Did you know a baby porcupine is called a porcupette? These cute critters have soft hair mixed with barbed quills that stick up when they feel threatened to deter predators. Porcupines sleep in trees and feed on the inner bark, twigs and leaves. They live to be 5-6 years old and have one or two young, which are born with soft quills that harden within an hour. Photo courtesy of California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

On Memorial Day, we honor those that have fallen in the service of our nation. You can take part by visiting Colonial era sites like George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Indiana, a Civil War battlefield like Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee or a memorial on the National Mall like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. These memorials, cemeteries and battlefields help remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices made to keep us united and free. Vietnam Veterans Memorial photo by Thomas Kredo (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl). George Rogers Clark National Historical Park and Shiloh National Military Park photos by National Park Service.

While Joshua Tree National Park is known for its twisty, spikey Joshua trees, the park is home to so much more! In this southern California landmark, three distinct ecosystems come together to create extraordinary diversity. It also has some pretty amazing views, like this one of sunset over the “jumping” cholla cactus garden. Photo by Nina Mayer Ritchie (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

It’s a three day weekend – the perfect excuse to spend some extra time in bed. Bighorn sheep are famously elusive and quick to avoid human contact, so this photo of a napping ram at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is a special find. Photo by Bill Cochran (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

What better way to kick off Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer than with this amazing sunset photo from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Here you can find pristine waters, perfect waves, miles of sandy beaches and incredible views! Photo by Lorie D’Elia (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

It’s time for your Blue Ridge Parkway experience. Take a slow-paced and relaxing drive (please obey the speed limit) revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special. Photo from Beacon Heights courtesy of Jim Ruff.

A dreamy picture of a sunrise along the Ohio & Erie Canal at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Last fall, photographer Wookie Kim went on an epic 45-day trail running road trip, driving to more than 30 national parks – from Cuyahoga Valley to the Grand Canyon – and running a trail each day. Wookie says: “In all, I ran almost 500 miles of trails, gained 70,000-plus vertical feet, hit 33 states and had one unforgettable experience. It was the trip of a lifetime.” iPhone courtesy of Wookie Kim.

Check out this sunrise picture from the mouth of the Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park in Texas. An explorer’s paradise, Big Bend is a great place to paddle, hike and marvel at the 1,500 foot tall cliff walls. There’s also world class bird watching this time of year because of the park’s diverse set of ecosystems. Photo by Howard Lawrence (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

It’s World Turtle Day! From a tiny baby bog turtle to a massive leatherback, turtles come in many shapes and sizes. Found gliding through the open ocean or slowly trudging over desert plains, they are fascinating creatures. Because of environmental threats, several species are endangered and need our help. Video of a baby turtle running for the surf by Dry Tortugas National Park.

Sunset ignites the clouds around Mount Rainier’s summit in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. To see this, hike up to Glacier Overlook and enjoy wonderful views of forests, meadows, streams, mountains and wildlife. There’s so much to experience, you might even miss the marmots. Can you spot the one in this picture? Photo by Howard Snyder (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).