Phone Wallpaper - Bing Wallpaper Gallery

Aug 7, 2022National Lighthouse Day

It"s Lighthouse Day in the United States, so let"s stroll over to Spring Point Ledge Light on the breakwater next to Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine. Lighthouse enthusiasts will recognize this as a caisson-style light station, meaning it"s a lighthouse built on top of a water-tight chamber called a caisson. In the US, caisson lighthouses were once known as "bug lights" because at a distance they appeared short and broad, a bit like a beetle on the surface of the water. After the invention of the internal combustion engine, the shape reminded many people of spark plugs, so they started calling them "spark plug lighthouses." Most caisson lighthouses are offshore or on dangerously exposed sites, but this is the only spark plug lighthouse in the country that visitors can walk to.Desktop Version

Sep 20, 2022Sea Otter Awareness Week

Officially called Enhydra lutris, and unofficially known as the cutest creatures that float, these sea otters in Sitka Sound, Alaska, are doing what otters do, showing us that it truly does take a village, in this case a flotilla. Groups of either males or females (sometimes with pups), are appropriately named rafts. Male rafts tend to be larger and can number more than 1,000 individuals. Sea otters" buoyant bodies indeed work like literal rafts, standing in as cradles, dinner tables, or any kind of solid surface. That"s handy because otters spend the vast majority of their lives in the water, even giving birth in the sea. Although they seem to live carefree lives, frolicking and grooming and diving, they also serve an important role in keeping their aquatic ecosystems healthy, something to remember this week as we mark Sea Otter Awareness Week, observed every year during the last week of September.Desktop Version

Aug 1, 2023National Mountain Climbing Day

Today is National Mountain Climbing Day, dedicated to celebrating the sport while highlighting its many risks and rewards. In a bid to scale the tallest peaks and conquer difficult terrain around the world, mountain climbers embark on physically strenuous journeys that demand exceptional training and experience. But the panoramic views and sense of achievement after reaching the summit makes the effort worthwhile. Our image today is that of Denali, North America"s highest peak at 20,310 feet, in south-central Alaska. The name "Denali" means "the high one" in the native Athabascan language. Four climbers, Walter Harper, Harry Karstens, Robert Tatum, and Hudson Stuck, were the first to set foot on the top of the mountain in 1913.Desktop Version

Aug 23, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland

Behold Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. This powerful cascade measures 82 feet across and drops 200 feet over what were once the sea cliffs of the country’s southern coast. The coastline receded seaward, but the cliffs remained, leaving behind this natural wonder, powered by water from two glaciers. Skógafoss, which translates as "forest waterfall," is frequently graced with single or double rainbows, formed by the refraction of sunlight through the mist. Legend has it that a treasure chest is hidden behind Skógafoss, left there by a Viking settler named Prasi Porolfsson.Desktop Version

Mar 7, 2023Terraced rice fields, Yuanyang County, China

Reflecting the colors of the sky, this spectacular hillside in Yuanyang County, China, is just a small part of the vast Honghe Hani Rice Terraces UNESCO World Heritage Site. For 1,300 years, the local Hani people have carved thousands of these asymmetrical terraces around the contours of the Ailao Mountains in Yunnan province.Desktop Version

Mar 4, 20222022 Winter Paralympics

The 2022 Winter Paralympics begins today in Beijing, as the Chinese capital becomes the first city to host both the summer and winter editions of the Paralympic Games. Over the next 10 days, about 600 athletes will compete in 78 different events across six sports—alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowboarding, para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling. All the events will take place in a strict Covid "bubble" system to ensure safety at the Games.Desktop Version

Apr 9, 2022Light show at the skatepark

The art of light painting combines with the artistry of skateboarding to bring you this provocative image from Arvada Skatepark in Colorado. At 40,000 square feet, the park, which opened in 2012, is one of the largest in the country. The massive park includes a snake run, large bowl, medium bowl, street plaza with manual pads, banks, granite pieces, ledges, rails, step ups, stair set, benches, Jersey barrier, brick stamped china bank, and a pyramid. And if you know what all those things are, you"re probably a steezy sk8r.Desktop Version

Sep 9, 2022Belize Barrier Reef

One of the greatest marvels of the marine world, the Belize Barrier Reef runs 190 miles along the Central American country"s Caribbean coast. It"s part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System that stretches from Mexico"s Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras and is the second-largest reef in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef has remained relatively healthy even as many of the planet"s reefs are threatened by climate change.Desktop Version

Mar 6, 2024Wahclella Falls, Oregon

Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, there"s something special awaiting hikers: the Wahclella Falls. Fed by Tanner Creek, a tributary of the Columbia River, these waterfalls were named after a Native American village by members of the Mazama Mountaineering Club. At the end of a trail, visitors can see the spectacular two-tiered cascade that crashes down 350 feet into a pool below, which is the perfect place to take a dip and cool off. While you"re swimming, keep an eye out for the water ouzel—also known as the American dipper—a species of bird that lives here. They can be spotted flying along the stream and occasionally diving into the water.Desktop Version

Mar 2, 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy

When Italy comes to mind, iconic cities like Milan, Rome, and Venice often steal the spotlight. However, on the island of Sicily lies a less famous gem—Modica. It"s a city that rose from the rubble of an earthquake in 1693 to become an architectural wonderland of Baroque-style buildings. With fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts cobbled lanes, echoing with powerful footprints—from prehistoric tribes to the ancient Greeks and Romans to the medieval Arabs and Normans. Landmarks like the San Giorgio Cathedral and San Pietro Church awe visitors with their grandeur, and Modica"s famous chocolate, crafted with Aztec-inspired techniques, tempts the palates of food enthusiasts. So, the next time Italy beckons, how about taking the road less traveled to Modica?Desktop Version

Feb 17, 2022Flamenco dancers

Today"s image captures a split second of the sweeping arm movements and rhythmic foot stamping that are characteristic of Spain"s most famous style of dance. Flamenco is packed with passion and drama, as performers transmit their deepest emotions—from sadness and regret to exuberance and joy—through body movements and facial expressions. But flamenco is more than just a dance: It"s an art form that mixes dancing with singing, guitar playing, clapping, and finger snapping.Desktop Version

Feb 10, 2024Happy Lunar New Year!

Celebrating the first new moon of the lunar calendar, an estimated 2 billion people gather worldwide to usher in the Lunar New Year with vibrant celebrations and family reunions. The festivities, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, last for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival. From envelopes to lanterns, red is the dominant color, symbolizing luck and prosperity. Streets come alive with the rhythm of drums as the dragon dance takes center stage. Our homepage today shows a bird"s-eye view of the dragons—elongated puppets with shimmering scales, animated by a team of dancers. Lunar New Year is a popular time for families to reunite and is said to be responsible for the world"s largest annual human migration. Each year is linked to one of the 12 zodiac animals and 2024 heralds the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of nobility, power, and success.Desktop Version

Oct 31, 2023Halloween

Halloween is here! A night when glowing jack-o"-lanterns decorate doorsteps across the country. The custom has its roots in 19th-century Ireland, where turnips and potatoes were sculpted into scary faces. When Irish immigrants arrived in the US, they found pumpkins much easier to carve and a new tradition was born. The digital age has made things easier still, for those whose carving skills are not up to scratch. This image was created with Bing Image Creator (now even better with DALL·E 3)—create your own jack-o"-lantern with the power of AI.Desktop Version

Jan 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland

From fjords and lava fields to ice caves and black sand beaches, Iceland is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The volcanic black sand of Diamond Beach, pictured in today"s image, sparkles with pieces of iceberg washed ashore from the nearby Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The contrast between the clear ice and black sand looks particularly surreal when sunlight hits the ice, making it a must-visit destination on Iceland"s south coast.Desktop Version

May 16, 2023American Wetlands Month

It"s American Wetlands Month, a time to celebrate swamps, marshes, bogs, and other types of these important ecosystems. Wetlands play a vital role in storing carbon, improving water quality, and serving as habitat for many endangered plants and animals, including American crocodiles and whooping cranes. And yet, wetlands are threatened. Over the centuries, they have been drained to provide land for farming, industry, and housing. Pollution and invasive plants pose further threats. Since the late 1700s, more than half of the 221 million acres of wetlands that once existed in the 48 contiguous states have disappeared.Desktop Version

Dec 9, 2022Muskoxen in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway

These handsome beasts are a living legacy of primeval times—they"ve watched history unfold around them from the era of the woolly mammoth. The cow and calf in our photo belong to Norway"s only herd of muskoxen, and you can visit them in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park. If you feel like roaming by yourself, follow the signposted Musk Ox Trail; just be aware that the massive animals are known to attack if they feel threatened, so give them a wide berth. That sound too scary? Jump on a park safari with an experienced guide who can keep you safe and help you see the muskox in all its hairy glory.Desktop Version

Oct 1, 2023Lake Bled, Slovenia

Nestled amidst the Julian Alps, Slovenia"s Lake Bled invites you to step into a storybook setting. The star of the show? The tiny Bled Island, which beckons with the promise of legends and "rowmance." Make your way there on a traditional, flat-bottomed pletna boat, piloted by oarsmen whose skills have been handed down through generations since 1740. The island is home to the 17th-century Assumption of Mary Church, with its special bell that, legend says, will make wishes come true. If you look to the shore directly above the island in our image, you can spot Bled Castle overlooking the lake"s expanse. The castle—one of the oldest in Slovenia—is positioned on a precipice above the town of Bled on the northwestern shore of the lake.Desktop Version

Dec 3, 2022Art Basel Miami Beach

Every December the center of the art world convenes not in New York, Tokyo, or London, but in a town known more for its wide sandy beaches, café Cubano, and conga rhythms. Art Basel Miami Beach, which wraps up its three-day run today, is the American leg of an international art fair also staged in Basel, Switzerland (where the festival started in 1970), Hong Kong, and Paris. The event, now 20 years old, is the most comprehensive contemporary art fair in North America, attracting thousands of artists, dealers, collectors, appreciators, and just fun-seeking tourists for this annual burst of creativity steps from the sand.Desktop Version

Apr 3, 2024Find a Rainbow Day

As Kermit the Frog once sang, "Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide." Every year on April 3, National Find a Rainbow Day celebrates this colorful natural phenomenon that delights people all around the world. Rainbows occur when sunlight reflects and disperses through raindrops in the atmosphere. On Find a Rainbow Day, people take part in activities like searching for rainbows after rainfall or creating rainbow-themed art. In today"s image, we see a rainbow splashed across the majestic Kakshaal Too Mountains in Kyrgyzstan. The Kakshaal Too range, with its rugged peaks and pristine valleys, is a fitting backdrop for the fleeting beauty of rainbows.Desktop Version

Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece

The Venetian harbor in the Old Town of Rethymno, on the Greek island of Crete, invites you to time travel through history. Its Egyptian lighthouse and Turkish elements are proof of different nations leaving their mark on Crete"s old port. Forged in the 14th century under Venetian rule, this port has long served as a bustling hub for commerce and enterprise. For today"s visitors, a replica of an old wooden sailing ship offers a full historic adventure. For a nostalgic inland experience, visit the 16th-century Fortezza, Rethymno"s Venetian fortress. The citadel is visible from every corner of the town and offers a panoramic view of Rethymno.Desktop Version

May 3, 2022Teacher Appreciation Day

This mandarin duck and her cute little charges seemed a fitting way to illustrate Teacher Appreciation Week, which peaks today on Teacher Appreciation Day. She is leading by example, safely guiding the next generation on their first forays into the world. Hopefully we appreciate the dedication and wisdom of our teachers year-round, but this special day is certainly a timely reminder. For the last two years educators have battled the staggering challenges of the COVID pandemic; rallying their students, whether online or distanced and masked in the classroom; and doing their best to give children a safe, nurturing environment for learning. Their commitment has helped build a strong foundation for young people"s future well-being and happiness, and it taught the value of community and resilience.Desktop Version

Dec 27, 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled in Slovenia gets plenty of attention in summer, but winter? That"s when things slow down in the best way. The lake"s emerald waters take on a softer tone, and Bled Island, with its quaint church, looks straight out of a winter fairytale, as seen in today"s image. The 1.3-mile lake, surrounded by the snow-dusted Julian Alps, was formed over 14,000 years ago through glacial and tectonic activity. The first signs of settlement on Bled Island date back to the New Stone Age (10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE). Additionally, archaeologists uncovered an Early Medieval graveyard here from the 9th century CE. Today, it houses the Church of the Assumption—built in its current form near the end of the 17th century—where visitors ring the "wishing bell" for good luck.Desktop Version

Jan 21, 2025Squirrel Appreciation Day

What"s that long, bushy tail scurrying across the branches? Chances are, it"s a squirrel. These little rodents are found across most of the globe, and today is their special day: Squirrel Appreciation Day. This unofficial holiday was started by a North Carolina wildlife rehabilitator to encourage people to leave out seeds and nuts for these critters. From the tiny least pygmy squirrel—just 5.5 inches long—to the Bhutan giant flying squirrel at more than 4 feet, these mammals come in all shapes and sizes.Desktop Version

Feb 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland

Perched dramatically on a tidal islet in Loch Laich, Argyll, Castle Stalker is one of Scotland"s most picturesque and well-preserved medieval tower houses. Built around the 1440s by the Stewarts of Appin, its history includes royal visits and even a drunken wager that briefly transferred ownership to Clan Campbell. After falling into disrepair by the 19th century, it was lovingly restored in the mid-20th century and is still privately owned today. Visitors can explore this historic site on selected guided tours during the summer.Desktop Version

Jul 20, 2023International Moon Day

International Moon Day is celebrated on July 20, the day humans first set foot on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. It recognizes our lunar achievements and highlights scientific and technological advancements, like NASA"s Orion spacecraft, seen here. Designed for deep space exploration, Orion completed a test flight to the moon without astronauts in 2022 and will carry out a crewed orbit in 2024. The plan is to return astronauts to the moon"s surface in 2025. NASA hopes that these flights, along with events like International Moon Day, will encourage public engagement and education about the moon and its influence on Earth, as well as the potential for future space exploration and colonization.Desktop Version

Bing wallpaper for mobile