Skipper butterfly on an Echinacea flower Jun 2, 2025

Skipper butterfly on an Echinacea flower

Pictured here is a skipper butterfly, known for its quick, darting flight, resting on a vibrant Echinacea, or coneflower, at Rockefeller State Park in New York, United States. Native to North America, Echinacea is loved by both gardeners and pollinators for its hardy blooms. Its name comes from the Greek word "ekhinos," meaning "hedgehog," referring to its spiky centre. These flowers bloom during summer, providing long-lasting colour and attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They are also appreciated for their low-maintenance nature and ability to naturalize. Unfortunately, wild Echinacea populations are under growing threat from excessive harvesting. In addition, habitat loss and environmental changes caused by human activity also threaten the long-term survival of some species.

© Marianne A. Campolongo/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Jun 2, 2024Ploumanach Lighthouse, France
June 2, 2026Highway through Xitai Jinaier Lake, Qinghai Province, China

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 28, 2025The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia
Mar 21, 2025Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
Jun 4, 2025Moritzburg Castle, Saxony, Germany
July 5, 2026Lavender rows, Plateau de Valensole, Provence, France
Dec 23, 2025Lagazzuolo Lake, Valmalenco, Lombardy, Italy
Oct 17, 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Sep 21, 2023Inside the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo, Norway
Feb 27, 2025Polar bear cub, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Apr 26, 2024Kalaloch Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
May 13, 2025Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Sep 17, 2024Kerala, India
Sep 12, 2025Spinner dolphin pod
Aug 16, 2025Colourful beehives, Italy
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Apr 17, 2026Grey-headed flying fox carrying her pup, Australia
Nov 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Jan 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Jan 5, 2024Bavarian Alps, Germany
Feb 19, 2026Dragons Eye, Uttakleiv Beach, Norway
Jan 28, 2025Short-eared owl
June 6, 2026Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi, United States
Feb 8, 2024Mount Hood, Oregon, USA
Sep 9, 2024Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Sep 13, 2025Point Reyes National Seashore
Aug 26, 2023Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin, Germany
Oct 1, 2024Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Jun 21, 2024Reticulated giraffes
July 21, 2026Santa Catalina Arch, Antigua, Guatemala
Mar 12, 2025Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France