Go with the rainbow flow Aug 24, 2020

Go with the rainbow flow

Today"s photo brings us to the banks of Caño Cristales, the "liquid rainbow" that cuts a prismatic path through the heart of Colombia. From June through November, when the clear water is low, the abundant underwater plants that cover the riverbed show off their red, yellow, green, and blue hues. The star of the show—especially in this photo—is Macarenia clavigera, a riverweed that ranges from bright red to deep crimson or purple depending on its intake of sun rays. In August and September, when the florid flora is at its peak, the river"s a coveted nature excursion: Because the ecosystem is so fragile, visits are limited to guided tours.

© Jorge Iván Vásquez Cuartas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Aug 24, 2018A new park with a new mission
Aug 24, 2019Get the bear facts
Aug 24, 2021Surf s always up in Paia
Aug 24, 2022Ukrainian Independence Day
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California
Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
Aug 24, 2025European fallow deer in England

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Jun 24, 2018The Twin Cities celebrate Pride
Aug 19, 2019On the wings of the Wright brothers
Dec 27, 2019 Winterpret on ice
May 3, 2019A night of art and culture
Nov 26, 2022World Olive Tree Day
Jul 20, 2020Earthrise on Moon Day
Jul 23, 2021Let the games (finally) begin!
Jul 4, 2021Happy Independence Day!
Jun 6, 2021On this shore, history was made
Dec 11, 2021Everest s shadow on the Himalayas
Dec 9, 2021Glowworm caves in Australia
Oct 12, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Apr 1, 2022April Fools Day
Sep 25, 2024Sequoia National Parks 134th anniversary
Jan 20, 2021Penguins can t fly!
Aug 5, 2020Aw shucks, It s Oyster Day
Apr 20, 2026National Park Week
Aug 9, 2020A peek at an explosive peak
Apr 17, 2020It s a ruff life
May 11, 2022Santorini, Greece
Jul 2, 2021A meerkat stands alone
Apr 28, 2024Last day of National Park Week
Aug 9, 2019In the Supertree Grove
Apr 10, 2018It’s Siblings Day!
Oct 26, 2018A notorious gunfight that was incorrectly named
Sep 15, 2020For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
Jul 24, 2023Cousins Day
Jun 21, 2021The tallest animal in the world on the longest day of the year
Nov 27, 2025Happy Thanksgiving!