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

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

© tdub303/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Grand slam tournament
The dog days of summer
3 Jul 2024World Meerkat Day
3 Jul 2025Rainbow River, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

26 Jul 2025International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
The lonely castle
20 Nov 2023World Childrens Day
Who uses this grassy bridge?
Perfect day for a ride
3 Jun 2024World Bicycle Day
31 Oct 2023Halloween
A blue-tiful island
18 Sep 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
29 Oct 2024Great horned owl
22 Aug 2026Common blue butterfly
4 May 2026Star Wars Day
Let’s have a lek, see?
16 Jul 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Sunset on Santorini
4 Mar 2025Happy Fat Tuesday!
20 Aug 2026An orca in Lynn Canal, Alaska, United States
Where fire and water meet
24 Jan 2025Thorrablot: The Icelandic midwinter festival
Charming Turenne
Eyes on the skies
27 Sep 2025Clark Range, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
7 Apr 2024International Beaver Day
23 Oct 2025International Day of the Snow Leopard
Fragrant fields
25 Feb 2026Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska, United States
A one-of-a-kind splash
14 Nov 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
6 Feb 2025Waitangi Day in New Zealand
10 Jan 2024Mylopotamos, Thessaly, Greece