NATURE

This portrait is titled “Hello everyone.”

See the Funny Finalists—and Vote for Your Favorite—of the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Funny animal photos don’t get much better than a gentoo penguin doing “talk to the hand” (or fin, rather).

How to Use a Cricket’s Chirps as Nature’s Thermometer

The frequency of cricket chirps rises with the heat, and you can use them to estimate the temperature wherever you are—no thermometer needed.

McWay Falls at California's Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Want to Visit State Parks for Free? See If Your Local Library Lends Out Park Passes

The California State Library Parks Pass is basically a golden ticket to the Golden State’s great outdoors. Your state might have a similar program in place.

The Luno Air Mattress 2.0 is purpose-built for car camping (dog not included).

We Tried It: The Luno Air Mattress 2.0 Makes Car Camping a Breeze

The Luno Air Mattress 2.0 is designed to make car camping comfortable. Here's what we learned after testing it ourselves.

This would brighten up your Instagram feed.

See What North Dakota’s Sunflower Fields Look Like in Full Bloom

North Dakota’s sunflower season is almost over, but these captivating photos and videos won’t fade.

Orcas Are Ramming Sailboats Off the European Coast

The killer whales are playing a dangerous game with boaters, and scientists aren't sure why.

Two hikers descending Ben Nevis, Scotland's tallest mountain.

10 Facts About Munros, Scotland’s Tallest Mountains

Scotland is known for the rugged beauty of its mountainous landscape.

Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

The 10 U.S. States With the Most Under-the-Radar Tourism Destinations

If you like to travel off the beaten path, book a flight to one of these states.

A brown bear fishing at Katmai National Park in 2018.

Katmai National Park’s Brown Bears Are Busy Bulking Up for Fat Bear Week—And You Can Livestream Their Progress

The 24/7 live cams show the bears fishing for salmon and relaxing on river shores.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Grizzly Bears (But Should)

They can run faster than Usain Bolt.

Visitors take in the grandeur of coast redwoods at Muir Woods in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

11 Urban National Parks You Can Visit This Summer

Enjoy nature, beef up your historical knowledge, and spend quality time with friends or family in these public lands within, or just outside, major U.S. cities.

A tokay gecko demonstrates its climbing skill.

10 Modern Inventions Modeled After Nature

Sometimes the best tech is right in front of us, thanks to millions of years of evolution.

Look closely at a sunflower, and you'll see the distinct spiral in its center.

6 Fascinating Places to See the Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci developed his theory based on rabbit population growth, but you'll find the golden ratio in everything from flowers to outer space.

11 Illuminating Facts About Fireflies

No summer evening is complete without watching fireflies. Here are some fun facts about lightning bugs—which are technically beetles, not bugs.

The Reason You Sometimes See Chunks of Trees on Power Lines

Unlike the brightly colored balls on power lines, those random "tree chunks" don't serve a practical purpose.

10 Amazing Places to See Fireflies

Seeing a bunch of lightning bugs illuminate a dark sky is a spellbinding experience.

Dolphin urine is a sign of true friendship.

Dolphins Taste Each Other's Pee to Identify Friends

Dolphins don't just use vocalization to find pals: They also take urine samples.

Why You See Fewer Fireflies in the Summer Than You Used To

It's not in your head—there really are fewer fireflies than there used to be. Luckily there are steps you can take to help the insects.

A window strike can really ruin a bird's day—or even end their life.

8 Ways to Prevent Birds From Crashing Into Your Windows

Nothing ruins the joy of watching backyard wildlife like the sudden thunk of a bird smashing into your window.

These family-friendly camping destinations can help you make the most of the summer.

10 Best States for Your Next Family Camping Trip

These states offer something for camping enthusiasts of all ages.

Meet the Rusty Spotted Cat—the World’s Smallest Feline

Weighing just two to four pounds, the rusty spotted cat is the smallest wild cat on Earth.

Luxembourg Palace and Gardens in Paris, France.

The 20 Most Photogenic City Parks in the World

From Central Park to Luxembourg Gardens, these are the most-Instagrammed parks in cities around the world.

10 Easy-to-Grow Plants for First-Time Gardeners

You won't need a green thumb to take care of these tough plants.

Don't bet on finding one of these on St. Patrick's Day

Here Are Your Chances of Finding a Four-Leaf Clover This St. Patrick's Day

Your chances of finding a four-leaf clover are one in thousands, but there are some steps you can take to increase your luck.

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