Wildlife Photography by Erik Karits

Scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a strikingly beautiful butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. Known for its large size, elegant tail-like extensions, and distinctive…

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

The Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)—known in Estonian as the Luhatäpik—is a medium-sized butterfly that serves as a vibrant ambassador for Europe’s damp grasslands.1 While…

Eurasian Bluets (Coenagrion)

The Eurasian Bluets (genus Coenagrion) are the living neon signs of the wetland. These delicate damselflies, often called “Azure Damselflies,” are a masterclass in intricate…

Goldenrod crab spider (Misumena Vatia)

Here’s a detailed, factual overview of the Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia): 🕷️ Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) Taxonomy: 🟡 Identification The Goldenrod Crab Spider…

Chequered skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

The Chequered skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)—or Täpik-punnpea in Estonian—is a small but vibrant butterfly that brings a touch of gold to damp woodland clearings in late…

Comma butterfly (Polygonia C-album)

The Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album) is a favorite for macro photographers, not just for its fiery orange wings, but for its incredible ability to “disappear”…

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…

Cuckoo wasp (Crysis)

The Cuckoo wasp (genus Crysis) is one of the most stunning subjects for any macro photographer. Often called “Jewel Wasps” or “Emerald Wasps,” these tiny…

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

The Springtime Scout: Exploring the Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) For many naturalists, the first sighting of a male Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is the…

Oriental garden lizard (Calotes vesicolor)

The Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor) is a species of agamid lizard that is widely distributed in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Known for its…

White-tailed bumble bee (Bombus lucorum)

The White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) is a common and widespread species of bumblebee notable for its distinctive white tail and important ecological role as a…

Goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia)

The Invisible Ambush: The Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) The Chameleon of the Meadow Unlike most spiders that rely on speed or webs, the female…

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

A Splash of Azure: The Enchanting World of the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) Widely considered one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable butterflies in…

House Fly (Phaonia angelicae)

The Elegant Outlier: Understanding the House Fly (Phaonia angelicae) When we hear the term “House Fly,” we usually think of a domestic pest. However, Phaonia…

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

Golden Lace and Purple Hues: Discovering the Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino) In the damp meadows and sun-drenched woodland edges of summer, a small, golden-orange…

Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)

Deep Overview: Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata) The green crab spider (Diaea dorsata) is a fascinating arachnid belonging to the Thomisidae family, commonly known as…

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

The Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a striking species of damselfly known for its vibrant colors and graceful appearance. It is part of the family…

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

The Emerald of Spring: Discovering the Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) In the world of butterflies, true green is a rare and precious color. The Green…

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

A Splash of Azure: The Enchanting World of the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) Widely considered one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable butterflies in…

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…

European peacock (Inachis io)

Here’s a detailed overview of the European Peacock (Inachis io), one of Europe’s most recognizable butterflies: European Peacock (Inachis io) Taxonomy & Classification General Description…

Common hover fly (Diplazon laetatorius)

The Common Hover Fly (Diplazon laetatorius) is a member of the family Syrphidae, also known as hoverflies or flower flies. It is notable for its…

Common tiger, Striped Tiger (Danaus genutia)

The Common Tiger (Danaus genutia), also known as the Striped Tiger, is a medium-sized butterfly found throughout Asia and is part of the milkweed butterfly…

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

The Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) is a small and vibrant butterfly species found across Europe, Asia, and North America. Here’s a brief overview: Overall, the…

Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis)

The Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis) is a species of hornet that is native to parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Known for its…

Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)

The Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata) is a fascinating arachnid belonging to the family Thomisidae, known for its ability to blend into its surroundings and…

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a striking butterfly species belonging to the Papilionidae family. Here are some key features and characteristics: Overall, the Scarce…

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a large, striking butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. Despite its name, the Scarce Swallowtail is not particularly rare…

Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

The Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) is a widespread and common butterfly found throughout Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Known for its modest size…

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha Glycerion)

The Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion) is a small butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae. It is commonly found in grasslands across Europe and parts of…

White admiral (Limenitis camilla)

Overview The White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) is a striking and graceful woodland butterfly found across Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its elegant gliding…

Large copper ( Lycaena dispar)

Here’s a complete overview of the Large Copper (Lycaena dispar): 🦋 Large Copper (Lycaena dispar) Taxonomy: 🧡 Identification The Large Copper is one of Europe’s…

Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae)

Here’s a detailed overview of the Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae) — one of Europe’s most striking day-flying moths: 🐞 Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae) 🔹 Taxonomy…

Eurasian bee beetle (Trichius fasciatus)

ThEurasian Bee Beetle (Trichius fasciatus) Family: ScarabaeidaeSubfamily: Cetoniinae (Flower chafers)Common names: Bee beetle, Eurasian bee beetle, Bumblebee mimic beetle 🐞 Identification This is a classic…

Four-spotted Longhorn Beetle (Pachyta quadrimaculata)

Pachyta quadrimaculata, commonly known as the Four-spotted Longhorn Beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. This species is noted for its distinctive…

Ferruginous bee-grabber (Sicus ferrugineus)

Here’s a complete natural history and identification overview of the Ferruginous Bee-grabber (Sicus ferrugineus), a striking parasitic fly commonly found in Europe’s meadows and hedgerows.…

Goldenrod crab spider (Misumena Vatia)

The Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) is a fascinating species of crab spider belonging to the family Thomisidae. Known for its remarkable ability to change…

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…

European peacock (Inachis io)

The European peacock (Inachis io) is a captivating butterfly species known for its stunning beauty and intricate patterns. With its striking wings adorned in vibrant…

Common leaf weevil (Phyllobius pyri)

Common Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius pyri) is a small beetle belonging to the family Curculionidae, often recognized for its distinctive elongated snout (rostrum). It is commonly…

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

The Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) is a captivating butterfly species found across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Its enchanting beauty lies in its…

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

🧚‍♂️ Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) The Beautiful Demoiselle, Calopteryx virgo, is one of the most striking and elegant damselflies in Europe. With its metallic body…

Woodland jumping spider (Evarcha falcata)

🕷️ Woodland Jumping Spider (Evarcha falcata) The Woodland Jumping Spider, Evarcha falcata, is a charismatic and visually alert species of jumping spider found across much…

Woodland jumping spider (Evarcha falcata)

🕷️ Woodland Jumping Spider (Evarcha falcata) The Woodland Jumping Spider, Evarcha falcata, is a charismatic and visually alert species of jumping spider found across much…

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…

Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)

The Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata) is a fascinating arachnid belonging to the family Thomisidae, known for its ability to blend into its surroundings and…

Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)

The Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata) is a fascinating arachnid belonging to the family Thomisidae, known for its ability to blend into its surroundings and…

Green crab spider (Diaea dorsata)

The Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata) is a fascinating arachnid belonging to the family Thomisidae, known for its ability to blend into its surroundings and…

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…

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

The Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) is a small and striking butterfly known for its vibrant green coloration. Here’s a detailed overview of this fascinating species:…

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), one of Europe’s most widespread and recognizable butterflies: Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) Taxonomy…

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…

Oriental garden lizard (Calotes vesicolor)

The Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), popularly known as the Changeable Lizard or the “Bloodsucker,” is one of the most successful and widespread lizards in…

Band-eyed brown horse fly (Tabanus bromius)

The Band-eyed Brown Horse Fly (Tabanus bromius) is a member of the family Tabanidae, known for its large size and distinctive banded eyes. Here are…

Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

The Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) is a striking butterfly species found in Europe and parts of Asia. Here are some key characteristics and information about…

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

🦋 Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) – Detailed Overview 🧬 Taxonomy & Classification 🌍 Distribution & Habitat 📍 Geographic Range 🏞️ Preferred Habitat 🧍‍♂️ Identification ♂…

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is a delicate and widespread butterfly belonging to the family Pieridae. Known for the greenish patterns on its underwings, this…

Red-Brown Longhorn Beetle (Stictoleptura rubra)

The Red-Brown Longhorn Beetle (Stictoleptura rubra) is a visually striking beetle known for its distinct coloration and long antennae. Here are some key details about…

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

The Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is a distinctive and widespread butterfly from the family Pieridae. Renowned for its bright orange wing tips in males,…

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

The Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is a distinctive and widespread butterfly from the family Pieridae. Renowned for its bright orange wing tips in males,…