Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan Oct. 17, 2024

Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

If you"ve ever seen photos of endless red fields that look like they"re on fire, you"ve seen kochia in action. In the spring and summer, this annual herb starts off with a fresh green look, resembling a fluffy green ball. As the seasons change, so does its colour—transforming into shades of red, orange and even pink.

© DigiPub/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Widespread and long-eared
Oct. 17, 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy
Oct. 17, 2025Jasper Dark Sky Festival

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Jan. 7, 2026Old Rock Day
Dec. 1, 2025Antarctica Day
Dec. 28, 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur in Madagascar
Zebras enjoying their day
Man-made, meandering Lake Powell
Oct. 11, 2024Celtic Colours International Festival
Jul 1, 2026Canada Day
Sep. 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Secluded sands in Mexico
Apr. 28, 2026Spectacled bear resting in tree, Ecuador
Apr. 19, 2024Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
Jun. 15, 2024International Surfing Day
Mar. 29, 2026Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia
Roll out the red carpet
Oct. 17, 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Aug. 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
This clever bird passes with flying colours
Jul 12, 2026Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine, USA
Jul. 26, 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Oct. 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
Jan. 9, 2024Rio Grande, Albuquerque
Jan. 21, 2025Squirrel Appreciation Day
Jan. 8, 2024Bernina Pass, Graubünden, Switzerland
Aug 23, 2026Brown bear fishing in river, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA
Sep. 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Sep 3, 2026Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland
Apr. 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
May 20, 2024Victoria Day
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece