Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Nov 14, 2023

Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

This scenic view is of Lake Tekapo on the South Island of New Zealand. The lake undergoes a remarkable transformation each year from mid-November to December, when vibrant Russell lupines burst into colour, elevating the natural beauty to new heights. The plants" blooming heads, made up of pea-like flowers, can reach up to 150 centimetres. While photographers and nature lovers come to witness the varied hues of purple, blue and yellow lupins spread wide across Lake Tekapo, the Russell lupines have a somewhat controversial story. These invasive, exotic plants grow in dense stands, boxing out other flora. While these plants might be appealing to tourists, they can create a negative imbalance in the region"s ecosystem.

© Jeffrey Lewis/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Nov 14, 2025Mother manatee and calf

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 21, 2024Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Jun 27, 2025Splendid leaf frog
Sep 7, 2024Annas hummingbird
Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Oct 18, 2024Central Park, New York, United States
Sep 11, 2025Peña Falcon rock, Monfragüe National Park, Spain
Apr 23, 2026Common chiffchaff, Germany
Jan 24, 2026Andermatt village in the Alps, Switzerland
Mar 21, 2026Letea Forest, Danube Delta, Romania
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Sep 28, 2025Town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Feb 7, 2025Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway
Jul 28, 2024Skåne County, Sweden
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Oct 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire, United States
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Oct 20, 2023Pygmy three-toed sloth
Mar 20, 2026Snowdrops in spring
Oct 5, 2025Boreal owl
Feb 14, 2025Magellanic penguins
Dec 25, 2023Reindeer running in snow
Mar 19, 2026Short-beaked echidna, Adelaide Hills, Australia
Jul 19, 2024A young jaguar, Pantanal, Brazil
Oct 10, 2023Mount Sopris, Colorado, USA
May 17, 2025A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy
Nov 13, 2025Quiver trees, Namibia
Mar 8, 2026The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany
May 22, 2025Baobab trees at sunset, Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Apr 21, 2024Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Dec 28, 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur