Wikipedia:Picture of the day/August 2015

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Picture of the day archives

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These featured pictures, as scheduled below, appeared as the picture of the day (POTD) on the English Wikipedia's Main Page in August 2015. Individual sections for each day on this page can be linked to with the day number as the anchor name (e.g. [[Wikipedia:Picture of the day/August 2015#1]] for August 1).

You can add an automatically updating POTD template to your user page using {{Pic of the day}} (version with blurb) or {{POTD}} (version without blurb). For instructions on how to make custom POTD layouts, see Wikipedia:Picture of the day.Purge server cache


August 1

Wrestlers

Wrestlers is an oil painting on canvas completed by Thomas Eakins in 1899. It depicts two nearly naked men engaged in a wrestling match, with one holding the other in a half nelson and crotch hold. Eakins painted the work using a photograph of models as a study; for the background, he used the Quaker City Barge Club on Philadelphia's Boathouse Row. This painting, as well as an oil sketch, are held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; an unfinished version is held by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Painting: Thomas Eakins

Recently featured:

August 2

Prague astronomical clock

The face of the Prague astronomical clock in the Old Town Square of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The dial takes the form of a mechanical astrolabe, a device used in medieval astronomy, and represents the standing Earth and sky; surrounding it are four moving components: the zodiacal ring, an outer rotating ring, an icon representing the Sun, and an icon representing the Moon. The clock was installed in 1410 by clockmakers Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel.

Photograph: Andrew Shiva


August 3

Nine Dragons

Boston Museum of Fine Arts
.

Painting: Chen Rong


August 4

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) was an American jazz trumpeter and singer. Born into poverty in New Orleans, he developed his trumpet- and cornet-playing skills in a variety of locations, including dance halls and a juvenile detention center. In the 1920s, he gained prominence playing in Chicago and New York, where he was recognized for his inventive playing style and gravelly vocals. He remained active his entire life, performing in hundreds of gigs a year, appearing in multiple films and television shows, and releasing his greatest hit, "Hello, Dolly!", in 1964.

Photograph: Herman Hiller; restoration: Lise Broer


August 5

Locomotive U-127

Paveletsky Rail Terminal in Moscow. Built in 1910, the locomotive was badly damaged during the Russian Civil War but restored in May 1923. The following year it hauled head of state Vladimir Lenin's funeral train
from Gerasimovskaya to Paveletsky station. For the next 13 years it continued in passenger service, until it was withdrawn in 1937, restored, and preserved.

Photograph: Harveyqs


August 6

Eurasian sparrowhawk

A male Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) capturing a common starling. This small bird of prey species is found throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World, and though it specialises in catching woodland birds it can be found in any habitat. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches, and sparrows, while the larger females catch primarily thrushes and starlings.

Photograph:

Nikhil


August 7

Map of Vatican City

A map of

surrounded by the Italian city of Rome. As such, its geography is primarily urban and its climate similar to Italy's
.

Map: Thoroe


August 8

Subpage 1

The Taking of Lungtungpen

"

Burma who capture a dacoit
stronghold named Lungtungpen while in the nude.

In this illustration from the 1896 edition of Soldier Tales, Private Mulvaney commands his men to "Shtrip, bhoys. Shtrip to the buff, an' shwim in where glory waits!" as they prepare to capture Lungtungpen.

See another illustration

Illustration: Archibald Standish Hartrick; restoration: Adam Cuerden

Subpage 2

The Taking of Lungtungpen

"

Burma who capture a dacoit
stronghold named Lungtungpen while in the nude.

In this illustration from the 1896 edition of Soldier Tales, Private Mulvaney and a group of naked soldiers fight the dacoits; Mulvaney finds "There was a melly av a sumpshus kind for a whoile."

See another illustration

Illustration: Archibald Standish Hartrick; restoration: Adam Cuerden


August 9

Nazaré, Portugal

A panoramic view of the beach and

Oeste Subregion, is a popular resort and surfing venue. It consists of three neighborhoods: Praia, which is along the beach, and Sítio and Pederneira
, which are on the hilltop.

Photograph: Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Recently featured:

August 10

Lesser kestrel

Mating

Mediterranean across southern central Asia to China and Mongolia
.

Photograph: Pierre Dalous

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August 11

Stockwell Garage

An interior view of

Stockwell, London, designed by Adie, Button and Partners and opened in 1952. The 393-foot-long (120 m) roof structure, seen here, is supported by ten very shallow "two-hinged" arched ribs, between which are cantilevered barrel vaults topped by large skylights. The garage, which could originally hold 200 buses, has been a Grade II* Listed Building
since 1988.

Photograph: David Iliff

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August 12

Ein Avdat

Mousterian culture
.

Photograph: Andrew Shiva


August 13

Caenorhabditis elegans diagram

A lateral (left side) anatomical diagram of an adult-stage nematode hermaphrodite Caenorhabditis elegans (full size) with emphasis on the digestive and reproductive systems. C. elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode (roundworm) which measures about 1 millimetre (0.039 in) in length. The hermaphrodite form, as seen here, is the most common, although a male form is also found. When self-inseminated, the species will lay about 300 eggs, but when the hermaphrodite is inseminated by a male, the number of progeny can exceed 1,000.

Diagram: K.D. Schroeder


August 14

Whistlejacket

National Gallery, London
.

Painting: George Stubbs; edit: Chris Woodrich


August 15

Taxicabs of Hong Kong

A row of

taxicabs of Hong Kong are predominantly independently owned and operated, though some are owned by taxi companies. The majority of taxis are Toyota Comforts
.

The taxis' tariffs and service areas are indicated by the colour of their livery. Red taxis, seen here, have the highest fares but serve the greatest area. Green taxis serve the New Territories and are less expensive. Blue taxis are the least expensive, but are limited to southern Lantau Island.

Photograph: Diego Delso


August 16

Oriental pratincole

The oriental pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) is a wader in the pratincole family. This migratory Asian bird feeds predominantly on insects.

Photograph: JJ Harrison


August 17

Kalasan Temple

Kalasan Temple is an 8th-century Buddhist temple (candi) located 13 kilometres (8 mi) east of Yogyakarta, Java. The temple stands 14.2 metres (47 ft) high and is intricately decorated with Buddhist designs, including a scene from svarga.

Photograph: Chris Woodrich


August 18

Joshua Tree National Park

U.S. Congress passed the California Desert Protection Act, the park covers a land area of 790,636 acres (1,235.37 sq mi; 3,199.59 km2). The park includes parts of two deserts, the Mojave and Colorado, as well as the Little San Bernardino Mountains
.

Photograph: Tuxyso


August 19

Craig retroazimuthal projection

The

Muslims find the qibla
.

Map: Strebe, using Geocart


August 20

Atlantic puffin

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of seabird in the auk family. The only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean, it breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland and many North Atlantic islands. The species spends the autumn and winter in the open ocean, returning to coastal areas in late spring and nesting in clifftop colonies. The Atlantic puffin has a large population and a wide range, and is thus not considered endangered.

Photograph: Richard Bartz


August 21

Subpage 1

Fractional currency

A first-issue 5¢ ($0.05) note of

United States Notes
in $5 lots and was receivable in payment of all dues to the United States, up to $5. Four additional issues followed before fractional currency was discontinued in 1876.

Other denominations: 10¢, 25¢, 50¢

Banknote: National Banknote Company & the Treasury Department (image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)

Subpage 2

Fractional currency

A first-issue 10¢ ($0.10) note of

United States Notes
in $5 lots and was receivable in payment of all dues to the United States, up to $5. Four additional issues followed before fractional currency was discontinued in 1876.

Other denominations: , 25¢, 50¢

Banknote: National Banknote Company & the Treasury Department (image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)

Subpage 3

Fractional currency

A first-issue 25¢ ($0.25) note of

United States Notes
in $5 lots and was receivable in payment of all dues to the United States, up to $5. Four additional issues followed before fractional currency was discontinued in 1876.

Other denominations: , 10¢, 50¢

Banknote: National Banknote Company & the Treasury Department (image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)

Subpage 4

Fractional currency

A first-issue 50¢ ($0.50) note of

United States Notes
in $5 lots and was receivable in payment of all dues to the United States, up to $5. Four additional issues followed before fractional currency was discontinued in 1876.

Other denominations: , 10¢, 25¢

Banknote: National Banknote Company & the Treasury Department (image courtesy of the National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)


August 22

Bryce Amphitheater

A panoramic view of the Bryce Amphitheater in

amphitheaters and is distinguished by its hoodoos
.

Photograph: Tuxyso

Recently featured:

August 23

Freestyle Motocross

Spanish rider Maikel Melero at an exhibition in

Freestyle Motocross is a variation on the sport of motocross in which motorcycle riders attempt to impress judges with jumps and stunts
. Riders may either perform routines of a set duration or a number of tricks in one jump, and then are scored on a scale of 100.

Photograph: Carlos Delgado

Recently featured:

August 24

Downtown Tampa

A view of the

Tampa Bay Area. It is second only to Westshore
in employment. It is also home to several museums and cultural centers.

Photograph: Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Recently featured:

August 25

Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen

Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen is a canal in central Stockholm, Sweden, that runs for 1 km (0.6 mi) from Lilla Värtan to Djurgårdsbrunnsviken and separates the island of Djurgården from the northern mainland. Construction of the canal began in 1825 and was completed in 1832.

Photograph: Arild Vågen


August 26

All Saints Church, Odiham

Anglican church in the village of Odiham, Hampshire. The oldest visible parts of the current church, the chancel and the base of the tower, date back to the 13th century; several additions, including the tower and the nave, were built over subsequent centuries. English Heritage has designated the All Saints Church as a grade I listed building
.

Photograph: Lewis Hulbert; edits: Jacek Halicki and Christian Ferrer


August 27

Blue-winged pitta

The

Pittidae native to Australia and Southeast Asia
. This small bird, measuring 180 to 205 mm (7.1–8.1 in) in length, is found in a variety of habitats to an altitude of 800 m (2500 ft).

Photograph: JJ Harrison


August 28

Katie Green

Sony Bravia
, and appeared in numerous publications and campaigns.

Photograph: Nguyen Dinh Quoc-Huy; edit: Keraunoscopia


August 29

Impala

A female

dicots
and foliage. They are fast runners and known for their leaping ability, reaching heights up to 3 m (10 ft).

Photograph: Muhammad Mahdi Karim


August 30

Nighthawks

Nighthawks is an oil painting on canvas completed by the American artist Edward Hopper in 1942. It portrays people in a downtown diner late at night. The painting is held by the Art Institute of Chicago
, which purchased it within months of its completion. The painting has frequently been referenced in American popular culture, and several writers have searched for its real-life inspiration.

Painting: Edward Hopper

Recently featured:

August 31

Simon Neil

vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. Born in Irvine, he established the band Biffy Clyro in 1995 with James and Ben Johnston. He has also played with JP Reid of Sucioperro in Marmaduke Duke, using the pseudonym
"The Atmosphere", and started a solo career.

Photograph: Achim Raschka

Recently featured:

Picture of the day archives and future dates

2004: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2005: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2006: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2007: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2008: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2009: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2010: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2011: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2012: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2013: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2014: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2015: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2016: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2017: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2018: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2019: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2020: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2021: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2022: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2023: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2024: January February March April May June July August September October November December
2025: January February March April May June July August September October November December