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

Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Welcome to Lake Tekapo, on New Zealand"s South Island, where the colorful spikes of flowering Russell lupines transform the landscape each November and December. The plants" blooming heads, made up of clusters of pea-like flowers, can reach up to 60 inches. While photographers flock here to capture the varied hues of purple, blue, and yellow, these striking plants are controversial. Native to North America, they are considered an invasive species here, growing in dense stands and 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, 2018Monet still makes an impression
Nov 14, 2019The perfect canvas for an ancient text
Nov 14, 2020Decorating for Diwali
Nov 14, 2021First Cliff Walk
Nov 14, 2022Castle ruins on the island of Halki, Greece
Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy
Nov 14, 2025Manatee Awareness Month

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 10, 2019Welcome to my neck of the woods
May 8, 2020Victory in Europe, 75 years ago
Aug 3, 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong Karst, China
Oct 24, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Jan 13, 2023Giant kelp in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Mar 13, 2018Wayag Islands in the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia
Dec 24, 2020Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
Aug 27, 2019Remembering Krakatoa
Jul 28, 2022Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park
Jan 14, 2020Going head-to-head with winter
Oct 28, 2020A grotesque scene
Apr 9, 2021A timeless view of the night sky
Jul 24, 2025Happy Cousins Day!
Oct 16, 2024National Fossil Day
Aug 6, 2022San Francisco Bay salt flats
Jun 21, 2018Inhale and exhale, it’s Yoga Day
May 22, 2018Happy birthday to Crater Lake National Park
Jul 30, 2023Palouse farmland, Washington state
Mar 30, 2020Spread some love with Bing
Nov 10, 2019Sunny day, sweepin the clouds away
May 18, 2018It’s Endangered Species Day
Oct 18, 2021A Welsh wonder turns 70
Oct 29, 2018In search of a ‘great’ pumpkin
Jun 1, 2019Hiking the High Trestle Trail
May 1, 2020It s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Jan 28, 2021Avatars of the Wolf Moon
May 31, 2021Here we honor the women who ve served
May 1, 2019Purple flowers and Golden Week
Dec 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas market, Romania
Dec 14, 2021American robin