National Geographic

While biking through White River National Forest near Colorado’s Maroon Bells, Xuebing Du was drawn to the white trunks and golden leaves of an aspen grove at the height of its autumn color. Sunlight filtering through the canopy illuminated the trees as wind moved through the leaves, continually shifting the light and shadows. Rather than photographing the grandeur of the surrounding landscape, Du focused on the intimate experience of being immersed among the trees, where “everything seemed to glow in gold.”

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Secrets of the Bees

National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory explores the extraordinary lives of bees, which are among the planet’s most important animals. Over three years, special cameras opened a rare window into a single hive, revealing its hidden world. With more than 20,000 bee species pollinating one-third of the world’s food, this series uncovers their astonishing architecture and intelligence, unlocking their secrets.

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