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

European bee-eater in 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

Where are these prickly pears?
A remote oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
Jun 12, 2024Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
Jun 12, 2025Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 20, 2025Mother manatee and calf, Crystal River, Florida, United States
Apr 19, 2025Zion National Park, Utah, United States
Sep 21, 2025Sea otters, Prince William Sound, Alaska, United States
Jul 11, 2025World Population Day
The last living fort in India
If these walls could talk...
Feb 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoises
Jan 14, 2024Whooper swans
Nov 28, 2024Murudeshwara Temple, Murdeshwar, Karnataka
Oct 13, 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
May 21, 2024International Tea Day
May 29, 20261953 Mount Everest Expedition
God’s Own Country
Feb 24, 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California, USA
Stairway to where?
Black sands in a tropical paradise
Nov 6, 2023Lago Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
May 21, 2025International Tea Day
Mar 14, 2026Celebrating Pi Day
Feb 22, 2026Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
Sharks, just living their lives
A puzzle for giants
Jul 3, 2024Meerkat family
Jun 7, 2025Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Oct 5, 2024African elephants in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya
True masters of the jungle
Oct 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Jul 20, 2025Moon Day
A peck between penguins
Come on, guys, this way!