Phone Wallpaper - Bing Wallpaper Gallery

Aug. 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand

Think you can win a staring contest with one of these? With piercing yellow eyes against a grey-brown face, spotted owlets are often seen when small birds spot them during the day and mob them. Once located, these primarily nocturnal owls will often stare down intruders, bob their heads and emit a loud "chirurrr-chirurrr-chirurrr" screech, or what"s sometimes described as laughter or chuckling.Desktop Version

Sep. 2, 2023Allens Hummingbird

With their vibrant plumage, delicate features and ability to hover mid-air, hummingbirds are one of the wonders of the natural world. The rapid flapping of their wings—an average of 53 times a second—creates their trademark humming sound. That gives them quite an appetite: these little birdies can feed every 10–15 minutes! Today"s specimen is an Allen"s hummingbird, which can be found along the western coast of North America, most commonly in California. They arrive in these areas as early as January and gradually become easy to spot.Desktop Version

Standing on glass 275+ metres in the air

Desktop Version

May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece

When you think of Greece, you might picture sea, sandy shores, whitewashed buildings and blue domes. However, there is so much more to this country. Pictured here is the Roussanou Monastery, nestled amidst the towering cliffs of a rock formation called Meteora in Thessaly, northern Greece. Legend has it that in the 14th century, a group of monks seeking refuge from political turmoil scaled these cliffs to establish their hermitages. Roussanou is one of the six remaining monasteries in the Meteora UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once you"ve conquered the climb, you"ll be greeted by stunning panoramic views, but the real treasures lie within the monastery itself—a world of Byzantine art and architecture. This style emerged in the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from the 4th century CE until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. So, are you ready to take the climb?Desktop Version

Warm light through an ancient forest

Desktop Version

A pink moon over Arizona

Desktop Version

Boardwalk nostalgia

Desktop Version

Birthplace of the Renaissance

Desktop Version

Jul. 11, 2024World Population Day

In 1987, the world population reached the five-billion mark, a milestone so significant that it spawned an international observance: Five Billion Day. Back then, the United Nations recognised the need to address the burgeoning issues tied to our global footprint. Thus, World Population Day was established in 1989. Today, it"s not just a day—it"s a call to action. Overpopulation stretches our planet"s resources thin, urging us to confront urgent matters like family planning, an increase in waste and pollution or a lack of infrastructure. While metropolitan areas struggle with overcrowding, smaller places face the problem of decreasing population, leading to an imbalance. One such example is the Italian town of Gangi, Sicily, seen in today"s image. This village had about 16,000 residents in the 1950s, but today, it is home to a little more than 6,000. Keen on revitalisation, Gangi attracts attention by gifting abandoned houses to those committed to their restoration.Desktop Version

Sep. 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA

Welcome to Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, United States. This is a place where history and nature intertwine. This secluded island, reachable only by ferry or small plane, offers 26 kilometres of untouched beaches and a wealth of stories. The Ocracoke Lighthouse, seen in today"s image, stands out as a notable landmark. The lighthouse celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023, making it the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina. It boasts an 8,000-candlepower light, which can be seen up to 22 kilometres offshore.Desktop Version

A road not for the faint of heart

Desktop Version

Babbling on and on

Desktop Version

Apr. 22, 2024Earth Day

Today is Earth Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the planet we call home and raising awareness of environmental problems. The seeds of this day were planted back in 1969 when Gaylord Nelson, the then-Wisconsin senator, witnessed events like the Cuyahoga River catching fire and the Santa Barbara oil spill and decided that the world needed an environmental initiative. A year later, the first Earth Day event was held. Now, it has grown into an annual event with more than a billion people in over 193 countries taking part.Desktop Version

Red rock country

Desktop Version

May 4, 2024Star Wars Day

Lightsabers gleam and droids beep; let"s all geek! During this galactic holiday, fans around the world unite to revel in everything Star Wars—from watching these saga films to dressing up as their favourite characters. Today"s image flashes out a filming location from the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, the island of Skellig Michael, off the coast of southwestern Ireland. This UNESCO World Heritage landmark houses a preserved monastery from the 6th century, founded by early monks. The site"s beehive huts and stone staircases were showcased as the backdrop of a cloistered island on planet Ahch-To, where Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sought refuge in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Skellig Michael"s abundant seabird population, including puffins, inspired the creation of the penguin-like porgs that roost on Ahch-To. So, grab your Wookiee co-pilot, hop in your starship and may the force be strong as you journey through this galactic Earth location not so far away!Desktop Version

Mar. 9, 2025Daylight saving time begins

It"s that time of year again—when clocks spring forward, stealing an hour of sleep but giving us longer evenings to enjoy. Daylight saving time (DST) starts today at 2 AM, reminding us that time, quite literally, waits for no one. The idea is simple: maximising daylight and reducing energy consumption by syncing our activities with the natural light cycle. This concept was popularised by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, though his suggestion to "save candles" was more satirical than a serious proposal. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and many countries adopted DST to conserve fuel during wartime. Today, DST runs from March to November in around 70 countries, giving us eight months of extended evening light.Desktop Version

Jul. 30, 2024San Gimignano, Siena, Italy

These medieval towers stand tall over San Gimignano, a small town near Siena in north-central Italy. In the Middle Ages, a town grew up around a church dedicated to Saint Geminianus—San Gimignano in Italian. As well as being a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome, the town prospered thanks to its trade in local Vernaccia wine and saffron, which is grown in the nearby hills. However, when the Black Death struck in 1348, half the population was lost, slowing the town"s development and preserving its medieval character to this day.Desktop Version

International Archaeology Day

Desktop Version

Sep. 5, 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival

Cinema aficionados, assemble. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) gears up to dazzle with its 49th edition in Toronto, the city seen in today"s image. Since its establishment in 1976, the TIFF has become one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. The event draws a diverse tapestry of attendees, from seasoned directors to rising stars and eager cinephiles.Desktop Version

Our forgotten forests

Desktop Version

Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see

A beacon in the golden light

Desktop Version

Bing wallpaper for mobile