Ra Paulette is an American cave sculptor based in New Mexico who digs into hillsides to sculpt elaborate artistic spaces inside mountains. Reviewer Martha Mendoza in the Los Angeles Times described the caves he created as shrines, as hallowed places, a “sanctuary for prayer and meditation” while others describe the caves as works of art. The caves are finished with “scallops, molded curves, smooth ledges, inlaid stones, narrow pods and crusty ledges”. His caves attract visitors worldwide.

Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings (Lepidochelys olivacea) sit in baskets and trays at the turtle camp La Gloria, before their release into the ocean in Tomatlan November 15, 2013. Twenty years ago, Mexico's government implemented ecological plans to protect the sea turtles from being hunted for their leather and meat and established conservation areas and a pay system for local residents to protect turtle nests. Millions of baby turtles hatch on the shores in November and December, according to an environmental group. It is estimated that in 2012, there were 20 million newborns. Hatching season is still underway, but officials say they expect there will be even more turtles born this year. (Photo by Alejandro Acosta/Reuters)

“Festive preparation”. Baghnapara, Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. Two girls prepare for the Gajan festival. They will perform a play based on Indian mythology. (Photo by Krishnasis Ghosh)

One of the Houston Rockets NBA basketball team’s cheerleaders — known as the Power Dancers – in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center on March 19, 2023 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 114-112. (Photo by Thomas Shea/Reuters)

Kirsty Paterson appears as herself in Willy’s Candy Spectacular at the Pleasance Dome on August 15, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Police eventually shut down the 2023 Willy's Chocolate Experience event in Glasgow last year after disappointed attendees spent £35 on tickets only to be met with a sparsely decorated warehouse and a handful of actors. The event garnered worldwide attention and has now been made into a show “Willy's Candy Spectacular” for the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring Kirsty Paterson the original “Sad Oompa Loompa”. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Fireworks from Japan light up the sky at the start of the 6th Pyro musical competition Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Mall of Asia shopping complex at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. The fireworks competition, which runs for six consecutive weekends, features entries from 11 countries as host country the Philippines, Canada, United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Brazil, Portugal, China, Mexico, Italy, The Netherlands and Sweden, with Canada winning the championship last year. (Photo by Bullit Marquez/AP Photo)

Todd Bretl specializes in underwater photography, and is able to capture striking photos of aquatic life big and small. His photos of sharks are particularly striking; though he rarely faces hostility from the animals, he tries not to spend too much time looking through his viewfinder and many shots are framed by educated guesses and impeccable timing. What follows are photographs taken over the past several years on trips to the Bahamas and Isla Guadalupe, an island off the coast of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. (Photo by Todd Bretl)

In this Friday, November 6, 2015 photo dancers Alba Ibanez, right, and Luis Chavez, both from Spain, dress up backstage before taking part in the World Salsa Master dance competition in Madrid. Ten dance couples from different countries around the world performed in front of an audience of around 2,000 people. Participants – who wore bright, colorful outfits – came from the United States, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Czech Republic and Venezuela. (Photo by Francisco Seco/AP Photo)