Photos | Smithsonian.com

Photo of the Week: Theyyam Temple Performance

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:31:43 GMT

Photo contest contestant Joshi Daniel captured this shot in Kannur, Kerala, India

Travel Photo of the Week: Guardian of Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:23:52 GMT

Photo contest contestant Jarrod Castaing of Sydney, Australia snapped this shot among the ruins of this ancient temple complex

A Snowball Fight in the West Bank

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:51:20 GMT

For the first time in their lifetimes, these teenagers got to enjoy the thrill of a fresh layer of snow

Photo Interactive: The Civil War, Now in Living Color

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:29:15 GMT

How one author adds actual blues and grays to historic photographs

Photo of the Week: Eclipsed Sunset

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:48:30 GMT

Photo contest contestant Colleen Pinski captured an onlooker witnessing the annular solar eclipse as the sun sets on May 20, 2012

New Orleans

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:54:46 GMT

New Orleans

Photo of the Week: Girl Meets Whale

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:30:34 GMT

Photo contest contestant Andrey Antov captured his daughter sharing a moment with a beluga whale

Lost and Found Again: Photos of African-Americans on the Plains

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Douglas Keister has spent the past four decades traveling the country to photograph subjects as varied as architecture, folk art and cemeteries. Over the years, as he moved from his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, to several different cities in California, he carted around a heavy box of 280 antique glass-plate negatives that he’d bought when he was 17 from a friend who’d found them at a garage sale. “I thought, ‘Why the heck am I keeping these things?’” he says. Then, in 1999, Keister’s mother sent him an article she’d seen in the Lincoln Journal Star saying historians in Lincoln had unearthed a few dozen glass negatives that featured portra

Photo of the Week: A Quick Nap, Myanmar

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:13:11 GMT

A beautiful image by photo contest contestant Kyaw Zaw Lay captures a sleepy young monk

Photo of the Week: Adelie Penguins Take the Plunge

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:31:36 GMT

Photo contest contestant Lois Summers captured these penguins mid-dive off the Antarctic Peninsula

Photo of the Week: Star Trails Over Coronado Heights

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:40:37 GMT

This beautiful long exposure by photo contest contestant Mike Beauchamp captures the night sky as it circles around Polaris, the North Star

Our 10 Most Popular Videos of 2012

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:11:30 GMT

Giant snakes, lost footage, secret histories and more in this wrapup of our most watched videos of the year

PHOTOS: Getting Ready for the World’s Largest Radio Telescope

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMT

In Chile’s Atacama Desert, astronomers are preparing for a new array that will stretch across 10 miles

Photos of the World’s Oldest Living Things

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Among the organisms documented by photographer Rachel Sussman are 80,000-year-old aspen trees and 600,000-year-old bacteria

These Beautiful Blurs Are Nude Portraits

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:43:00 GMT

Nude #1, 2012. Courtesy of Shinichi Maruyama New York–based photographer Shinichi Maruyama has a knack for capturing motion on film. His Water Sculpture series completed in 2009, for example, seems to turn dripping, splashing liquid into glass sculpture. But his most recent collection, Nude, has been getting some attention for an entirely different reason. Nude #2, 2012. Courtesy of Shinichi Maruyama In a magnificent blur of flesh and beige swirls, his nude subject becomes the opposite of a sculpture: motion embodied. By piecing together uninterrupted individual moments as a series of composite images and then putting them together to form one shot, the artist says, “the

Photos: A Last Look at Fall

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:22:48 GMT

Before the weather turns cold, take one last walk in the woods with these beautiful autumn photos submitted by our readers

Karen Cusolito Lights Her Artwork on Fire

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Meet the artist who burns her creations to amazing effect

The Best Wildlife Photographs of the Year

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 05:46:05 GMT

Over 48,000 photos were entered in the Veolia Environnement contest; these 10 were among the most stunning

The Scariest Monsters of the Deep Sea

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 02:00:00 GMT

We took the spook-tacular celebration to the depths of the ocean, where some of the craziest—and scariest—looking creatures lurk in the dark.

Rare and Intimate Photos of a Gorilla Family in the Wild

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:30:00 GMT

Butterfly season came suddenly to the Dzanga-Sangha reserve, a dense rainforest in the Central African Republic. Furious storms of butterflies filled the air, and their frail brown forms carpeted the earth. They swarmed over Fiona Rogers and Anup Shah and also seemed to pester the gorilla family that the photographers were following. The harassed apes bashed away at the insects and clamped their mouths shut so none would fly in. Except, that is, for the family’s dominant female, Malui. She plowed straight through one drove of butterflies resting in the bais, as the swampy meadows in the forest are known. Seeming to relish the rush of wings, she paused to let the butterflies envelop

PHOTOS: The Distressing Worldwide Boom in Cosmetic Surgery

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Photographer Zed Nelson traveled the world documenting how body improvement has practically become a new religion

Amazing Underwater Photos of Ocean Creatures

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 05:22:04 GMT

Check out these incredible images by photojournalist Brian Skerry, and help select which photographs will appear in an upcoming exhibit

PHOTOS: What Happens When a Rebel Turns Graffiti Art Upside Down

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Artist Evan Roth's award-winning work puts the action in interaction

PHOTOS: The Best and Weirdest Roadside Dinosaurs

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:14:37 GMT

The concrete and plastic dinosaurs beside America's highways can be strange and beautiful. Tell us which one you think is the best

Animal Brains, More Beautiful Than You Could Ever Imagine

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:25:20 GMT

More than just eye candy, these images are teaching scientists new insights into how the brain is organized

How Posters Helped Shape America and Change the World

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:05:27 GMT

One enthusiast's collection, on exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California, offers a sweeping look at grass-roots movements since the 1960s

Incredible Photos of the Artist Who Makes Himself Invisible

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Look closely at these photographs. Shut down by the Chinese government, Liu Bolin has mastered the art of disappearing

Chickens Dressed Like Napoleon, Einstein and Other Historical Figures

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

They came, they clucked and they conquered. Get the story behind these absurd portraits and how they came to be

Winners of Nature's Best Photography

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:44:21 GMT

Through January 2013, the Natural History Museum is home to stunning photographs of wildlife around the world

Photos: Your Favorite Summer Olympian

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 03:08:20 GMT

Recall the athletes who capture our imaginations every four years and let us know who is your favorite

Announcing the Winners of Our 9th Annual Photo Contest

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Our editors pored over more than 67,000 photographs, each one a postcard from a unique time and place

Celebrating Motherhood in Pictures

Fri, 11 May 2012 02:56:51 GMT

Here are some of our favorite photos recognizing moms of all kinds submitted by readers over the last nine years

Our Most Popular Videos of All Time

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:28:01 GMT

From the real-life version of "Bones" to a very smart octopus, these fantastic videos capture the best of wildlife, history and travel

Photo of the Week: A Tiger of a Festival!

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 02:55:46 GMT

Photographer Indranil Sengupta snapped this photo at a Puli Kali procession during the annual Onam festival in Kerala, India

9th Annual Contest Finalists Announced!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:09:39 GMT

Check out the 50 shots our editors named finalists in our 9th Annual Photo Contest

The New Stars of Photography

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Thirteen renowned photographers introduce up-and-coming artists whose work break new ground

Shooting Stars: William Coupon presents Delphine Diaw Diallo

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Diallo's photos combine pop culture and African roots with an American vernacular

Shooting Stars: David Burnett presents Sirio Magnabosco

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

According to the acclaimed photojournalist, Magnabosco’s work reminds you why you liked photography in the first place

Shooting Stars: Donna Ferrato presents Tomeu Coll

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The young photographer makes far-flung expeditions to capture life at the outer reaches of the world

Shooting Stars: Martin Parr presents Robin Maddock

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Maddock’s views and snatches of life are both surreal and individual

Shooting Stars: Mary Ellen Mark presents José Antonio Martínez

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

At first just an amateur, Martinez devoted his life to mastering the art of photography

Ten Extremely Rare Seeds on the Brink of Extinction

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:22:42 GMT

The Millennium Seed Bank has set out to collect 25 percent of the world's plant species by 2020—before it is too late

Shooting Stars: Joel Meyerowitz presents Jonathan Smith

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The landscape work of Jonathan Smith embraces the art of photographic masters of the past

The Evolution of the Homepage

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:40:46 GMT

Using the WayBack Machine, we looked back at how the homepage has changed since the early days of the Internet

Shooting Stars: Sylvia Plachy presents Pilar Belmonte

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Belmonte found her personal voice as a photographer during a time of family crisis

Photo of the Week: Deep Freeze, Lake Michigan

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 03:46:00 GMT

An editors' pick from our ongoing 10th annual photo contest

Five Men Who Hated (or Loved) the Number 13

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:27:13 GMT

On this Friday the 13th, read about these famous people from history who had a close connection to the supposedly unlucky number

The Top 10 Biggest Sports #Fails of All Time

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:27:41 GMT

For athletes on the world stage, nothing is worse than choking under pressure. Here are the 10 most memorable transgressors

Shooting Stars: Bruce Weber presents Jeremy Everett

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The famed fashion photographer shares one artist’s work with the world

Shooting Stars: Cindy Sherman presents Lisa K. Blatt

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

There is a simple majestic beauty to Blatt’s nature photography, says the heralded portraitist

Shooting Stars: Reza presents Farzana Wahidy

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The 27-year-old photographer is telling the story of her native Afghanistan from the inside

The 11 Things You Didn’t Know About Wheaties

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:49:47 GMT

Wheaties has been around for nearly 90 years, but when did they start putting athletes on the cover?

Shooting Stars: Albert Watson presents Keith Coleman

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Coleman’s photographs unveil the fruits that come from being obsessed with one’s work

Shooting Stars: Steve Winter presents Chris Linder

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Linder’s science photography is a throwback to the age of expeditions and adventure

How Well Do You Know Your Vice Presidents?

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:58:55 GMT

Test yourself on our quiz of the famous, infamous and not-so-famous least powerful men in the country

Shooting Stars: Eli Reed presents Tamir Ben Kalifa

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The youngest of our featured photographers at 22 years old, Kalifa is a documentarian on the rise

What You See When You Turn a Fish Inside Out

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:13 GMT

Scientists use X-rays to classify different species, but when viewed outside the lab, the images provide stunning art

Top Ten Demonstrations of Love

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:34:33 GMT

The inventor, the celebrity and the royal highness couldn’t resist the draw of making a grand gesture to the love of their life

Nine Ways to Lure a Lover, Orchid-Style

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Beauty, mystery and deceit—the Smithsonian's collection of nearly 8,000 live orchids has it all

Wild Things: Yeti Crabs, Guppies and Ravens

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Tree killers and the first beds ever round up this month in wildlife news

The Best Visuals from Smithsonian and the Web

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:09:00 GMT

Explore stunning videos, photos and interactive features on our Tumblr

Photos: The Scariest Santas You'll Ever See

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:34:13 GMT

Browse our selected illustrations of some of the strangest and creepiest Santa Clauses ever put down on paper and then vote for your favorite

When the Country's Founding Father is Your Founding Father

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:42:16 GMT

The descendants of American presidents are the athletic trainers, lawyers, salesmen and executives of everyday life

Annie Leibovitz's American Pilgrimage

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMT

In a new book and exhibition, the esteemed photographer pursues a passion for history and lets us see familiar icons in a fresh light

Wild Things: Killer Whales, Spiders and Woodpeckers

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Yellow saddle goatfish, mastodon ribs and more in this month’s summary of wildlife news

Six Sacred Sites of Hawaii

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:00:10 GMT

Take a tour of the idyllic sites across the many islands where native Hawaiians have longstanding spiritual connections

The Making of Mount Rushmore

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:56:50 GMT

The 70th anniversary of the completion of the South Dakota monument prompts a look back at what it took to create it

Wild Things: Piranhas, Nazca Boobies, Glowing Millipedes

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Elephant Seals, Neanderthal evolution and more news from the world of science

Vivian Maier: The Unheralded Street Photographer

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Brian Levant’s mother, brother and sister were waiting to give him a ride home from the skating rink one day in the early 1960s when the neighbors’ nanny appeared. “I was coming toward the car,” Levant recalls, “and she just stuck the lens in there in the window and took a picture.” Residents of the Chicago suburb of Highland Park had gotten used to the nanny doing that, along with her French accent, her penchant for wearing men’s coats and boots, and the look and gait that led children to call her “bird lady.” Her real name was Vivian Maier, and she wore a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera around her neck, more body part than accesso

The Spookiest Photos Submitted By Our Readers

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:51:33 GMT

Abandoned mansions, ghostly twins and murders of crows are just a few of the scariest entries from past photo contests

Wild Things: Feathered dinosaurs, king crabs and spotted hyenas

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Traveling snails, brainwashed rats and more updates from the world of wildlife

The Pilgrims Before Plymouth

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT

A tour of the Dutch city of Leiden yields new insights into a chapter of the Thanksgiving story not taught in schools

Before Steve Jobs: 5 Corporate Innovators who Shaped Our World

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:08:33 GMT

The former head of Apple comes from a long line of American innovators who changed society

North America’s Most Endangered Animals

Fri, 20 May 2011 03:36:09 GMT

Snails, marmots, condors and coral reef are among the many species on the continent that are close to extinction

Agatha Christie on the Big and Small Screen

Tue, 17 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Even though Dame Agatha may not have enjoyed adaptations of her mysteries, audiences have been loving them for decades

Dazzling Photographs of Earth From Above

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:57:11 GMT

Satellite images of mountains, glaciers, deserts and other landscapes become incredible works of art

A New Look at the Men of Baseball’s Past

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:58:43 GMT

Charles Conlon’s classic photographs of baseball players from the early 20th century offer a glimpse into a familiar sport at an otherworldly time

Ten Unforgettable Web Memes

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:10:34 GMT

Cats and failures highlight this list of the memes that have gone mainstream. Which ones did we miss?

Wild Things: Wildcats, Pigeons and More...

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Sea monster mamas, bat signals and opossum versus viper

Marvels of the Mughals

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:00:00 GMT

You have traveled all the way to see the Taj Mahal—now what? Fortunately, the city of Agra is dotted with spellbinding architecture

Wild Things: Wildcats, Pigeons and More...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Cleaner wrasse fish, black widow spiders and even bananas made the news recently as part of the latest wildlife research

Wild Things: Tarantulas, Jellyfish and More...

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Hummingbirds, attacking bears, ancient hominids and other news updates in wildlife research

Dazzling Displays: 8th Annual Photo Contest Winners

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:00:00 GMT

When a troupe of Indonesian dancers came to Bhopal, India, to perform a balletic adaptation of the Ramayana—the ancient Hindu epic detailing the worldly exploits of the hero Rama, freelance photojournalist Prakash Hatvalne, 54, was ready. “I reached the venue a little early,” he recalls. “As I went into the greenroom and was talking to the [dancers], I saw some of them making final touches to their makeup and costumes.” While one checked herself out in a mirror and another adjusted her eyelashes, Hatvalne pressed the shutter on his Nikon D50 digital camera. Smithsonian judges selected the resulting image as the grand-prize-winning photograph in our 8th annual

Wild Things: Yawning Chimps, Humpback Whales and More...

Tue, 17 May 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Leaping beetles, Pacific salmon, prehistoric mammals and other news updates in wildlife research

Photos: The Best Facial Hair in the Civil War

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:21:41 GMT

Browse through these portraits of officers with great facial hair and then vote for your favorite

Wild Things: Spider Monkeys, Fire Ants, Hagfish and More...

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Dinosaur "thunder thighs" and fast-flying moths

Wild Things: Mongooses, Bladderworts and More...

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Fairy-wrens, wasps, and a nearly 3,000 year old big toe

Wild Things: Giant Pandas, an Ancient Ibis and More...

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Panda-friendly forests, one bizarre bird and foxes on junk food

Wild Things: Great Whites, Tree Snakes, Drongos and More

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:00:00 GMT

These animals redefine life as we know it

Women Spies of the Civil War

Mon, 09 May 2011 05:01:03 GMT

Hundreds of women served as spies during the Civil War. Here’s a look at six who risked their lives in daring and unexpected ways

The World's Worst Invasive Mammals

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Animals as common as goats, deer, rabbits or mice can have a devastating effect on other wildlife

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Flamingos, T. rex Tails, Burmese monkeys and more...

The Destruction of Charleston in the Civil War

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:47:01 GMT

Photographs from the 1860s reveal how Union bombardment and a blazing fire devastated much of the South Carolina city

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Drought crises, Florida panthers, humpback whales and more...

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Caterpillars, Bonobos, European Songbirds and More...

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Caterpillars, Frogs, Big Birds and More...

Weird Creatures From the Deep

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 05:50:26 GMT

A massive census of the oceans has turned up a trove of strange marine wildlife, from jellyfish to octopuses to anemones

Famous Animal Gravesites Around the World

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:49:18 GMT

It's not just Kentucky Derby winners that are buried with great honor

Shanghai’s European Suburbs

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:15:11 GMT

Chinese urban planners are building new towns with a foreign flair, each mimicking architecture from Europe’s storied cities

Air Pollution as Seen From the Skies

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:40:27 GMT

From Mt. Etna to China to the Sahara, these striking satellite images of air pollution are from both natural and man-made causes

Legends of the Apollo

Mon, 10 May 2010 09:53:01 GMT

For more than 75 years, some of the world’s greatest entertainers have performed at the famous Harlem theater

Five Species Likely to Become Extinct in the Next 40 Years

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Experts estimate that one-eighth of all bird species, one-fifth of mammal species and one-third of amphibian species are at risk

Extreme Jellyfish

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:09:10 GMT

There are some 2,000 species of jellyfish. Some are tasty, others will kill you with the tap of a tentacle. Here are nine varieties that really stand out

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Cobras, sharks, lemurs, hermit crabs and more...

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Thu, 20 May 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Hummingbirds, birch trees, queen bees, northern quolls and more...

Rick Steves' Europe: Venice, Italy

Tue, 04 May 2010 09:40:51 GMT

Piazza San Marco—the storied square punctuated by its 11th century basilica, looming bell tower and flocks of pigeons—endures as an awe-inspiring portal to the city’s many splendors

Rick Steves’ Europe: Rue Cler, Paris, France

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

The “best little street in Paris” offers tasty cheese, delectable pastries, vegetable stalls and old-fashioned merchants as an irresistible slice of authentic neighborhood life

Rick Steves' Europe: Rome, Italy

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

An after-dark walk takes in the Eternal City’s most famous fountains, grand palaces, a soaring temple, candlelit outdoor cafes and street musicians

Rick Steves' Europe: Prague, Czech Republic

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

The city's historic core is an exquisitely preserved showcase of Czech culture, including Art Nouveau architecture and some of the best beer in Europe

Rick Steves' Europe: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

A decade and a half after an ethnic war, Bosnia and Herzegovina's most inviting city is re-emerging as a tourist destination

Rick Steves' Europe: Medieval Castles

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

Ancient fortresses offer glimpses of medieval brutality and 19th-century Romanticism

Rick Steves' Europe: Istanbul, Turkey

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

A bustling modern metropolis, the Turkish city also reminds travelers that the charm of traditional cultures is still something to value

Wild Things: Life as We Know It

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Running elephants, far-flying mosquitos, ancient crocodiles and more...

Rick Steves' Europe: Tallinn, Estonia

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

Dominated by the Soviets for 50 years, the Estonian capital boasts medieval architecture and signature chic that attracts travelers drawn by Old World character

Rick Steves' Europe: Hydra, Greece

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

For those willing to follow the uphill lanes, this Greek island offers tradition, magnificent views of the harbor and a relaxing vacation spot

Rick Steves' Europe: Hallstatt, Austria

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

When Austrians want to enjoy the great outdoors, they head for a region of forested slopes, beckoning trails—and great fishing

Rick Steves' Europe: Gimmelwald, Switzerland

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

On a mountainside above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, it's still possible to find Swiss traditions in a 700-year-old hamlet populated by contented cows and hospitable villagers

Rick Steves' Europe: Florence, Italy

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

In Florence, Michelangelo's masterpiece epitomizes the heroic power and surpassing artistry of the Renaissance

Rick Steves' Europe: Dingle, Ireland

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

On western Ireland's remote and rugged peninsula, traditional Irish culture thrives in a land where musicians converge on pubs and a whiff of peat scents the air

Rick Steves' Europe: Cotswold Villages, England

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

The storybook countryside of hedgerows, grazing sheep, thatched-roof cottages and stately homes harks back to the days of the medieval wool trade

Rick Steves' Europe: Cinque Terre, Italy

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

Italy's answer to the French Riviera offers swimming, hiking, romance and relaxation along the Mediterranean

Rick Steves' Europe: Bruges, Belgium

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

Belgium's exquisitely preserved medieval city is home to picturesque canals, gilded architecture, great beer and handcrafted chocolate

Rick Steves' Europe: Blackpool, England

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

Home to a giant amusement park, a vintage trolley and an old-time variety show, Blackpool is northwest England's glittering beach city

Rick Steves' Europe: Baden-Baden, Germany

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

The park-like city of Baden-Baden, nestled in the Black Forest, is renowned for its restorative spas and elegant casino

Rick Steves' Europe: Algarve, Portugal

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:47 GMT

On Portugal's south coast, The Algarve is home to both sun-seeking tourists and working fishermen with their colorful boats

Rick Steves' Europe: Aero, Denmark

Tue, 04 May 2010 10:50:48 GMT

On this small island on the south edge of Denmark, visitors wander down picturesque streets of thatched cottages and savor the coastal views

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Feathered dinosaurs, white-coated horses, giant redwoods and more...

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Pollinating crickets, the longest migration, puffed up toads and more...

Hollywood's Historic Buildings

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:56:21 GMT

Theaters and other architectural gems lined Hollywood's famous boulevards during its Golden Age and now hold restored star appeal

A Closer Look at Evolutionary Faces

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:16:28 GMT

John Gurche, a “paleo-artist,” has recreated strikingly realistic heads of our earliest human ancestors for a new exhibit

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Octopuses, Dinosaurs, Pandas and More...

Know Your Olympic Mascots

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT

From Waldi the dachshund to Mukmuk the marmot, test your memory of the the Olympic Games' colorful representatives

Top 13 U.S. Winter Olympians

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT

These athletes took home gold, but also stole our hearts. Choose your favorite winter Olympian in our poll

Ten Plants That Put Meat on Their Plates

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:00:00 GMT

In addition to the well-known Venus flytrap, many other plant species feed on bugs or crustaceans

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Vanishing dinosaurs, breeding birds, redback spiders and more

Highlights From the Warren Anatomical Museum

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:13:14 GMT

The collections inside this museum hold intriguing objects that tell the story of 19th century American medicine

From Close Up or Far Away, Amazing Volcano Photos

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:50:56 GMT

Geologist Bernhard Edmaier has been photographing the majestic beauty of active and dormant volcanoes for over 15 years

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Butterfly GPS, glowing mushrooms, bat-hunting songbirds and more

Ancient Pyramids Around the World

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:48:27 GMT

No matter if the civilization was Mesopotamian, Egyptian, or Mayan, its legacy today is in part marked by towering pyramids

Meet Sesame Street's Global Cast of Characters

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:45:02 GMT

Over the course of the 40 years that the program has been on the air, Sesame Street has spawned versions in countries around the world

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Geckos, tiny dinosaurs, cave man couture, and more

Flying With America's Most Famous Female Aviators

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:04:14 GMT

Dozens of talented women preceded Amelia Earhart, and thousands have followed, and each has her own groundbreaking story to tell

The Country's Most Dangerous Beetles

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Invasive beetles of various colors and sizes have infiltrated U.S. forests, despite efforts by government experts

Real Places Behind Famously Frightening Stories

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:49:41 GMT

Discover old haunts that inspired thrills and chills in fiction and film

Photographer Robert Morrison’s Montana

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:22:57 GMT

The artist’s eye for the off-kilter and unusual offers a distinctive portrait of the West at the turn of the 20th century

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Toucans, Orchids, Monkeys and more

A Collection of Baseball Firsts

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Who hit the first grand slam? Who was the first pinch hitter? Presenting the nine players of Smithsonian’s "They Did It First" All-Star Team

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Hungry snakes, giant kangaroos, bat noses, and more

Sheep, Chicks and Geese Scurry at the County Fair

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:19:08 GMT

As photographer Dan Nelken has catalogued, the county fair is the place for family farms to showcase their prized livestock

Decorating the White House with Smithsonian Art

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:37:55 GMT

Continuing a Washington tradition, the Obamas selected artwork from the Smithsonian collections to hang in their historic home

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Dog faces, the history of laughter, snakes, and bird warning calls

Galileo's Instruments of Discovery

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:00:00 GMT

With these various instruments, Galileo Galilei was able to look into space and change our view of the universe.

Bodybuilders Through the Ages

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:31:44 GMT

Over the past 150 years, bodybuilders have gone from circus sideshows to celebrities, imparting fitness lessons along the way

Burgess Shale's Weird Wonders

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:00:00 GMT

The fossils found in the Burgess Shale include the 500-million-year-old ancestors of most modern animals

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Whale of a comeback, dancing cockatoos, sticky bees, and waltzing pond scum

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Tue, 19 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Flight of the hummingbird, termite cloning and the rise of the octopus

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Dinosaur gangs, psychedelic fish and long-distance elephant calls

The Hubble Space Telescope’s Finest Photos

Wed, 06 May 2009 03:00:54 GMT

Now that the telescope has received its final upgrades, we look back on Hubble's most memorable images from space

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Wolves, hibernating animals, spitting cobras and more

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Mosquitoes, New Zealand flightless birds, pink lizards and more

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Honeyeater birds, sea slugs, tree frogs, and more

A Naturalist's Pilgrimage to the Galapagos

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:43:00 GMT

Smithsonian's Laura Helmuth vacationed in the Galapagos Islands and returned with even more respect for Charles Darwin

Behind Inaugural Speeches, Meaningful Words

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:41:14 GMT

What words do presidents focus on most in their inaugural addresses? Explore speeches, from Washington to Obama

Beyond the Photos with Neal Slavin

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:34:06 GMT

Photographer Neal Slavin discusses his group portraits and his career as a whole

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Butterflies, clicking antelopes, creatures of the deep and more

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Chewing dinosaurs, climate change, self-sacrificing ants and black bears

Wild Things:
Life as We Know It

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:34:54 GMT

Bats' barotrauma, fallow deer, Tahitian vanilla, lucky dinosaurs

Photo Contest - Downloads

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:26:47 GMT

Want to enjoy the finalists, winners and weekly Editors' Picks more than just viewing the photos? We have created wallpapers, screensavers and puzzles for you.