退潮时裸露在乌尔萨海滩海岸上的帽贝, 葡萄牙 Limpets exposed at low tide on the coast of Praia da Ursa, Portugal (© Theo Bosboom/Nature Picture Library)

沉静的力量 Quiet strength

退潮时裸露在乌尔萨海滩海岸上的帽贝, 葡萄牙

乌尔萨海滩（Praia da Ursa）深藏在欧洲大陆最西端——罗卡角（Cabo da Roca）附近的陡峭悬崖之下，置身其中，仿佛来到了大陆的尽头。沿着一条狭窄崎岖的小径便可抵达这片隐秘的沙滩。在葡萄牙的大西洋沿岸，风、岩石与惊涛骇浪共同塑造了这里的地貌。当潮水退去，海岸线短暂地变得宽阔，平滑的岩石显露出来，随之而来的还有微小的生命迹象。帽贝紧紧贴在裸露的岩石上，在海浪平日拍打的地方顽强地驻守。

这些其貌不扬的海螺已完全适应了此地的环境：它们凭借强劲的吸附力与低矮的螺壳，从容抵御着海浪的冲击、气温的骤变以及长时间的离水曝晒。每逢涨潮或被海水淹没之时，它们便以海藻为食；待潮水退去，又会回到各自熟悉的栖息之地。乌尔萨海滩（Praia da Ursa）地处偏僻，正因如此，这些细微的瞬间往往容易被游人忽略，而一旦留心察觉，便会倍感惊喜与充实。在这片以宏大尺度与磅礴力量为主调的海岸景观中，哪怕是最微小的幸存者，亦折射出了大西洋海岸那份宁静而坚韧的生命力。

Limpets at low tide on the coast of Praia da Ursa, Portugal

Tucked away beneath steep cliffs near Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Praia da Ursa feels like the edge of the continent. Reached by a narrow, rugged trail, this secluded beach along Portugal's Atlantic coast is shaped largely by wind, stone, and powerful waves. When the tide recedes, the shoreline briefly widens. Smooth rocks emerge, and with them, small signs of life. Limpets cling tightly to the exposed stone, holding fast where the ocean usually breaks.

These modest marine snails are well adapted to conditions here, using strong suction and low shells to withstand surf, shifting temperatures, and long periods exposed to air. During high tide or when submerged, they graze on algae, then return to familiar spots as the sea recedes. Praia da Ursa's isolation makes these moments easy to miss and rewarding to notice. In a landscape defined by scale and force, even the smallest survivors reflect the Atlantic coast's quiet resilience.

塔霍河岸边的贝伦塔, 里斯本, 葡萄牙 Belém Tower on the bank of the Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal (© f9photos/Getty Images)

历史镌刻于石上 History anchored in stone

贝伦塔, 里斯本, 葡萄牙

昔日，离开里斯本的船只在驶向浩瀚的大西洋之前，都会经过一座小小的石塔。这座矗立在塔霍河畔的石塔，既是守护者，也是告别的象征。让我们一起来认识贝伦塔——这座见证葡萄牙扬帆起航，迈入大航海时代的堡垒。

这座塔楼建于16世纪初葡萄牙国王曼努埃尔一世统治时期，在探险家们探索新航线时，它曾帮助保卫里斯本港。其曼努埃尔式设计融合了哥特式风格和航海符号——石绳、盾牌以及海洋主题的雕刻，都清晰地体现了其与海洋相关的用途。

这座塔楼曾矗立在一个小岛上，但随着河岸的移动，它逐渐靠近了陆地。塔楼内曾设有大炮、士兵，甚至还有囚犯。如今，这座联合国教科文组织世界遗产证明，有些地标建筑的确经受住了时间的考验，屹立不倒。

Belém Tower, Lisbon, Portugal

Ships leaving Lisbon once passed a small stone tower before meeting the wide Atlantic. That tower, standing on the bank of the Tagus River, served as both a guardian and a farewell. Say hello to Belém Tower—a fortress that watched Portugal sail into the Age of Exploration.

Built in the early 1500s under King Manuel I of Portugal, the tower helped defend Lisbon's harbor while explorers set out to chart new sea routes. Its Manueline design mixes Gothic forms with maritime symbols—stone ropes, shields, and sea-inspired carvings that clearly embraced their oceanic purpose.

The tower once stood on a small island, but shifting riverbanks brought it closer to land. Inside were cannons, soldiers, and even prisoners. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is proof that some landmarks truly stand the test of time and tide.

法纳尔森林里的古老月桂树，马德拉群岛，葡萄牙 Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, island of Madeira, Portugal (© Lukas Jonaitis/Shutterstock)

时光扎根 Rooted in time

法纳尔森林里的古老月桂树，马德拉群岛，葡萄牙

葡萄牙的马德拉岛位于本土西南约600英里处，这里隐藏着一片与众不同的森林。在岛的北坡上坐落着法纳尔森林，薄雾在古老的月桂树间飘荡。这些树是马德拉岛亚热带常绿林的一部分，亚热带常绿林是曾经广泛分布的月桂树林的杰出遗迹。它是现存规模最大的同类森林，其中约90%被认定为原始林。这里孕育着独特的动植物群，包括马德拉长趾鸽等特有物种，堪称一座活着的自然历史博物馆。

在法纳尔，盘根错节、覆满苔藓的树干宛如守护者，守望着这片古老的遗产，数百年来自然的生机始终未曾消逝。除了蜿蜒的小径，这里还有静谧的角落供人驻足欣赏。在风景优美的观景点之间，有一片休闲区，并设有公共烧烤设施，甚至还有一个由远古火山口形成的冬季湖泊。这里既可以单纯地呼吸新鲜空气、放松身心，也能尽情嬉戏，让人流连忘返。

Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal

The Portuguese island of Madeira—about 600 miles southwest of mainland Portugal—hides a forest unlike any other. On its northern slopes lies Fanal Forest, where veils of mist drift through centuries-old til trees. These are part of the Laurissilva of Madeira—an outstanding relict of a once widespread laurel forest type. Laurissilva is the largest surviving area of its kind, with about 90% considered primary forest. Home to a unique array of plants and animals, including endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon, it remains a living museum of natural history.

In Fanal, the gnarled, moss-draped trunks stand as guardians of this ancient heritage, where nature has preserved its vitality for centuries. Beyond the trails, these woods also offer quiet corners to pause and enjoy. Between scenic viewpoints, a leisure area with a public barbecue, and even a winter lake born from an ancient crater, this is a place to be dazzled, to wander, to play—or simply to breathe and relax.

维拉弗兰卡岛，圣米格尔岛，亚速尔群岛，葡萄牙 Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal (© ARoxo/Getty Images)

海洋的隐秘心跳 The ocean's hidden heartbeat

维拉弗兰卡岛，圣米格尔岛，亚速尔群岛，葡萄牙

位于葡萄牙亚速尔群岛圣米格尔岛附近的维拉弗兰卡岛，是一座无人居住的绿色火山岛，静静地坐落在弗兰卡村镇的南侧。尽管今日宁静怡人，这座小岛却拥有悠久而多变的历史。早在1537年，文献中便有定居者向西扩展至此的记载，使维拉弗兰卡岛正式登上历史舞台。它曾先后作为军事要塞、避风港、葡萄园种植地，乃至观鲸瞭望台。

该岛本身为一座死火山的火山口，现已被划为自然保护区，栖息着包括布氏鹱、小白鹭与乌燕鸥在内的多种海鸟，生物多样性丰富。岛屿最具特色之处在于其中央几乎完美的环形泻湖，通过一条名为“博凯特”的狭窄通道与大海相连。通道朝北，正对圣米格尔岛，因此有效屏蔽了海浪，为泻湖形成了一个平静的天然港湾与沙滩。难怪这里会成为游泳爱好者的最爱。每年6月至10月期间，每天都有渡轮往返于小镇和小岛之间。为了保护生态环境，小岛每日接待游客数量被限制在400人。若你想探索海洋孕育的火山遗迹与生物栖息地，这里或许正是理想之选。

Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Not far from São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago of Portugal, you'll find Vila Franca Islet. This uninhabited green islet sits quietly just south of the town of Vila Franca do Campo. Beneath its serene surface, this gem holds a lively past. First documented in 1537, around the time when settlers from São Miguel began expanding westward, Vila Franca Islet has played many roles throughout its history. It has served as a military fort, a port, a vineyard site, and even a lookout for whale-watching.

Once a volcanic crater, this islet is now a protected nature reserve teeming with unique marine life, including bird species like Bulwer's petrel, little egret, and sooty tern. The unique shape of this tiny island, sculpted by nature, makes it truly special. At its heart lies an almost perfectly circular lagoon, linked to the sea by a narrow channel called Boquete. Since the opening faces north toward São Miguel, it shields the lagoon from ocean waves and forms a calm natural harbor with a sandy beach. It's no wonder the spot is a favorite for swimmers: from June to October, ferries run daily between the town and the islet. Access is limited to 400 visitors a day—do you want to be one of them?

波尔图，葡萄牙 Porto, Portugal (© Starcevic/Getty Images)

波尔图的黄金时刻 Golden hour in Porto

波尔图，葡萄牙

今日图片带我们走进一座大胆而质朴，却充满魅力的城市。虽然波尔图以波特酒闻名，但这座葡萄牙城市还有更多值得探索的地方。漫步波尔图街头，你会注意到装饰着锡釉陶瓷砖的建筑。这种彩绘釉面瓷砖在葡萄牙和西班牙十分常见。此外，历史悠久的圣弗朗西斯科教堂和横跨蜿蜒杜罗河的标志性建筑——路易一世大桥，都令人印象深刻。

波尔图的历史可追溯到罗马时代，作为重要的贸易枢纽，这座城市的历史影响深远。这里文化底蕴深厚，从悠扬的法朵音乐到热闹的市场，再到一年一度的圣若昂节，都让人沉浸其中。街头艺术随处可见，别具一格的书店和咖啡馆更是增添了探索的乐趣。美食爱好者还可以尽情享用一种叫做“法国小女孩”的波尔图特色三明治，或品尝新鲜的海鲜，再配上一杯当地的葡萄酒，尽享味蕾盛宴。

Porto, Portugal

Today's image takes us to a city that is bold, unpolished in the best way, and brimming with personality. While it's famous for its port wine (cheers to that!), there's so much more to discover in the Portuguese city of Porto. As you walk through its streets, you'll notice façades adorned with azulejos—painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework found in Portugal and Spain—historic churches like São Francisco, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, which spans the Douro River, which runs through the city.

Porto's roots go back to Roman times, and its role as a key trading hub has greatly influenced its modern identity. Culture runs deep here, from the soulful sounds of fado music to the lively markets and annual festivals like Festa de São João do Porto. Street art surprises you at every turn, and quirky bookstores and cafes make exploring a delight. Food lovers can indulge in the famous francesinha, a hearty sandwich, or enjoy fresh seafood paired with a glass of local wine.

瓦斯科·达·伽马大桥，里斯本，葡萄牙 Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal (© Achim Thomae/Getty Images)

从天际线到水面 From skyline to water

瓦斯科·达·伽马大桥，里斯本，葡萄牙

今天的图片展示的是葡萄牙的瓦斯科·达·伽马大桥，宛如一条流畅的线条，穿过里斯本的天际线。从近处看，它是一座带高架桥的斜拉桥，横跨里斯本万国公园的塔霍河。瓦斯科·达伽马大桥是欧洲第二长的桥，也是欧盟最长的桥，于1995年2月开工建设，旨在缓解里斯本四月二十五号大桥出现的交通拥堵情况，使葡萄牙南北之间的交通更加顺畅。该桥具有抗震性，可在地震中吸收晃动。由于桥面没有固定在桥塔上，因此可以纵向和横向移动。大桥于1998年3月29日落成通车，恰逢98世博会举行，这是为纪念瓦斯科·达·伽马发现从欧洲到印度的历史性海路500周年而举办的世界博览会。

Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal

This sleek structure is the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which appears to vanish into the horizon after crossing the Tagus River in Portugal. Stretching nearly 8 miles, it was Europe's longest bridge when it opened in 1998, built to ease traffic on Lisbon's 25 de Abril Bridge and make travel smoother between the north and south of Portugal. This cable-stayed bridge was designed to be earthquake and wind-resistant; its deck is not fixed to the pylons, and it can move both lengthwise and sideways. Its opening was perfectly timed for Expo 98, the World's Fair celebrating the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's historic sea route discovery from Europe to India.

阿尔凡齐纳灯塔，阿尔加维，葡萄牙 Alfanzina lighthouse, Algarve, Portugal (© Andreas Kunz/Getty Images)

照亮前行之路 Where is this lighthouse?

国际灯塔灯船周末

今天照片中的灯塔位于葡萄牙南部海岸阿尔加维的卡沃埃罗。阿尔凡齐纳灯塔建于1919年，照耀着大海，帮助船只在该地区周围危险的水域航行。这座灯塔是著名的旅游胜地，同时也是该地区与海洋紧密联系的象征。如果你有幸住在灯塔附近，那么本周末就是拜访灯塔的最佳时机。

今天是国际灯塔灯船周末的第一天，这次活动是为了庆祝这一重要的海上基础设施。自从人类在海上航行以来，灯塔就一直在保护水手的安全。最初，灯塔由火和油灯供电，需要灯塔看守人来维护它们。然而，如今大多数灯塔都已实现自动化，并安装了电光源。在太深或不适合建造灯塔的水域，人们通常会使用灯船。

International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend

The lighthouse featured in today's image stands in southern Portugal's popular Algarve region. Built in 1919, Alfanzina Lighthouse helps ships navigate dangerous waters near the town of Carvoeiro. A popular tourist destination, the lighthouse also has become a symbol of the region's deep links to the sea. If you're lucky enough to live near a lighthouse, this weekend is the perfect time to pay it a visit.

Today marks the start of International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend, celebrating this vital maritime infrastructure. Originally, lighthouses were powered by fires and oil lamps, requiring lighthouse keepers to maintain them. These days, however, most lighthouses have been automated and installed with electric light sources. In waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable to build a lighthouse, lightships—moored vessels outfitted with beacon lights—have often been used.

在纳扎雷冲浪的冲浪者，葡萄牙 Surfer riding a wave in Nazaré, Portugal (© Rui Caria/Getty Images)

有志者事竟成 Where there's a will, there's a wave

世界冲浪日

今天是国际冲浪日，大家都在冲浪！这项活动在庆祝冲浪的同时，也提醒人们保护海洋环境的重要性，以及要为野生动物和冲浪者保持水域的纯净。冲浪有着悠久的历史：大约在5000年前的秘鲁，人们在出海捕鱼时用芦苇船冲浪。然而，现代冲浪运动是在前殖民时期的夏威夷诞生的。在这里，人们开始站在冲浪板上冲浪取乐。历史学家认为，冲浪于1885年传入美国，当时有三位十几岁的夏威夷王子在加利福尼亚的寄宿学校放假期间，在红木冲浪板上冲浪。

International Surfing Day

Let's hit the waves for International Surfing Day! This event both celebrates the sport and promotes protecting the ocean for wildlife and surfers alike. Surfing has a long history; around 5,000 years ago in Peru, people used reed watercraft to surf the waves when they were out fishing. Polynesians are believed to have brought their version of surfing to Hawaii, where modern surfing was born. Here, people started to stand on their boards and to surf for fun. Historians believe that surfing made its way to the US in 1885, when three teenage Hawaiian princes surfed on redwood boards while on a break from boarding school in California.

Today's image shows an intrepid surfer riding a wave at Nazaré, Portugal. This town on the Atlantic coast is known for its giant waves, which can reach over 100 feet in height. Thanks to these impressive breakers, several surf records have been broken here, including the biggest wave ever surfed—an incredible 86 feet. So, wax down your surfboards and go out and catch some waves!

西南阿连特茹和维森廷海岸自然公园上空的银河，葡萄牙 Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Portugal (© Daniel Garrido/Getty Images)

黑夜里的“彩虹” A rainbow's nocturnal cousin

秋季天文周

美国一年里有两次天文日，分别是春季天文日（4月中旬到5月中旬）和秋季天文日（9月中旬至10月中旬）。在这个特别的节日，科学博物馆、天文台、天文俱乐部和天文馆将举办专业人士主持的讲座、展览和工坊活动。对夜空的科学观测从早期文明时代就开始了，而天文学被称为最早的自然科学学科，是研究天体及相关现象的学科。今天照片里的是葡萄牙的西南阿连特茹和维森廷海岸自然公园，这里远离光污染，是个观星的好地方哦。

Fall Astronomy Week

The Milky Way has billions of stars; among them, our own sun finds its place. The galaxy's name is derived from the radiant, pale appearance of the band of stars and gas clouds that graces Earth's sky. Methodical observations of the night sky started with early civilizations but astronomy, the oldest natural science, remains a source of fascination today. It's what brings stargazers to Portugal's Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, a site free from heavy light pollution. Now's a good time to seek out your own celestial spectacle, as it is Astronomy Week and the main event, Saturday's Fall Astronomy Day, this year coincides with the autumnal equinox.

波尔图大教堂, 葡萄牙 Porto Cathedral, Portugal (© Reinhard Schmid/Huber/eStock Photo)

波尔图的青花瓷美景 Blue hues and ceramic scenes of Porto

波尔图大教堂，葡萄牙

波尔图大教堂坐落在可以俯瞰杜罗河的山顶上，是葡萄牙第二大城市波尔图最著名的地标之一。这座罗马天主教堂建于12世纪，具有兼收并蓄的建筑风格，融合了罗马风、哥特风和巴洛克风的元素。大教堂内用蓝白相间的阿兹雷荷瓷砖装饰出了一幅幅《圣经》中的一些场景。这些瓷砖遍布葡萄牙各个城市的每个角落，在公寓楼、教堂和公共建筑上都随处可见。

Porto Cathedral, Portugal

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Douro River, the Porto Cathedral is one of the best-known monuments in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. Built in the 12th century, this Roman Catholic church has an eclectic architecture style that combines Romanesque and Gothic influences with later Baroque additions. The space inside the cathedral is artfully decorated with blue and white azulejo tiles, which showcase some scenes from the Bible. Tiles like these are found throughout Portuguese cities, on apartment buildings, churches, and public buildings.