2021-04-13
Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya Historical Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, Thailand (© travelstock44/Alamy)
大城历史公园中的帕喜善佩寺，泰国大城府 (© travelstock44/Alamy)
In present-day Thailand sit the ruins of the ancient kingdom that preceded it, Ayutthaya. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, shown here, was the holiest site in the capital of that kingdom, a royal temple containing a 52-foot tall, golden Buddha among other treasures. The first king of Ayutthaya, Ramathibodi I, ordered construction of a royal palace here in 1350. Nearly a century later, they palace was moved to a different location in the city and the former palace grounds were converted to a holy site.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya Historical Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, Thailand (© travelstock44/Alamy)
大城历史公园中的帕喜善佩寺，泰国大城府 (© travelstock44/Alamy)
In present-day Thailand sit the ruins of the ancient kingdom that preceded it, Ayutthaya. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, shown here, was the holiest site in the capital of that kingdom, a royal temple containing a 52-foot tall, golden Buddha among other treasures. The first king of Ayutthaya, Ramathibodi I, ordered construction of a royal palace here in 1350. Nearly a century later, they palace was moved to a different location in the city and the former palace grounds were converted to a holy site.
2021-04-14
Wildflowers in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (© Dennis Frates/Alamy)
卡里佐平原国家纪念区的野花，加利福尼亚 (© Dennis Frates/Alamy)
The Carrizo Plain National Monument is a unique attraction in California—not just because of its breathtaking, colorful views, but also due to its quiet, isolated feel. Just a few hours from Los Angeles, it covers almost 250,000 acres along the base of the Temblor Mountains, giving visitors a chance to escape the crowds and experience nature. In spring, wildflowers cover the hills and valley floor, creating the amazing scene pictured here. The area also features other diverse plant species, including several listed as threatened or endangered. Wildlife includes antelope and elk, as well as rare species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and the giant kangaroo rat.
Wildflowers in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (© Dennis Frates/Alamy)
卡里佐平原国家纪念区的野花，加利福尼亚 (© Dennis Frates/Alamy)
The Carrizo Plain National Monument is a unique attraction in California—not just because of its breathtaking, colorful views, but also due to its quiet, isolated feel. Just a few hours from Los Angeles, it covers almost 250,000 acres along the base of the Temblor Mountains, giving visitors a chance to escape the crowds and experience nature. In spring, wildflowers cover the hills and valley floor, creating the amazing scene pictured here. The area also features other diverse plant species, including several listed as threatened or endangered. Wildlife includes antelope and elk, as well as rare species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and the giant kangaroo rat.
2021-04-15
Tree trunks in Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada (© Coolbiere/Getty Images)
亚伯拉罕湖中的树，加拿大艾伯塔 (© Coolbiere/Getty Images)
Today, we’re taking in views of Alberta’s largest reservoir – Abraham Lake. It was created in 1972 following the completion of the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River. The dam was built by then Calgary Power Company, now TransAlta, to produce hydroelectric power. As seen here, Abraham Lake boasts a vivid shade of blue, further contributing to the breathtaking view with the mountains in the background. Of late, this gem in the Rockies has become a must-see for photographers every winter, for the emergence of the extraordinary frozen bubbles trapped under the lake. As the temperature drops, methane gas released from water-dwelling bacteria, forms into bubbles and freezes under the surface of the frozen lake. When the layer of ice on the lake is clear, the frozen bubbles can be seen and make for a remarkable spectacle.
Tree trunks in Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada (© Coolbiere/Getty Images)
亚伯拉罕湖中的树，加拿大艾伯塔 (© Coolbiere/Getty Images)
Today, we’re taking in views of Alberta’s largest reservoir – Abraham Lake. It was created in 1972 following the completion of the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River. The dam was built by then Calgary Power Company, now TransAlta, to produce hydroelectric power. As seen here, Abraham Lake boasts a vivid shade of blue, further contributing to the breathtaking view with the mountains in the background. Of late, this gem in the Rockies has become a must-see for photographers every winter, for the emergence of the extraordinary frozen bubbles trapped under the lake. As the temperature drops, methane gas released from water-dwelling bacteria, forms into bubbles and freezes under the surface of the frozen lake. When the layer of ice on the lake is clear, the frozen bubbles can be seen and make for a remarkable spectacle.