1. Synchronous Firefly Season in the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Also called lightning bugs, fireflies
twinkle in forests as they light up their abdomens at night. Synchronous
fireflies are known for their distinct flash pattern where the males flash their
lights together to look for females, who respond with a quick blink. In late May
to early June, you can catch a sighting of these magnificent bugs in Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, where they gather in the thousands. Bring a red
headlamp so you don’t interfere with their show and head out at dusk. Elkmont
Campground in Tennessee is a prime viewing spot, and passes are given out via lottery in May, so be sure to plan ahead.
2. Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, Australia
Is there anything cuter than the idea of a colony of
penguins marching across the beach at night on their way home? Every night at
dusk, the penguins of Phillip Island, near Melbourne, rush from the sea to
their burrows to escape predators, year-round. There are both tiered viewing
platforms and a limited capacity underground experience so you can get even
closer without impacting the penguins. In addition, there’s swamp wallabies,
Eastern barred bandicoots, Cape Barren geese and short-tailed shearwaters — truly an experience like no other.
3. Bioluminescent Plankton in Vero Beach, Fla.
Though Puerto Rico is famous for its bioluminescent bays,
Florida also has glow-in-the-dark plankton in the Vero Beach area, specifically
Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon. The best time to catch the natural
light show is at night on a guided kayak tour, June through September, on a new
moon night when the sky is the darkest of the month.
4. “Black Sun” Starlings’ in Wadden Sea National Park, Denmark
Black sun season may sound ominous, but it’s actually a
phenomenon in spring and autumn where starlings gather an hour before sunset in
large flocks that twist, turn, and ball up. Scientists don’t know exactly why
they do this, but it’s possibly to confuse predators. The locations of the
starlings’ roosting spots change throughout the season, so a guided tour from one
of the national park’s guides is your best bet.
5. Ballet of Japanese Cranes in Hokkaido, Japan
When red-crowned cranes, or tancho, mate, they make quite a
show of it, gracefully bowing, leaping, and stretching for their partners. The
dancing cranes mostly live in Northern Japan in the Tsurui Crane Sanctuary, and
the dances peak in February, when Hokkaido is blanketed in snow. Once paired,
the cranes are bonded for life, repeating the dance to maintain their connection.
6. Walk on the Ocean Floor in The Bay of Fundy, Canada
Situated between Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada, the Bay of
Fundy has the highest tides in the world. Going from 11 feet to 53 feet twice a
day, there’s a huge shift, leaving cliffs jutting out of the water with trees
and whirlpools swirling as the bay fills. Burntcoat Head Park is a great place
to walk on the ocean floor at low tide, explore tidal pools and even dig for
fossils. Just be sure not to linger too long, as it all changes within two hours
as the tide starts to come back in.
7. Northern Lights in Lapland Region, Finland
One of the most famous natural wonders in the world is the Northern
Lights. Though you have a shot at catching them in many places around the
globe, Finland is known for its vibrant displays in the night sky. September
through March is the best time to visit, when the Northern Lights are the most
active. Pick a clear night and a spot without ground light, like hills and lakeshores,
between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. Now sit back and watch the show.
8. Monarch Butterfly Migration in Michoacán, Mexico
Can you imagine standing still while millions of butterflies
frolic around you? At the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán,
Mexico, butterflies cover trees and block out the sky. Flying all the way from
Canada, they rest in the winter and fly back in the spring, with an eight-month
round-trip journey that usually spans five generations. There are three sanctuaries
within Michoacán, each with its own features and trails.
9. Friendly Gray Whales in Baja California, Mexico
Baja California, in Mexico, is one of the top spots in the
world for a whale watch, where gray whales stop from December to April to breed. In San Ignacio lagoon, the whales are especially friendly,
known to interact with humans, poking their heads up to say hello and lingering for a pat on the head. This is a generational tradition with younger calves learning
the habit from their parents. A guided watch led by expert naturalists will
help protect the wildlife while simultaneously supporting conservation efforts.
10. Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye National Geopark, China
Like a watercolor painting, the mountains in Zhangye National Geopark, located near Mongolia, stun with rainbow hues.
Created by layers of sandstone and minerals, you can meander through the landscape
on accessible boardwalks. Just a short drive from downtown Zhangye, it can be
reached by bus or car.