Fireflies glowing above a stream, Okayama Prefecture, Japan Jul 3, 2026

In Okayama Prefecture, when humid air settles over a stream, hotaru—Japan"s fireflies—begin signaling. On warm, windless evenings, they often start glowing about two hours after sunset under favorable conditions, inviting silence beside water.

© tdub303/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jul 3, 2018To the 155th on the 155th
Jul 3, 2019Keep calm and drive on (slowly)
Jul 3, 2020Dog days of summer
Jul 3, 2021Diving into the underwater nirvana
Jul 3, 2022Dog days of summer
Jul 3, 2023The dog days of summer
Jul 3, 2024World Meerkat Day
Jul 3, 2025Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 18, 2024Porthcawl Lighthouse, Wales, UK
Nov 2, 2020Waiting for winter
Mar 20, 2021It s time for spring
Sep 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle, Gifu prefecture, Japan
Jun 3, 2026World Bicycle Day
Jul 5, 2019Peel Castle on St. Patrick’s Isle with the Isle of Man in the background
Sep 30, 2020All eyes on moths
Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Mar 12, 2019The otherworldly red river
Feb 11, 2020Celebrating women in science
Mar 22, 2022World Water Day
Nov 1, 2025National Bison Day
Feb 4, 2020Rock of ages
Oct 21, 2019The Guggenheim turns 60
Oct 3, 2021Birthplace of Roman emperors
Jan 30, 2023Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships
Dec 15, 2022Borovets ski resort in Bulgaria
Oct 31, 2022Wychwood Forest, Oxfordshire, England
Jun 20, 2020 Beyond Walls for World Refugee Day
Jan 19, 2018Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic
May 12, 2021A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
Dec 5, 2019A growing business
Jun 2, 2024National Gardening Week
Apr 25, 2026World Penguin Day
Jun 24, 2026Pollinator Week
Nov 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Mar 27, 2021Blink and you ll miss it
Feb 22, 2026Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
Feb 8, 2026Corfu at night, Greece
Apr 13, 2025Songkran—Thai New Year