Sandbars on Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Water vortex
Rushing water in the Chicago Botanic Garden
Ripples in the sand on Pismo Beach, California
Air bubbles caught under sea ice in the Beaufort Sea
Water rippling in Costa Rica
Algae bloom in Lake Magadi, Kenya
High tide on a black-sand beach in Manzanillo, Mexico
Water rippling
Sunlight patterns on a Canadian river bottom
1 of 10
Sandbars, AustraliaSandbars flow into the Coral Sea at Whitsunday Island National Park in Queensland, Australia.See more pictures of waterscapes »
Photograph by Paul Chesley
  • PHOTOGRAPHY

Patterns in Nature: Water

See these water pattern photos, from National Geographic.

Related Topics

  • NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
  • WATER
  • RIVERS
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • OCEANS

You May Also Like

ENVIRONMENT

Why are Alaska’s rivers turning bright orange? Scientists have a theory.

PHOTOGRAPHY

These were the first underwater photos to reveal the ocean floor—in full color

TRAVEL

Why Dominica is the Caribbean island you should visit in 2026

PHOTOGRAPHY

Can you guess what you’re seeing in this award-winning extreme close-up?

TRAVEL

You submitted your top photos to our Best of the World Your Shot Challenge—here are our favorites

Legal
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
Our Sites
  • Nat Geo Home
  • Attend a Live Event
  • Book a Trip
  • Buy Maps
  • Inspire Your Kids
  • Shop Nat Geo
  • Visit the D.C. Museum
  • Watch TV
  • Learn About Our Impact
  • Support Our Mission
  • Masthead
  • Press Room
  • Advertise With Us
Join Us
  • Subscribe
  • Customer Service
  • Renew Subscription
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Work at Nat Geo
  • Sign Up for Our Newsletters
  • Contribute to Protect the Planet
Follow us
National Geographic Logo - Home

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2025 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved