Zen Buddhist temple of Zenpo-ji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata-ken, northwestern Honshu, Japan

Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off northwestern Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Giant Cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) (Cardan) is a species of cactus native to northwestern Mexico, North America

Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off northwestern Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

A view of Krossfjorden (Cross Fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Women walking on the road to Akha tribe village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Akha tribe village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Sow in an Akha tribe village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Woman making weaving warp, from Akha Puli tribe living in village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Woman making weaving warp, from Akha Puli tribe living in village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Akha tribe village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Akha tribe village in the mountains surrounding Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Adult Atlantin puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season, Isfjardardjup, Westfjords region, Northwestern Iceland

Adult Atlantin puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season, Isfjardardjup, Westfjords region, Northwestern Iceland

Panorama of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Panorama of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Children under a baobab tree, Betammarinbe village in the area around Natitingu, Atakora department, northwestern Benin, Africa

A view of Krossfjorden (Cross Fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Gilded Buddha's statue at Wat Phu That temple, Udomxay, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Khmu ethnic minority village by the Nam Pak river at Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Adult Atlantin puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season, Isfjardardjup, Westfjords region, Northwestern Iceland

Adult Atlantin puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season, Isfjardardjup, Westfjords region, Northwestern Iceland

Adult Atlantin puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season, Isfjardardjup, Westfjords region, Northwestern Iceland

Panorama of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Aerial view of an ULM (Ultralight aviation) flying above the northwestern coast, Reunion island, overseas departement of France, Indian Ocean

Plastic sandals display at the market of Natitingu, Atakora department, northwestern Benin, Africa

A view of Krossfjorden (Cross Fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Khmu ethnic minority village by the Nam Pak river at Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Landscape at the north of Lettermore island, west coast, Connemara, County Galway, Connacht, Republic of Ireland

Rounstone's harbour, west coast, Connemara, County Galway, Connacht, Republic of Ireland

Clifden's harbour, Connemara, County Galway, Connacht, Republic of Ireland

The Quay House hotel, Clifden, west coast, Connemara, County Galway, Connacht, Republic of Ireland

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Aerial view of an ULM (Ultralight aviation) flying above the northwestern coast, Reunion island, overseas departement of France, Indian Ocean

Aerial view over the northwestern coast,Reunion island,overseas departement of France,Indian Ocean

Cape Miseno, headland marking the northwestern limit of the Gulf of Naples, Campania region Italy, Europe

Cliffs viewed from Dun Aengus, prehistoric hill fort, Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, County Galway, Connacht, Republic of Ireland

Pha Chiao Sing Kham temple gate at Muang La, Oudomxay Province, northwestern Laos

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Panorama of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of the Upper Carniolan region, northwestern Slovenia, Europe

Storm surf against lava cliffs at Skalasnagi, in Snaefellsjokull National Park, the northwestern tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the west coast of Iceland, Polar Regions

Northwestern Glacier, just outside Seward, Alaska, United States of America, North America

Aerial view of Bay of Islands, northwestern Vanua Balavu, northern Lau group, Fiji, South Pacific islands, Pacific

A stone horreo, a traditional store for maize (corn) in Galicia, a region of northwestern Spain.

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

Adult Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus ostralegus) in full breeding plumage at Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) flukes-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) observed by National Geographic Explorer along the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) flukes-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

Adult Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi) resting in a tidepool on the fringing reef at Midway atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Ocean.

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) flukes-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A panoramic view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A very rare sighting of an adult blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) flukes-up dive off the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Barents Sea, Norway

A view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A panoramic view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

Adult puffin (Fratercula arctica) during breeding season in Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A panoramic view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A panoramic view of Isfjorden (ice fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

Adult Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus ostralegus) in full breeding plumage at Isfjardardjup, Northwestern Iceland

A panoramic view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

A view of Krossfjorden (cross fjord) on the northwestern side of Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

National Geographic Explorer along the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

Strawberry Poison Frog (Dendrobates pumilio), adult, Bastimentos National Park, Bocas del Toro, Panama. The strawberry poison frog or strawberry poison-dart frog (Oophaga pumilio or Dendrobates pumilio) is a species of small amphibian poison dart frog found in Central America. It is common throughout its range, which extends from eastern central Nicaragua through Costa Rica and northwestern Panama. The species is often found in humid lowlands and premontane forest, but large populations are also found in disturbed areas such as plantations. The strawberry poison frog is perhaps most famous for its widespread variation in coloration, comprising approximately 15���30 color morphs, most of which are presumed to be true-breeding. O. pumilio, while not the most poisonous of the dendrobatids, is the most toxic member of its genus. The species is most diverse in Panama with varieties in vivid shades of all red, orange, blue, yellow or green, green and yellow, white with red, orange or black and spotted varieties. The most colorful mix is found in Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park though not all in one place. Colors vary by location. A beach on the north side of the island is named after the species. Two of Southern Explorations' Panama tours visit red frog habitat. Both the eight-day Panama Adventure trip and eleven-day Panama Highlights trip spend time in Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park and the former also goes to Red Frog Beach. The red frog is not as poisonous as some of its cousins and is not a threat to humans. It subsists on a diet of ants that dine on poisonous plants, providing the red frog its protective skin toxin. Males attract females with a loud quick chirp. To hear the distinctive sound before you depart on your Panama tours, go to the University of Michigan Museum's biodiversity website (www.animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu.) After birth, the tadpoles climb aboard the mother who deposits them in different protected areas where she retu

Bronze sculpture "Attitude Adjustment" by Austin Barton in front of City Hall in Joseph, Oregon.

Shorepine and sea stacks at Cannon Beach from Ecola State Park at sunrise; Oregon.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on vine; Valley View Winery, Applegate Valley, Oregon.

Balsamroot at The Nature Conservancy's Tom McCall Preserve overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.

Statue of Russian Communist revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin in the Fremont District of Seattle, Washington.

Fossil Body & Paint Company in Fossil, Oregon.

Alexander Calder's "Eagle" in the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park with the Space Needle in the distance; Seattle, Washington.

Hiker behind Ponytail Falls (aka Upper Horsetail Falls), Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon.

Native American dancer in Fancy Dance regalia at Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days Pow Wow, Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Oregon.

?Drive Slowly and Enjoy? sign on dirt road in Leslie Gulch, southeast Oregon.

Le Petit Chai winery barrel room at Columbia Crest Vineyards, Patterson, Washington.