕达尔山，就在不远处。村庄的中心是圣奥斯瓦尔德教堂，其历史可以追溯到13世纪。这座地标性建筑是华兹华斯的最终安息之地。教堂不远处，闻名遐迩的格拉斯米尔秘制姜饼香气扑鼻，让游客垂涎欲滴。格拉斯米尔一年一度的格拉斯米尔运动会始于1868年，是一项展示湖区传统活动的盛会，包含山地跑步、摔跤和猎犬追踪等项目。

Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England

A place where poetry, history, and nature blend—welcome to Grasmere in England's Lake District. The village was once the cherished residence of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth, who described Grasmere, with its valley and lake of the same name, as 'the loveliest spot that man hath found.' Here, visitors are greeted by old cottages and homes built from local bluish-green slate. Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's humble abode from 1799 to 1808, and the adjacent museum offer a dive into the poet's life. His later residence, Rydal Mount, continues the story just a short journey away. The heart of the village is St. Oswald's Church, which dates to the 13th century and is Wordsworth's final resting place. Not far from the church, the aroma of the renowned Grasmere Gingerbread, made from a secret recipe, will set visitors' mouths watering.

巢中的加勒比火烈鸟蛋，里奥拉加托斯自然保护区，尤卡坦州，墨西哥 Caribbean flamingo nests, Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Yucatán, Mexico (© Claudio Contreras/Minden Pictures)

自然与可持续发展的结合 Where nature meets sustainability

生物圈保护区国际日

今天是生物圈保护区国际日。生物圈保护区听起来像是一个复杂的科学术语，但从本质上讲，它们就是自然界的宝地：在这里，生物多样性非常丰富，地球上的各种生命蓬勃地生长。这些地区得到联合国教科文组织的认可，保持着生态系统的健康，保护着濒危物种，并通过森林、湿地和其他重要的栖息地调节气候。在136个国家里，有759个生物圈保护区。从印度孙德尔本斯郁郁葱葱的绿色植物到澳大利亚广袤无垠的大沙生物圈保护区，每个保护区都是独一无二的。

让我们来参观位于墨西哥尤卡坦州的里奥拉加托斯自然保护区。自2004年起，该地区成为联合国教科文组织的保护区。这里茂密的森林和稀树草原孕育着550多种脊椎动物，其中142种是这里独有的。这个保护区有超过400种鸟类，其中包括大量的火烈鸟，它们的巢穴在今天的图片中可以看到。生物圈保护区讲究平衡，里奥拉加托斯就是一个典型的例子。在这里，渔业、生态旅游、甚至盐业都是以尊重环境的方式进行的。

International Day for Biosphere Reserves

Today is the International Day for Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere reserves may sound like a mouthful, but they're essentially nature's sweet spots— biodiverse places that are home to a huge variety of life. These reserves, recognized by UNESCO, keep ecosystems healthy, protect endangered species, and help regulate climate through forests, wetlands, and other crucial habitats. There are 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries. From the lush greenery of the Sundarbans in India to the vast expanses of the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve in Australia, each reserve is unique.

Let's visit another—the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Yucatán, Mexico, a UNESCO-protected sanctuary since 2004. Its forests and savannas cradle over 550 vertebrate species, including 142 species found only here. There are over 400 bird species in this reserve, including a large population of flamingos whose nests are seen in today's image. Biosphere reserves are all about balance, and Ría Lagartos is a prime example. Fishing, ecotourism, and even salt production are done in ways that respect the environment.

黄石国家公园的美洲野牛，怀俄明州，美国 American bison in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (© Ian Shive/TANDEM Stills + Motion)

从濒临灭绝到成为国家的象征 From near extinction to national icon

美洲野牛，黄石 国家公园，美国

很久很久以前，在北美一望无际的草原上，生活着一种强壮威武的动物，名叫美洲野牛。这些动物是许多美洲原住民部落生活的重要组成部分，可以为他们提供食物、衣服和工具。19世纪末，由于过度捕猎和疾病，它们的数量急剧下降，从多达6000万头下降到不足1000头。于是，一群环保主义者、农场主和美国原住民加入了拯救野牛的行列。现在，有50多万头野牛重新在大自然中漫步，许多都在黄石国家公园这样的保护区内生活。今天，在每年11月第一个星期六的美国国家野牛日，我们向这些高贵的动物致敬：它们是美国精神和人们为拯救它们所做出的不懈努力的见证。

从野牛镍币到野牛州旗，野牛是美国文化中根深蒂固的象征，所以美国野牛在2016年被正式指定为美国的国家哺乳动物也就不足为奇了。野牛是北美最大的哺乳动物，俄罗斯也曾引进过野牛。虽然野牛族群复苏了，但故事还没有结束。这些动物仍然面临着各种挑战，比如栖息地的丧失和猎杀的威胁。

National Bison Day

Once upon a time, in the boundless grasslands of North America, there roamed creatures of great strength and majesty—the American bison. These animals were a key part of life for many Native American tribes, providing food, clothing, and tools. Their population dwindled perilously low in the late 1800s, falling from as many as 60 million to fewer than 1,000 due to excessive hunting and disease. Enter a group of conservationists, ranchers, and Native Americans who stepped in to save the species. Now, over 500,000 bison roam again, many in protected areas like Yellowstone National Park, featured in today's image. Today, on National Bison Day, observed every first Saturday in November, we honor these noble creatures—a testament to the American spirit and the monumental conservation efforts to save them.

It's no wonder the bison was officially named the national mammal in 2016. From the buffalo nickel to state flags, they are a deeply embedded symbol in American culture. Bison are North America's largest mammals, and they have been introduced as far away as Russia. While the bison has made a heroic recovery, the story isn't over. These animals still face challenges, including habitat loss and hunting.

秋季葡萄园的鸟瞰图，瓦恩哈尔特，黑森林，德国 Aerial view of vineyards in autumn, Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany (© Sabine Gerold/Amazing Aerial Agency)

引以为豪的传统 A proud heritage

瓦恩哈尔特的葡萄园，黑森林，德国

巴登葡萄酒之路是一条风景如画的路线，它沿着黑森林绵延500多公里，穿过德国最美丽的葡萄种植区。在今天的图片中，我们来到了隶属于巴登-巴登的迷人的葡萄酒村瓦恩哈尔特。该地区的亮点之一是纳格尔斯福斯特酒庄。这个酒庄自1588年开始运营，以生产雷司令葡萄酒而闻名，其葡萄酒以品质卓越而著称。

瓦恩哈尔特与施泰因巴赫以及诺伊韦尔一样，都有一个独特而迷人的传统：自18世纪以来，这些村庄就拥有了用“圆扁瓶”装瓶的罕见特权。维尔茨堡主教授予的这一权利让该地区变得与众不同，因为它是德国除弗兰肯以外，少数几个允许使用这种瓶型的地方之一。“圆扁瓶”强调葡萄酒的独特性和高品质，自1989年以来，这一瓶型在欧盟一直受到了特殊的商标保护。无论你是葡萄酒爱好者还是历史爱好者，瓦恩哈尔特都能让你一睹葡萄酒酿造世界的迷人风采。

万圣节时冷冰冰的凝视 Stone-cold stares on Halloween

万圣节快乐！

你有被恐怖的事物吓着的时候吗？如果有这样的经历，那说明你有着适度的娱乐感和恐惧感。一年中，没有什么日子比万圣节更适合沉迷于各种恐怖事物中了。我们今天所知的万圣节其实是由多个古老的文化和宗教传统演变而来，其中包括凯尔特人的萨温节，罗马人的“费拉里雅”，以及中世纪基督教的活动。今天，乔装打扮后的人们穿梭于大街小巷，就像祖先们披着兽皮来占卜未来或颂扬圣人和英烈一样。

在像“不给糖就捣蛋”、雕刻南瓜灯以及举办万圣节派对等现代的节日活动中，你可能会发现一些令人毛骨悚然的装饰品，例如今天图片中的巴黎圣母院的奇美拉。这种神话中的生物高高地栖息在城市上空，它经常被误解是滴水嘴兽（一种建筑输水管道喷口终端的雕饰），与这些喷水的“表亲”不同，奇美拉只是纯粹的装饰品。因此，当我们在欢庆万圣节时，也不要忘记这个节日背后的神秘生物和传说！万圣节快乐！

Happy Halloween!

Do you sometimes get spooked? If you do, that means you have a healthy sense of fun and fear. And what better day of the year than Halloween to indulge in all things scary? The holiday we know today traces its roots to ancient traditions, including the Celts' Samhain, the Romans' Feralia, and medieval Christian observances. Today, costumed people mingle in the streets, not unlike their ancestors who donned animal skins to divine the future or celebrate saints and martyrs.

Amid modern festivities like trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and parties, you might spot a few spooky decorations that look like the one pictured here—a chimera of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perched high above the city, this mythical creature is often mistaken for a gargoyle, but unlike its waterspout cousins, the chimera is purely decorative. So today, let's remember the shadows and stories that dance around the edges of our brightly lit celebrations. Happy Halloween!