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
Aug 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 11, 2023National Fossil Day
Mar 21, 2022World Poetry Day
Jan 18, 2026White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Nov 29, 2022Giving Tuesday
Apr 9, 2022Light show at the skatepark
Dec 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California
Mar 21, 2019The power of the forest
Mar 3, 2021Climb a tree for wild animals and plants
Jan 21, 2022National Hug Day
Mar 13, 2019A look at Uranus, seventh planet from the sun
Nov 16, 2018Ancient art in the Amazon
May 25, 2019Traveling warblers
Jan 3, 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Aug 2, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Aug 12, 2023World Elephant Day
Dec 9, 2019Let s crack the code
Dec 19, 2022Northern cardinal in winterberry bush
Apr 29, 2023Astronomy Day
Mar 25, 2019Greece celebrates its independence
Nov 22, 2022Red fox in the Netherlands
Jun 4, 2018Lighting it up for Vivid Sydney
Jul 9, 2018Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
Feb 14, 2018Aerial view of a heart-shaped field in Trittau, Germany
Dec 14, 2018Time to count some birds
Apr 13, 2019Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
Jul 2, 2021A meerkat stands alone
Jan 29, 2019A winter’s holiday ends
Sep 18, 2020Homeward bound
Oct 22, 2021Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Aug 28, 2025A great white egret in Hungary