The luminescent creatures are all part of the Zoominations festival, which celebrates the ancient Chinese art of lantern sculpture at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. This special event runs until the end of May. Hours are 6-10 pm on weekdays and 6-11 pm on weekends. The entrance fee is the same price as zoo admission. Zoominations features 30 unique and beautiful scenes inspired by Chinese folklore, inviting guests on a cultural journey that has toured London, Toronto, and Beijing. Millions of LED lights and lanterns illuminate the festival grounds, showcasing the ingenuity of skilled artists from the Sichuan Province in China. The art of Chinese lantern making began in the Han Dynasty. An art form that became principal to the Chinese Lantern Festival evolved. The lanterns were originally used for the utilitarian purpose of lighting. Lantern construction varied according to their purpose.

credit: bohemiannie

Some cosplayers have gathered in Convention Center Anaheim, California for WonderCon 2013. WonderCon is a great alternative to the intense insanity that is Comic-Con San Diego. It is big enough to attract a variety of celebs and artists. See images of your favorite comic book, anime, and video game heroines.

credit: Mooshuu

Galapagos Islands are beautiful place where you can find the most extraordinary species on this planet. Very famous are tortoises with a life span of 150 years. The Marine Iguana is also extremely unusual, since it is the only iguana adapted to life in the water. Penguins and various species of birds have found their home here too.

Coral reefs present a beautiful marine habitat. The coral structure is accumulated from the slow growth of corals.