Phone Wallpaper - Bing Wallpaper Gallery

Feb. 17, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

This winter wonderland is Rügen, Germany"s largest island. From the iconic chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park to sandy beaches, the island provides a diverse landscape for nature enthusiasts to revel in. Many artists have come here in the past to give free rein to their creativity. The chalk cliffs inspired one of Germany"s most famous painters—Caspar David Friedrich. Pictured here is Sassnitz lighthouse, a maritime beacon that has guided sailors through the Baltic Sea since its establishment in 1905. Though ice may be covering the shore, the lighthouse still stands, frozen as over, shining a light for ships to sail by.Desktop Version

Feb. 16, 2024Great Backyard Bird Count

For the next four days, birdwatchers all over the world will be taking part in a special yearly event: the Great Backyard Bird Count. During the count, bird lovers are encouraged to identify the feathered friends they see or hear in their area and report their findings. The data helps scientists understand and protect birds by providing information about how populations and habitats change over time.Desktop Version

Feb. 14, 2024Valentines Day

Love is in the air as Valentine"s Day arrives! This holiday is often associated with various romantic symbols, such as Cupid or Romeo and Juliet, the famous star-crossed lovers of William Shakespeare. Symbols of love can also be found in nature, such as red-crowned cranes, seen today in the reed marshes and frozen lakes of Hokkaido Island, Japan. These graceful birds engage in captivating mating dances to strengthen their lifelong bond—and symbolise good fortune, longevity and fidelity in Japanese culture. These gentle creatures even inspired a traditional paper craft, the origami crane; according to legend, folding a thousand cranes can grant wishes.Desktop Version

Feb. 13, 2024Mardi Gras

Get ready to revel, because Mardi Gras is here! Also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, the holiday was originally celebrated to live life to the fullest before fasting and giving up other indulgences for Lent—though many modern celebrators are just happy to use the occasion as an excuse to party. Fat Tuesday celebrations take place in cities and countries around the world, particularly those with French influence, due to the settlers that brought the custom. Out of these places, New Orleans has become intrinsically linked with the festival thanks to its massive four-to-eight-week-long celebration.Desktop Version

Feb. 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island

The Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise is one of the 49 species of tortoises known for their dome-shaped shells. They are found on Isabela Island in the Galápagos archipelago. The tortoises get their name from the volcano that dominates Isabela, these herbivores thrive in the lush highland regions where they graze on a variety of vegetation like fruits, leaves and grass. They showcase distinctive breeding behaviours as the males make guttural sounds to attract females and compete with each other using various techniques like biting and raising their head higher than the other. Nesting occurs on the volcanic slopes during the months of May and June, where females deposit their eggs in soft soil.Desktop Version

Feb. 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!

Let"s mark the first new moon of the lunar calendar with a celebration! People gather to usher in the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, which ends 15 days from now with the Lantern Festival. In Chinatown, Vancouver, the streets come alive with the rhythm of drums during the parade, showcasing the traditional lion and dragon dance on the second day of the festival. Visitors can also take in martial arts displays and lively floats. The Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together, and it is responsible for one of the world"s largest annual human migrations. Did you know that 2024 heralds the Year of the Dragon, a mighty symbol of nobility, power and success?Desktop Version

Feb. 9, 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

If you"re seeking an unspoiled landscape where nature displays raw beauty and power, Pegadung Rock on the southern coast of Indonesia"s island of Sumatra, could be the place for you. While the beach boasts turquoise waters, sandy shores and crashing waves, it"s the shark-teeth-like rocks, standing as tall as 10 metres against the currents of the Indian Ocean, that truly steal the show. These rock formations have earned the area nicknames such as "rock screen" and "shark"s teeth." While this beach has no tourist accommodation, the nearby Kiluan Bay village presents a haven for visitors. For those ready to trade lounging for exploring, this Sumatran treasure awaits.Desktop Version

Feb. 8, 2024Mount Hood, Oregon

Mount Hood graces Oregon"s skyline with a pointed, snow-capped peak. Standing at nearly 3,429 metres, this dormant stratovolcano is the tallest mountain in the state, drawing adventurers and nature aficionados alike. With 12 named glaciers and numerous snow fields, Mount Hood offers a wintry playground all year round. Beyond its snow-laden allure, it sustains diverse ecosystems, nurturing ancient forests and serving as a haven for wildlife, including cougars and wolves. Over the past 1,800 years, the volcano has erupted three times. According to geologists, the mountain is primarily dormant, but there is still a chance that it could erupt one day.Desktop Version

Feb. 7, 2024St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa

St. James Beach, nestled along the Cape Town coastline, is a small, sheltered beach popular for its row of vibrant Victorian bathing boxes that add a kaleidoscope of colour against the azure ocean backdrop. The ambience is perfect for leisurely strolls and soaking up the sun"s warmth while observing the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tides. However, it"s the St. James Tidal Pool that steals the spotlight—a protected bathing area teeming with small marine life. Built between rugged rocks, the pool offers crystal-clear waters for a tranquil swimming experience. The pool is warm compared to the ocean and is perfect for floating around without worrying about strong currents, making it a safe water playground for kids and adults.Desktop Version

Feb. 6, 2024Lake Tahoe

Peeking out of Lake Tahoe—the largest Alpine lake in North America and the second-deepest lake in the United States— Bonsai Rock and its surroundings are a popular tourist destination in the Sierra Nevada range. The peculiar sight of four trees growing out of what appears to be a massive granite rock inspired a name that comes from the Japanese art of growing miniature trees. Bonsai traditionally contain a single tree or a small group of trees of the same species, so the description fits this site well. Part of the purpose of bonsai is to provide an opportunity for contemplation, so if you visit Bonsai Rock, find a place to relax and explore your thoughts.Desktop Version

Feb. 5, 2024Monarch butterflies, Goleta, California

Monarch butterflies, with their vibrant orange and black wings, are found across southern regions, from coastal meadows to urban gardens. Born on fragrant milkweed leaves, their tiny caterpillars store the plant"s essential chemicals for protection. As they transform into butterflies, they embark on a journey soaring south, to wintering grounds in Mexico and California. Those gathered to see the clumps of butterflies in 30-metre-tall trees might confuse them for clumps of leaves, however, as the sun"s rays gently fall upon the insects, their wings will begin to flutter. Bring your binoculars and take the opportunity to witness these winged wonders huddled together, it"s truly a sight to behold!Desktop Version

Feb. 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria

Step into the depths of Devetashka Cave and journey through time in one of Bulgaria"s many natural wonders. However, there is one condition for this adventure: you must not be afraid of bats! About 30,000 of these flying mammals call the cave home. The karst cave, which was formed by the dissolution of carbonate rocks by water, is now part of a public park. The presence of humans in Devetashka Cave is thought to date back to the Early Stone Age, around 70,000 years BCE, and Neolithic artefacts from 6,000-4,000 BCE have been found here. Several large openings in the cave cast natural light into the chambers, offering better illumination for photographers and nature lovers alike.Desktop Version

Feb. 3, 2024Carnival of Venice

Don your tricorn hat and gilded disguise, it"s time to visit the Carnival of Venice, a centuries-old festival shrouded in mystique and beauty. This annual winter celebration combines revelry with anonymity, thanks to masks that often follow certain character archetypes such as the bauta, volto, Colombina and Zanni—the last two are borrowed from Italian commedia theatre. Over the course of the festivities, thousands of people take to the streets in elaborate costumes that imitate traditional 17th-century Venetian clothes. There are parades, parties and processions galore during the carnival, along with concerts and street performances, all of which last until Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 13 this year. While revelling in the streets, you might pass by the Santa Maria della Salute, seen towards the back of today"s image, a baroque basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who was considered to be the protector of the Republic of Venice.Desktop Version

Feb. 2, 2024Groundhog Day

Curious about how long this winter will last? The superstitious can take a cue from Groundhog Day"s forecast based on whether the titular animal sees his shadow. On February 2, the well-known prognosticator, Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario, emerges from his burrow to predict the arrival of spring. The outcomes? Six more weeks of winter or early spring. Once the prediction is made, it is read to the crowd, who cheer Willie on either way. The original Willie passed away in 1999, and since then, the celebration has been held with a successor to the original Willie. A relative of Willie"s, the Alpine marmot seen here today, has its own winter tradition of stocking up on food to prepare for a long hibernation. Let"s hope that Willie doesn"t see his shadow so we can exit our own.Desktop Version

Feb. 1, 2024Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba

In the rugged terrain of Churchill, Manitoba, a polar bear finds solace on a bed of stone covered with ice and snow. Every year, as Hudson Bay freezes over, polar bears congregate here, waiting to return to their icy hunting grounds. The largest land carnivores, equipped with an incredible sense of smell and powerful limbs, traverse the rocky landscapes. They primarily feed on various species of seals, walruses and beluga whale. Their thick fur is perfect for insulation, and their large paws are designed like snowshoes, making them capable of surviving in the harshest of climates. A lot of globetrotters are found here during this season, paying a visit to these marine mammals, as 64 to 80 per cent of polar bears worldwide are found in Canada.Desktop Version

Jan. 31, 2024International Zebra Day

It"s time for some black-and-white thinking. January 31 is International Zebra Day, a day to honour these stripey creatures. While all zebras have the iconic black-and-white stripes, there are actually three different species of zebras: plains, mountain and Grévy"s zebras. Today"s snapshot shows Burchell"s zebras, a subspecies of the plains zebra, in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa. Found across eastern and southern Africa, zebras thrive in savannas, shrublands, woodlands and even mountain regions. They spend most of their time eating—grasses, leaves and shrubs are their favourites—and have been known to travel hundreds of kilometres in search of food and water. Sadly, all three varieties of zebra are under threat from hunting and habitat destruction, so events like International Zebra Day that draw attention to their plight are more necessary than ever.Desktop Version

Jan. 30, 2024Aýna, Albacete, Spain

Snow might not be the first thing that pops into your mind when thinking about Spain, but thanks to its diverse landscapes from high peaks to warm beaches, Spain has it all. Featured in today"s image, the tiny village of Aýna—with a population of less than 1,000—lies in the steep valley carved by the river Mundo in the Sierra del Segura mountain range. Because of its snow-capped mountains during the winter months, the town is frequently called Manchegan Switzerland—with "Manchegan" referring to the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha that Aýna is a part of. About 240 kilometres south of the capital, Madrid, Aýna offers a unique glimpse into Spanish village life.Desktop Version

Jan. 29, 2024Gollinger Waterfalls, Salzburg, Austria

From the untamed Salzachöfen Gorge, to the world"s oldest salt mines at Hallein, to Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world, Austria is home to many wonders. Though gentle and humble, the Golling Waterfalls in the state of Salzburg are certainly one of them. With two major cascades, one tumbling down after the other from the mouth of the Schwarzbachfall cave, this 76-metre fall is a sight to behold in every season—whether it"s framed by the lush greenery of spring or the icy embrace of winter. The region has been protected as a natural monument in Austria since 1985. Whether you are into hiking, photography or just looking to spend some quality time in nature, this is a great Austrian destination.Desktop Version

Jan. 28, 2024Channel Country, Australia

There is a patchwork quilt of earth tones and narrow waterways running like veins through the Australian Outback"s Channel Country. This sprawling area is famous for its crisscrossing river channels and its transformation from a parched desert canvas to a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers when rainfall is abundant. Indigenous Australians have lived off this land for tens of thousands of years, and some in the area offer tours and classes that teach visitors how to survive in the Outback. This unspoiled region is also home to a bonanza of wildlife—kangaroos that bounce along the plains, emus that strut their stuff and preening purple-crowned fairywrens. If you"re lucky, you might even spot a bilby—a nocturnal marsupial that has rabbit-like long ears. So, are you ready to "channel" your inner explorer?Desktop Version

Jan. 27, 2024St. Paul Winter Carnival

Planning to visit Minnesota in the United States? Spare some time and visit the annual celebration known as the St. Paul Winter Carnival! This event transforms Minnesota"s capital city, St. Paul, into a winter wonderland of festivity and joy between January 25 and February 4. In 1885, a group of reporters visited and referred to Minnesota as another Siberia, which offended city officials. As a response, they devised a plan to showcase the area"s winter beauty. The Winter Carnival was born, featuring various seasonal activities such as bobsledding and ice horse racing. Today, the celebration serves to impress visitors and strengthen community bonds through parades, markets, winter sports and ice carving competitions and displays, such as the beautiful frozen skyline seen in today"s image.Desktop Version

Jan. 26, 2024Northern hawk-owl

Do you find yourself thriving in the daytime while your friends love to stay out late? If so, you"ve got a friend in the northern hawk-owl, one of the world"s few owls that is only active during the day. This vocal bird inhabits the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia and has different calls for mating, communicating with young and announcing that danger is nearby. Northern hawk-owls aren"t picky eaters, they"ll consume mice, rats, voles, lemmings, rabbits, shrews, moles, occasionally other small birds and have even been seen eating frogs and fish. No worries, we"re not on the menu, but if you wander too close to their nest, protective parents have been known to swoop at humans to keep them away.Desktop Version

Jan. 25, 2024Snowy owl

Owls, nocturnal birds of prey characterised by their upright stance, forward-facing eyes and silent flight, encompass a diverse family of species. Among them, the snowy owl stands out as an Arctic resident known for its white plumage. The snowy owl"s thick feather coat, complete with a layer of downy under plumage, provides unmatched insulation against the biting cold. With keen yellow eyes and tufted feathers, these large raptors display exceptional predatory skills. The nocturnal predators mainly consume small mammals such as lemmings, a favourite of theirs. The nomadic birds rarely breed at the same location or with the same mate. During the cold season, they leave the Arctic and migrate to southern Canada and the northern United States.Desktop Version

Jan. 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland

From fjords and lava fields to ice caves and black sand beaches, like the one we see in today"s image, Iceland is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Diamond Beach is one of the most popular natural landmarks in the country. Located near the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, this unique beach gets its name from pieces of icebergs, broken off from glaciers, that wash ashore, resembling sparkling diamonds on the dark sand, which comes from eroded volcanic rocks. The contrast between the clear ice and black sand creates a surreal sight, especially when sunlight hits the ice, making it a must-visit destination along Iceland"s south coast.Desktop Version

Jan. 23, 2024Maldives

With serene sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, the island country of the Maldives is located to the southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The archipelago is renowned for its seafood, lagoons and countless coconut palms. These 1,200 islands are made up of a chain of 26 atolls. Atolls are islands in the shape of rings with coral rims and lagoons in their centre. The Maldives is also home to the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status in June 2011. Visitors go there to spot manta rays and whale sharks and can enjoy sustainable water activities like scuba diving and surfing.Desktop Version

Jan. 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA

Step to the western edge of the United States, where Walton Lighthouse, also known as the Santa Cruz Breakwater Lighthouse, serves as a guiding beacon for passing ships. Built in 2002 in Santa Cruz, California, this 12-metre-tall modern maritime structure replaced a more modest lighthouse. The Walton Lighthouse got its name from Charles Walton, a businessman who generously contributed towards its construction costs in memory of his brother Derek Walton, a merchant seaman who tragically lost his life at sea during World War II.Desktop Version

Bing wallpaper for mobile