Pollen aplenty and sunlit poppies – readers' best photographs
'The Calanais standing stones at sunset.' Photograph: Barry Thomas
'More than just structures, the cabanons of the Camargue are witnesses to a rich history, closely linked to the traditional life of this wild land. Their distinctive architecture is designed to withstand the mistral wind and blend harmoniously into the unique landscape of ponds and marshes.' Photograph: Maxime Varinard
'This is the Serra da Bocaina region, halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It's one of the last well-preserved remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is urgently in need of protection. This was taken using a drone.' Photograph: Roberto Newton Carneiro
'While waiting for the ferry to take us to the Out Skerries, I spotted this pile of colourful items stored by the local fishers. I thought it probably wouldn't look out of place as an 'installation' in an art gallery.' Photograph: Lynne Falconer
'A pollen-dusted hoverfly feeding on an olive flower during a hot summer day.' Photograph: John Cavanagh
'Saroj Patel's Flowers of the Earth installation transformed Rotherham Minster into a vibrant garden, where each flower contributes to the flourishing of a unified, colourful and harmonious space. It was part of the WOW (Women of the World) Rotherham Festival 2025.' Photograph: Tim Dennell
'I came across these tall trees during a walk near the Salt Lake. They were dominating the skyline and had to take a picture of this majestic view.' Photograph: Sofoulis Iacovou
'I saw this honey bee drone on an early morning walk in the Hamiltonhill claypits local nature reserve. The bee was busy warming up in the sun, but kindly stayed still for just enough time for me to take the photos required for this focus-stacked portrait.' Photograph: James Feehan
'A taxi driver's morning ritual in the mirror.' Photograph: Sachin Kr
'A fallow deer fawn sticking his tongue out as I try to photograph him.' Photograph: Ursula Armstrong
'This is a macro closeup shot of the back of an underwater lettuce leaf slug ( Elysia Crispata ) taken 60ft down.' Photograph: Ian Kay
'Pruning the azaleas at the Suncheonman national garden. The next day it rained, and the grass turned from brown to green.' Photograph: Phil Williamson
'An exquisite rosemary beetle on my neighbour's lavender. The colours, the light and the subject all scream summer in the countryside, yet we live in north London.' Photograph: Mark Leveson
'This was taken from a cruise ship. I was on deck and heard some shouting from sea level, looked over and there was a lady right below me, who had rowed out into the middle of the bay to sell drinks to passengers. It was a case of right moment, right camera round my neck.'
Photograph: Andy Dixon
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The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
‘I'm not afraid': Heartbreaking final text of tragic backpacker, 26, who perished in volcano crater after plunge on hike
TRAGIC backpacker Juliana Marins told her family "I'm not afraid" in a final text before her death on an Indonesian volcano. The 26-year-old's mum, Estela Marins, revealed it was written at the start of her daughter's doomed Southeast Asia trip. 9 9 In a message shown to Brazilian programme Fantastico, Juliana said: "Mami, I love you so much. I was heartbroken when we said goodbye. "In fact, that's the only thing that worries me: letting you, papi or my sister be disappointed. Other than that, I'm not afraid of much, much less trouble. 'I was raised by a woman who can solve any problem and who is not afraid to take the plunge and go after her dreams. I am like that too. I have different desires and dreams. "I love you all very much! And I will always be grateful for all the support, care and affection. That is what makes me not afraid." Juliana died after falling more than 1,600 feet from a cliff on a hike up Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia, on June 21. Her body was only recovered three days later, after a complex and delayed rescue operation. New autopsy ordered Her body is due to arrive in Brazil today, Globo reports. There, a second autopsy will be carried out to determine whether she could have survived the fall with timely help. The request for the new examination was made by the Public Defender's Office and fast-tracked by President Lula da Silva. Mount Etna erupts sending tourists fleeing for lives as volcano explodes into life & smoke plume rises from mountain Authorities say the autopsy must be done within six hours of her return to preserve evidence. The first autopsy, conducted in Bali, found that she died from trauma within 20 minutes - but drone footage and witness accounts have cast doubt on that timeline. 'Left behind' on the trail Juliana, from Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, had been hiking with six tourists and two local guides when she became exhausted and stopped to rest. The publicist and dancer's family has since blasted the "botched" rescue mission and claimed her tour guide abandoned her. 'Juliana was in this group, but she got very tired and asked to stop for a while. They kept going, and the guide didn't stay with her,' said her sister, Mariana Marins. Guide Ali Musthofa claimed he was only 'three minutes' ahead and returned when Juliana didn't show up — only to find she had fallen. 9 9 9 9 'I saw the light of a flashlight on a ravine about 150 meters deep and heard Juliana's voice calling for help,' he said. Rescue drones later spotted the Brazilian alive on the cliff, but poor weather and lack of equipment delayed efforts to reach her. She was officially confirmed dead on June 24, and her family has accused Indonesian authorities of failing to provide assistance. Initial reports claimed rescuers had reached Juliana and provided food and water. The Brazilian embassy repeated this — but it turned out to be false. 'The information we have is that so far they have not been able to reach her because the ropes were not long enough, in addition to the low visibility,' Mariana said at the time. The ambassador later admitted he had passed on inaccurate reports from Indonesian officials. 9 9
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Pollen aplenty and sunlit poppies – readers' best photographs
'The poppy fields have been exceptional this year, so I got up very early to try to capture the flowers against the sunrise.' Photograph: Richard Gibbs 'The Calanais standing stones at sunset.' Photograph: Barry Thomas 'More than just structures, the cabanons of the Camargue are witnesses to a rich history, closely linked to the traditional life of this wild land. Their distinctive architecture is designed to withstand the mistral wind and blend harmoniously into the unique landscape of ponds and marshes.' Photograph: Maxime Varinard 'This is the Serra da Bocaina region, halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It's one of the last well-preserved remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is urgently in need of protection. This was taken using a drone.' Photograph: Roberto Newton Carneiro 'While waiting for the ferry to take us to the Out Skerries, I spotted this pile of colourful items stored by the local fishers. I thought it probably wouldn't look out of place as an 'installation' in an art gallery.' Photograph: Lynne Falconer 'A pollen-dusted hoverfly feeding on an olive flower during a hot summer day.' Photograph: John Cavanagh 'Saroj Patel's Flowers of the Earth installation transformed Rotherham Minster into a vibrant garden, where each flower contributes to the flourishing of a unified, colourful and harmonious space. It was part of the WOW (Women of the World) Rotherham Festival 2025.' Photograph: Tim Dennell 'I came across these tall trees during a walk near the Salt Lake. They were dominating the skyline and had to take a picture of this majestic view.' Photograph: Sofoulis Iacovou 'I saw this honey bee drone on an early morning walk in the Hamiltonhill claypits local nature reserve. The bee was busy warming up in the sun, but kindly stayed still for just enough time for me to take the photos required for this focus-stacked portrait.' Photograph: James Feehan 'A taxi driver's morning ritual in the mirror.' Photograph: Sachin Kr 'A fallow deer fawn sticking his tongue out as I try to photograph him.' Photograph: Ursula Armstrong 'This is a macro closeup shot of the back of an underwater lettuce leaf slug ( Elysia Crispata ) taken 60ft down.' Photograph: Ian Kay 'Pruning the azaleas at the Suncheonman national garden. The next day it rained, and the grass turned from brown to green.' Photograph: Phil Williamson 'An exquisite rosemary beetle on my neighbour's lavender. The colours, the light and the subject all scream summer in the countryside, yet we live in north London.' Photograph: Mark Leveson 'This was taken from a cruise ship. I was on deck and heard some shouting from sea level, looked over and there was a lady right below me, who had rowed out into the middle of the bay to sell drinks to passengers. It was a case of right moment, right camera round my neck.' Photograph: Andy Dixon
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
I've travelled to 193 countries but one stood out so much I quit my job and moved there
Few people have seen as much of the world as Randy Williams. The intrepid traveller from San Diego, who posts online as Ramblin' Randy, has visited all 193 UN member countries and ticked off his final nation, Turkmenistan, in 2023. You might think that having seen so much of the world, Randy might struggle to choose his favourite country. But, in an interview with LOST iN in 2019, Randy revealed he actually didn't find it a challenge to pick his top spot. At the time of the interview Randy had travelled to 120 countries and had one clear favourite. 'I always get asked what my favourite country is,' said Randy. 'And the answer for me is so easy because well, it's the only country that I packed up everything, quit my job, left everything behind and moved to. 'I found this city on the coast called Recife. I didn't even leave the airport but passing over the shores of Recife, I saw these beautiful, coral, pastel-coloured high-rises right along the beach. It kinda reminded me of Miami Beach. 'So, on my next trip, I visited it. I found an apartment and then I went back home and asked my boss if I could talk to him and told him I was quitting and moving to Brazil, and it was one of the most exciting times of my life.' 'I found this city on the coast called Recife. I didn't even leave the airport but passing over the shores of Recife, I saw these beautiful, coral, pastel-coloured high-rises right along the beach' Located on Brazil's northeastern Atlantic coast, urban Recife blends beaches and high-rises. But while he might have moved to Brazil, the South American country is the only destination to have caught Randy's attention. He revealed that Switzerland, Djibouti, Armenia and Brunei also number among his favourite countries. On his blog, Randy explains that he tends to 'travel fast and furious', sometimes spending less than 24 hours in each country. When he completed his epic challenge in Turkmenistan, Randy told ABC 10News San Diego that it was 'bittersweet'. He added: 'A pin for every country, and this is the last one - Turkmenistan. Here we go.'
