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We’re just outside of Brainerd, Minnesota (northern United States), for the Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake. Each year from late January on, more than 10,000 people will come out to catch as many fish as they can—mostly walleye and northern pike, but all fish species are eligible. The contest is organised and run by volunteers exclusively, and 100 percent of the proceeds—around $150,000—goes to local charities.

The practice of ice fishing started years ago when Native American tribes would use it to gather food for the long, harsh winters. But today, ice fishing is a popular winter activity in the state of Minnesota, referred to as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Some anglers even trick out modern-day ice shanties with big-screen TVs, underwater cameras, sonar fish-finders, and bathrooms with hot showers, making it easy to spend entire weekends out on the lake, warm and dry.

Among the 350 species of birds found here at the Samburu National Reserve, some of the most industrious are weaverbirds. This family of birds is so named for the intricately constructed nests that many of the species weave from twigs, grasses, and leaves. You can see the birds’ handiwork on this acacia tree, where nests hang like ornaments. Some weaverbirds build elaborate nests that house hundreds of birds, with separate chambers for each pair, creating natural apartment complexes in the treetops.

It has been 14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami claimed countless lives and completely changed the lives of those who were left behind. Regardless of whether there is damage or not, memorial services will be held nationwide. And one of the affected areas, Natori City Earthquake Memorial Park in Miyagi Prefecture, will hold a memorial flower offering event...

This park, located in the Yuriage district of Natori City, is an earthquake reconstruction park that was developed to prevent the memory of the victims and the lost city from being weathered. The memorial monument in the park is 8.4 meters tall, the same height as the tsunami, and represents the image of the victims ascending to the heavens, as well as a renewed determination for reconstruction.