2021-01-19
Ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul surrounded by the jungle, Campeche, Mexico (© Alfredo Matus/Shutterstock)
被丛林包围着的玛雅古城卡拉克穆尔遗址，墨西哥坎佩切 (© Alfredo Matus/Shutterstock)
Deep in the jungle of southern Mexico lay the ruins of a city that thrived for centuries before it was abandoned more than 1,000 years ago. Calakmul was once one of the two dueling superpowers—along with Tikal—of the Classical Mayan civilization. At its height, around 1,200 years ago, the city of Calakmul had a population of about 50,000 people, but the kingdom as a whole numbered more than 1.5 million. Archaeologists have uncovered 6,750 structures here—the largest is this pyramid temple, called, simply, 'Structure 2.' It's one of the tallest and most massive remaining structures from that highly advanced culture. The ruins of the city proper cover nearly eight square miles in the jungle and the kingdom once ruled over settlements as far as 90 miles away.
Ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul surrounded by the jungle, Campeche, Mexico (© Alfredo Matus/Shutterstock)
被丛林包围着的玛雅古城卡拉克穆尔遗址，墨西哥坎佩切 (© Alfredo Matus/Shutterstock)
Deep in the jungle of southern Mexico lay the ruins of a city that thrived for centuries before it was abandoned more than 1,000 years ago. Calakmul was once one of the two dueling superpowers—along with Tikal—of the Classical Mayan civilization. At its height, around 1,200 years ago, the city of Calakmul had a population of about 50,000 people, but the kingdom as a whole numbered more than 1.5 million. Archaeologists have uncovered 6,750 structures here—the largest is this pyramid temple, called, simply, 'Structure 2.' It's one of the tallest and most massive remaining structures from that highly advanced culture. The ruins of the city proper cover nearly eight square miles in the jungle and the kingdom once ruled over settlements as far as 90 miles away.
2021-01-20
Gentoo penguins near Danco Island, Antarctica (© David Merron/Getty Images)
南极丹科岛附近的巴布亚企鹅 (© David Merron/Getty Images)
Unlike most other birds, penguins can't fly, though this one sure looks like it's trying—or jumping for joy since today is Penguin Awareness Day. Actually, these gentoo penguins on Danco Island, just off the Antarctic Peninsula, were photographed leaping out of the water as they return to their nests for breeding season, which starts in November.
Gentoo penguins near Danco Island, Antarctica (© David Merron/Getty Images)
南极丹科岛附近的巴布亚企鹅 (© David Merron/Getty Images)
Unlike most other birds, penguins can't fly, though this one sure looks like it's trying—or jumping for joy since today is Penguin Awareness Day. Actually, these gentoo penguins on Danco Island, just off the Antarctic Peninsula, were photographed leaping out of the water as they return to their nests for breeding season, which starts in November.
2021-01-21
Red squirrel in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland (© Scotland: The Big Picture/Minden Pictures)
苏格兰高地上的欧亚红松鼠，苏格兰 (© Scotland: The Big Picture/Minden Pictures)
If this picture looks right out of Beatrix Potter's world, we'd say you have a good eye for a story. In 1903, Potter published 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,' about a cheeky squirrel who taunts an owl with silly riddles until he pushes things too far—narrowly escaping with his life, minus a tail. Potter based Nutkin on the red squirrel, the only native squirrel species to the UK. The red squirrel population saw a steep decline here after humans introduced the larger nonnative Eastern gray squirrel in the late 1800s. But today in the UK, the red squirrel is a protected species, bolstering efforts to keep the gray numbers in check and preserve habitat. The UK red squirrel population is estimated to be about 138,000, with the vast majority living in the woods of Scotland, like our little friend here.
Red squirrel in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland (© Scotland: The Big Picture/Minden Pictures)
苏格兰高地上的欧亚红松鼠，苏格兰 (© Scotland: The Big Picture/Minden Pictures)
If this picture looks right out of Beatrix Potter's world, we'd say you have a good eye for a story. In 1903, Potter published 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,' about a cheeky squirrel who taunts an owl with silly riddles until he pushes things too far—narrowly escaping with his life, minus a tail. Potter based Nutkin on the red squirrel, the only native squirrel species to the UK. The red squirrel population saw a steep decline here after humans introduced the larger nonnative Eastern gray squirrel in the late 1800s. But today in the UK, the red squirrel is a protected species, bolstering efforts to keep the gray numbers in check and preserve habitat. The UK red squirrel population is estimated to be about 138,000, with the vast majority living in the woods of Scotland, like our little friend here.