202512 배경화면 컬렉션

When a bird is called a starling, you'd expect it to be a bit of a show-off. True to its name, this little creature knows how to steal the spotlight. From shimmering feathers that glint green and purple in the sun, to its ability to mimic sounds, the starling is the headline act. Originally native to Europe and Asia, the common starling has spread across the globe. In the 19th century, a group of them were introduced to New York's Central Park by an enthusiast of birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.

In the heart of Valmalenco, Lombardy, Italy, at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level, Lake Lagazzuolo reveals itself like a secret hidden within the mountains' folds. The 2.5-kilometre trek leading there weaves through woods and stone, inviting you to slow down with each step. The hike ranges from moderate to challenging, with an elevation gain of around 590 metres, making it perfect for those seeking a fun outdoor experience.

Frankfurt, the vibrant metropolis in the heart of Germany, captivates visitors with its unique blend of modern skyline and historic old town. A prominent landmark is the Alte Brücke—known in German as 'Old Bridge'—which has spanned the Main River since the Middle Ages and is considered one of the city's oldest river crossings. For centuries, it served as an important trade route. The bridge is particularly charming at sunset.

Ever wondered why some days feel endless while others pass in the blink of an eye? This fascinating rhythm of day and night is closely tied to a remarkable event called the solstice. Occurring twice a year, solstices mark the moments when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting the longest and shortest days of the year. There are two solstices each year: the summer solstice and the winter solstice.

Some animals rely on strength, others on speed. Foxes? They rely on brains. And the red fox, seen in today's image, has mastered the art. Found across nearly every type of landscape on Earth, foxes have adapted over time to deserts, forests and suburbs alike. The red fox's story began in Eurasia about 400,000 years ago and around 130,000 years ago, these creatures crossed into North America and found a permanent home.

Bormio is a mountain town in northern Italy's Lombardy region, nestled in the Alps near the Stelvio Pass. This location has connected communities across mountain valleys for centuries, shaping how people live and move through the region. Today's image features Bormio's winter landscape, a reflection of its high-altitude setting and enduring bond with the surrounding peaks.

Rock layers formed over millions of years and a massive bend in the Earth's crust give this desert a rare window into geologic history. This is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, where sandstone cliffs and canyons preserve a striking record of the planet's past. It was designated as a national park in 1971. Today's featured image highlights the sandstone monoliths of Cathedral Valley, including the Temple of the Sun, part of this extraordinary, protected landscape.

Who could resist that squishy face? A Eurasian red squirrel perches on a snowy pine branch, paws clutching a pine cone like it's the last snack on Earth. These little acrobats stay busy collecting nuts, seeds and fungi—feasting on fresh finds in summer and on stored cones through winter.

In the Italian region of Umbria, Perugia reveals itself slowly, like a page from another era turning in the wind. Its stones carry memories of Etruscans, medieval rulers, artists and generations of students. The city unfolds through steep lanes, mesmerising viewpoints and corners that feel almost painted.

Have you ever wondered how canals changed the way cities developed? For thousands of years, people have built canals to transport goods, control water flow and connect places. From ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to medieval Europe, they transformed cities like Venice and Bruges into trade hubs. The Netherlands took this even further—by the 17th century, they were designing waterways that shaped cities such as Amsterdam.

Before you spot it, you'll likely hear it—a series of clear, whistling notes, often described as 'peter-peter-peter,' announcing the presence of the tufted titmouse, featured in today's image. This small, grey songbird, measuring about 15 centimetres in length, is a lively inhabitant of the eastern North America. Unlike other small songbirds, it has a tufted grey crest that crowns its head, giving it a distinctive and expressive look. Despite its small size, the tufted titmouse is surprisingly strong, able to crack open even large seeds with its beak—showcasing its skill and resourcefulness in the daily pursuit of food. It forages both in the trees and on the ground, searching for a varied diet of insects, nuts, seeds, berries and other invertebrates.

Every masterpiece needs a brushstroke to tie it together. For Yosemite National Park, in the United States, that stroke is the Merced River—painting reflections of granite cliffs, pine forests and waterfalls across its canvas. One of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers, this waterway begins high in the Sierra Nevada. It gathers meltwater and winds 233 kilometres west through Yosemite Valley into California's Central Valley.

Some plants simply sit quietly on windowsills. The poinsettia? It demands the spotlight. Bright, bold and as red as Rudolph's nose, it is native to Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, it is known as the Flores de Nochebuena (Flowers of the Holy Night), a symbol of Christmas celebrations. The poinsettia's common name comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who introduced it to the United States in the 1820s.

From the rolling Alps to the towering Himalayas, mountains cover nearly a quarter of Earth's land and host 15% of the world's population and nearly half of its biodiversity hotspots. On the crest of the Great Himalayas of southern Asia, along the border between Nepal and Tibet, stands Mount Everest. At over 8,800 metres, it is the world's highest peak and a symbol of human aspiration and natural beauty. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Sherpa climber, were the first to successfully reach its summit, marking a historic achievement in exploration. Its glaciers feed rivers sustaining millions, showing that mountains are more than scenery—they are lifelines.

Among the silent crests of the Abruzzo Apennines in Italy, when autumn begins to touch the rocks with amber fingers, the Castle of Rocca Calascio appears like a mirage of stone and wind. At over 1,400 metres above sea level, the fortress has watched over valleys tinged with copper and gold for centuries, suspended between heaven and Earth like an ancient thought.

If llamas are the laid-back stars of the Andes, their cousins, the guanacos, are the free spirits of Patagonia. Guanacos are part of the same camelid family as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. But unlike their domesticated relatives, they keep things wild. Found mainly in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia, they're built for life at high altitude. Their thick coats help them handle chilly winds, while their padded feet give them the grip to trek across rocky terrain that would make even mountain goats nervous.

When the twinkling reflections on Italy's Lake Como outshine the stars, you know Christmas has docked in Domaso. Once a fishing village, this lakeside town now transforms each winter into a glittering display of holiday cheer, where pastel houses, old churches and waterfront villas are wrapped in ribbons of light. The result? A picturesque Christmas scene.

In December, the forests of Alsace, in France's Grand Est region, wrap themselves in a veil of fog, as if nature were holding its breath before winter. Between Scots pines and silver firs, the moss-covered ground muffles every step and silence feels almost sacred. These woodlands, which cover nearly 40% of Alsace, shelter a rich biodiversity: roe deer, wild boar, black woodpeckers and sometimes the elusive lynx, which has returned after decades of absence.

On Florida's southern tip lies one of the United States' most unusual landscapes. The Everglades is not a typical swamp or river. It is a slow, shallow sheet of water that drifts south across flat grasslands toward Florida Bay, linking forests, marshes, mangroves and coastal prairies. This subtropical wilderness supports hundreds of species, including alligators, manatees and the endangered Florida panther. On December 6, 1947, the United States established the Everglades National Park, protecting over 600,000 hectares and shifting conservation toward preserving entire ecosystems rather than isolated landmarks.

In a quiet valley of western Honduras lie the ruins of Copán—a city of the ancient Maya civilisation. Its sky served as both compass and calendar, guiding celestial events and shaping temples, rituals and the rhythm of life. Around 426 CE, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo', a warrior from the Maya heartland, founded Copán and established its royal dynasty. The city became a centre of Maya art, astronomy and power.

High atop a termite mound in the Maasai Mara National Reserve—a protected savanna in southwestern Kenya—a cheetah scans the plains. Its sleek body can reach speeds of over 100 km/h, making it the fastest land mammal on Earth. Long legs and a flexible spine allow incredible acceleration, while its strong tail helps maintain balance during high-speed chases. With fewer than 7,100 individuals left in the wild, these are among Africa's most vulnerable big cats.

Every December, as morning unfolds, a chorus of rattling calls fills the marshes of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This 23,000-hectare sanctuary in central New Mexico, United States, prepares to stage one of nature's most stirring performances as sandhill cranes return from their seasonal journey. Soon, tens of thousands of snow geese and other migratory birds join the scene, filling the sky with movement and sound.

Spanning over 53,000 square kilometres, Wrangell–St. Elias, in Alaska, is the largest national park in the United States. It is a wilderness where caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bears roam free and glaciers carve valleys that have existed for millennia. The park is a realm of extremes: its glaciers sprawling like frozen rivers, volcanic peaks piercing the sky. Among them stands Mount Blackburn, a 5,000-metre sentinel of ice and ancient fire. Its snow-mantled slopes feed vast glacier systems, a silent monument to geological time. Just beyond the park boundary, Willow Lake rests in the Copper River Basin—a roadside jewel along the Richardson Highway. On clear days, its glassy surface reflects the Wrangell Mountains in a panorama that feels endless: Blackburn's white shoulders rising against cobalt skies, mirrored in still waters where swans drift like living brushstrokes.

Some photos capture nature's grand acts. Great photos reveal even more in a single frame: the delicate balance between immense power and fragile beauty that surrounds us on Earth. Today's image of a natural arch carved into an Antarctic iceberg does exactly that—a conversation starter about grandeur, vulnerability, our environment and its present and future.

Do you know what people bought at Christmas markets 567 years ago? Not costly ornaments or fancy souvenirs but candles, spices, local goods, knitted items and toys. Leipzig's Christmas market began in 1458 and quickly became a favourite stop for merchants and locals alike. Today, with its cultural and culinary offerings spread across the historic old town and about 300 stalls, it is one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. Imagine streets buzzing with the chatter of traders and children following the scent of 'Lebkuchen'—honey-sweetened cakes. This is where townsfolk gather to celebrate winter and catch up on news while sipping mulled wine. These markets have always symbolised more than shopping—they offer an escape from the everyday routine.