A quick explanation of macOS Montereys background picture
What is it, exactly?
If you’re like me, you probably also were wondering why macOS Monterey did not come with a classic nature desktop wallpaper, but rather an abstract picture featuring some “hills” in varying shades of purple and pink. What should they represent?
While Apple has been naming new iterations of macOS after famous California regions and landmarks for eight years now, this year’s operating system is no different. However, rather than focusing on a trademark feature that is visible to everyone, this time around Apple chose to highlight something from the Monterey area that most people don’t immediately associate with it. Monterey canyon.
Monterey Canyon
Monterey canyon is an underwater canyon that leads from Monterey Bay into the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the biggest underwater canyons on the west coast of the US and reaches a maximum depth of about 1.7 km (a bit more than 1 mile) below sea level.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Monterey canyon is an extremely active underwater feature that changes every few months. Furthermore, the canyon is also instrumental to bring much needed carbon to the nutrient-deprived deep sea.
Additionally, numerous autonomous vehicles have been sent to map and scan the canyon, creating very interesting topographical maps of the canyon. There is even a short video from the MBARI showcasing the canyon in Monterey Bay.
Why no nature image wallpaper?
Of course, there is no official statement or anything similar why Apple has chosen not to have a nature image wallpaper shipping with macOS Monterey. However, the Youtuber Andrew Levitthas an interesting theory. Levitt and his friends have made it their mission to recreate Apple’s desktop wallpapers. So, when they saw that Monterey would come with an abstract wallpaper, they were eager to create one more resembling the previous ones themselves. So, when they got to Monterey, they found that there were many houses and not a real distinguishing feature that they Apple could’ve used for their desktop picture.
While they created a dynamic wallpaper featuring the most prominent view of the Monterey region, I can follow their explanation that there simply wasn’t enough “wildness” around Monterey.
However, if you’re interested in their journey yourself, be sure to also watch their video.
Overall though, I think that the macOS Monterey wallpaper looks stunning despite it not being an actual image. Even though I very much liked the nature images Apple provided with its previous iterations, it doesn’t hurt to switch it up from time to time.
As always, stay safe
Raffael
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