Photo of the Day 13 November 2007


Aerial View, Lisbon, Portugal, 2002
Photograph by Tino Soriano
The church of Santo Estêvão, at right, watches over clusters of red-roofed homes along the Lisbon shore. Built by seafarers where the Tagus River empties into the Atlantic, Lisbon was once Europe's wealthiest capital and a center of world exploration. In 1775, a horrific earthquake in the Portuguese capital led to centuries of decline.

Photo of the Day 12 November 2007


Spider Guarding Eggs, Maui, Hawaii, 2001
Photograph by Darlyne Murawski
Found only on the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, the happy face spider, such as this one guarding its eggs on a leaf in Maui, is known for the unique patterns that decorate its pale abdomen. Scientists believe Theridion grallatormay have developed its distinctive markings to discourage birds from eating it.