A monster view in Scotland Aug 22, 2020

People love a good mystery. Maybe that"s why we"ve been fascinated by mythical creatures like the Loch Ness monster for nearly 1,500 years. We"re looking at Urquhart Castle, a ruin founded in the 13th century, with Loch Ness behind it. As the legend goes, on August 22, 565, an Irish priest named Columba confronted "Nessie" and commanded the "water beast" away. Since then, several other people have claimed to spot, or even photograph, the Loch Ness monster. And then there are the alleged sightings of Bigfoot, the chupacabra, the yeti, and other creatures around the world. These are all examples of a subculture engaged in cryptozoology—the study of hidden animals. Are any of these beasts real? Probably not, but why spoil the fun?

© AWL Images/Danita Delimont

palette

Today in History

Aug 22, 2018Summer’s in home stretch
Aug 22, 2019Dancing waters of Dubai
Aug 22, 2021A wild, craggy corner of the United States
Aug 22, 2022Burrowing owls
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Aug 22, 2024Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
Aug 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington
Aug 22, 2026Common blue butterfly

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 20, 2020Celebrating sea otters
Jan 29, 2023Blackbird in Essex, England
Mar 12, 2020Fiesta at Siesta
Apr 1, 2019Unbearable cuteness
Sep 18, 2022World Bamboo Day
Oct 21, 2020Does this chameleon look a little insecure?
May 15, 2018Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
May 1, 2022AAPI Heritage Month & Lei Day
May 25, 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Jun 4, 2022National Trails Day
Mar 10, 2023Vale of Edale, Peak District, England
Oct 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
Apr 29, 2020Spring comes to the Palouse
Feb 13, 2019Life goes on at the Beatles Ashram
Apr 14, 2020A day for the dolphins
Jun 9, 2020Gem State views
Jul 19, 2026Barn swallows of different subspecies resting together
Jan 8, 2019A stunning national park in winter white
Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day
Oct 10, 2018Space is for everyone
Dec 21, 2018Paper lanterns on the longest night
Sep 4, 2020A bull, some flowers, and a stratovolcano
Jan 22, 2018Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Jan 27, 2022Bluespotted ribbontail ray
Mar 31, 2023Steyr River, Austria
Aug 17, 2019The buzz about bees
May 27, 2024Fallen but not forgotten
Aug 16, 2022National Roller Coaster Day
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria