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:

Nature, art, and...math?
Aug. 6, 2025Ring-tailed lemur
Nature’s own canvas
World’s largest tulip festival
Oct. 10, 2025Fiji Day
Is anybody home?
Sep. 25, 2024Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Aug. 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day
Mar. 2, 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy
Jul. 7, 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Canoeing in solitude
Mar. 18, 2026Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, USA
Jan. 28, 2026Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
Dec. 16, 2025Handmade gnomes at a Christmas market
Aug. 24, 2025European fallow deer in England
The only road to P.E.I.
Jun. 18, 2025Pollinator Week
Jan. 31, 2025Happy International Zebra Day!
Jun. 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Mar. 27, 2025World Theatre Day
Nov. 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Mar. 27, 2024World Theatre Day
May 1, 2025Lei Day
Apr. 10, 2024Siblings Day
A warm hug in the icy north
Dec. 28, 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur in Madagascar
What are they celebrating?
Birthplace of the Renaissance
Jun 3, 2026World Bicycle Day
Mar. 25, 2026Forgetmenot Pond, Kananaskis Country, Alberta