R. V. C. Bodley

R. V. C. Bodley (1892–1970) was a British Army officer, author and journalist. After studying at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in 1911 Bodley was commissioned into the King's Royal Rifle Corps and subsequently served with them during theFirst World War. After witnessing the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, he grew disillusioned with the military and went to live in the Sahara as a nomad for seven years. During the 1930s he was one of few Westerners allowed access to Japan's South Pacific Mandates. These experiences formed the basis of several books, including Algeria from Within (1927) and Wind in the Sahara (1944).

Purple Finch

A male (top) and female purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus), photographed in the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Areain Quebec. This species, part of the finch family, mainly eats seeds, berries and insects. They breed in the coniferous and mixed forests of Canada and the northeastern United States; birds from the northern part of this species' range will migrate in the winter.

Short-snouted Seahorse

The short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus) is a species of seahorse in the family Syngnathidae. Endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the North Atlantic, it is often found in shallow muddy waters, estuaries or seagrass beds.

Common Blackbird

The common blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush found throughout much of the world, though known under a variety of names. These omnivorous birds eat a wide range of insects, earthworms, berries, andfruits.

Namaqua Chameleon

The Namaqua chameleon is a lizard found in the western desert regions of Namibia, South Africa, and southernAngola. This species, which can reach 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length, is common in the Namib Desert. It has evolved several adaptations which allow it to thrive in hot and arid areas, such as the ability to change color to control temperature.

Lindau

The entrance to the harbor of Lindau, Bavaria, Germany, a major town and island in the international Lake Constance. The current harbor in Lindau was built in the mid-19th century, together with the Bavarian Lion (left) and the Lindau Lighthouse (right). The harbor entrance serves as a tourist attraction.

Armenian Woman

An Armenian woman in traditional dress, photographed on a hillside near Artvin circa 1910 by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky.

This early color photograph was created through the three-color separation process. Three black-and-whiteexposures were taken, using red, blue, and yellow filters. These exposures were then projected with similar colored filters to create a full-color image.

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is a scenic overlook on California State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Opened in 1933, it provides an expansive view looking east along Yosemite Valley. El Capitan dominates the view on the left, on the right are the Cathedral Rocks andBridalveil Fall, and in the distance near the center of the picture is Half Dome.

A samurai with his sword and armor, photographed by Felice Beato c. 1860. The samurai, records of which date back to the early 10th-century Kokin Wakashū, were the military nobility of medieval and early-modern Japan. As Japan modernized during the Meiji period beginning in the late 1860s, the samurai lost much of their power, and the status was ultimately dissolved. However, samurai values remain common in Japanese society.

Black-Capped Kingfisher

The black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileata) is a large tree kingfisher found throughout tropical Asia. Firstdescribed by Pieter Boddaert in 1783, this species frequents coastal waters, particularly those with mangroves. It feeds primarily on insects.