Take It Easy

This EPOD was originally published April 22, 2005

Provided by: Peg Zenko

Summary authors & editors: Peg Zenko

The photo above was taken on October 3, 2004 and shows the Red Deer River and bridge at Yaha Tinda Ranch on the border of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Yaha Tinda is cited as one of the last remaining unspoiled mountain elk habitats in Alberta, containing miles of beautiful winding horse trails. These trails have a fair amount of traffic from recreational riders and hunters, but everyone is very respectful of keeping it pristine. Our 15-mile (24 km) trek took place on an absolutely stunning day. I've never been anywhere that equals it for overall beauty, even Glacier National Park (in Montana) or Jasper National Park (also in Alberta).

In the 1960s, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson first proposed that there should be a designated day set aside to raise the concern about environmental issues and to consciously conserve our natural resources. The very first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, so today (April 22, 2025) we're celebrating its 55th observance. Note that while Earth Day is always on April 22, International Earth Day occurs on the day of the Vernal Equinox.

Related Links:

Elk in Banff National Park

The History of Earth Day

The Seasons, the Equinox, and the Solstices

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Photographer: Teresa Molinaro

Summary Author: Teresa Molinaro

On occasion, clouds give the landscape a truly dramatic look. One day this past winter, I was able to photograph a lenticular cloud formation over the village of Petralia Soprana in Sicily, Italy. At the far right is the snow-covered Etna volcano. Lenticular clouds form along the lee slopes of elevated terrain when stable air near the base of the terrain, usually mountain ranges, is lifted and begins to undulate. If enough moisture is available, lens-shaped clouds will form in the flattened crests of the waves. Photo taken on January 10, 2025, at 3:10 p.m. local time.

Photo Details: Nikon D7500 camera; f/11; 1/400 seconds exposure; ISO 200; Nikkor lens, 18-140mm.

Madonie Park, Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.8774, 14.0275

Related Links:

Lenticular Clouds and Mt. Etna

Lenticular Cloud Above Mount Aconcagua

Teresa's Website