Grey seal sleeping on the beach, Orkney Islands, Scotland 9 Mar 2026

Grey seal sleeping on the beach, Orkney Islands, Scotland

This sleeping grey seal, spotted along Scotland"s coast, is here to remind us that rest matters. These marine mammals are strategic sleepers. Instead of one long snooze, they nap in short bursts that suit their surroundings. In the water, they sleep lightly so they can surface to breathe. On quiet beaches and rocky islands, they stretch out for deeper rest.

© Andrew Mason/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

A rainbow that’s worth the rainfall
9 Mar 2024Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico, USA
9 Mar 2025The Shard, London

More Desktop Wallpapers:

10 Aug 2026Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States
6 Jan 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
A beach of many colours
16 Jan 2025Pinnacles National Park, California, United States
26 Sept 2026Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, United States
2 Sep 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
A window to the Pacific
8 Mar 2024International Womens Day
19 Jun 2024Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
16 May 2024International Day of Light
9 Mar 2024Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico, USA
30 Nov 2024Saint Andrews Day
6 Sep 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
4 Apr 2026Discover National Parks Fortnight
Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
2 Jul 2026Ceiling of the Temple of Esna, Egypt
17 Aug 2026False clownfish off Cabilao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Don’t look down!
29 Mar 2026British Summer Time starts
25 Dec 2023Christmas Day
Season of light in the City of Light
7 Mar 2025Plum blossoms, China
15 May 2024The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
A cantilevered window to the past
11 Jul 2025World Population Day
4 Dec 2025International Cheetah Day
2 Oct 2025National Poetry Day
10 Mar 2024Mothering Sunday
The world’s greatest oasis?
25 Jul 2025Colourful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain