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 color 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 midair with swift turns. Bees and wasps are among its favored prey, and the bird often removes the stinger before feeding—a behavior that reduces the risk of injury.

© Andres M. Dominguez/Nature Picture Library

palette

Today in History

Jun 12, 2018Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Jun 12, 2019A big birthday for Big Bend
Jun 12, 2020Big sky at Big Bend
Jun 12, 2021In Texas, even the riverbend is big
Jun 12, 2022Big Bend National Park turns 78
Jun 12, 2023Big Bend National Parks birthday
Jun 12, 2024Big Bend National Park anniversary
Jun 12, 2025Big Bend National Park in Texas turns 81

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 7, 2026National Lighthouse Day
Apr 7, 2018The confluence of the Arve and Rhône Rivers
Jan 21, 2026Squirrel Appreciation Day
Oct 24, 2026Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Jul 31, 2026Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus, Virginia
Aug 28, 2021Relationship status: It s complicated
Apr 25, 2023World Penguin Day
Jul 9, 2019Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands
Jan 13, 2022Tasiilaq, Greenland
Jul 10, 2023A field of English lavender
Jul 25, 2025Colorful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Jun 16, 2022Seonam Temple, South Korea
May 12, 2021A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
Nov 25, 2020A dying breed of tree thrives in an American park
Dec 22, 2019You ve never seen anything like this
Jul 11, 2022World Population Day
Sep 26, 2022Autumn in Alaska
May 16, 2025Endangered Species Day
Jan 17, 2018Train crossing the Tadami River in Japan
Jul 18, 2020The moth wonderful time of the year
Sep 4, 2024Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan
Apr 9, 2022Light show at the skatepark
Dec 16, 2022Atlanta Botanical Garden
Apr 12, 2018Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
Mar 19, 2021Life carries on, rising from a ship s skeleton
May 22, 2019The artists come to Venice
Sep 23, 2025A keel-billed toucan in Costa Rica
May 7, 2025Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Jul 30, 2023Palouse farmland, Washington state
Jul 19, 2021Wander the ancient medina