Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Nov 14, 2023

This scenic view is of Lake Tekapo on the South Island of New Zealand. The lake undergoes a remarkable transformation each year from mid-November to December, when vibrant Russell lupines burst into colour, elevating the natural beauty to new heights. The plants" blooming heads, made up of pea-like flowers, can reach up to 150 centimetres. While photographers and nature lovers come to witness the varied hues of purple, blue and yellow lupins spread wide across Lake Tekapo, the Russell lupines have a somewhat controversial story. These invasive, exotic plants grow in dense stands, boxing out other flora. While these plants might be appealing to tourists, they can create a negative imbalance in the region"s ecosystem.

© Jeffrey Lewis/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Nov 14, 2025Mother manatee and calf

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 28, 2024Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
Oct 7, 2025Autumn colours below Mount Sneffels near Ridgway, Colorado, United States
Sep 9, 2025Eurasian red squirrel
Sep 17, 2024Kerala, India
Dec 21, 2024Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany
Apr 23, 2026Common chiffchaff, Germany
Feb 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Jul 24, 2025Family of ashy woodswallows
Dec 10, 2025Castle of Rocca Calascio, Italy
Jun 23, 2025Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
Apr 25, 2025Magellanic penguins, Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands
May 8, 2024Château dIf, Marseille, France
Mar 23, 2026Saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA
Aug 25, 2023Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Jul 17, 2025Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France
Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Aug 29, 2023American bison
Jun 11, 2024A group of Southern gemsbok in the savannah, Botswana, USA
Sep 28, 2023Container ship near a commercial port in Thailand
Aug 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Jan 18, 2025Dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Mar 18, 2026Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, USA
Mar 25, 2024Tulip fields in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
May 14, 2024Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, USA
Nov 14, 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Dec 13, 2024St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Aug 2, 2024Saint-François, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Jul 30, 2025Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Feb 16, 2025Humpback whale mother and calf