A monster view in Scotland Aug 22, 2020

A monster view in Scotland

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

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mar 12, 2022The Girl Scouts celebrate 110 years
Feb 4, 2018Male kori bustard, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Sep 26, 2018Art in the chapel
Mar 18, 2019Next stop, Tofino
Oct 24, 2024Bodie State Historic Park, California
Aug 17, 2019The buzz about bees
May 17, 2023Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
Oct 14, 2022Río Arazas in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain
Mar 7, 2019March of the flowers
Mar 1, 2018Stari Most in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Dec 2, 2019Wild and beautiful Alaska
Jun 2, 2019An island for the birds
Aug 16, 2022National Roller Coaster Day
Sep 5, 2023Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
Aug 3, 2023Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
Apr 26, 2018National Park Week: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
May 13, 2019In praise of bogs, swamps, and marshes
Jun 30, 2024Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Jul 8, 2023Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Arkansas
Nov 15, 2019Mesmerizing murmuration
May 9, 2023A castle fit for a count
Jun 22, 2021Land of the midnight sun
Dec 12, 2020What are we looking at?
Jan 21, 2018Red squirrel in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Aug 5, 2023Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Jul 20, 2020Earthrise on Moon Day
Apr 3, 2023National Find a Rainbow Day
Feb 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!
Mar 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain