A monster view in Scotland Aug 22, 2020

A monster view in Scotland

People love a good mystery. Maybe that"s why we"ve been fascinated by mythical creatures like the Loch Ness monster for nearly 1,500 years. We"re looking at Urquhart Castle, a ruin founded in the 13th century, with Loch Ness behind it. As the legend goes, on August 22, 565, an Irish priest named Columba confronted "Nessie" and commanded the "water beast" away. Since then, several other people have claimed to spot, or even photograph, the Loch Ness monster. And then there are the alleged sightings of Bigfoot, the chupacabra, the yeti, and other creatures around the world. These are all examples of a subculture engaged in cryptozoology—the study of hidden animals. Are any of these beasts real? Probably not, but why spoil the fun?

© AWL Images/Danita Delimont

palette

Today in History

Aug 22, 2018Summer’s in home stretch
Aug 22, 2019Dancing waters of Dubai
Aug 22, 2021A wild, craggy corner of the United States
Aug 22, 2022Burrowing owls
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Aug 22, 2024Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
Aug 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 9, 2020Autumn in Piedmont
Dec 18, 2018A hit ballet, long after its debut
Feb 8, 2022Extraterrestrial Culture Day
Jun 1, 2024Pride Month
May 27, 2019Reflections on Memorial Day
Feb 15, 2023Hippo family in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Aug 21, 2022International Lighthouse Weekend
Oct 12, 2019It s aboat time for the Barcolana
Jan 13, 2019On the hunt
Oct 7, 2020The circular castle of Cornwall
Oct 15, 2022International Archaeology Day
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire
Jan 5, 2025National Bird Day
Aug 1, 2019Hawaii Volcanoes National Park turns 103
Oct 5, 2023World Teachers Day
Apr 8, 2024Total solar eclipse
Aug 14, 2020In the Navajo Nation for Code Talkers Day
Jan 16, 2024Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
Mar 8, 2022International Women s Day
May 28, 2023Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Jun 6, 2024The 80th anniversary of D-Day
Apr 10, 2021Bear cubs roughhouse on Siblings Day
Feb 23, 2020An icy extravaganza
Feb 8, 2021A hero for the 21st century
Apr 12, 2021In orbit for Yuri s Night
Jan 14, 2020Going head-to-head with winter
Sep 14, 2018Back to the nest
Nov 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Jan 5, 2022National Bird Day