Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States 13 Dec 2025

Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States

Every masterpiece needs a brushstroke to tie it together. For Yosemite National Park in the United States, that stroke is the Merced River—painting reflections of granite cliffs, pine forests and waterfalls across its canvas. One of the US National Wild and Scenic Rivers, this waterway begins high in the Sierra Nevada. It gathers meltwater and winds 145 miles west through Yosemite Valley into California"s Central Valley.

© Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

So nice, they made it twice
13 Dec 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
13 Dec 2024Christmas market, St Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Our forgotten forests
Glasto turns 50
7 Dec 2025A pine forest in Alsace, France
18 Sep 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
The beauty of intricate carvings
20 Feb 2024Kinder Scout, England
Doves of peace
5 May 2024Happy Cinco de Mayo!
19 Aug 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
15 Jun 2025Happy Fathers Day!
17 Jul 2024Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany
24 Sep 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
2 Oct 2024Wind River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
8 Jul 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
22 Jan 2025Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
The glowing winter
Passing with flying colours
5 Apr 2025Grand National
13 Apr 2024Grand National
26 Jan 2024Big Garden Birdwatch
28 Sep 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
London calling
9 Mar 2024Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico, USA
Nature’s blue wonder
15 Feb 2025Kingfisher
18 Dec 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
5 Jul 2024Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Santa slalom
Boardwalk over Balkan lakes
Walking a rocky rainbow