Photo of the Day
Hot air balloons float over the landscape
June 10, 2011
Balloon Flight, Bagan
This Month in Photo of the Day: Traveler Contest Images Floating over the 2,300 temples at dawn in Bagan, Myanmar, at Christmas, 2010 (This photo and caption were submitted to the 2011 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest.) Have photos of your own travels you would like to submit? Enter today! See our editors' picks » Vote for your favorites » Browse all entries » Submit your photos »
Go Further
Animals
- Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas islandNearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
- Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseasesSelfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
- Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversyMonkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
- A black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered speciesA black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered species
- Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?
- The world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save itThe world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save it
- Lasers, cannons, effigies: The surprising science of shooing vultures awayLasers, cannons, effigies: The surprising science of shooing vultures away
- Echolocation is nature’s built-in sonar. Here’s how it works.Echolocation is nature’s built-in sonar. Here’s how it works.
- How the world’s largest rhino population dropped by 70 percent—in a decadeHow the world’s largest rhino population dropped by 70 percent—in a decade
- Pets are helping us cope during the pandemic—but that may be stressing them outPets are helping us cope during the pandemic—but that may be stressing them out
- New chameleon species may be world’s smallest reptileNew chameleon species may be world’s smallest reptile
Environment
- Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat wavesSame force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
- This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humansThis in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
- These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals tooThese widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
- Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at riskOil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
- The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
- This single number could reshape our climate futureThis single number could reshape our climate future
- The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.The U.S. commits to tripling its protected lands. Here’s how it could be done.
- These 6 numbers define the climate challenge in a changing U.S.These 6 numbers define the climate challenge in a changing U.S.
- Sacred Native American land to be traded to a foreign mining giantSacred Native American land to be traded to a foreign mining giant
- Biden expected to reverse Trump’s order to shrink Utah national monumentsBiden expected to reverse Trump’s order to shrink Utah national monuments
History & Culture
- How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
- Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
- 3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
- How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythologyHow ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology
- This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and PortugalThis ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
- Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
- Old-fashioned images evoke the complicated history of Black military serviceOld-fashioned images evoke the complicated history of Black military service
- This ruthless African king knew Rome was for sale. He bought itThis ruthless African king knew Rome was for sale. He bought it
- What's next for these transgender asylum seekers stranded in Mexico?What's next for these transgender asylum seekers stranded in Mexico?
- Trouble lurks for Afghanistan’s beloved ‘goat grabbing’ national sportTrouble lurks for Afghanistan’s beloved ‘goat grabbing’ national sport
- The origins of the filibuster—and how it came to exasperate the U.S. SenateThe origins of the filibuster—and how it came to exasperate the U.S. Senate
Science
- The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 testThe eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
- WHO approves AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine for emergency use globallyWHO approves AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine for emergency use globally
- Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
- Science
- Mars
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars - Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing
- Science
- Mars
Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing - Million-year-old mammoth teeth yield world's oldest DNAMillion-year-old mammoth teeth yield world's oldest DNA
- How these feuding map-makers shaped our fascination with Mars
- Science
- Mars
How these feuding map-makers shaped our fascination with Mars - Earth’s mountains may have mysteriously stopped growing for a billion yearsEarth’s mountains may have mysteriously stopped growing for a billion years
- After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?As more people are fully vaccinated, certain activities will become less risky, but experts still recommend holding on to precautions for the near future.
- Mount Everest is more than two feet taller, China and Nepal announceMount Everest is more than two feet taller, China and Nepal announce
Travel
- The legendary community that fought for its freedom in JamaicaThe legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
- Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artistsWhy this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
- Families are leading a new wave for Black travelersFamilies are leading a new wave for Black travelers
- Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s howWinter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
- As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeysAs Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys
- Want dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a droneWant dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a drone
- These World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregationThese World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregation
- Stereotypes have fueled a tourism boom in Europe’s icy North. Can things change?Stereotypes have fueled a tourism boom in Europe’s icy North. Can things change?
- The next great whiskey trail is not where you think it isThe next great whiskey trail is not where you think it is
- Parisians want to recover a legendary river now buried under concreteParisians want to recover a legendary river now buried under concrete
- Singapore’s iconic, but endangered, street food now has UNESCO statusSingapore’s iconic, but endangered, street food now has UNESCO status