威尼斯潟湖中的三角洲, 意大利 A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy (© Dimitri Weber/Amazing Aerial Agency)

威尼斯式的“甜蜜生活” The Venetian 'dolce vita'

威尼斯潟湖中的三角洲, 意大利

今天图片中的是意大利威尼斯潟湖三角洲的壮观景色。该潟湖面积超过 212 平方英里，由岛屿、泥滩、运河和沼泽组成，是整个地中海盆地最大的湿地之一。潟湖不仅是一个风景奇观，也是一个充满历史和创新的地方。它形成于上一个冰河时期之后，在西元476年西罗马帝国灭亡前后，成为人们躲避入侵的避难所。在随后的几个世纪里，这些早期的定居者开始建造最终成为标志性城市的威尼斯。

如今，这片潟湖依旧是当地居民生活的重要组成部分，支撑着渔业、旅游业，甚至发展出可持续的水产养殖业。潟湖通过三个入口与亚得里亚海相连，并因“高水位”现象广为人知：即涨潮时水位升高，导致威尼斯部分街区被淹没。从古老的避难所到现代奇观，威威尼斯潟湖展现出人与自然共同塑造一片天地的典范。

A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy

Pictured here is a spectacular view of a delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy. Spanning over 212 square miles, this lagoon is a rich mosaic of islands, mudflats, canals, and marshes, and it's one of the largest wetlands in the entire Mediterranean Basin. The lagoon isn't just a scenic wonder—it's a place steeped in history and innovation. Formed after the last Ice Age, it became a refuge for people fleeing invasions around the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476. In the centuries that followed, those early settlers began building what would eventually become the iconic city of Venice.

Today, the lagoon is still central to local life, supporting fishing, tourism, and even sustainable aquaculture. It's connected to the Adriatic Sea by three inlets and is famous for acqua alta, or 'high water,' when tides flood parts of Venice. From ancient refuge to modern marvel, the Venetian Lagoon is a reflection of how people and nature can shape a place together.

大本钟和国会大厦, 威斯敏斯特宫, 伦敦, 英国 Big Ben and Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London, England (© Puthipong Worasaran/Getty Images)

伦敦时间到！ London o'clock

威斯敏斯特宫, 伦敦, 英国

伦敦最著名的钟楼其实并不叫“大本钟”，这个名字指的是钟楼内那口重达13.5吨的巨大钟体。自1859年以来，它便为伦敦人报时，钟声响起自如今名为“伊丽莎白塔”的建筑中。2012年，在伊丽莎白二世女王登基60周年之际，这座原本称为“钟楼”的建筑被正式更名为“伊丽莎白塔”。自诞生以来，这座钟仅在维修或特殊情况下才停止运转，如一战和二战期间因轰炸受损。它的四个钟面每个直径达22.5英尺，分针长度达14英尺。钟楼高达316英尺，属于雄伟的威斯敏斯特宫的一部分，也就是英国议会的所在地。

几个世纪以来，威斯敏斯特宫始终是英国政治的核心。这座宫殿最初由忏悔者爱德华于11世纪建造，自13世纪起便成为议会所在地。此前一直是王室住所，直到1512年的一场大火迫使亨利八世迁离。1834年又一场毁灭性大火烧毁了大部分中世纪建筑群，促成了如今我们所见的哥特复兴风格。此次重建由建筑师查尔斯·巴里主持，其助手奥古斯塔斯·普金则设计了繁复的细部装饰。这座占地超过43,000平方英尺的宫殿，如今容纳着下议院、上议院以及始建于1097年的威斯敏斯特大厅。

Palace of Westminster, London, England

London's most famous clock tower isn't called Big Ben—that name belongs to the massive 13.5-ton bell inside. The Great Clock has marked time for Londoners since 1859, ringing from what is now known as the Elizabeth Tower, renamed in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee. At 316 feet tall, the tower is part of the grand Palace of Westminster. The clock has stopped only for maintenance and rare disruptions, such as bomb damage during each world war. Each of its four clock faces spans 22.5 feet, with the minute hands measuring 14 feet.

For centuries, the Palace of Westminster has stood at the heart of British politics. Originally built by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century, the palace has hosted Parliament since the 13th century. Previously a royal residence, it remained one until a fire in 1512 forced Henry VIII to relocate. A second devastating fire in 1834 destroyed most of the medieval complex, leading to the Gothic Revival design seen today. Architect Charles Barry led the reconstruction, while his assistant, Augustus Pugin, designed the intricate details. Covering about 27.8 acres, the palace houses the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and Westminster Hall, which dates back to 1097.

弗拉维亚港, 苏尔西斯-伊格莱西恩特, 撒丁岛, 意大利Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy (© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)

矿石与传奇 Ore and more

弗拉维亚港, 苏尔西斯-伊格莱西恩特, 撒丁岛, 意大利

大多数港口依赖延伸至海岸线的码头与吊车来进行货物装载，而波尔图弗拉维亚则完全反其道而行之。这一工程奇迹将一座石灰岩峭壁变成了撒丁岛矿石产业的门户。苏尔西斯-伊格莱西恩特的采矿历史可以追溯至几千年前，从腓尼基人、古罗马人一直延续到 20 世纪的工业繁荣时期。这里曾大量开采铅、锌、煤、硫磺、重晶石和银等矿产。但运输这些矿物却是一场噩梦：矿石需先用推车运至小船，再从小船转运至大型货船，过程缓慢、成本高昂、效率低下。

1924 年，意大利工程师切萨雷·维切利彻底改变了该地区的矿石运输方式。他将波托弗拉维亚设计成一套嵌入石灰岩峭壁的隧道和筒仓系统，使矿石能直接装入停靠在悬崖下的货船。该设施由两层隧道构成：上层设有9个矿石储仓，可容纳多达11000短吨的矿石。矿石通过重力滑道运至下层隧道，然后由传送带直接装上等候的船只。该港口以维切利的女儿弗拉维亚命名，一直使用到 20 世纪中叶采矿业衰落。如今，游客可以探索其隧道、巨大料仓，以及曾有船只停靠的装载平台，感受那曾将撒丁岛矿产送往世界各地的海风。

Porto Flavia, Sardinia, Italy

Most ports rely on docks and cranes that extend into the shoreline. Porto Flavia on the Italian island of Sardinia took a completely different approach. This engineering marvel transformed a cliff into a gateway for Sardinia's ore industry. Mining in the area has a history dating back thousands of years, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the industrial boom in the 20th century. Lead, zinc, coal, sulfur, barium, and silver were extracted from these rugged hills, but transporting them was a logistical nightmare. Ore had to be hauled by cart, loaded onto small boats, and then transferred to larger ships—a slow, costly, and inefficient process.

In 1924, Italian engineer Cesare Vecelli revolutionized ore transport in the region. He designed Porto Flavia as a system of tunnels and silos carved into a limestone cliff, allowing ore to be loaded directly onto cargo ships. The facility featured two stacked tunnel levels. The upper level could store up to 11,000 short tons of ore in nine reservoirs. Gravity-fed chutes transported the ore to the lower level, where a conveyor belt loaded it directly onto waiting ships. The port, named after Vecelli's daughter, Flavia, remained in use until mining declined in the mid-20th century. Today, visitors can explore its tunnels, massive silos, and the platform where ships once docked—soaking in the same sea breeze that once carried Sardinia's minerals to markets worldwide.

百内国家公园, 巴塔哥尼亚, 智利 Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile (© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)

66岁，依然美丽动人 66 and still gorgeous

百内国家公园, 巴塔哥尼亚, 智利

在智利最壮丽的自然保护区之一，野生动物自由穿梭，高耸的山峰与古老的冰川共同塑造出这片原始而壮观的土地。百内国家公园于 1959 年的今天正式成立，至今已满 66 岁，面积超过 448,000 英亩。最初它被称为格雷湖国家旅游公园，1970 年更名为百内国家公园，1978 年被联合国教科文组织指定为生物圈保护区。公园中最具标志性的地貌是三座高达 8,000 英尺以上的巨大花岗岩尖峰：百内塔。这些岩柱由岩浆侵入、地壳抬升，以及数百万年的冰川侵蚀共同形成，最终留下了今天令人惊叹的锯齿状山峰。

公园的湖泊和河流由融化的冰川补给，形成了一个水系网络，滋养着这里的野生动物。南巴塔哥尼亚冰原为四条主要冰川：廷德尔、格雷、迪克森和萨帕塔冰川提供补给。百内河发源于迪克森湖，流经多个水体，包括百内湖、诺登舍尔德湖和佩欧埃湖等。这里野生动物繁多，有美洲狮、濒危的南安第斯鹿、智利火烈鸟以及智利红头美洲鹫。公园内草原、湿地和森林交织，为多样的植物群落提供了栖息地，其中包括南极山毛榉、冷杉山毛榉和耐寒的垫状植物，它们顽强地适应了这片严酷的自然环境。

Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile

Wildlife roams freely in one of Chile's most stunning protected areas, where towering peaks and ancient glaciers shape the land. Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia was established on this day in 1959. Originally called Grey Lake National Tourism Park, it was renamed in 1970 and designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Its most recognizable features—three massive granite peaks known as the Torres—stand over 8,000 feet tall. These formations took shape through magma intrusion and uplift, followed by millions of years of glacial erosion, leaving behind the jagged spires seen today.

The park's lakes and rivers, fueled by melting ice, create a hydrological network that sustains its wildlife. Four major glaciers—Tyndall, Grey, Dickson, and Zapata—are fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Originating from Dickson Lake, the Paine River flows through various bodies of water, including Paine Lake, Nordenskjöld Lake, and Pehoé Lake. Wildlife thrives here, including pumas, endangered southern huemuls (south Andean deer), Chilean flamingos, and chimango caracaras. With grasslands, wetlands, and forests, the park supports a range of plant life, including lenga and Antarctic beech, and cushion plants that endure the harsh climate.

巴尔德纳斯雷亚尔斯自然公园的卡斯蒂尔德蒂拉，纳瓦拉，西班牙 El Castildetierra en las Bardenas Reales de Navarra, España (© Eloi_Omella/Getty Images)

童话烟囱！ ¡Las chimeneas de hadas!

巴尔德纳斯雷亚尔斯自然公园的卡斯蒂尔德蒂拉，纳瓦拉，西班牙

在西班牙纳瓦拉自治区这片独特的半沙漠景观中心，矗立着一座标志性的岩石地貌：卡斯蒂尔德蒂耶拉。它如天然石塔般的轮廓，是风与水共同侵蚀的杰作，也是这一地区的象征。此地已被联合国教科文组织列为生物圈保护区。

纳瓦拉这片自然瑰宝，占地超过41,000公顷，拥有壮丽的景观。这里的土壤由黏土、石膏和砂岩组成，经过数百年的自然作用，形成了峡谷、高原与各种引人注目的地貌景观。这里没有城市的喧嚣，只有最原始、广袤的自然。徒步、骑行或驾车穿行其间，你将被它粗犷的美所震撼，同时还能观察到丰富的野生动物，例如兀鹫等猛禽。由于其如电影布景般的外观，这里也常被用作影视剧的拍摄场地。如果你正在寻找西班牙独一无二的旅行目的地，那就来探索巴尔德纳斯雷亚莱斯与雄伟的卡斯蒂尔德蒂拉吧！让自己陶醉在这独特的风景之中！

Rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul

A grand and gilded sight—the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul is waiting to be explored. Home to the state Senate and House of Representatives, the governor's office, and the attorney general's office, the 1905 building also houses a chamber for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Architect Cass Gilbert's Beaux-Arts design features a remarkable dome that was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. It is the second-largest self-supported marble dome in the world.

The dome was built in three layers, each serving a different purpose. The outermost layer, made of Georgia marble, holds itself up by sheer weight alone. Inside, a brick-and-steel cone adds support and helps drain water to withstand Minnesota's harsh winters. The innermost layer is the ornately decorated dome visible from the rotunda floor. At its base, 12 marble eagles stand alongside the surrounding columns. Crowning the structure is an elegant stone lantern, topped with a gleaming gold-leaf-covered finial globe.

邓路斯城堡，安特里姆郡，北爱尔兰 Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (© DieterMeyrl/Getty Images)

岩石上的城堡 Castle on the rocks

邓路斯城堡，安特里姆郡，北爱尔兰

如图所示的邓路斯城堡，是否让你仿佛置身于《权力的游戏》？那是因为它正是剧中“派克城”——葛雷乔伊家族领地的现实灵感来源。该城堡建于13世纪，坐落于北爱尔兰安特里姆郡，曾是安特里姆·麦克唐纳家族的据点。该家族是苏格兰麦克唐纳氏族的一个分支，在15世纪至17世纪期间在爱尔兰政治中扮演了重要角色。1690年博因河战役后，该家族的势力衰落，由于缺乏资金维护，城堡逐渐荒废成废墟。

邓路斯城堡流传着各种传说，其中最著名的是关于女妖的传说。相传，麦奎兰勋爵唯一的女儿梅芙·罗反对一桩包办婚姻，被父亲囚禁在城堡的一座塔楼中。某晚，梅芙·罗与她的恋人乘船私奔，途中却遭遇猛烈风暴，双双葬身海底。当地人说，至今仍能听到她在塔楼中凄厉的哭声在风中回荡。如今，游客们可以走进这座饱经风雨的中世纪古堡遗迹，想象当年在此上演的盛宴与战斗。如果城堡本身还不足以打动你，那么眼前这片盖世海岸的壮丽景色，定会让你驻足凝望。

Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

If Dunluce Castle, pictured here, feels like something straight out of 'Game of Thrones,' that's because it is the real-life inspiration for Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. Built in the 13th century, this castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was once a stronghold of the MacDonnells of Antrim, a branch of the Clan MacDonnell that played a key role in Irish politics from the 15th to the 17th century. The family's fortunes declined after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and with little money for upkeep, the castle gradually fell into ruin.

Dunluce Castle is steeped in legend, including the tale of its banshee. Maeve Roe, the only daughter of Lord MacQuillan, defied an arranged marriage and was locked away in the castle's turret. One night, as Maeve Roe and her lover fled by boat, a fierce storm struck, dragging them both to a watery grave. Locals say her ghostly cries still echo from the turret. Today, visitors can explore the windswept remains of this medieval fortress, imagining the feasts and battles that once took place here. And if the castle itself isn't impressive enough, the views over the Causeway Coast certainly are.

一架超轻型飞机飞越纳米比亚沙漠 An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia (© Burt Johnson/Alamy Stock Photo)

不一般的沙漠之旅 Not your average desert trip

一架超轻型飞机飞越纳米比亚沙漠

想象一下，在轻型飞行器中翱翔于天空，风呼啸而过，俯瞰着如画的风景。下方是世界上最古老的沙漠：纳米布沙漠，在5500万年的风力作用下形成并不断演变。这就是纳米比亚，一片由高耸沙丘、干涸河床和流沙构成的超现实梦幻般的景观。

与传统飞机不同，超轻型飞机提供了无与伦比的自由感。它们也被称为微型飞行器，是一种专为低空、低速飞行而设计的小型飞机。各国对其重量和速度的限制有所不同；例如在美国，空载时重量应低于254磅，满功率飞行时速度不得超过55节（约63英里/小时）。超轻型飞机通常拥有开放式或半封闭式座舱，带来令人屏息的全景视野，使每一次飞行都成为一次沉浸式的体验。超轻型航空于20世纪70年代末至80年代初兴起，彻底改变了休闲飞行。凭借简化的监管和轻巧的设计，这类飞行器为探索世界上一些最偏远、最美丽的地方提供了一种既便捷又令人兴奋的方式，就像我们在今日图片中所看到的那样。

An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia

Imagine soaring through the skies in an ultralight aircraft, the wind rushing past as you take in the view. Below, the world's oldest desert, the Namib, stretches endlessly, shaped by winds over 55 million years. This is Namibia—a surreal landscape of towering dunes, dry riverbeds, and shifting sands.

Unlike traditional aircraft, ultralights offer an unmatched sense of freedom. Also known as microlights, these small planes are designed for low-altitude, slow-speed flying. Their weight and speed limits vary by country; in the US, they should weigh under 254 pounds when empty and not go over 55 knots (63 mph) at full power. With open or semi-enclosed cockpits, ultralights provide panoramic views, making each flight an immersive experience. Ultralight aviation emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, revolutionizing recreational flying and offering an accessible and exhilarating way to explore some of the world's most remote and beautiful places.

日出时分，美丽的喀斯特山脉鸟瞰图，中国桂林 Aerial view of beautiful karst mountains at sunrise, Guilin, China (© zhaojiankang/Getty Images)

秀美壮丽的山河 Beautiful and magnificent mountains and rivers

喀斯特山脉，广西桂林，中国

今天是立夏，标志着我们即将进入夏季，今天图片中壮丽又秀美的山河景色是位于中国桂林的喀斯特山脉景致。桂林喀斯特地貌，位于广西南岭构造带中部，是大陆型塔状岩溶的典型代表，华南地区岩溶演化末期的地貌展现，世界地质遗产地。桂林喀斯特位于南岭构造带中部，以秀美漓江及其支流周边的塔状及锥状岩溶地貌为主要特征，同时发育有许多洞穴。受古生代构造运动的影响，桂林喀斯特形成了独特的岩溶发育盆地。

这里的山水如同一幅幅精美的山水画卷，吸引着来自世界各地的游客。它是中国山水画的真实写照来到桂林，你会被这里的美景所陶醉，仿佛置身于一幅幅山水画中，感受着大自然的瑰丽与壮美。

西班牙广场，塞维利亚，西班牙 Plaza de España, Seville, Spain (© Horia Merla/Getty Images)

欢迎来到纳布星球！ Welcome to planet Naboo!

星球大战日

5月4日是《星球大战》粉丝们的“星球大战日”，这一天旨在致敬由乔治·卢卡斯创造的这一广受喜爱的系列电影。该系列共包含九部电影，统称为“天行者传奇”。 其中一个令人难忘的拍摄地是西班牙塞维利亚的西班牙广场，正如今日图片所展示。这座美丽的广场呈半椭圆形，建筑风格令人惊叹，在影片中被用作纳布星的希德城。参议员阿米达拉抵达纳布星的场景，就是在这里拍摄的，演员包括娜塔莉·波特曼和海登·克里斯滕森。西班牙广场独特的设计，包括中央建筑、塔楼和喷泉，为《星球大战》的世界增添了一抹魔幻色彩。这座历史悠久的广场由安尼巴尔·冈萨雷斯设计，最初是为1929 年举办的伊比利亚-美洲博览会而建造的。

Star Wars Day

On May 4, 'Star Wars' fans celebrate Star Wars Day, a tribute to the beloved franchise created by George Lucas. The film series consists of nine movies, collectively referred to as the 'Skywalker Saga.' One of the memorable filming locations is Plaza de España in Seville, Spain, seen in today's image. This beautiful square, with its semi-elliptical shape and stunning architecture, was used as the city of Theed on the planet Naboo. The scene where Senator Amidala arrives in Naboo, featuring Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen, was filmed here. Plaza de España's unique design, with its central building, towers, and fountain, adds a touch of magic to the Star Wars universe.

Whether you are in Spain or elsewhere in the galaxy, May the Force be with you today!

拱门国家公园双拱门映衬下的银河，犹他州，美国 The Milky Way framed by Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah (© Adventure_Photo/Getty Images)

让我们一起庆祝宇宙 Let's celebrate the cosmos

国际天文日快乐！

你是否曾好奇，通过望远镜看到的土星环是什么样子？又或者，天文学家是如何发现遥远星系的？国际天文日正是探索这些奥秘的绝佳时机！这一年度活动最早于 1973 年发起，其官方主题是：“将天文学带给大众”。 从当地公园到天文俱乐部、博物馆，再到天文台，游客们可以参与望远镜观测、太空讲座，甚至体验模拟月球重力的装置！这一想法起源于加利福尼亚的一位天文学家道格·伯杰。他不再等待人们走进天文台，而是直接把望远镜带到热闹的公共场所。这一招奏效了，人们很快就迷上了仰望星空！如今，世界各地都在庆祝国际天文日，加拿大、瑞典、阿根廷等许多国家都有举办相关活动。今天，就是探索宇宙的好时机。找一架望远镜，一起仰望星空、庆祝宇宙的壮丽吧！

Happy International Astronomy Day!

Ever wondered what Saturn's rings look like through a telescope? Or how astronomers spot distant galaxies? International Astronomy Day is the perfect time to find out. This annual event, first launched in 1973, is all about 'Bringing Astronomy to the People'—the official theme of Astronomy Day. From local parks to astronomy clubs, museums, and observatories, visitors can enjoy activities like telescope viewings, space talks, and even moon gravity simulators.

The event started when Doug Berger, an astronomer in California, decided to take telescopes to busy public spaces rather than wait for people to visit observatories. It worked—people got hooked on stargazing. Astronomy Day is celebrated worldwide, with events in countries like Canada, Sweden, and Argentina, among many others. Today is the day to explore the universe. Find a telescope and celebrate the cosmos!