Ice sculptures in Banff National Park, Alberta – Photo by Stacy Conaway

Of course there are some REAL winter junkies out there – and though you’re probably outnumbered by sun-loving snowbirds who migrate (at least in their dreams) to more southerly latitudes as the days get shorter, you know there’s little that can compare to the awesome sparkling splendor of a snowy landscape, urban or rural. Whether it’s the glitz and nostalgia of the holiday season, or the pristine cleanness of the crisp air and a soft blanket of snow, there’s a certain subtle magic that no other time of year can offer.

So here’s to lovers of winter; feast to your hearts’ content on snowy snapshots and festive photography from places in the world where folks know how to do winter up just right.

National Geographic: In Praise of Winter

Prestvannet Lake, Norway – Photo by Einar Nilsen
You’ve got to take winter seriously when it brings darkness much of the year, as it does in Norway. Be sure to see the gallery of Scandinavia photos.

Yes, another swan. Thanks to Alex Saberi on NatGeo’s Visions of Earth.

This one comes from a 1987 edition of National Geographic courtesy of Jim Brandenburg.

“The freezer may look bare but an arctic wolf knows a tasty fish might be within reach in the shallows off Canada’s Ellesmere Island. Barren and severe, the region is nearly devoid of human activity, so the animals show little fear of people.”

2011 Traveler Photo Contest

Below: Reflections in the water.

From National Geographic’s Weekly Wrapper.

National Geographic.

National Geographic: Simply Beautiful Photographs

The winners of this year’s National Geographic photography contest have been announced and, as usual, the selection is outstanding.

The submissions are divided into three groups – People, Places, and Nature (including the wildlife, my favorite). I can’t imagine having to judge from among them.

See them all and pick your favorites…
2010 National Geographic Photo Contest

Host, Prof. Iain Stewart

Yet again, National Geographic has come out with another winner. I love this series (although of course it doesn’t need my promotion)! I give it five-stars as one of the best all-around documentaries I’ve seen.

Originally released by the BBC, and presented by a very engaging and accomplished host – Scottish scientist Iain Stewart – the series showcases some stunning cinematography from all over the globe (a real plus for nature lovers) and some top-of-the-line CGI graphics.

But what fascinated me the most about this series, and Stewart’s research, is the approach of connecting human history directly with earth science. These days it’s becoming common knowledge to associate modern human activity with climate change; but he presents the geology and pivotal historical events – both globally and regionally – as a deeply intertwined continuum. Watching these episodes makes you wonder, “Why didn’t anybody think of it that way before?”

The series covers a lot of the better-known examples – such as how the over-exploitation of resources contributed to the Mayan collapse, and how the volcanic eruption at Santorini ended the Minoan civilization and ushered in the end of the Bronze Age. But some lesser-known connections are also addressed, and some astounding facts that I’d never heard before. Did you know that so much of the world’s fresh water has been dammed and contained within the industrialized nations in the Northern Hemisphere, that the displaced weight of it has slightly altered the earth’s axis?

The science of the series is concrete enough that he can talk about our climate problems in broad context, without the political overtones. He’s quite clear on the score that humans (notwithstanding our fossil-fuel guzzling and resource polluting) are not about to destroy an earth that’s already been pulverized by space impacts, encased in ice, etc., just because the planet’s temperature rises 5 degrees. It’s not really the earth being threatened, it’s us – because we’ve reached a tipping point in our capacity to influence our environment, beyond what our modern civilization can adapt to.

That’s what makes a careful look at the cause-and-effect relationship between human actions and the natural world so relevant to us today. The issue goes so far beyond the smaller issues like saving individual species, or finding more efficient fuel sources; we have to get a handle on how we fit into the whole “planetary picture,” and how our presence has contributed to ongoing changes within an already dynamic environment.

Above: Still shot from a segment showing renewable infrastructure at its best – a living bridge made from rubber trees in Cherrapunjee, India.

This is the daunting task that the series tackles – but it rises to the challenge brilliantly. It’s a rare thing for a body of research to have such an integrated approach to exploring this interconnectedness on a historical level, not to mention with such an impressive presentation. It’s extremely well-researched without being overly academic. And the top-of-the-line nature photography has it coming out way ahead in terms of entertainment value.

If you like this one, you’d enjoy the earlier release Earth: The Biography which carries the same themes minus the historical bit. It centers on the development of the earth in terms of the whole solar system – more in the category of astronomy and physics.

As an appetizer, check out both companion sites on National Geographic. Thumbs up for wonderful photo galleries and a lot of good reading.

National Geographic: How the Earth Changed History

Earth: The Biography (series)

A similar production by National Geographic, America Before Columbus, contrasts the natural world & human footprints of the Old and New Worlds, with a comprehensive view of the Columbian Exchange.

From National Geographic. “Salmon? Who needs salmon?”

It’s that time of year again for passing around the best shots of nature’s most spectacular fall fireworks. Here are a few choice picks from National Geographic.

NatGeo Gallery – Fall Colors

…and a collection dedicated to fall scenes from across the US.
NatGeo Photo Gallery: Autumn in the United States

Above: Natagiri Pass in Japan, and maples in North Carolina.

Black-headed gull – photo from National Geographic. What gorgeous white feathers!

I love this collection of galleries – examples of all kinds of patterns in the natural world. I don’t know which ones to recommend most, they’re all brilliant – even the microscopic diatoms are amazing.

A beautiful shot of a minke whale from NatGeo’s “Photo of the Day” gallery.