Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, United States Dec 3, 2025

Every December, as morning unfolds, a chorus of rattling calls fills the marshes of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This 23,000-hectare sanctuary in central New Mexico, United States, prepares to stage one of nature"s most stirring performances as sandhill cranes return from their seasonal journey. Soon, tens of thousands of snow geese and other migratory birds join the scene, filling the sky with movement and sound.

© Jack Dykinga/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Dec 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona, USA
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
July 17, 2026Vai, Crete, Greece
Jun 15, 2024Surfer riding a wave in Nazaré, Portugal
May 26, 2025Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Sep 5, 2025Santa Monica Pier
Sep 12, 2025Spinner dolphin pod
Feb 20, 2026Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Apr 3, 2025Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United State
Apr 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Jan 27, 2025Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Apr 23, 2024Library of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Mar 3, 2024Leopard in a tree, Kruger National Park, South Africa
June 15, 2026Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, United States
Feb 14, 2026Bleeding hearts
May 15, 2026A family of sperm whales, Indian Ocean
Nov 9, 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Jan 18, 2024Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
Dec 9, 2023Guanacos, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Jul 14, 2025Young blue shark
Mar 28, 2026African buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Dec 20, 2025Red fox
Apr 20, 2026Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah, United States
Dec 26, 2025Lakes of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain
Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Apr 17, 2026Grey-headed flying fox carrying her pup, Australia
Jun 9, 2025Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
Feb 28, 2025Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Bhutan
Sept 14, 2026Field of kochia plants, China
July 12, 2026Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, USA