Abraham Lake lies in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The view is breathtaking, especially during wintertime, when methane bubbles freeze right underneath the surface, creating eerie cloud-like formations. The phenomenon has a simple explanation: plants on the lake bed release methane bubbles, which freeze once they’re close enough to the surface. In springtime, when the ice starts to thaw, the gas is released into the atmosphere.

You probably wouldn't associate Canada with having any deserts, since the country is typically attributed with winters that are long and harsh. However, that's not entirely true if you visit the southern region of Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada, known as the Okanagan Desert. In this area, summer temperatures regularly exceed 38˚C (100 °F), and portions of the area receive roughly 250 to 300 mm (10 to 12 inches) of rain per year – compare that to Vancouver, which receives approximately 1120 mm (43 inches) of rain per year.

While some areas in British Columbia experience hotter summer temperatures and are at least as arid, the South Okanagan area is home to several species of plants and animals that are not found elsewhere in Canada. For e ...