Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmers in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. This is the landscape a young traveler, J.R.R. Tolkien, crossed during a hiking trip in 1911, long before he became the storyteller behind "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Its soaring cliffs, silver waterfalls, and crisp mountain air left a lasting impression and are believed to have inspired his vision of Rivendell, the elven refuge hidden deep in Middle-earth.
J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Wicker fields in Cañamares, Spain
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Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
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St. Patrick s Day
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Flower of Life symbol drawn in snow
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National Napping Day
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Lion cubs, South Africa
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It s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
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National Mushroom Month
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Porto Flavia, Sardinia, Italy
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A lush, green escape
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An ice cap-puccino
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Hut, hut, hike!
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The Christmas Bird Count begins
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Tiny fliers head south
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Let the Highland games begin
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In the Himalayas for International Mountain Day
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Who s hiding in the kelp?
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Happy Boxing Day!
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Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
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Pumpkin patch
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Tokyo welcomes a futuristic new art museum
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Happy Easter!
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Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Spain
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Pandas pucker up for International Kissing Day
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Grand Canyon National Park turns 105
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It s National Mushroom Month!
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Winter at Valley Forge
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Sky island views
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Everglades National Park turns 75
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

