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MAKING A MOTHER PROUD

Saturday, May 13, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we celebrate the good (and the bad) moms out there, welcome spring with a festival of flowers, dive deep into the Caribbean nation of Domenica ... and ask, whose hands are these?

A girl celebrates the festival of La Maya

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL OCHOA DE OLZA

It’s hard to think of Mother’s Day without flowers, so we’re celebrating with this bouquet of images from a floral festival in Spain.

In this town, each spring, a few girls sit in elaborate altars decorated with fresh flowers to mark the new season. To be chosen is an honor that will make any mother proud. Enjoy the images—and below that, stories of mothers, both human and animal, in today’s newsletter.

SITTING LIKE A STATUE

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two girls celebrate the festival of La Maya

First come the flowers: La Maya, a tradition in central Spain for many years, has only a few written rules. Altars must be decorated with fresh flowers, and the young centerpieces (above) must sit perfectly still for the two-hour observance. Aspiring Mayas might have to wait a long time before they sit on an altar. Only about five are chosen each year.

a girl celebrates the festival of La Maya

It doesn’t last long: Mayas are the center of attention in their town, marveled at by passersby. But the ceremony is only one day. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

hand prints on a cave

PHOTOGRAPH BY EMMANUELLE HONORÉ

These prehistoric ‘baby hands’ are not what you think (above, in Egypt)

The Mother’s Day ’founder’ had a much different notion of the holiday

Beautiful moments between animal mothers and their babies

Stress, love, joy—what mothers photographed during the pandemic

Is the maternal instinct only for moms? Here’s what the science says.

How far can you go to protect dogs in hot cars? Depends in which state you live.

The FDA is easing limits on gay and bisexual men giving blood. Here’s why

These genes influence obesity. Here’s what we know.

Britain’s first Black queen? The real story of Queen Charlotte

Stressed? Eat these foods to boost serotonin—and to keep yourself balanced

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

a hammerhead shark swims

PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG LECOEUR

Holding its breath: This animal may be able to regulate its body temperature by holding its breath during dives thousands of feet below the surface. What animal is this?

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

PHOTO OF THE DAY

a gorilla mom and her newborn

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE

Mamas and babies: Like super human moms, great animal moms show grace to their young, feed them when they’re hungry, teach them the ropes... and some even sacrifice themselves so their offspring may live. (Pictured above, a gorilla carries her newborn.)

Motherhood isn’t all roses: There are some “bad moms” in the animal kingdom, who are only trying to survive.

LOVELY MAMA MOMENTS

OVERHEARD AT NAT GEO

Nat Geo Explorer Enric Sala

PHOTOGRAPH BY MANU SAN FELIX

Keeping seas pristine: Nat Geo Explorer in Residence Enric Sala has worked to keep parts of the world’s seas free from overfishing. His National Geographic Society project aims to protect at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 for the benefit of nature and humanity. Less than eight percent is currently protected. On Sunday, 60 Minutes will feature his work with sperm whales off the Caribbean nation of Domenica. See a preview.

MORE ABOUT PRISTINE SEAS

Today’s soundtrack: Float On, Modest Mouse

This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Hannah Farrow, and Jen Tse. Amanda Williams-Bryant, Alisher Egamov, Rita Spinks, and Jeremy Brandt-Vorel also contributed this week. Thanks for reading!

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