European bee-eater, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Cádiz, Spain Jun 12, 2026

European bee-eater, Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Cádiz, Spain

A streak of colour glides past a blur of wildflowers as a European bee-eater cuts through the air. Turquoise, gold and chestnut shimmer across its wings as it hunts in flight, snatching insects mid-air with swift turns. Bees and wasps are among its favoured prey, and the bird often removes the stinger before feeding—a behaviour that reduces the risk of injury.

© Andres M. Dominguez/Nature Picture Library

palette

Today in History

Big Bends birthday bash
A remote oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
Jun. 12, 2024Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
Jun. 12, 2025Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 27, 2025Mona Vale rockpool, Sydney, Australia
When life imitates art
Apr. 10, 2026Siblings Day
Nov. 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
Jun. 8, 2025World Oceans Day
A road not for the faint of heart
Oct. 18, 2025International Archaeology Day
Where is this majestic museum?
Nov. 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Jul 17, 2026Agriculture in Saskatchewan
Apr. 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
Dare to tread through the fairy flower?
The butterfly effect
The top of Tennessee
Apr. 2, 2026Wildflower bloom, Central Valley, California, United States
Feb. 17, 2026Chinese New Year
Dec. 4, 2024Wildlife Conservation Day
The only island in Lake Tahoe
Jun. 24, 2024Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
Jan. 8, 2024Bernina Pass, Graubünden, Switzerland
Feb. 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Mar. 1, 2025Aurora borealis over Maligne Lake in Alberta
A painters palette of natures hues
Blurring the lines with wearable art
May 9, 2025Canadian Tulip Festival
Boardwalk nostalgia
Oct. 9, 2023Thanksgiving Day
Jul. 4, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site
Dec. 14, 2023Boreal owl
How can we help at-risk animals?