Best Wild

Leroy offers a more wild, earthy, and intensely terroir-driven perspective. These wines often showcase a distinct savory character, leaning into notes of wet stone, mushroom, and forest floor alongside the Chardonnay fruit. They are for the adventurous drinker who appreciates the 'dirt' and complexi...

Sandwood Bay is a remote coastal inlet located in Sutherland, in the northwest of Scotland. The beach is entirely inaccessible by vehicle, requiring visitors to complete a roughly 7-mile round-trip walk to reach the shoreline. It is geographically distinguished by the presence of Am Buachaille, a pr...

Bombus dahlbomii is a species of bumblebee native to the temperate forests of southern South America, specifically Chile and Argentina. It is characterized by its large physical size and dense orange-colored fur, traits that distinguish it from other bumblebee species. The insect functions as a prim...

An Alpheus species that forms a well-documented symbiotic partnership with goby fish on coral reefs, sharing a burrow where the nearly blind shrimp relies on the goby for predator warnings.

Vaccinium angustifolium, commonly called the lowbush blueberry, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern and central North America. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form low colonies and produces small blue berries that are eaten fresh, processed commercially, and used by wildlife. The speci...

Fragaria vesca, commonly called wild strawberry, woodland strawberry, or alpine strawberry, is a perennial plant in the rose family with a broad native distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. It produces small aggregate fruits formed from an enlarged receptacle, with the true fruits appearing a...

The Pacific cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis, is a marine shrimp distributed across tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific. It advertises at reef cleaning stations with conspicuous red and white coloration and long white antennae, then removes ectoparasites, dead tissue, and debris from visiting fish...

Goldbug Hot Springs offers a remote soaking experience within the Salmon-Challis National Forest of Idaho. Six natural hot springs pools are accessible via a challenging two-mile hike through wilderness terrain. The springs’ warm water is fed by waterfalls, creating unique thermal features. This loc...

Rubus fruticosus agg. is a collective botanical name applied to a complex group of closely related European blackberry plants in the rose family. These perennial brambles typically produce arching or trailing canes, compound leaves, and aggregate fruits composed of many small drupelets that turn dar...

Lucky Bay is a remote coastal inlet located within Cape Le Grand National Park in southwestern Australia. It’s known for its pristine white sand and calm waters, offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing including kangaroos and seals. Matthew Flinders recognized its significance during...

Welcome Flat Hot Pools offer naturally heated water experiences within Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Located along the Copland Track, these pools are accessible via a hike and provide a unique opportunity to bathe in geothermal waters. They are popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts seeki...

Wineglass Bay is a strikingly shaped beach located within Freycinet National Park in Tasmania, Australia. Its unique crescent form contrasts dramatically with the imposing Hazards mountain range that overlooks the bay. The pristine waters and geological formations make it a significant scenic destin...

J2, known as Granny, was a female orca belonging to J-Pod, a distinct group within the Southern Resident killer whale population of the Pacific Northwest. She is notable for her exceptional age, with estimates placing her lifespan around 105 years – making her one of the oldest documented marine mam...

The Chiltepin, or chiltepe, is a small, round wild chili pepper native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is classified as Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum and is considered the closest wild relative of cultivated bell peppers and jalapeños. Known for its sudden and intense...

Mocha Dick was a large sperm whale that resided in the Pacific Ocean near Mocha Island, Chile during the early 19th century. This animal gained notoriety for its remarkable resilience against repeated whaling attempts, leading to numerous accounts of its size and ferocity. Its existence significantl...

A73, formerly known as Springer, is a Northern Resident orca residing in British Columbia waters. This individual gained significant recognition due to his successful rehabilitation following an injury sustained during captivity. Scientists and researchers study A73 to understand the potential for r...

Bombus hyperboreus is a species of Arctic bumblebee recognized for having the northernmost geographical distribution of any bumblebee in the world. It inhabits extreme cold environments across Greenland, northern Russia, and the high Arctic tundra. The species is a parasitoid or cuckoo bumblebee, me...

Vaccinium myrtillus, commonly called bilberry, is a low-growing shrub in the heath family native across much of Europe and parts of northern Asia. It bears small blue-black berries whose flesh is dark and strongly pigmented, unlike the pale interior of many cultivated blueberries. The fruit contains...

Cloudberry, or Rubus chamaemorus, is a low-growing perennial plant in the rose family found across Arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It produces aggregate fruits that ripen from red to amber or golden orange and commonly grows in bogs, peatlands, and tundra. The fruit is gathe...

The chiragra mantis shrimp, Gonodactylus chiragra, is a marine stomatopod found across tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific. It is a smasher-type mantis shrimp whose reinforced, club-shaped raptorial appendages strike hard-shelled prey such as snails, crabs, and other mollusks. Its robust build and po...

Bombus polaris, commonly known as the Arctic bumblebee, is a cold-adapted insect native to the high Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is physiologically distinct for its dense yellow and black hair, which provides crucial insulation. It also possesses the capacity for end...

Terwilliger Hot Springs are a series of wild hot springs located within the Oregon Wilds of the Willamette National Forest. Four natural pools offer varying temperatures, typically reaching up to 112°F. The springs' location deep in a forested area and undeveloped nature makes them appealing for tho...

Ruffles was a male Southern Resident orca, specifically part of the J1 matriline. He gained recognition through his distinctive, highly undulating dorsal fin shape – a rare trait among this population. Researchers followed Ruffles for years, documenting his movements and behavior as part of ongoing...

Spirtle is a resident bottlenose dolphin inhabiting the Moray Firth of Scotland. He gained recognition following a significant sunburn event in 2016 which caused extensive skin damage. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of marine mammals to environmental stressors and the importance of wild...

Vaccinium membranaceum, commonly called black huckleberry or thinleaf huckleberry, is a deciduous shrub native to forests and mountain regions of western North America. It produces dark purple to nearly black edible berries that are gathered by people and eaten by wildlife, while its underground ste...

Travertine Hot Springs offers naturally heated pools formed around travertine deposits. The springs’ 180°F water is rich in minerals, creating unique soaking experiences. Located near Bridgeport, California, these wild springs are popular with visitors seeking relaxation and therapeutic benefits, pa...

Tahlequah is a wild orca belonging to the Southern Resident killer whale population. She gained international recognition in 2018 when she maintained her dead calf’s body for seventeen days and travelled over one thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean. This behavior highlighted the severe challenge...

Umpqua Hot Springs consists of a series of natural hot springs terraces located in a wild forest area of Oregon. The pools are accessible via a trail and offer geothermal bathing opportunities. These springs are popular with hikers and those seeking a remote, undeveloped outdoor experience within th...

Assateague Island National Seashore encompasses a unique barrier island shared between Maryland and Virginia. It’s notable for its wild horse population, descendants of escaped domestic animals, and expansive undeveloped beaches. The seashore offers opportunities for nature observation and recreatio...