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Adorable Tiny Things

Blue Lake in Russia

Underwater photographer Viktor Lyagushkin explores the Blue Lake in Russia

National Geographic photographer Victor Lyagushkin accompanied a team of divers to explore the underwater cave network of the Blue Lake, near the Caucasus Mountains in Russia.

At 770 feet long, 400 meters wide and 800-feet-deep, the Blue Lake is currently considered to be the deepest type of lake in the world, called a Karsk lake. Karsk lakes are usually formed from limestone rock which is eroded by water from below.

"Russian divers attempted to locate the cave system and source of the spring leading into one of the deepest underwater cave systems in the world," said Victor. "Such complicated and deep dives need a big team of well-educated and experienced divers who work together as a team."

"The problem is that this unique natural object was not explored at all - we know almost nothing about it. The aim of the project was to make scientists pay attention to this lake and to make them start researching it. We wanted people to understand that this is not a puddle, but an unknown and wonderful world under the water."

The Blue Lake, near the Caucasus Mountains in Russia

Obseving underwater shrubs

Plant like growths

This can be a totally new experience and adventure

Sunlight shows through water

After the exploration, it is time to head for the surface

Speediest Fish on the Planet

These photographs show a high-speed annual feeding frenzy involving the world's fastest ocean animal, the Atlantic sailfish, and their prey, sardines.

Running scared, the hunted prey huddle huddling together in a desperate defensive formation designed to confuse their larger hunters and bring safety in numbers. But with up to three metres of predator bearing down on them at 70mph, escape is almost impossible.

The incident was caught on camera 30 nautical miles off Isla Mujeres on the Mexican coast. Renowned wildlife photographer Eric Cheng, 34, from San Francisco, needed split-second timing to record the action that unfolded at breakneck speeds.

"It was not easy," said Eric. "The sardine ball and sailfish both move very fast, and you can very quickly find yourself in the middle of a bunch of sardines looking for protection... 

"Sometimes, a sailfish would rush in for an attack and then turn away very quickly less than a metre away. It was unnerving but there was never any contact". 

The Wooden Bowl (story)

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 

"We must do something about grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child's future.