Phone Wallpaper - Bing Wallpaper Gallery

17 Oct 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

If you"ve ever seen photos of endless red fields that look like they"re on fire, you"ve seen kochia in action. In the spring and summer, this annual herb starts off with a fresh green look, resembling a fluffy green ball. As the seasons change, so does its colour—transforming into shades of red, orange and even pink.Desktop Version

5 Sep 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival

Cinema aficionados, assemble. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) gears up to dazzle with its 49th edition in Toronto, Canada, the city seen in today"s image. Since its establishment in 1976, the TIFF has become one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. The event draws a diverse tapestry of attendees, from seasoned directors to rising stars and eager cinephiles. The festival has seen the premieres of critically acclaimed films over the years, including "The Fabelmans" and "Black Swan."Desktop Version

Purple mountain majesties

Desktop Version

29 Nov 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

A tidal marvel and a slice of medieval life all rolled into one rocky outcrop—welcome to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, northern France. The story of this "Wonder of the West" goes back to the early 8th century, when Archangel Michael was said to have appeared to the bishop of Avranches in a vision. The divine message was clear: build a sanctuary on this rock. Taking this angelic advice seriously, the bishop laid the foundations of what would eventually become the abbey that dominates the island today. Over the centuries, this UNESCO World Heritage Site grew in size and reputation, attracting monks, pilgrims and invaders alike.Desktop Version

24 Sep 2023World Rivers Day

If you are a nature enthusiast, an environmental advocate or just simply enjoy listening to the sound of rumbling rivers, you might like to know that today is World Rivers Day. Following the United Nations" "Water for Life Decade" movement between 2005 and 2015, Mark Angelo—Canadian river conservationist, teacher, author and speaker—proposed a global event to celebrate rivers. World Rivers Day dedicates the fourth Sunday of September each year to waterways, to increase awareness of the many benefits that rivers provide to people and the planet.Desktop Version

30 Mar 2024Brown-throated three-toed sloth

Costa Rica"s lush forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which can make up to 30% of their body weight when full. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats. This symbiotic relationship provides them with a greenish hue, offering effective camouflage within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-President Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasise the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.Desktop Version

24 Jan 2025Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival

What could be better than warming up winter with a feast that"s a little wild and a lot of fun? Thorrablot, Iceland"s midwinter festival, invites you to dive headfirst into tradition. This celebration of survival, culture, and community, which dates to the Viking Age, was once a way for Icelanders to honour Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Today, people celebrate by gathering to feast on an array of local delicacies, including fermented shark, smoked lamb, rye bread and shots of Brennivín—often called "black death" schnapps.Desktop Version

5 Feb 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Being the "black sheep" isn"t always a bad thing—just ask the Scottish Blackface, seen here in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. With its striking dark features and a knack for thriving in places others wouldn"t, this British breed has turned the idiom on its head. Far from an outcast, it"s the backbone of Scotland"s rural life and a true champion of the hills and moors. Interestingly, the Blackface sheep didn"t originate in Scotland but south of the Anglo-Scottish border. The breed"s history is fascinating, and varieties such as the large-framed Perth and the medium-framed Lanark types are found across the United Kingdom. Though it"s the most common breed in the region, the Blackface sheep has spread across the world. Its coarse fleece is perfect for making durable products like carpets and tweeds—definitely not your average sweater material.Desktop Version

11 Apr 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela

In the heart of the wilderness, an awe-inspiring sight plummets from a mountain—the Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela! Also known as Dragon Falls, the cascade featured in today"s image is in a narrow niche at the southern end of the canyon that divides the mountain of Auyan Tepui. Falling from 979 metres, Churún Merú is joined by a neighbouring stream in the wet season. Venezuela is home to some of the world"s most impressive natural wonders, including the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls, found some 4 miles south of Churún Marú. James Angel, who is often wrongly credited with finding Angel Falls, may have discovered the Dragon waterfall. Something that supports this theory is the fact that Angel Falls is often misidentified as the Dragon Falls. So, whether you"re after Angels or Dragons, Venezuela has a waterfall for you!Desktop Version

30 Jan 2025Rolands Breach, Spain

High up in the Pyrenees, there is a gap in the mountains. More than 90 metres tall and 39 metres wide, Roland"s Breach, featured here today, is a sight to behold. But who was Roland? Count Roland was a Frankish military leader during Charlemagne"s reign in the 8th century. Legend has it that, after being defeated in battle, Roland cut a gap in the mountains—either to destroy his sword or to catch one last glimpse of France.Desktop Version

Reflecting the beauty of the Lakes

Desktop Version

20 Jun 2024Summer solstice

It"s that time of year again—the daylight stretches long into the evening hours! This phenomenon, known as the summer solstice, occurs when one of the Earth"s poles is most inclined toward the sun. Today"s image features the Kokino megalithic observatory, which is part of the Kokino archaeological site in North Macedonia. It is believed that Kokino observatory marked the position of the sun during summer and winter solstices, as well as the equinox, and consists of two platforms. A stone block on the upper platform of the observatory indicates the summer solstice sunrise direction when seen from a seat on the lower platform. So, when in North Macedonia, don"t miss out on experiencing this ancient astronomical wonder!Desktop Version

8 Aug 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand

Think you can win a staring contest with one of these? With piercing yellow eyes against a grey-brown face, spotted owlets are often seen when small birds spot them during the day and mob them. Once located, these primarily nocturnal owls will often stare down intruders, bob their heads and emit a loud "chirurrr-chirurrr-chirurrr" screech, or what"s sometimes described as laughter or chuckling.Desktop Version

25 Dec 2024Merry Christmas!

Deck the halls, it"s Christmas time! Christmas Day is a holiday packed with joy, warmth and cherished traditions. For many, it"s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, bringing family and friends together to exchange gifts, share meals and enjoy festive décor. Beyond its spiritual roots, Christmas also lights up the season with beloved customs—decorating trees, carolling and eagerly awaiting Santa"s arrival. These traditions, blending both old and new, make the holiday a magical experience filled with connection and cheer.Desktop Version

29 Oct 2024Great horned owl

The Halloween season is upon us, so let"s meet one of the holiday"s icons: the great horned owl. With its keen vision, eerie vocalisations and silent flight, this owl has historically been revered and feared. In folklore and mythology, owls were considered symbols of wisdom and omens of death. On Samhain, the Celtic precursor to Halloween, the owl was believed to be the kin of roaming spirits.Desktop Version

22 Apr 2024Earth Day

Today is Earth Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the planet we call home and raising awareness of environmental problems. The seeds of this day were planted back in 1969 when Gaylord Nelson, the then-senator of Wisconsin, USA, witnessed events like the Cuyahoga River catching fire and the Santa Barbara oil spill and decided that the world needed an environmental initiative. A year later, the first Earth Day event was held. Now, it has grown into an annual event with more than a billion people in over 193 countries taking part.Desktop Version

When life imitates art

Desktop Version

Protecting the gentle giants

Desktop Version

13 Nov 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain

The history of olive cultivation in one of the Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain, dates back over 2,000 years. The Phoenicians and Greeks, who were early settlers here, introduced the first olive trees to the island. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, which adorns the north coast, is home to these olive groves. The olive groves expanded during the Islamic era, and olive oil became a crucial ingredient in Majorca"s gastronomy and culinary traditions.Desktop Version

15 Jan 2025266 years of the British Museum

January 15, 1759, marked the opening of a place that would become the pride of London, a hub of global history and a keeper of countless stories: the British Museum. For the first time in the world, a national museum flung its doors wide open, offering free access to knowledge and culture for all. The story begins with Sir Hans Sloane, an Anglo-Irish physician and avid collector. His collection of more than 71,000 items, ranging from books and manuscripts to botanical samples and antiquities, formed the museum"s foundation. Fast forward 266 years, the museum houses more than 8 million objects, the largest collection of artefacts in the world, although only about 1% of the collection is currently on display. Its treasures span continents and millennia, from the Rosetta Stone—key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs—to the Parthenon Marbles, the Benin Bronzes and samurai armour.Desktop Version

Look up, incoming…

Desktop Version

Rolling hills and charming villages

Desktop Version

8 Dec 2024Notre-Dame reopens

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.Desktop Version

19 Sep 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland

With their twists and turns, record heights and breathtaking vistas, mountain roads like Umling La and Pico de Veleta are steeped in history. One such route of the Lepontine Alps—Splügen Pass—is pictured here today. Located on the border of Switzerland and Italy, over 2,114-metre-high pass is one of the highest paved roads in Europe. Although its modern form was built between 1818-1823, the Splügen Pass is rich in history with links to Roman times. The pass has been much quieter since the nearby San Bernardino road tunnel opened in 1967. The now quiet pass, which has 51 marked hairpin bends, remains closed during winter. So, if spectacular mountainside views and picturesque lakes tickle your fancy, you can enjoy this ascent between June and mid-October. Has your interest in a Swiss-sational time "peaked" yet?Desktop Version

Bing wallpaper for mobile