Mallard duck Jun 14, 2026

At daybreak, the mallard glides over the still water like a brush across a canvas. Its shimmering plumage—emerald-green head in the male, speckled brown coat in the female—catches the first light. It can be seen from the marshes of the Camargue to the urban canals of Amsterdam, a faithful companion of Europe"s aquatic landscapes.

© Philippe Paternolli/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Like a waterfall, free and wild
Locals know this place simply as ‘the Met’
Jun. 14, 2024Peggys Point Lighthouse
Jun. 14, 2025Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

This magical beach is worth the hike
Nimble and stealthy
May 15, 2026Endangered Species Day
Dec. 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Mar. 21, 2026International Day of Forests
Jun. 10, 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
Apr. 23, 2025Shakespeare Day
Santa slalom
Sep. 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Aug. 15, 2024Hang Sơn Đoòng, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam
Dec. 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
What are these predators doing?
So fresh, so clean
Apr. 9, 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
Nov. 5, 2025Peña Roya beech forest, Moncayo Natural Park, Aragon, Spain
Feb. 23, 2026Great white egret, Upper Bavaria, Germany
Why are blackbirds tied to winter?
Perfect, pastoral Palouse
Season of light in the City of Light
Spiralling upward...
Dec. 23, 2025Reindeer, Lapland, Finland
Blood moon
Jun 30, 2026Giraffes at sunset in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
A breathtaking cave when it’s cold
Sep. 28, 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Red rock country
May 5, 2024Kalaloch Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, US
A window to the Pacific
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Sep. 13, 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi