The world is a bad place. There is often a war or conflict happening; organized crime is on the up, and when you switch on the news, there isn’t even anything good to say at the end of the bulletin. At least not until we found these amazing photos.
From a Jesus Christ pumpkin carving to a 7-foot sturgeon, the world is filled with amazing and beautiful things. Make your day a little happier by clicking through the items.
‘Tis The Season… And All That Jazz
Snow signifies plenty of things: That winter has arrived, that Christmas is around the corner, and everyone needs to break out their parkas. But jokes aside, snow is a sight to behold and makes for great photos, especially for those who have never experienced it, like those in South Florida.
The extreme south of the Sunshine State has never seen snow. The state is, however, a vacation favorite. Lake Louise, where this photo was taken, is also a great spot.
What’s Inside The Tree?
Trees are amazing… seriously. Just look at this one from Dover in the United Kingdom. It is estimated to be between 600 and 1,000 years old. Can you imagine the stories it would tell if it had a memory? But that isn’t even the most fantastic thing about this tree.
The tree, which is known as “Majesty Oak” is also completely hollow on the inside of its base. She’s still very alive, though, and sheds and grows leaves every year.
Is This Really One Shot?
With the photo editing apps available these days, it’s easy to believe that this image was edited to look this way. But it’s actually a piece of photographic skill capturing a moment when the Panamian Bulk Carrier MV Anthea, then known as Pasha Bulker, which beached during a storm.
This ship ran ashore off the coast of Nobbys Beach in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. in 2007. The vessel was successfully salvaged and refloated after three attempts that same year.
I Am The Greatest
Owls are majestic creatures, and none of them come more splendid than the Great Grey Owl. They have a wingspan of up to 5ft and can weigh as much as 4 pounds. It is regarded as the largest owl species in the world and is distributed across the northern hemisphere.
They’re the only owls that are found in both the western and eastern hemispheres, and because of this, they go by many names. These include Spectral Owl and Phantom of the North.
Yakkitty Yak
Yaks are majestic creatures renowned for their large frames and thick, sturdy legs. They are found in the Himalayas, India, and Tibet and come in two overarching varieties: The domesticated yak and the wild yak. But the species is further broken down by the area in which they are found.
This is a rare White Tibetan Yak. Only one in a thousand of these creatures from this area are born white, and Because of its color, the White Yak commands respect.
Six-Legged Freaks
This, dear reader, is the super-magnified face of an ant. Yep, those little six-legged creatures that kids crush for fun are actually super scary up close and, if they were bigger, would probably rule the world. There is even a 1989 video game about this called “It Came From The Desert.”
This was turned into a film in 2017, which was a collaboration between game creators Cinemaware and film production company Roger! Pictures. It has a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Just Passing Through
This is Iceberg Alley, a stretch of ocean that runs from the coast of Labrador to the southeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. Labrador is in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, taking up 71% of the province. Despite this fact, only 6% of the population lives there.
This photo was taken from the island of Newfoundland, which is not connected to the province but separated from the mainland by the Strait of Belle Isle. Quite a view!
A Beautiful Gem
This is vanadinite, a mineral that is formed by the oxidation of lead ore deposits like Galena. This was first discovered in 1801 in Mexico but has since been found in several other places, including South America, Europe, Africa, and North America. It is also a pretty uncommon mineral.
It is also found in clusters of red hexagonal crystals, like this batch discovered in Morocco in North Africa. Vanadinite is also known as the main industrial ores of vanadium metal.
Imagine Getting Her This Flower!
Ever wondered what the biggest flower in the world is? Well, even if you don't want to know, we’re going to tell you that it’s the Rafflesia Arnoldii, pictured above. This massive flower is typically found in the rainforest in Indonesia and is renowned for its strong and unpleasant odor.
It can grow up to 3 feet across and can weigh up to 15 pounds. It is one of three national flowers in Indonesia and is also a national “rare flower.”
Insy Winsy
Arachnophobia is the most recognized phobia in the world, and even if someone doesn’t have it, many people are still scared of spiders. But there is something about the jumping spider that is just so disarming. It could be their adorable and distinctive eyes or their claws that look like cats' paws.
These just make you want to pet one instead of fretting about one. You are free to do so, too, since most jumping spider venom is harmless to humans.
I Have My Eyes On You
Like a teacher stopping everything to look at the pupils and catch the person who keeps talking in class, this owl looks like it has stopped everything to check out this cameraman. Of course, this is primarily comic timing at its best. This owl was caught mid-flight.
It’s still a hilarious photo. From the almost human expression and eyes to the way the wings are tucked back as if this owl is coming for you, it all just comes together brilliantly.
Drop The Sails
There’s a reason this fish has a massive sail-like fin on its back. It helps it to be the fastest fish in the ocean. This is a sailfish, and it can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour, with the dorsal fin, actually called a sail for this fish, aiding speed.
It’s part of the Marlin and swordfish family, so it also has an elongated rostrum or bill. It is typically found in the colder pelagic waters closer to the ocean floor.
Meow Woof Clan
All this picture needs is a parental advisory sticker and the name of the group emblazoned over the top for it to look like a rap group's album. This group would also put to bed an age-old story: That cats and dogs have hated one another since forever.
But there are methods to eradicate that hate. There is a list of things that can be done to achieve this, including obedience training, scent swapping, and allowing them to become acquainted.
The Birds or Yardbirds
Moving on from rap groups to rock groups. There are a number of these who have used the term birds in their name. Like the American band “The Byrds,” and the iconic British band “The Yardbirds.” The latter of these is famous for two major musical reasons.
This band is famous for having Eric Clapton as a founding member and Jeff Beck in its lineup at one point. It is also renowned for eventually becoming the iconic group Led Zeppelin.
T Penguins
Looking like slick John Travoltas, these penguins are reminiscent of the famous T-Birds in the iconic musical “Grease.” With those slicked-back manes, they look like greasers who are out looking for trouble, girls, and fast cars to drive. These are actually Rockhopper Penguins, and experts can’t make up their minds about them.
There are several versions, although some experts believe there are three different types, and some believe they are one species with different features. They all sport the same coolness, though.
Because I’m Happy
Mantises are one of the most fascinating insect species in the world. Often called praying mantises because of their upright posture and folded claws, they have inspired everything from kung fu fighting styles to creature features. This includes a notable film called “The Deadly Mantis,” which was released in 1957.
This mantis looks happy, like it has been dancing all year. Come to think of it, maybe it’s trying to shake off the praying label for a more… fun one.
Let’s Duel
Members of the hummingbird family, Sparkling Violetears, are found in South America. It can be found all over the continent, including large parts of the Andes mountains, the Venezuelan coastal range, and the famous flat Tepuis range. They are the most common of hummingbirds and are often seen.
They are also famously territorial and vocal, which often leads to scenes like the one in the photo, two of them facing off with one another in a fight to settle differences.
All Aboard The Polar Express
The Polar Express is a 1985 children’s book that was made into a 2004 computer-generated film with Tom Hanks in the starring role. The film gained favorable reviews and, in 2006, was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first all-digital captured film. It also grossed $314 million in sales.
There’s nothing digital about this image, though, as this train snakes its way through the snow-covered Canadian Rockies. It looks amazingly like the train in the movie.
The House In The Cliffs
We’ve already experienced Newfoundland with Iceberg Lane. But there are other amazing things about this place, and one of them is this magnificent house set on the cliffs in the neighborhood of Quidi Vidi. There are a few questions about this house, though. For starters, how does one get to this place?
There are options, of course, including by helicopter and by boat; although these aren’t the easiest options, they will still sound pretty impressive to guests coming to visit.
How You Doin’
Cats, dogs, birds, and even alligators. These are just some of the animals that people keep as pets. But if there is one that isn’t a pet but should be, it’s most likely a squirrel. Just check out the guy in the picture, looking adorable just chilling against that wall.
But can one be tamed into a pet? Yes, according to animalremover.com. The website suggests having patience and waiting for the animal to become comfortable. This could take time, though.
Sharing In Sorrow
Penguins are amazing creatures who can stir a lot of emotions, and are more than is made of them in films like “Happy Feet” and “Madagascar.” Here we see two of them comforting one another as both have lost their partners. Researchers had been keeping an eye on them.
The two fairy penguins would come out at night to look at the lights in the distance and comfort one another. This shows that penguins are dedicated to their life partners.
She’s A Man Eater
Remember the film “Little Shop Of Horrors?” Well, this plant is the closest you’re ever going to get to Audrey II. This is an actual carnivorous plant called the Nepenthes truncata and is native to the Philippines. It doesn’t eat humans, although some interesting things have been found in them.
The most notable was a mouse carcass, which was photographed inside one of these plants at the Botanical Gardens in Lyon, France. It digested the flesh but not the bones.
Synchronized Slothing
The sloth is so named deliberately because, well, they are lazy little buggers. They move slowly and deliberately and can be as frustrating to look at as watching paint dry. Not this guy, though. He appears to be enjoying himself in this synchronized yoga-like pose with a human.
Sloths aren’t actually lazy, though. They have a slow metabolism which in fact, accommodates their diet of leaves, but their slow movement also keeps them safe from predators like hawks and cats.
Fish Grow So Big?
This is a photo of a nay-on 7-foot sturgeon snapped at Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. There are 27 different species of sturgeon, and most of them can grow between 7 feet and 12 feet long. This is most likely thanks to their link to the acipenseriformes fish from the early Jurassic period.
One of the largest ones ever recorded came in over 23 feet and weighed 3,463 pounds. This discovery was made in 1827 at a place called Volga Delta in Europe.
That’s One Tough Bison
Despite their size, bison are pretty unnasuoming animals. This is so true, that some people even call them buffalo, despite only being distantly related to that species. Other than unassuming, they are also renowned for their power, and for being tough as nails. This one proves the latter with this photo.
As it is photographed here, standing tough in temperatures 35 below zero at Yellowstone National Park. There are two kinds of bison, the Plains bison, and the wood bison.
Skin Deep
Believe it or not, but not all of the ivy you see growing against buildings is natural. In fact, most of it is just decorative and requires very little real plant care. It is, however, a simple thing that adds some coziness and a sense of homeliness as well.
Its evergreen nature makes you understand why it is popular. They are found in Europe, Africa, Macaronesia, and Asia and are also popular for attracting wildlife and covering up ugly walls.
I’m A Ninja
One of the best defenses in the animal kingdom is camouflage. Many animal species use this as a means to avoid predators. They do this by blending into their surrounding using their hyde color or, in some cases, they change color like chameleons or octopi. But what’s up with this cow?
It appears that he’s discovered the art of camouflage and is using it to hide from its biggest predator, humans. It didn’t work well since the photographer found the cow.
Where’s Tigger
Despite their nature of being vicious, tigers have been portrayed as playful and loving creatures in pop culture. Like Tigger in the “Winnie The Pooh” animated series, who is characterized as harmless, and playful, even a little idiotic in the show. But even so, tigers are anything but this.
In fact, according to one stat, more than 100 people are still killed annually by tigers, despite their dwindling numbers. But they do have their tender moments, like in the photo.
Free Like Willy
Orcas, or killer whales as they are known, gained worldwide fame thanks to the hit movie “Free Willy.” The movie starred an actually captive Orca named Keiko, and was shot using actual gestures and commands for Keiko to obey and act too. Eventually Keiko was also set free from captivity.
He became the first captive orca to be released from captivity in 2002, but one year later, he died of pneumonia in Norway. The one in this picture is okay.
Quite A Powerful Bird
It’s incredible to find a wild animal grazing around your yard, especially when it is as iconic as the bald eagle. While this one has an impressive wingspan and size, contrary to popular relief, though, it is not the largest eagle in the world. That honor goes to the martial eagle.
This sub-Saharan raptor has a wingspan of 8.5 feet and weighs in at an average of 14 pounds. The powerful bird can knock a human right off its feet.
Don’t Eat These Mushrooms
Despite being classified as inedible by experts, the Rhodotus palmatus mushroom is still red-listed (endangered) in many countries where it is found. It goes by many names, including the rosy vein camp, and wrinkled peach, and is known for having a red liquid seeping out of it in the wild.
It’s found in Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Its decline is down to a reduction in elm and ash wood, as well as the removal of park dead wood.
Are Those Snow Balls?
Looking like little fun snowballs on the snow field, these Arctic hares truly grabbed people with their adorable crouching. But don’t underestimate their ability to survive. They are designed to live in cold Arctic conditions, with a body equipped just for that.
They have shorter ears and limbs to keep the cold at bay and the heat in. Add to that a furry hyde and 20% body fat, and these little guys are truly built to win in extreme cold.
Not Your Average Cactus
In cartoons, cacti are portrayed with three fruit trunks: two on the side like arms and a middle one like a head. But cacti actually come in various shapes and sizes, including only one big fruit. Then, there is this humongous type of cactus found in Mexico.
This giant cactus, called the columnar cactus plant, can grow up to 49 feet high, and up to 16 of those feet are made up of a trunk. This one is in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Not Just Adorable
We’ve already established squirrels as adorable in this story, but they are also another thing… superheroes. Maybe we’re exaggerating, but the flying squirrel uses a pretty similar flying technique to another famous hero named after a completely different animal. Of course, Batman does sound better than Flying Squirrel Man!
These guys are also nocturnal, like the superhero, and can glide long distances by spreading their arms and opening up the skin between their limbs. They are found chiefly in Asia.
Power Suit
Some animals use their camouflage to hide. But others, like the atlas moth, use their camouflage to scare off their prey. Already huge with a wingspan of over 9 inches, it then has wings that resemble two cobras keeping watch over him.
These moths spend their adult lives looking for a mate. That adult life also only lasts a few days since they don’t have developed mouth parts and can’t eat, so they live on fat stores from their larval period.
Pest Control At Your Service
The house centipede is pretty scary looking, but it can also be good for pest control. This is because they feed on anything from cockroaches to termites, bedbugs, silverfish, ants, and even flies. In all fairness, any person should be glad they have one of these in their home.
They are not the largest creature in the world. They measure in at an average of 1 inch and have 15 pairs of legs on them. They are harmless to humans, though.
The Ice Man Cometh!
The last thing you want to see after a cold night is evidence that someone was trying to break in. It gets worse when you cannot explain what or how the evidence could possibly have gotten there. Like this ice outline looking like someone was standing in that corner.
No one can explain how this got where it is, but many have their theories. One commenter even suggested that this was a spirit who got frozen… in jest of course.
Spider Art
If there is only one beautiful thing about a spider, it’s the way they construct their webs. The amazing and intricate way it is spun into a net-like structure is breathtaking, and this frozen web just showcases it in all its perfection. But not all spiders spin these perfect webs.
Some just spin a mess in a corner, and others spin nothing at all. Like the Trapdoor spider, who burrows a hole, covers it, and pounces on prey passing by.
Kayaking With Wolves (Of The Sea)
Orcas are called the wolves of the ocean because they live and hunt in packs, just like land wolves. Some people even perceived this as a negative aspect of Orcas, and their reputation has been tarnished because of this, something that was turned positive due to the “Free Willy” films.
They are still rather majestic animals, though, and there have been no record incidents of them attacking humans in the wild. This is, of course, only if they are unprovoked.
Like You’ve Never Seen Them Before
This is not CGI; it’s magical photography. This photo is of a fly underneath a Tiger Beetle and was taken using a technique called photomicrograph. This is where the photographer takes the picture through a microscope or magnifying device. To add layers and more detail the photographer also uses a technique called image stacking.
This photo actually earned a tenth-place finish at the 2022 Photomicrography Competition. We can only imagine how breathtaking the other images in the competition must’ve been.
Save Me, Mommy And Daddy
There is nothing more a parent wants for their child than to keep them safe from harm. It’s no different in the animal kingdom, where parents put themselves in harm’s way to protect their young from the dangers of the world, whether environmental or predatory.
This family of birds proves this like no other. The mother bird appears to have saved the little one from falling to its doom, but the daddy bird is also helping by holding the baby up.
One Day I’m Going To Be Bigger Than You
It’s amazing how something so small can become a humongous animal. This baby hippopotamus is barely ankle height to the person standing by it, but when it’s fully grown, it’ll be bigger than an SUV. It will also weigh in excess of 3,310 pounds if it’s a male.
Hippos are renowned for their barrel-shaped bodies and trunk-like legs. Despite their massive size and awkward build, they can reach speeds up to 19 miles per hour. This is only for short distances, though.
The World Is Watching You
Being called the eye of the earth is lost on no one. It looks like an eye and therefore it should be identified as one. But there is more to it than just this visual similarity. This body of water also serves as the source of the Cetina River.
This is found inside the Mount Dinara Nature Park in Croatia. There is no exact measurement for the depth of the eye, but it is rumored go down as deep as 300 feet.
Happy Hallow… We Mean Christmas
Have you heard of Jack-O’-Lantern? The pumpkin with a face carved into it, famously used on Halloween as a spooky decoration to scare people’s pants off? But this pumpkin carving is not scary at all. In fact, it isn’t suited to Halloween and, instead, is more of a Christmas decoration.
This is an incredible carving. There have been strange phenomena where Jesus’s face has ended up on slices of toast, a pancake, A cheese pizza, and a Marmite jar lid.
Falling For You
Niagara falls is a landmark that is a must-see for anyone visiting the town with the same name in Ontario, Canada. The falls are one of the most spectacular anyone will ever witness, and the height of that spray plume is a testament to this visual brilliance.
These are a group of three waterfalls, with the largest of them being called Horseshoe Falls. This is the one in the picture and has 90% of the Niagara river flowing over it.
Ice Climber
Ice climber is a famous video game that appeared in an arcade machine version and for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Players control one of two characters in it as they scale ice mountains to salvage stolen vegetables. But what’s happening in the picture is not a video game.
This is a person climbing the frozen waterfall called The Fang. In very cold winters, this American waterfall freezes into a 164-foot high 26-foot wide column. Climbing it is challenging for adventurers.
Crafty Old Tribes
These days, everything is manufactured, and people don’t even have to travel far to get what they need for their interests. Now you even just go to your computer to order a pair of snow goggles. But back in the day, inuits had to get pretty crafty for goggles.
They actually cut slits into ivory to serve as eye holes in their snow goggles. They left just enough space to see through, but not enough to allow any snow in.
Peekaboo
Bats are feared due to their links to vampires and because their bites can carry disease. But they are also adorable; just don’t tell Bruce Wayne we said this. This is a black flying fox or, the black fruit bat. This is one of the largest species in the world.
They are native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia and, contrary to belief, only rarely roost in caves. Instead, they choose mangroves, swamps, patches of rainforest, and bamboo forests.
Expert Timing
One cannot do a story like this without commending the skills of the photographer who takes these fantastic photos. Despite becoming more accessible since the advent of digital cameras and smartphones, it still requires a fair amount of skill to get a great shot.
Most of this is down to timing and photographic instinct, something that is built over the years. This photo has both of those in abundance, as this bald eagle is caught at the right angle and time.
I Am A Frog
Unlike most frogs, this guy isn’t known for hopping around. Instead, as a blunt-headed burrowing frog, it spends most of its time underground waiting for the rain. Oh… it is also renowned for being able to inflate its body so that it looks large and intimidating to animals who prey on it.
Also known as the balloon frog, it is commonly found in the tropical or sub-tropical dry forest or moist lowland forests in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Between A Rock And… Another Rock
The world is filled with amazing rock formations like the Moeraki Boulders in New Zealand or the Gibson Steps in Australia. One of these is the Al Naslaa rock formation, south of Tayma oasis in Saudi Arabia. This literally looks like it was split down the middle consciously, with a laser.
It comes complete with ancient petroglyphs etched into it, and both halves are balanced perfectly on a stone pedestal. This formation is 19.6 feet high and 29.5 feet wide.