Wildlife Photography by Erik Karits

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.…

Golden Click Beetle (Campsosternus auratus)

Here’s a detailed natural history and identification overview of the Campsosternus auratus, one of Europe’s most striking click beetles with a brilliant metallic sheen. 🌈🪲…

Rustic sailor beetle (Cantharis rustica)

Here’s a detailed field overview of the Rustic Sailor Beetle (Cantharis rustica) — one of Europe’s most frequently encountered soldier beetles. 🪲 🪲 Rustic Sailor…

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…

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

Here’s a full natural history overview of the Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion) — a delicate, warm-toned butterfly of European meadows and forest edges. 🦋 🦋…

Dark green fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

The Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) is a striking butterfly known for its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Here’s an overview of this beautiful species:…

European crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus)

Here’s a full overview of the European Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus), one of Europe’s most distinctive and charming woodland birds: European Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus)…

Bohemian cuckoo bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus)

The Bohemian cuckoo bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus) is a fascinating species known for its unique parasitic lifestyle. Here are some key details about this intriguing bumblebee:…

Black Carrion Beetle (Silpha atrata)

Here’s a detailed overview and full description of the Black Carrion Beetle (Silpha atrata), a dark scavenger beetle closely associated with forest ecosystems and decaying…

Moth (Zygaena)

Moths belonging to the genus Zygaena are commonly known as burnet moths. These striking insects are renowned for their distinctive coloration and intricate wing patterns.…

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…

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…

Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum)

Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) The Eurasian Pygmy Owl is Europe’s smallest owl, known for its bold hunting behavior and sharp eyesight. Despite its tiny…

Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), one of Europe’s most powerful and impressive forest owls. 🦉 🦉 Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)…

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

The Old World Swallowtail, scientifically known as Papilio machaon, is a striking and widely distributed butterfly found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America.…

Sheep Tick

Here’s a detailed field and scientific overview of the Castor Bean Tick (Ixodes ricinus) — Europe’s most widespread tick species and an important vector of…

Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia)

Here’s a comprehensive field-guide overview of the Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia) — one of Europe’s most beautiful and elusive forest butterflies. 🦋👑 🦋 Lesser…

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

Deep Overview: Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) The Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) is a stunning damselfly species, known for its iridescent blue-green body and dark, metallic…

Aspen Leaf-rolling Weevil (Byctiscus populi)

Here’s a detailed and photo-caption–ready overview of the Aspen Leaf-rolling Weevil (Byctiscus populi) — a small but striking beetle known for its elegant leaf-rolling behavior.…

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

Here’s a detailed, field-guide-style overview of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) — one of Europe’s most impressive forest owls. 🦉 🦉 Ural Owl (Strix uralensis)…

Large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)

Hylobius abietis or the large pine weevil is a beetle belonging to family Curculionidae. This species is widely regarded as the most important pest of most commercially important coniferous trees in European plantations.…

European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis), a well-known and widespread hunting spider in Europe: European Nursery Web…

European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis), a well-known and widespread hunting spider in Europe: European Nursery Web…

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,…

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,…

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…

Old world swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Here’s a complete, detailed overview of the Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) — one of Europe’s most iconic and widely recognized butterflies. 🦋 🦋 Old…

Green hairstreak (callophrys rubi)

Here’s a detailed overview of the Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), one of Europe’s most beautiful and widespread small butterflies. 🦋 Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) Taxonomy…

Green hairstreak (callophrys rubi)

Here’s a detailed overview of the Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi), one of Europe’s most beautiful and widespread small butterflies. 🦋 Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) Taxonomy…

Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni)

The Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, known for its association with alder trees. Here are some…

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…

European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

Here’s a detailed natural history overview of the European nursery web spider (Pisaura mirabilis), a well-known and widespread hunting spider in Europe: European Nursery Web…

Hover fly (Cheilosia bergenstammi)

Cheilosia bergenstammi (syn. Cheilosia lasiopa) is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae, subfamily Eristalinae, tribe Rhingiini) found throughout much of Europe. It belongs to the…

Purple-edged copper (Lycaena hippothoe)

The Purple-edged copper (Lycaena hippothoe) is a striking species of butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae, commonly known for its vivid colors and elegant appearance.…

Large skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)

The Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) is a notable butterfly species within the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as skippers. Found across Europe and parts of Asia,…

Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus)

The Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus) is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae. It is distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of…

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

The Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), also known as the Small Copper, is a small and brightly colored butterfly found across Europe, Asia, and North America.…

Pellucid fly (Volucella pellucens)

The Pellucid Fly, also known as the Bumblebee Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens), is a striking species of hoverfly known for its distinctive appearance and interesting life…

Seven-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata)

The Seven-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata), also known as the seven-spot ladybird, is one of the most well-known and widespread species of ladybugs. Here is a…

Western honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) The Western honey bee is one of the world’s most important and well-known insect species. Renowned for its role in…

Mallard

Wild Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) The wild mallard is one of the most widespread and recognizable wild ducks in the world. It is the ancestor of…

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…

Coal tit (Periparus ater)

The Coal Tit, scientifically known as Periparus ater, is a small passerine bird belonging to the tit family, Paridae. Here are some key features and…

Elk, Moose ( Alces alces )

The elk (Cervus canadensis), also known as the wapiti, is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in its native range of North America, as…

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…

Jumping spider (Aelurillus v-insignitus)

Aelurillus v-insignitus is a species of jumping spider belonging to the family Salticidae. This species is known for its characteristic jumping ability, keen vision, and…

African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea)

The African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea), also known as the Barbary Dove, is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Columbidae. This species is native to…

Large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)

Hylobius abietis or the large pine weevil is a beetle belonging to family Curculionidae. This species is widely regarded as the most important pest of most commercially important coniferous trees in European plantations.…

Starred agama (Laudakia stellio)

The Starred Agama (Laudakia stellio), also known as the Painted Agama or Roughtail Rock Agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. It…

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

Here’s a full and detailed overview of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), one of Europe and Asia’s most impressive forest-dwelling owls. 🦉 Ural Owl (Strix…

Green Sawfly (Rhogogaster viridis)

The Green Sawfly (Rhogogaster viridis) is an attractive and intriguing species within the family Tenthredinidae, known for its vivid green coloration. Here’s an overview of…

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…

Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

Here’s a full and detailed overview of the Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo), one of Europe’s most striking damselflies. 🪰 Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) Taxonomy Common…