One of the best parts about the Holidays are the amazing Christmas trees and light displays. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, it is hard not to feel festive. Here are some examples of great tree and light decorations from around the world.

These spectacular shots are from Winter Illuminations, a gorgeous display of lights at the Nabano No Sato botanical garden in Kuwana, Japan. Millions of LED lights spread across the garden grounds creating inspiring scenes such as a sunrise at Mt Fuji, a rainbow across the sky, and the aurora borealis, not to mention the spectacular light tunnels. You can catch this spectacular sight up until March 31, 2013.

I've seen a bunch of examples of this artistic effect, but never knew what it was called. After some quick searching, I learned it is called the droste effect. The effect involves a "picture appearing within itself, in a place where a similar picture would realistically expected to appear". In theory it can go on forever, but in reality, it is limited by what can fit inside the image.

The effect is named after the image on the packaging of Droste brand cocoa powder. In it, a nurse is carrying a tray with a box of of the same image. It was introduced in 1904. You can see the original box here.

You can even download a Photoshop plugin that creates the effect for you.

You know you are an icon when people everywhere know you by your first name. That is most definitely the case with Madonna. I wasn't old enough to appreciate Madonna when she was in her prime as the Queen of Pop, but most definitely am now. Here are some beautiful photos to celebrate.

The world looks incredibly different, and beautiful, under the lense of a miscroscope. You just need to take a look at these images from the Olympus BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition for proof. This international competition, in its ninth year, honors the world's most extraordinary microscope images. Check out more at the Olympus BioScapes website!