New Mexico

Daily Pic (Ground Dance) Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma

Chuck Place/Alamy

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

These dancers from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma are performing the ceremonial Gourd Dance at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in New Mexico, an annual gathering that also includes art, demonstrations, a rodeo, parades, and other events. We’re featuring the image in honor of Native American Indian Heritage Month, which is observed each November. The commemorative month celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to our national culture. In honor of this event, we invite you to learn more about Native people in your region.

Daily Pic 11/02/17

© Chen Chao/Getty Images

Shanwangping Karst National Ecological Park, China



Daily Pic 10/08/18 (Albuquerque International Balloon Festival)

Blaine Harrington III/Alamy

Float on

We’d like to trade our usual Monday morning experience in for this one, please. Welcome to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. The festival continues through October 14, with plenty of on-the-ground entertainment beyond those balloon rides that might take you east of the city, to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, seen in this photo. Many hot air balloon rides offer a champagne toast as part of the experience. The champagne tradition may have sprung from early balloon pilots having to land in farm fields on private property. Aeronauts began carrying champagne or other drinks with them to offer to the confused and sometimes angry landowners. You’re welcome to land in our backyard anytime, balloonists!

Daily Pic 10/08/17

© J Marshall/Alamy

Pluto’s north pole