202604 배경화면 컬렉션

Ships leaving Lisbon once passed a small stone tower before meeting the wide Atlantic. That tower, standing on the bank of the Tagus River, served as both a guardian and a farewell. Say hello to Belém Tower—a fortress that watched Portugal sail into the Age of Exploration.

The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, is the only South American bear of the Ursidae family. Inhabiting the northern and central Andes Mountains, it dwells primarily in forested areas and feeds mainly on shoots and fruit. Pale markings around the eyes often resemble eyeglasses, or 'spectacles,' giving the species its distinctive name.

Designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and completed in 1877, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, is one of the world's oldest and most famous shopping arcades. Located between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala, it features a stunning glass-and-iron roof and an elegant, octagonal layout. Affectionately known as 'Milan's living room,' the Galleria is home to high-end boutiques, historic cafés such as Caffè Biffi and Camparino in Galleria, and renowned restaurants.

Spring brings apple trees to life with clouds of soft pink blossoms. Their delicate petals brighten orchards and hillsides, standing out against clear blue skies as the season shifts from winter toward warmer days. These blooms attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, helping fruit trees produce the apples that will grow later in the year.

Penguins usually bring Antarctica to mind, but these endearing flightless seabirds don't always follow the ice. Found only in the Galápagos Islands—a volcanic archipelago about 966 kilometres off Ecuador's coast—the Galápagos penguins pictured here live farther north than any other penguin. Cool, nutrient‑rich ocean currents make this equatorial habitat possible by supplying food and keeping surrounding waters within survivable temperatures. Compact and agile, these birds spend much of the day in the water to stay cool.

What happens when water moves too slowly to notice? In Everglades National Park, it shapes everything. Covering around 6,100 square kilometres, the park was established in 1947 to protect a wetland system unlike any other in the United States. As a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park's elevated pinelands rise above the marshes and prairies that form one of the world's largest wetland systems.

Small, lively and instantly recognisable by its call: the chiffchaff is one of Germany's most common songbirds and a true harbinger of spring. As early as late February, the first males return from their winter quarters in the Mediterranean or south-western Europe and begin their distinctive song, which gives the species its name. This clear 'chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff' makes it easy to locate, even when it remains hidden in dense vegetation.

Take Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve in Estonia—what makes it so special? Established in 1994, it protects one of the country's largest and most intact wetland systems, where rivers like the Pedja and Põltsamaa still flow freely. The 342-square-kilometres reserve is a haven for wildlife. Moose roam the wetlands, lynx move through dense forests and rare birds such as the black stork and lesser spotted eagle nest in its quieter corners. With limited human settlement, much of the area remains untouched—no large-scale farming, no urban spread. Seasonal flooding reshapes the landscape, renewing habitats and sustaining rich biodiversity year after year.

Spring arrives with a small, spiky ambassador: the European hedgehog, spotted here in France. Part cuddle, part survival gear, this tiny forager is mostly nocturnal and usually solitary, guided mainly by smell and sound. Its job description is simple: roam, sniff through leaf litter and vacuum up invertebrates like worms, beetles, slugs and caterpillars—the kind of snacks that keep ecosystems running and gardeners smiling. When danger shows up, it doesn't negotiate or flee. It curls into a tight ball and lets its spines do the talking.

In south-eastern Utah, USA, Canyonlands National Park reveals a vast, rugged landscape shaped over millions of years by the Colorado and Green rivers. Established in 1964, the park protects a maze of canyons, mesas and buttes carved into layers of ancient rock. Divided into districts such as Island in the Sky and The Needles, it offers sweeping views that shift with the light from dawn to dusk.

From above, Brazil's Mirror Beach looks like a watercolour you can walk into. Pale cliffs, reefs stitched into the shoreline and a mosaic of tide pools that, at low tide, reflect the sky and clouds so clearly that the beach earns its name. Tucked into Bahia, a north-eastern state on the Atlantic coast, it sits between small fishing villages in the city of Porto Seguro. Access follows dirt roads and short trails—a natural crowd-control system that keeps the vibe intimate. For years, it stayed off the map, known only through word of mouth, until the 1990s brought it onto travellers' radars.

Rolling hills in Tuscany, Italy, feel like they've been styled with intent—soft curves, neat rows of vines and those tall, unmistakable cypress trees. Have you ever noticed how the landscape seems to change colour with the seasons? Spring brings bright greens and wildflowers, summer turns fields golden and autumn deepens everything into warm, earthy tones.

When the sun sets, a mysterious animal takes over the skies: bats. With more than 1,400 species found on every continent except Antarctica, they play a vital role in keeping ecosystems in balance. They have existed for over 50 million years, and while only three species feed on blood, the vast majority rely on insects, fruit, nectar or pollen, helping to control pests and support plant life.

Each spring, Skagit Valley in Washington, United States, transforms into a patchwork of colour that celebrates the arrival of bloom season. Throughout April, visitors explore tulip gardens and farmland lined with vibrant rows of flowers, all framed by mountain views. The valley's fertile soils, shaped by centuries of sediment from the Skagit River, make it one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Pacific Northwest. Tulips arrived here in the early twentieth century when farmers realised the cool springs and long daylight hours were ideal for growing bulbs.

Set in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Kananaskis Country stretches across a vast network of protected valleys, dense forests and alpine peaks. Located in Alberta, the region was formally established in 1978, uniting several provincial parks and protected areas under a shared vision of conservation. Clear rivers cut through limestone cliffs, while spruce and pine forests rise toward high mountain passes.

Sea anemones may look like underwater flowers, but they're actually animals—close relatives of jellyfish and corals. Anchored to rocks or reefs, they use a sticky base and a crown of waving tentacles armed with tiny stingers to capture passing prey. Those stings can paralyse small fish, yet one famous neighbour is immune.

When the lights go down, the universe puts on a show. The image of the Milky Way glowing above Anza-Borrego Desert State Park captures that feeling perfectly. As California's largest state park and a certified International Dark-Sky Association Dark Sky Park, Anza-Borrego offers some of the clearest night skies in the country. On cloudless evenings, the heavens fill with planets, star clusters and the pale river of our home galaxy, a sight long lost to many city dwellers.

Look up on a clear night and a bright moving star might actually be the International Space Station. That spirit of exploration lives on aboard the ISS, a laboratory where Earth never quite leaves the view. From the space station, astronauts photograph glowing city grids, curling auroras and lightning storms streaking through the atmosphere. The station orbits about 400 kilometres above Earth and circles the planet every 90 minutes, delivering up to 16 sunrises and sunsets each day.

A beach born from fire rarely does so subtly, yet Papagayo Beach manages exactly that. The shoreline we see today rests on the southern edge of Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands. Tropical fantasy? More like volcanic precision. Millions of years ago, this land rose in successive layers of basalt and ash thrust upward by submarine eruptions.

Ever caught siblings plotting? In Karula National Park, Estonia, it looks as though these two red fox kits froze mid-conspiracy, their expressions mirrored in curiosity and caution. They're not just springtime fluff; they're apprentices in survival. Born in litters averaging four to six kits, foxes grow quickly, their underground den becoming a wrestling ring, classroom and testing ground. Older kits often help feed, guard and teach the younger ones, turning play into practice and mischief into muscle memory.

Water spills in clean lines at Sgwd yr Eira, one of South Wales' most distinctive waterfalls. Its Welsh name means 'Waterfall of Snow,' referring to the pale curtain of water sliding over the rock face. What sets this waterfall apart is access. A narrow path leads visitors behind the falling water, immersing them in sound, light and movement at close range. Sgwd yr Eira lies within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, often called 'Waterfall Country' for its network of rivers and falls carved into wooded gorges. Well-marked trails connect this waterfall to others along the River Hepste, making it a popular stop on longer hikes. Above the valleys, the landscape opens into rolling moorland and long ridgelines where upland paths are shaped by wind and changing weather. These contrasts define the Bannau Brycheiniog, where open, exposed uplands give way to sheltered water, tying the landscape together.

Seattle's waterfront seems suspended between sea and sky as soft light settles on the horizon. The city is named after Chief Si'ahl, a leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, whose legacy remains important to the region's identity. Steep streets lead down to piers that sweep across Elliott Bay. Rising above the shoreline, the Space Needle stands out as the city's most recognisable landmark. Pike Place Market, founded in 1907, overlooks the waterfront and continues to anchor daily life and long-held traditions.

The beaver—buck-toothed, paddle-tailed and famously industrious—has been reshaping freshwater landscapes for millions of years. With their iron-reinforced orange incisors, these skilled rodents cut down trees and build dams that slow the flow of water, improve its quality and create wetlands that support a remarkable diversity of life. Their sturdy lodges, made of branches and mud, have underwater entrances that protect them from predators and keep their families safe.

Picture northern Japan in the early 1600s. Castles stood at the crossroads of politics, trade and governance. Across generations, they came to reflect not only moments of tension but also endurance, adaptation and everyday life. Today's image features Hirosaki Castle, completed in 1611 under the Tsugaru clan, an influential Japanese samurai family. It was also known as Takaoka Castle. Fires, lightning strikes and strategic rebuilding reshaped parts of the complex, yet the castle continued to anchor local administration and culture throughout the Edo period. After the feudal system collapsed in the nineteenth century, its moats, gates and watchtowers survived as the grounds gradually became a public park famed for its thousands of cherry trees planted in the early twentieth century. Today the site remains a cultural landmark and one of Japan's most celebrated cherry‑blossom destinations.

Ever wondered what a high-mountain lake looks like before the hikers arrive? At over 1,940 metres above sea level, Lake Gentau sits quietly in the Pyrenees of south-west France, its cold waters reflecting granite slopes and shifting clouds. Reached on foot from the Ossau Valley, the lake has long been a pause point for shepherds and walkers crossing these summer pastures. Look up and you will spot the dark volcanic shape of Pic du Midi d'Ossau nearby. Why does that peak matter? For centuries it served as a natural landmark guiding travellers through the mountain passes between France and Spain. Today it sits near the western boundary of the Pyrenees National Park. On calm days the surface turns mirror-still, reflecting sky, rock and the sharp outline of the Ossau peak. Not a bad reward for a mountain walk.

Before sunrise, the moorland clock punches in—and the dance floor opens. Male black grouse don't send invites; they boom them. Welcome to lekking season, where romance is competitive, noisy and strictly outdoors.

Some bridges in Amsterdam just get you across a canal. The Armbrug does more—it seems to wave hello as you pass. Nestled over the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal, its name, meaning 'arm bridge,' refers to the nearby Oudezijds Armsteeg (Old Side Arm Alley), not a literal limb, but it's easy to imagine it greeting cyclists and pedestrians along the way.

Spring announces itself across California's Central Valley with the first bursts of wildflowers following the winter rains. Stretching about 720 kilometres from north to south and covering approximately 51,800 square kilometres, the valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. In early spring, however, an older identity briefly resurfaces. From March through April, native annuals such as goldfields, tidy tips and owl's clover quickly germinate once temperature and soil moisture are optimal. They race to complete their life cycles before the long dry season begins.

Today, let's hop into the world of one of nature's smallest yet most hardworking ambassadors. Frogs may not wear crowns—unless you believe in Frog Kings—but they do rule quietly behind the scenes. By keeping insect populations in check, they help ecosystems stay balanced. Even more impressive? Their sensitive skin also means they react quickly to changes in their surroundings, which is why scientists often look at frogs to understand the health of wetlands and forests. Talk about living barometers.

Paradise Cave makes a powerful first impression the moment visitors step inside. This vast limestone cavern lies deep within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam, a region marked by rugged mountains and countless hidden caves. Stretching 31 kilometres, Paradise Cave is one of Asia's longest dry caves, and its scale is immediately apparent. High ceilings rise above the walkways and layered patterns formed by mineral-rich water over millions of years line the walls.