Alan Taylor

California is the most populous state in the nation, with 39.5 million residents—more than the smallest 21 states combined. It is also a huge state, ranking third in area, and an incredibly diverse place, with climates that range from desert to rain forest. From the Los Angeles metropolitan area to Yosemite National Park, from Death Valley to Mount Shasta, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of California, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.

A rocket in Nagorno-Karabakh, flowered hills in Australia, alpine cattle herds in Germany, salt production in Turkey, the Washington Prayer March 2020, projections on the the Sydney Opera House, coronavirus burials in Indonesia, scenes from Paris Fashion Week, protests in Mexico City, fire damage in California, and much more.

Last year, I featured photos of the efforts made to move parts of the ancient Turkish town of Hasankeyf to a new location, as a massive dam project was about to cause the Tigris River to rise and flood the area. A year later, the reservoir behind Ilisu Dam has largely filled up, inundating the historic town and surrounding archaeological sites, despite years of protests by residents and activists.

Thousands of residents have evacuated ahead of fast-moving wildfires that erupted over the weekend in California’s Napa County. The Glass Fire and Shady Fire grew quickly, invading wine country and destroying homes and vineyards. Much of Northern California remains under a red flag warning for the next 24 hours. Gathered here are images of the fires from the weekend, in a state already coping with multiple disasters.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S., but with a population of just over 1 million people, it is also the the second-most densely populated state. From Woonsocket and Pawtucket, through Providence, Bristol, and Newport, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Rhode Island and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Autumn colors in Wales, a ripple maze in Taiwan, “picture day” at a Connecticut school, a funnel cloud in Spain, protests in Kentucky, a socially-distanced beauty pageant in Venezuela, flowers among high-rises in South Korea, surfing in South Africa, and much more.

The passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is being marked across America, as she lies in repose today on the Lincoln Catafalque in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Ginsburg died at her home in Washington, D.C., on September 18, at the age of 87, after a long battle with cancer. She was the 107th Supreme Court justice, and the second woman to serve on the high court. In her years on the Court, she became an influential icon to many.

Time again for a look at the animal kingdom and our interactions with the countless species that share our planet. Today’s photos include a donkey-therapy program in Spain, animals affected by wildfires in the U.S., a rescued anteater in Brazil, COVID-sniffing dog training in Germany, rhinos near Nairobi, beach rescue-dog training in Italy, stranded pilot whales in Tasmania, migrating storks in Turkey, and much more.

The state of Nebraska has a population of 1.9 million, and ranks 16th in area. It is largely a land of agriculture, with nearly 50,000 farms and ranches producing corn, beef, soybeans, and processed-grain products. From the grasslands through the Sandhills to the Missouri River, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Nebraska and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a hammock on Australian ski slopes, wildfire damage in Oregon, scorched wetlands in Brazil, flooding in Florida from Hurricane Sally, continued protests in Belarus, smoky skies over Seattle, scenes from the Crimean Fashion Week, and much more.

The 107th Tour de France cycling race—delayed more than two months due to the coronavirus pandemic—began in Nice on August 29, as 22 teams of riders started their journey through central and southern France in 20 stages. The entire tour covers a distance of 3,484 km and will conclude in Paris on September 20. Gathered here are images from the first 17 stages of the 2020 Tour de France.

In April, José Collantes contracted the new coronavirus and quarantined himself in a hotel set up by the government in Santiago, Chile, away from his wife and young daughter. The 36-year-old Peruvian migrant showed only mild symptoms, and returned home in May, only to discover his wife, Silvia Cano, had also fallen ill. Silvia’s condition worsened quickly, and she was taken to a nearby hospital with pneumonia.

More than 30 wildfires are currently burning in the state of Oregon, mostly along its Cascade Mountain range in the west. Over the past week, dry weather and strong winds drove the flames into several towns and neighborhoods, leaving some communities utterly destroyed. Thick smoke still hangs in the air across large sections of the state, creating hazardous air quality conditions.

Washington State is home to more than 7.6 million residents, most living on the western side of the Cascade Mountains. I originally published these photos of Washington last year, dedicating them to my mother and father, who loved their home state, and who had passed away the month before. The warm reactions to that photo story were what inspired me to undertake this larger project, “Fifty,” presenting wide-ranging collections of images of each state in the U.S.

Roller skating in New York City, windstorm damage in Utah, wildfire damage in Oregon, a massive canvas painting in Dubai, protests in Colombia and Chile, beach-goers in Rio de Janeiro, a fire in a Greek refugee camp, prison conditions in El Salvador, arrivals at the Venice Film Festival, an early snowstorm in Colorado, and much more.

An unprecedented outbreak of wind-driven wildfires has erupted across parts of California, Oregon, and Washington in recent days, generating enormous clouds of thick smoke that have blanketed much of the Pacific Coast, affecting visibility and air quality. California’s wildfires this year have burned more than 2 million acres, setting a new record, according to the state’s fire department.

Just over 4.6 million people live in the state of Louisiana, a state well known for its music, food, and festivals, many of which take place in its largest city, New Orleans. From the northern uplands to the Mississippi River Delta, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Louisiana and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Hillside grazing in England’s Lake District, the skyline of Shanghai, a full moon over Istanbul, the Ukrainian Fashion Week, theater reopenings in Nicaragua, damage from Hurricane Laura, the Venice Film Festival, the MTV Video Music Awards, and much more.

The mountainous Guizhou province, in southwestern China, is home to more than 34 million people. The steep terrain is challenging to work, and has led to the development of thousands of terraced hillsides over centuries of farming and building. From remote hilltop Buddhist monasteries to ancient villages to the skyline of the capital city, Guiyang, gathered here are a few glimpses of Guizhou and its residents.

New Hampshire is one of the smallest states in the U.S., ranking 46th out of 50. It also has one of the smallest populations, with fewer than 1.4 million residents. From the Great North Woods through the White Mountains and Lakes Region to the cities and the sea coast in the south, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of New Hampshire and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

A socially-distanced Santa School in London, gold panning in France, heavy metal music in China, gondoliers in Mexico, Hurricane Laura damage in Louisiana, protests in Kenosha, Red Rocks yoga in Colorado, an acrobatic fairy tale in Prague, Senegal’s first female professional surfer, and much more.

Throughout the summer, unusually heavy rainfall has caused a series of devastating floods across parts of central and southwestern China. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced from their homes, hundreds have been killed, and authorities now warn that the Three Gorges Dam is facing the largest flood peak in its history. Gathered here are images of the high water and some of the damage it has caused over the past few months.

North Carolina has the ninth-largest population of any state in the U.S., with about 10.5 million residents. From the shores of the Outer Banks through the farms and cities of the central Piedmont, to the western Appalachian Mountains, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of North Carolina and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Retired police dog adoptions in Ecuador, ballet in Brazil, an open-air brass band rehearsal in Wales, the Criterium du Dauphine cycling race in France, record heat in Death Valley and wildfires across California, a cool bear in Kosovo, scenes from the the Democratic National Convention, a sail-in floating cinema in Israel, and much more.

Ronald Marin, age 30, left his home in Venezuela in 2018. He moved to Peru for health reasons. Formerly a teacher, he found work at a Catholic church and was soon asked to help comfort mourning families nearby. Marin later took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, becoming a lay worker for his church. As the current pandemic grew, Catholic churches in Peru began closing their doors and restricting services to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Minnesota, also known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” is the 12th-largest state in the union, and is home to more than 5.6 million residents. From the Boundary Waters and shores of Lake Superior in the north through the plains to Buffalo Ridge in the southwest, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Minnesota and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Heavy fog in India, the announcement of a Vice Presidential candidate in Delaware, protests and anger in Beirut, coronavirus precautions in a Thai kindergarten, a Latvian folk/pagan metal band in concert, a funicular in Austria, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, derecho damage in Iowa, guests at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the return of the Mayflower II, and much more.

August 12 has been set aside as World Elephant Day since 2011. Supported by numerous conservation agencies, the day is a time to “spread awareness, share knowledge, and provide solutions for better care and management of both captive and wild elephants,” according to the organizer’s website. Elephants continue to face numerous challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, exploitation, abuse, and proximity to human conflict and poverty.

The MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship loaded with about 4,000 tons of fuel oil, ran aground off the coast of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, on July 25. After sitting on a reef for days, battered by waves while awaiting salvage workers, the vessel has leaked an increasing amount of oil near a marine park and populated beaches. Mauritius has declared a “state of environmental emergency,” as the growing spill threatens nearby reefs and lagoons.

In 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state in the United States. Today, more than 3 million residents live in the state’s diverse terrain, from the rugged Ozark mountains to the plains along the Mississippi River. Here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Arkansas and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.