Bing wallpaper for mobile

Hottest Latest
Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sea Otter Awareness Week
It"s hard not to smile when you spot a sea otter. Their whiskery faces, busy paws, and thick fur give the impression of a stuffed animal that has come to life and taken to the ocean. These heaviest members of the weasel family aren"t just cute though, they also play a vital role in the kelp forest ecosystem, keeping the destructive sea urchin population in check. Sea Otter Awareness Week aims to help protect their populations, which once numbered as high as 300,000 but then dropped to fewer than 2,000 after widespread hunting. International protections were put into place in 1911 and numbers have rebounded to around 125,000, but they still remain endangered. While some habitats never recovered, others have emerged in entirely new locations, such as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. In 1995, five sea otters were spotted in Glacier Bay, and today there are over 8,000 that hunt, play and raise pups in the kelp-abundant waters.Desktop Version
A cantilevered window to the past
A cantilevered window to the past
Desktop Version
Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Mont-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
New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
New Year"s Eve, also known as Old Year"s Day, is celebrated around the world with revelry, fireworks and for some, religious and cultural observances. Many countries celebrate with foods symbolic of prosperity, long life and good fortune for the coming year, and many people sing Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne" at the stroke of midnight to remember old friends and past experiences. The new year is often personified as a baby, a tradition that dates back to ancient Greeks, often paired with an old man who represents the previous year.Desktop Version
Médoc, France
Médoc, France
In the Bordeaux region, the sprawling vineyards of the Médoc produce renowned wines. September marks the start of grape harvesting, with famous appellations like Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe preserving ancient winemaking traditions.Desktop Version
The butterfly effect
The butterfly effect
Desktop Version
Giant cuttlefish, Whyalla, South Australia, Australia
Giant cuttlefish, Whyalla, South Australia, Australia
Prepare to be amazed by the giant cuttlefish, known for its mesmerising ability to transform its appearance in the blink of an eye. This cuttlefish is found in the temperate and subtropical waters of Australia, ranging from Brisbane in Queensland and Shark Bay in Western Australia to as far south as Tasmania. Featured here is a giant cuttlefish in Whyalla, South Australia. In this region, where males are significantly outnumbered, a unique gender imbalance fuels intense competition for mating rights.Desktop Version
A mountaintop cultural wonder
A mountaintop cultural wonder
Desktop Version
Rebels of the owl world
Rebels of the owl world
Desktop Version
Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Today"s homepage takes us to Jutland, Denmark, where the arrival of spring showcases the green hues of the European beech, a national symbol of this northern land. The young leaves of these budding trees are significant to the Danish people, as they are harvested from April to May and used in cooking—particularly in salads. In the past, Europeans would often use the smooth bark of beech trees for writings texts. In fact, in the modern Dutch language, the term for "book" directly translates as "beech tree." As the sun shines through the forest canopy, wild anemones brighten up the woodland with their white petals. These blooms, representing delicate beauty and sincerity, have even starred in masterpieces by artists such as Monet and Vincent van Gogh.Desktop Version
Do pandas enjoy winter?
Do pandas enjoy winter?
Desktop Version
Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Ever heard of frozen bubbles? Abraham Lake in Alberta, Canada, has them during the winter, and they"re not just beautiful—they"re science in action. Created in 1972, Abraham Lake is a man-made reservoir that spans more than 50 square kilometres along the North Saskatchewan River. Thanks to glacier-fed waters from the Rocky Mountains, the lake stays transparent even in the coldest months. The glacial meltwater carries fine sediment that scatters sunlight, while natural filtration through rocks keeps pollutants to a minimum.Desktop Version
World Rivers Day
World 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, a 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
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Cultural opulence, bustling economy and spirited locals—welcome to Dhaka in Bangladesh! This megacity on the Ganges Delta, home to over 10.2 million people, is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. Once known as Jahangirnagar after ruling emperor Jahangir, Dhaka was the provincial capital of the Mughal Empire for 75 years in total.Desktop Version
A peck between penguins
A peck between penguins
Desktop Version
Hop into Lunar New Year
Hop into Lunar New Year
Desktop Version
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Though you might instinctively watch out for invading fleets or dragons overhead, you"re more likely to encounter a tourist than a Lannister in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. As you may know, "Game of Thrones" filmed here frequently throughout the run of the show, and you can scarcely blame them; Dubrovnik"s Old Town is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in the world. For centuries it flourished as the Republic of Ragusa, maintaining independence through diplomacy and robust trade networks. This "Pearl of the Adriatic" has withstood military bombardments and devastating earthquakes, yet the city has always rebuilt and persevered. While pop culture, history and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are all big draws, they might be too effective: A recent report estimated that in 2019 there were 36 tourists for every resident.Desktop Version
Where are these magnificent cliffs?
Where are these magnificent cliffs?
Desktop Version
Dare to tread through the fairy flower?
Dare to tread through the fairy flower?
Desktop Version
A group of Southern gemsbok in the savannah, Botswana
A group of Southern gemsbok in the savannah, Botswana
Horns up, heads high! Featured here is a group of gemsboks, a large antelope, reigning over the sprawling savannahs in southwestern Africa. Indigenous to the arid territories of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and parts of Zimbabwe, they thrive mainly within the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. They can survive in extremely dry conditions and can go without water for weeks, getting moisture from the food they eat. Moreover, gemsboks are adept runners, achieving speeds of up to 59 kilometres per hour. Their distinguishing trait is their notably elongated, straight horns. Although both genders possess these formidable defences, the females" horns tend to be slightly longer and sleeker while the males" horns are thicker with broader bases. So, if you ever find yourself in the sandy plains of the Kalahari, keep an eye out for these desert gems.Desktop Version
Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Desktop Version
Ready for a thrill ride
Ready for a thrill ride
Desktop Version
Is anybody home?
Is anybody home?
Desktop Version
Sharks, just living their lives
Sharks, just living their lives
Desktop Version
World Octopus Day
World Octopus Day
Today, we celebrate a creature with three hearts and the uncanny ability to change colour at will: the octopus. Octopuses are cephalopods, marine animals like squids and cuttlefish that have tentacles. Among their many species is the mototi octopus, pictured here. It was discovered in 1999 around Rapa Island in the South Pacific and is known for the "fake eyes" or ocelli—vibrant blue and yellow rings—between its eyes and arms. Found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Indonesia, Australia and Okinawa in Japan, mototi octopuses are masters of disguise. They usually have a dull orange-cream-brown colour but when alarmed, they can quickly shift to striking maroon with white stripes along their body and arms. Also known as poison ocellate octopuses, these cephalopods are highly venomous. But you don"t need to worry about running into one, because they tend to be shy and solitary, often hiding in crevices, shells or man-made objects like bottles and cans.Desktop Version