Discovery

Spotted along the Western Ghats of India, the great hornbill is known for being the largest species of hornbill 💛 📸: @pratikhumnabadkar #birdwatching #wildlife #India #greathornbill 

EarthPix 🌎 Travel

The magic of Disney is about to make its mark on the Middle East with a new Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Located on the iconic @YasIsland – a hub for world-class entertainment and leisure – this waterfront resort will connect travelers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. #Earthpix #YasIslandPartner #Disney #Disneyland #Travel 

EarthPix 🌎 Travel

Who else can relate? @yoopalak 

EarthPix 🌎 Travel

@kyrasgoodeats I need one of these machines at home 

EarthPix 🌎 Travel

This seems like lots of fun! @nigel_yahman 

BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS

Over the last few weeks you have been sending us your incredible applications for the BD Academy and we have been blown away. The diversity and passion behind each story has been enjoyed by all of us. To all those who have submitted their entries, thank you so much. We watch every submission that comes in and appreciate all your creativity and we’ll be in touch soon. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you all, so watch this space for when applications open again! 

National Geographic

Bat ears are extraordinary 🦇 In Panama’s rainforests, fringe-lipped bats eavesdrop on frog mating calls to hunt—but not all croaks lead to dinner. Some frogs are toxic, and knowing the difference is a learned skill. New research shows adults can tune out “spam calls” from poisonous species, while juveniles still respond to them—sometimes even attacking the wrong sound. Scientists believe they learn through trial-and-error or by following their mothers. Learn more about how fringe-lipped bats use their ears to hunt at the link in bio. 

National Geographic

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost made history by becoming the first Roman Catholic pope from North America. Once elected, however, he chose a pontifical name steeped in hundreds of years of religious tradition: Pope Leo XIV. As the number indicates, Prevost is the 14th pope with the name Leo. Pope Leo XIV will likely discuss his pontifical name in the coming days, but its significance is clear when looking at the pontificates of his predecessors. From Pope Leo I and his purported exchange with Attila the Hun to Pope Leo IX's role in the Great Schism of A.D. 1054, the pontifical name holds great importance within the Roman Catholic Church. Learn more about the history of this legendary papal namesake at the link in bio. Photograph By Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press /Alamy 

National Geographic

Amid the ancient pomp and ceremony of the Vatican, former Cardinal Robert Prevost has emerged onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica as the first U.S.-born pope in history. He has taken the papal name of Leo XIV—a name that the vast crowd in St. Peter’s Square took up with a spontaneous chant of “Le-on-e," the Italian version of the Latin Leo. After a relatively short conclave, Pope Leo XIV appeared overwhelmed with emotion as the crowd in St. Peter's Square rapturously welcomed him. Now, Vatican insiders are guessing among themselves how much change to expect. Prevost, 69, hails from Chicago, Illinois, and has spent much of his career in South America. He is only the third pope in history to be an Augustinian friar, one of the followers of the rule of the fifth-century St. Augustine of Hippo who are known for pastoral care, education, and missionary work. See photos from the Vatican and learn more about Prevost's life and work at the link in bio. Photographs by Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters/Redux, Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo, and Murad Sezer/Reuters/Redux