Saturday, July 09, 2005

Great Barrier Reef off Heron Island



Stetching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia, lies the world's largest reef and the only living structure visible from the moon. The Great Barrier Reef, made up of about 2,900 unconnected coral reefs and roughly 900 islands, is home to over 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral making it one of the most important marine ecoystems on Earth. Each year more than 1.8 million tourists visit the reef, spending an estimated 4.3 billion Australian dollars on reef-related industries from diving to boat rental to posh island resort stays. Revenue from tourism -- popular activities include snorkelling; scuba diving; fishing; glass-bottomed boat and semi-submersible vessel excursions -- dwarfs the commercial and recreational fishing industries which generate 360 Australian dollars annually.

More pictures from Australia

Friday, July 08, 2005

Rainforest along Beach in Bahia, Brazil



Rainforest along a beach in Bahia, Brazil

More Bahia pictures

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Sunset in Panama



Sunset in Panama

More Panama pictures

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Yosemite National Park in California



Yosemite National Park in California. On June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to the State of California as an inalienable public trust. Yosemite National Park was officially born on October 1, 1890.

More Yosemite pictures

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Morning at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia



Lake Bohinj is a pituresque destination located on the southern border of Triglav National Park which lies in the Slovene Julian and Kamnik Alps. Lake Bohinj is a glacial lake enclosed by steep mountain cliffs.

More Slovenia pictures

Monday, July 04, 2005

Parson's Chameleon in Madagascar



Parson's Chameleon in Madagascar. Madagascar is home to about half the world's 150 or so species of chameleons. Around 80% of the species found on Madagascar are endemic to the island.

More pictures of reptiles from Madagascar

Sunday, July 03, 2005

The reefs of Koh Rok, Thailand



The coral reefs of Koh Rok, Thailand prior to devastation by the December 2004 tsunami.

More pictures of Thailand