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Whale Shark
Photograph by Brian Skerry
The sweeping color of sea and sky, blue is a common thread in nature, seen in the cerulean of a whale shark (pictured here), the indigo of a stormy night, and the cobalt of a peacock's feathers. Over the centuries, the hue has come to represent calm, cold, mysticism, and sadness.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Roman Aqueduct
Photograph by James L. Stanfield, National Geographic
The Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, is pictured at twilight. Dating to the first century A.D., the well-preserved structure is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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San Marco Basin
Photograph by Jodi Cobb, National Geographic
A costumed tourist poses before a view of San Marco Basin in Venice, Italy. For every resident Venetian, hundreds of visitors pour into the city each year.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Skink Tail
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Colorful stripes merge to give a five-lined skink a striking blue tail. The common lizard ranges throughout the eastern United States.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Goby Fish
Photograph by David Doubilet, National Geographic
A one-inch, translucent goby swims above a giant clam in the Pacific Ocean. Goby fish are among the smallest vertebrates in the world.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Jumping Dog
Photograph by Tino Soriano
A dog jumps into Lake Banyoles in northern Spain. The lake is the country’s second largest.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Peacock Courtship
Photograph by Anne Keiser
Unveiling the regalia that has captivated humans (and hens) for thousands of years, an Indian peacock displays his colorful train at an Australian reserve. Males may use their feathers to attract harems of several hens.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Painted Violin
Photograph by Amy White and Al Petteway
A bow is drawn across the strings of a colorfully painted violin in Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is known for its bohemian art and music scenes.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Galápagos Lagoon
Photograph by Bobby Haas
As startling as a bright-blue eye, a central lagoon peers out from Rocas Baimbridgen in Ecuador's Galápagos Islands. The stark, rocky island teems with life at times—the brackish lagoon waters are favored by flamingos.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Chinstrap Penguins
Photograph by Ralph Lee Hopkins
A group of chinstrap penguins lines the edge of an iceberg adrift in Antarctic waters. Chinstraps are among the most abundant penguins, and some colonies live on floating icebergs.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Frosted Ferns
Photograph by Annie Griffiths
Frost covers the brilliant blue leaves of lush ferns in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park. The park is an isolated wilderness that's home to more than 700 plants found nowhere else in the world.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Iranian Mosque
Photograph by Alexandra Avakian
Intricate blue tiles adorn the walls of a large Iranian mosque and mirror a clear sky that beckons the faithful to the sunny courtyard. The mosque's many arches are a prominent feature of Islamic architecture.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Azurite
Photograph by David Boyer
Some of nature's intricate patterns are on display in this magnified view of the mineral azurite. The bright blue mineral was once used to make paints and may still be found in jewelry.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Leaping Polar Bear
Photograph by Ralph Lee Hopkins
A polar bear leaps off of sea ice near Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic. Strong swimmers, polar bears have slightly webbed paws to aid in paddling.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Blue Waterslide
Photograph by James L. Stanfield
Holidaymakers take the plunge and enjoy a twisting, turning trip down an Israeli waterslide. The attraction cools tourists who visit the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Blue-Footed Booby
Photograph by Tim Laman
These distinctive webbed feet belong to a blue-footed booby of the Galápagos Islands. The bluer, the better: Courting males show off with a high-stepping strut—and those with brighter feet are more attractive to potential mates.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Veiled Woman on Doorstep
Photograph by Steve McCurry
A veiled Nepali woman, covered head-to-toe in shades of blue, pauses to rest in a colorful doorway in one of the small Himalayan hill towns found in Nepal's Anapurna region.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Arctic Igloo
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
A homey-looking igloo lights up the stark landscape on a cold night in the Canadian Arctic. These temporary shelters were commonly used by indigenous peoples in the frigid North American Arctic.
(For more pictures of the amazing colors of our world, buy the National Geographic book Life in Color.)
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Photograph by Frans Lanting
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