Wildlife Photography by Erik Karits

European crested tit (Parus cristatus)

🌲 Deep Review: European Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) If you are walking through an ancient, quiet pine forest in northern or central Europe, one of…

Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

The Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a strikingly elegant damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. Known for its shimmering, iridescent wings and graceful flight, it…

Emma gray`s forest lizard (Calotes emma)

Emma Gray’s Forest Lizard, scientifically known as Calotes emma, is a species of agamid lizard found in parts of Southeast Asia. Here are some key…

Old world swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

The Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon): A Symbol of Elegance and Ecological Vitality The Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) stands as a majestic icon of…

German cockroach (Blattella germanica)

🪳 Deep Review: German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) Shifting gears entirely from the meadows, wetlands, and forests of our previous wildlife reviews, we turn to the…

Splayed deer fly (Chrysops caecutiens)

The Splayed Deerfly (Chrysops caecutiens) is a member of the family Tabanidae, known for its biting behavior and distinctive appearance. Here are some key details…

Thailand

Krabi, Thailand, is a picturesque province located on the southwestern coast of the country, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, pristine beaches, limestone cliffs, and…

Cuckoo wasp

Cuckoo wasps, also known as emerald wasps or jewel wasps, are a fascinating group of insects belonging to the family Chrysididae. These strikingly beautiful wasps…

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

The Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. It is known for its subtle beauty and distinctive markings,…

Common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata)

The Common Green Bottle Fly (Lucilia sericata) is a medium-sized fly in the family Calliphoridae, known for its metallic green body and ecological role in…

Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a notorious agricultural pest, primarily known for its destructive impact on potato crops. Belonging to the family Chrysomelidae,…

Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) The Eurasian Nuthatch is a small, agile songbird known for its ability to climb headfirst down trees, a skill that sets…

Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)

The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron species found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Here are some key features and…

Western honey bee (Apis mellifera)

🐝 Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is one of the most important and recognizable insect species on Earth. Known…

Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides)

Excellent choice — here is a deep, no-pictures scientific overview of the Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides), a distinctive and fascinating Old World monkey species native…

Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)

The Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus) is a striking and delicate butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae. This species is known for its distinctive markings and…

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

The Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a striking species of damselfly renowned for its ethereal beauty and delicate demeanor. Found predominantly in Europe and parts…

Green rock crab (Grapsus fourmanoiri)

The Green Rock Crab, scientifically known as Grapsus fourmanoiri, is a striking species commonly found along rocky coastlines in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts…

American mink (Neogale vison)

The American Mink (Neogale vison) is a semi-aquatic mammal native to North America but has also become widespread in Europe and other regions due to…

Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

The Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) is a captivating butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and graceful flight. Here’s a…

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

The Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) is a large, powerful owl native to the forests of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia. It is known for…

Large poplar borer (Saperda carcharias)

🪲 Deep Review: Large Poplar Borer / Longhorn Beetle (Saperda carcharias) If you happen to wander near a damp woodland edge, poplar grove, or river…

Sicily, Italia

Sicily, known as Sicilia in Italian, is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and an autonomous region of Italy. Here’s a brief overview: Geography:…

Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum)

Here’s a full, detailed overview of the Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Europe’s smallest owl and one of its most fascinating forest predators. 🦉 Eurasian…

Small copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

The Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) is a striking and vibrant butterfly that is widely distributed and relatively common across various regions. Its bright coloration and…

Hummingbird hawk moth (Macroglossum stellaturum)

The Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a fascinating moth known for its hummingbird-like appearance and behavior. This moth is part of the family Sphingidae…

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

Here’s a full natural history profile of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), a powerful forest owl of Eurasia: Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) Taxonomy & Classification…

The European Peacock (Aglais io)

Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the European Peacock (Aglais io), one of Europe’s most striking and familiar butterflies: European Peacock (Aglais io) Taxonomy…

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Surreal

In the depths of a surreal dreamscape, where reality blurs into fantasy, lies an abstract realm painted with the hues of imagination. A canvas of…

Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus)

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a fascinating species known for its ability to walk on water and hunt prey, making it an adept predator…

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

The Common Blue, scientifically known as Polyommatus icarus, is one of the most widespread and familiar butterflies in Europe. Here are some key features and…

Honey bee (Amegilla calceifera)

The Honey Bee (Amegilla calceifera) is a notable species of bee within the Apidae family. Although it shares the common name “honey bee,” it is…

Pomegranate

The pomegranate, scientifically known as Punica granatum, is a fascinating and highly nutritious fruit that has captured the attention of cultures around the world for…

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)

The Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) is a medium-sized woodpecker known for its distinctive coloration and unique behaviors. Here are some key details about this bird:…

Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) is a colorful and widespread butterfly species found in Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. Here’s some information…

Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum)

Here’s a full, detailed overview of the Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Europe’s smallest owl and one of its most fascinating forest predators. 🦉 Eurasian…

Western honey bee

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most common and well-known species of honey bee. Here’s some key information about this fascinating insect: Distribution:…

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

The Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is a small, widespread butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae. It is one of the most common and easily recognizable…

Yellow-sided clower-sawfly (Tenthredo notha)

🐝 Deep Review: Yellow-sided Clover-Sawfly (Tenthredo notha) While many people are familiar with bees, wasps, and ants, the order Hymenoptera hides a fascinating sub-group: the…

Red-tailed bumble bee (Bombus lapidarius)

🐝 Deep Review: Red-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) If you are walking through a meadow or a garden and spot a velvety-black insect sporting a vibrant,…

Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum)

The Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum) is the most ubiquitous of the “brown” bumblebees. While many bumblebee species are struggling, the Common carder remains a…

Seaside lady beetle (Naemia seriata)

🐞 Deep Review: Seaside Lady Beetle (Naemia seriata) While many lady beetles are generalists found roaming garden roses and agricultural fields, the Seaside Lady Beetle…

Long legged fly (Dolichopus ungulatus)

The Long-legged Fly (Dolichopus ungulatus) is a member of the family Dolichopodidae, known for its distinctive long legs and metallic body. These flies are often…

Hazel-leaf roller weevil (Apoderus coryli)

🐞 Hazel-leaf Roller Weevil (Apoderus coryli) The Hazel-leaf roller weevil, Apoderus coryli, is a distinctive and fascinating beetle belonging to the family Attelabidae—commonly known as…

Eurasian bee beetle (Trichius fasciatus)

🐝 Deep Review: Eurasian Bee Beetle (Trichius fasciatus) If you spot what looks suspiciously like a bumblebee clumsily rummaging around inside a flower head, but…

Green shield bug (Palomena prasina)

The Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) is a common species of true bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae. Known for their distinctive shield-like shape and…

Green shield bug (Palomena prasina)

The Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) is a common species of true bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae. Known for their distinctive shield-like shape and…

Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus)

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a fascinating species known for its ability to walk on water and hunt prey, making it an adept predator…

Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus)

The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a fascinating species known for its ability to walk on water and hunt prey, making it an adept predator…

Hazel-leaf roller weevil (Apoderus coryli)

🐞 Hazel-leaf Roller Weevil (Apoderus coryli) The Hazel-leaf roller weevil, Apoderus coryli, is a distinctive and fascinating beetle belonging to the family Attelabidae—commonly known as…

Alder kitten (Furcula bicuspis)

🦋 Deep Review: Alder Kitten (Furcula bicuspis) If the larger prominent moths are the heavy-duty aircraft of the lepidoptera world, the Alder Kitten (Furcula bicuspis)…

Chequered skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

The Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) is a small butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae. Here are some key features and characteristics of the Chequered Skipper:…

Castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus)

Castor Bean Tick (Ixodes ricinus) The Castor Bean Tick, scientifically known as Ixodes ricinus, is one of the most common and widespread tick species in…

Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa)

The Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) is a strikingly beautiful moth that belongs to the family Erebidae. This species is known for its vibrant coloration…

False blister beetle (Crysanthia viridissima)

Appearance: Additional Notes: In summary, the False Blister Beetle (Crysanthia viridissima) is a visually striking beetle with metallic green coloration, commonly found in meadows and…

Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus)

The Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is a common and widespread gull species found across much of Europe and Asia. Despite its name, the black head…

Long-eared owl (Asio otus)

The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a distinctive and intriguing species of owl known for its prominent ear tufts and stealthy hunting habits. Here’s an…

Southern hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

Here’s a full, detailed overview of the Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea), one of Europe’s most common and striking dragonflies. 🟦 Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) Taxonomy…

Willow tit (Poecile montanus)

The willow tit (Poecile montanus) is a small songbird belonging to the family Paridae, which also includes chickadees and tits. Here are some key features…

Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small and brightly colored bird species belonging to the family Alcedinidae. Renowned for its vibrant plumage and remarkable…