Koleksi Wallpaper 202509

You won't find souvenir shops or tourist maps pointing the way—but follow the edge of Lake Rietplas in Houten and you'll stumble upon one of the Netherlands' most unexpectedly photogenic sights. While many flock to Amsterdam's canals or Rotterdam's cube houses, this quiet commuter town offers its own architectural twist. Lined up like a mirage, the Rainbow Houses shimmer in bold, painterly hues—a residential block turned an understated cultural landmark.

Some towns evolve slowly over centuries. Pienza? It received a full rebrand in the 1400s from a pope who wanted to prove a point—and maybe show off a little. This tiny Italian town is perched above the Val d'Orcia, surrounded by rolling hills that look exactly like you think Tuscany should: cypress trees, winding dirt roads, the occasional sheep. It's peaceful. And then you step inside the town walls, and it gets clever.

Tank Lakes in Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in Washington, United States, is a hidden treasure for nature lovers. The hike begins at the Necklace Valley Trailhead along the forested East Foss River before climbing steeply through rocky terrain and passing several alpine lakes. It covers about 38 kilometres round trip with an elevation gain of more than 1600 metres. The major attractions of the trails are snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine lakes and plenty backcountry exploring in a stunning section of Washington's Cascade Range. The journey to Tank Lakes is challenging but rewarding, offering panoramic views, pristine waters and an immersive wilderness experience. So, if you are adventurous, Tank Lakes could be your next destination.

In the world of woodland critters, the least chipmunk might seem like the 'under squirrel'—but don't count it out. With survival smarts and turbo-charged feet, this tiny rodent proves that being 'least' is no reason to squirrel away your potential. Weighing less than a deck of cards and measuring under 25 centimetres from nose to tail, this species is North America's smallest chipmunk.

High on a hill rising over 180 metres in Rajasthan, India, Chittorgarh Fort spans approximately 280 hectares. It stands as a proud witness to the valour of the famed warrior clans—the Rajputs. Their name comes from the Sanskrit 'rajaputra,' meaning 'son of a king,' and they are celebrated for their noble lineage and martial traditions across northern India. The fort's stone walls have witnessed centuries of courage, pride and romance, remembered in the songs of Rajasthan's bards. According to legend, Bhim, a hero from the Hindu epic 'Mahabharata,' first laid its foundations.

Somewhere in the wide prairies of northeastern Wyoming in the United States, stands Devils Tower, a stone formation that rises from the open plains. Once called Bear Lodge, the butte gained its current name during an 1875 expedition led by Colonel Richard Irving Dodge, possibly after an interpreter mistranslated a Native phrase as 'Bad God's Tower.' The missing apostrophe in its official title follows standard geographic naming conventions—hence, the signs read 'Devils Tower.' In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it as the nation's first national monument.

Spot a flash of yellow on its chest and a bill that looks painted by an artist—that's the keel-billed toucan. A member of the Ramphastidae family, which includes toucan barbets, it is one of more than 40 toucan species. Found from southern Mexico to northern Colombia, it spends much of its day plucking fruit with a rainbow-coloured bill about one-third of its total length. It also eats insects, eggs and small reptiles when available. The bill not only helps it eat but also keeps the toucan cool by radiating excess heat—thanks to the blood vessels running through it. This social bird often moves in small groups, chattering and gliding between treetops. With each wing measuring around 18-20 centimetres, the keel-billed toucan moults, or sheds its feathers, just once a year.

Nature is full of wonders, and one of its most magical creations is the aspen trees, featured in today's image. Unlike ordinary trees, these aspens don't grow from separate seeds; instead, new trees sprout from the roots of existing ones, forming large groups of connected trees where all the trees belong to the same organism. The largest and oldest colony of aspen trees, named Pando, is located in Fishlake National Forest, in Utah, United States, covering an area of about 43 hectares.

Think sea otters are just about whiskers and floating naps? There's more going on behind those button eyes. In Prince William Sound, in Alaska, United States, sea otters drift on ice or crack shellfish on their bellies using their favourite rock, as seen in today's image. Less visible is how their appetite for sea urchins helps protect kelp forests.

Every year, between late September and early October, Theresienwiese, a square in Munich, Germany, transforms into one of the world's largest festivals—Oktoberfest. First held in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding, it has grown into a 16- to 18-day tradition attracting more than six million people from around the globe. The scale is staggering: the festival grounds span about 42 hectares and host 14 main tents, each seating thousands. Each year, visitors consume around seven million litres of beer, along with mountains of pretzels, sausages and gingerbread hearts. All beer served at Oktoberfest comes from Munich breweries and meets the strict standards of the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law.

When you hear 'Thousand Islands', you might think of a jar of salad dressing, but behind that creamy condiment is one of North America's most enchanting regions. The Thousand Islands is an archipelago in the St. Lawrence River, spanning the state of New York in the United States and the province of Ontario in Canada. It is made up of more than 1,800 islands. Some of these islands have fairytale castles; others are barely big enough for a hammock. There's also Just Room Enough Island, which lives up to its name with a single house and a lone tree.

This stunning view—where the sky meets the open waters of the Atlantic—is accessible only by foot. Tucked away on Ireland's wild and beautiful Dingle Peninsula, Dunquin Pier is one of the most photogenic spots in County Kerry. The small pier is famous for its winding, serpentine path that zigzags dramatically down the cliffside like a ribbon. These steep curves aren't just for the thrill—they're the only way to reach the pier below, where boats depart for the remote Blasket Islands.

He may be young, but these antlers speak of future battles. In Denali National Park, in Alaska, United States, a young bull moose lifts his head above the shrubs. At this stage, his antlers are more crown than weapon—still covered in velvet. But even now, they hint at a life shaped by instinct, sparring and the quiet pull of dominance.

What do invisible gases, vintage hairspray and satellites have in common? They all played a role in one of the greatest environmental comebacks in history. Seen from 362 kilometres above, the Gulf Coast glows like a constellation—clusters of light scattered across the dark. But what truly makes this view possible can't be seen: the ozone layer, silently shielding everything below from the sun's ultraviolet rays. By the 1980s, that shield was thinning fast—damaged by chemicals once used in refrigeration and aerosol products. The solution? A global pact. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, led to a swift phase-out of ozone-depleting substances. Today, satellites show that the hole over Antarctica is shrinking. Scientists believe it could be fully healed by mid-century.

Across the shimmering lagoons of Africa, the winding deltas of Asia and the salt marshes of southern Europe, a graceful figure emerges, poised delicately between water and sky. The black-winged stilt, with its long, slender red legs, moves with quiet elegance through the shallows. Their presence sometimes evokes a quiet intimacy—two birds drifting close, their movements mirroring one another in a delicate choreography, as if sharing a secret only the wetlands can hear. They hunt with quiet precision, gently picking insects, larvae and tiny crustaceans from the water's surface. Each movement reveals a subtle mastery of their environment, shaped by patience and instinct.

Olympic National Park covers a rare mix of terrain—and that's part of its unique appeal. Alpine ridges, quiet forests and one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 of the United States all meet here. Spanning nearly 373,500 hectares in Washington State, this UNESCO World Heritage Site drew over 3.7 million visitors in 2024. Originally protected in 1909 as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, the area became a national park in 1938.

It's not polished or curated—and that's exactly the point. Drive just over an hour north of San Francisco, in the United States, and you'll reach Point Reyes National Seashore—a place where fog drifts slowly, tule elk roam freely and time seems to pause. Established by the US Congress in 1962, the park was set aside to protect this piece of coastline for public enjoyment and environmental conservation. It covers over 28,700 hectares and features an impressive array of landscapes, from coastal prairie and blustery headlands to sandy shores and Douglas fir woodlands.

With lifelong bonds, signature whistles and echolocation, dolphins are more than just smart swimmers. Over 40 dolphin species swim our seas, from the Māui dolphin to the Irrawaddy dolphin. They're expert navigators, problem-solvers and team players. Some even form super pods—temporary gatherings of hundreds or thousands of dolphins moving together offshore.

Today's image takes us to Monfragüe National Park, a natural treasure in the heart of Extremadura, Spain. From the viewpoint of Salto del Gitano, in Cáceres, you can enjoy one of the most stunning sunsets in the country, surrounded by rocky cliffs and skies painted in gold. Two rivers cross the park—the Tagus and the Tiétar—shaping its rugged landscape and nourishing a rich variety of wildlife and Mediterranean vegetation. This paradise is perfect for nature and bird lovers. Soaring freely over the park are griffon vultures—Spain is home to the largest colony in Europe—along with Spanish imperial eagles and Egyptian vultures, making it a true biodiversity hotspot.

'Make hay while the sun shines' may sound like an old proverb, but in farming it's a practical truth. Hay baling plays a crucial role in agriculture worldwide. It involves cutting, drying and packaging grasses to feed livestock during the colder months. The process depends heavily on the weather: the grass must be dry before it's baled, or it risks moulding. Farmers must act quickly once a dry spell arrives, making it a seasonal race.

Quick, clever and always on the move—meet the Eurasian red squirrel, a leafy treetop resident found across much of Europe and Asia. While it prefers the shelter of forests, this agile creature easily adapts to gardens and parks. It builds its nest, called a drey, high in the fork of a tree using twigs to form a domed structure about 25 to 30 centimetres wide. The female featured here is gathering moss—one of several soft materials, along with bark, leaves and grass, that line the nest and turn it into a snug, well-insulated retreat. These rodents may also take over tree hollows or abandoned woodpecker holes when available.

The library@orchard at Orchard Gateway in Singapore, featured here, reflects a bold shift in how libraries engage with younger audiences. Its journey began in 1999 when then-Minister for Information and the Arts, Lee Yock Suan, inaugurated the original space on the fifth floor of Ngee Ann City along Orchard Road. After closing in 2007 due to rising rents, the concept was revived and redefined—returning in 2014 to its present home at Orchard Gateway where it continues to inspire a new generation of readers and creators. Spanning two visually distinct levels—The Studio and The Loft—this 1,700-square-metre space holds a curated collection of 100,000 items. Developed in collaboration with students and lecturers from Singapore Polytechnic, this library is a dynamic environment for learning, expression and creative exploration in the heart of Orchard Road.

Where cobbled charm meets coastal cool, Gdańsk is a dynamic city in Poland's Pomorskie province. It is part of Tricity—a metropolitan area along the Gdańsk Bay that includes the neighbouring coastal cities of Sopot and Gdynia, along with nearby towns. The city likely takes its name from 'Gdania', an earlier name for the Motława river that runs through it.

They fly backward, dive-bomb rivals and travel farther than most road trippers. Meet the rufous hummingbird—photographed in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, in the United States. The bird, one of nine species in the genus Selasphorus, gets its name from its rusty, reddish-orange feathers. Males flash copper backs and red throat patches that shimmer in the sun. Females are more subdued but still carry streaks of rufous on their sides and tails.

When the sun clocks out in streaks of orange, pink and purple, Santa Monica, in the United States, goes from laid-back to lit up. Literally. With over 5 kilometres of sand, a historic pier and the Pacific Coast Highway keeping things scenic, this Californian beach is more than just a pretty shoreline. Let's start with the sand. Wide, clean and ready for volleyball or just flopping down with a good book, it's ideal for sunbathers and sandcastle architects alike. And yes, 'Baywatch' was filmed along Santa Monica Bay. Feel free to run in slow motion.

Featured in today's image is the grizzly bear, a symbol of the American wilderness. Young grizzlies often 'play-fight' to build strength, sharpen skills and establish social bonds. These heavyweight champs can weigh up to 410 kilograms and still sprint faster than most humans. And it's not just their strength and speed that impress; a grizzly's sense of smell is so powerful, it can detect food from over 30 kilometres away—seven times better than a bloodhound's. Once widespread across the western United States, grizzlies now primarily roam Alaska and parts of the Northern Rockies. Among many places in Alaska, Katmai National Park and Preserve is considered one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat.

Featured in today's image, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a stunning and expansive wilderness area in northeastern Minnesota, United States. It's one of the largest designated wilderness areas in the country, forming part of the internationally significant Quetico–Superior country. Spanning over 440,000 hectares, it is a vast expanse of interconnected lakes, rivers and boreal forests. The landscape is a mosaic of glacially carved waterways, rocky outcrops and dense woodlands, offering a haven for moose, wolves, loons and countless other species. With over 1,900 kilometres of canoe routes and more than 2,000 campsites, it provides a rare opportunity for solitude and immersion in nature. Protected under the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Boundary Waters remains one of the most pristine natural areas in the US—preserved for future generations to experience and cherish.

At first glance, it looks like a surreal art installation: dark trees frozen on a clay pan, backed by sand dunes and a glowing sky. But this scene from Deadvlei, in Namibia's Namib-Naukluft Park, is entirely natural. The name 'Deadvlei' means 'dead marsh'—a remnant of the wetland that once filled this basin.

The Kaiserstuhl is a small mountain range in the south of Baden-Württemberg, near Freiburg im Breisgau, and is one of the sunniest places in Germany. The Kaiserstuhl owes its name to Emperor Otto III, who held court here in 994. This picturesque region is a true paradise for nature lovers, those seeking relaxation and wine connoisseurs alike. Thanks to the fertile soils and mild climate, grape varieties such as Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir thrive here. The volcanic past has left behind mineral-rich soil that gives the region's wines their unique character. The rolling hills, idyllic villages and diverse wildlife—including the rare green lizard—make the Kaiserstuhl a fascinating destination for nature lovers.

Long before GPS, natural landmarks like Scotts Bluff rose high above the prairie, signalling to travellers that they were on the right path heading west. Before Gering became a town in 1887 and decades before Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867, these sandstone and siltstone formations were already guiding thousands along the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. Scotts Bluff National Monument is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trader with the Rocky Mountain Fur Company who died under mysterious circumstances nearby in the 1820s.