Snowy egret preening, central Florida, United States Jun 4, 2026

Poetic name, poetic appearance. Meet the snowy egret, whose all-white plumage and bright yellow "slippers" on black legs give it a striking look. Once nearly wiped out by demand for its delicate breeding-season feathers—soft, lacy plumes prized for fashionable hats—conservation efforts saved its plumage.

© Donald M. Jones/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Black sands in a tropical paradise
Rugged coasts and temperate rainforests
Jun. 4, 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eater, Bardia National Park, Nepal
Jun. 4, 2025Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun. 21, 2024National Indigenous Peoples Day
Dare to tread through the fairy flower?
This magical beach is worth the hike
Feb. 28, 2025Bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, United States
What are these beautiful sandy waves?
Lighting the world
Mar. 10, 2024Daylight Savings
Jul. 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Feb. 22, 2025Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
The worlds most exclusive beach?
Feb. 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Nature’s blue wonder
A butterfly’s best friend
Mar. 8, 2026Daylight Saving Time
Oct. 28, 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Feb. 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
Straight out of a fairytale
Willamette National Forest, Oregon
Jun. 26, 2024Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
Apr. 16, 2025Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States
Have a merry little Christmas
Jul. 12, 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Pretty in pink
Jun 5, 2026World Environment Day
May 1, 2025Lei Day
Feb. 4, 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
Jul. 29, 2024International Tiger Day
Feb. 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Mar. 7, 2026The Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany
Among the cedar and spruce