nature

From Henry David Thoreau's 'Autumnal Tints' to the origins of the term 'leaf-peeper.'

This lucky camper scored a permit at Yosemite National Park.

Want to snatch a camping spot at Yosemite before they’re gone? The new availability alert feature on Recreation.gov can help.

A tornado south of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, touched down on April 15, 2012.

Tornadoes can (and do) happen anywhere. Here are 10 of the most terrible twisters to ever take a turn on Earth.

Say hello to the world's cutest research assistant.

Sea lion camera crews are helping scientists map uncharted waters.

Air pollution may keep these pollinators from doing their jobs.

Air pollution is making it hard for bees to pollinate flowers.

What leaf-peeper doesn't love gorgeous, golden aspens?

Trees like aspens, sugar maples, and black gums are known for their vibrant fall foliage.

Get ready to see some serious seasonal color.

New England's fall foliage is legendary, and for good reason. But Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota have lovely locales for leaf-peeping, too.

If you’re hoping to pass on your love of nature to the next generation, you may be inclined to choose a name rooted in the natural world. Oliver, Olivia, Violet, and Rowan are all top contenders.

Learn how Lake Maracaibo's electrifying climate makes it the number one hotspot for lightning storms.

These gentle giants have so much history.

Scientists are closer to understanding how Greenland sharks can survive for hundreds of years.

The U.S. government has some ideas.

You don't have to travel to Manitoba to see these majestic creatures.

Beat the heat by tuning into these Arctic sea creatures.

Even this cricket wants to know the answer.

Cricket chirps can reach 100 decibels. So why do we use them as a byword for ‘silence’?

Apple’s iOS 18 update will let people save trails and access them while offline.

Grasshopper on the left, swarm of locusts on the right

All locusts are grasshoppers, but not all grasshoppers are locusts.

A grove of mountain cedar releases clouds of pollen.

The allergy-inducing mountain cedar may be the most hated tree in Texas.

According to the American Kennel Club, Siberian huskies, Australian shepherds, and other popular working-dog breeds make the best hiking buddies.

“Shoot, did that plant have leaves of three?”

Dogs can potentially have an allergic reaction to poison ivy, and they can also transmit the irritating oils to people. Here's what to do if you pet encounters the plant.

Centipedes and millipedes are actually quite different.

They have many more legs than any arthropod should need, but millipedes and centipedes are different in almost every other way.

Kaiden Madsen, Liam Fisher, and Jessin Fisher pose in front of their latest find. Their father, Sam Fisher, texted this photo to his high school classmate Tyler Lyson, setting the stage for a remarkable discovery.

This “Teen Rex” was 25 feet long and weighed about 3500 pounds while alive.

The invasive Joro spider is venomous and as big as your palm, but its taste for stink bugs means it could do more good than harm.

If you measure it a certain way, Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is taller than Mount Everest.

The title of “tallest mountain” depends on how—and where—you make your measurements.

These lightning bugs know how to coordinate.

Andrew Irvine (left) circa 1920 and George Mallory circa 1915.

What happened during George Mallory's fatal Everest ascent is one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries. Here's what we know.

A Brief History of Leaf-Peeping

National Parks Now Let Visitors Set Alerts for Online Reservations

10 of the Most Terrifying Tornadoes in History

Sea Lions With Cameras Collect Valuable (and Adorable) Footage of the Ocean Floor

Air Pollution May Prevent Bees From Smelling Flowers

9 of the Best Trees for Spectacular Fall Foliage

11 of the Best Leaf-Peeping Destinations in the U.S.

The 30 Most Popular Botanic Baby Names

See Why Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo Is Called 'The Lightning Capital of the World'

New Study Sheds Light on the Greenland Shark's Record-Breaking Lifespan

What’s the Difference Between a Lake and a Pond?

Beluga Livestream Captures the Whales' Epic Summer Migration

Why Do We Say “Crickets” When It’s Silent?

New Apple Maps Update Makes It Easier to Navigate National Parks

Grasshoppers vs. Locusts: What’s the Difference?

Watch: Mountain Cedar Trees ‘Sneeze’ Huge Clouds of Pollen

These 10 Dog Breeds Make the Best Hiking Companions

Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy?

Millipedes vs. Centipedes: What’s the Difference?

Kids Unearth a Teenage ‘T. rex’ While Hiking in North Dakota

Meet the Joro Spider: The ‘Flying’ Arachnid That Could Soon Invade the Northeast

3 Mountains Taller Than Mount Everest

Watch: A Gorgeous Sea of Fireflies Synchronizes With LED Lights

George Mallory’s Final Dash up Mount Everest: 100 Years of Mystery and Myth