South Padre Island, Texas Apr 27, 2023

South Padre Island, Texas

Located a few miles offshore on the Texas Gulf Coast, Padre Island is the largest of the state"s string of barrier islands. At 113 miles in length, it is also the longest barrier island in the world. Barrier islands usually run parallel to the coast and, as the name suggests, serve as the mainland"s first line of defense against storms.

© Jeff R Clow/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Apr 27, 2018National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
Apr 27, 2019Aloe in bloom
Apr 27, 2020That s quite a schnoz, baby tapir
Apr 27, 2021Design for Each and All
Apr 27, 2022Midnight sun
Apr 27, 2024National Go Birding Day
Apr 27, 2025Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 8, 2023Breckenridge, Colorado
Oct 14, 2024Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day
Nov 27, 2020Green is the new black
Dec 13, 2021Old Town Quito
Jan 8, 2019A stunning national park in winter white
Oct 10, 2025Visiting the Mamanuca Islands for Fiji Day
Oct 17, 2019Red-leaf hunting in Japan
Apr 19, 2021Rays on parade
Nov 14, 2022Castle ruins on the island of Halki, Greece
Jun 7, 2025National Trails Day
Feb 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!
Nov 16, 2023World Philosophy Day
Oct 16, 2025A Eurasian lynx in Siberia
Dec 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Jun 25, 2019Sutherland Falls in Fiordland National Park
Mar 30, 2026Demoiselle cranes, India
Jan 19, 2018Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic
Dec 27, 2025Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota
May 13, 2023World Migratory Bird Day
Mar 9, 2020This grizzly has Napping Day down
Aug 17, 2021Wanderin Wawayanda
Jul 20, 2020Earthrise on Moon Day
Jul 15, 2025Perseid meteor shower over Nevada
Aug 16, 2022National Roller Coaster Day
Aug 24, 2019Get the bear facts
Jan 27, 2024St. Paul Winter Carnival
Apr 5, 2026Easter Sunday
Jul 9, 2021A center of antiquity on the Mediterranean
Apr 25, 2024World Penguin Day
Aug 25, 2020Punakaiki on South Island, New Zealand