Meet the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)—a small but striking butterfly fluttering across Europe, including the Netherlands. Males flaunt vivid blue wings edged in white, while females sport brown wings with orange spots and a hint of blue.

Active from May to October, they thrive in sunny meadows, grassy verges, and even urban parks. Their caterpillars favor legumes like bird’s-foot trefoil and clovers, making these plants essential for their survival.

Often seen basking in the sun or gathering in small groups, these butterflies are a delightful sight on warm days. Their presence indicates healthy, flower-rich habitats.

So, next time you're out enjoying nature, keep an eye out for this charming pollinator—it’s a true gem of the European landscape!

#photography #photooftheday #picoftheday #photographer #canon #canonphotography #justgoshoot #macronature #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #wildlife #wildlifephotography #pollinators #garden #wildlife_perfection #insectsofinstagram #butterfly #butterflies #butterflyphotography #butterfliesofinstagram #insectphotography #macro #macrophotography #macro_vision #insects #lepidoptera #commonblue #polyommatusicarus #icarusblauwtje #insectphotography #pollinators #photooftheday #picoftheday #photographer #nederland #natuur #natuurfotografie #natuurgebied #tilburg #brabant
The woodpecker in the morning sun.

During a very early morning walk in the Groesbeekse Bos, my wife and I spent our 26th anniversary doing what we both love—being out in nature. This time, I wasn’t just photographing, I was also teaching. She had her Canon 7D Mark II with my Sigma 100–400, while I worked with my Canon 5D Mark IV and the original Canon 100–400.

Then we found it: the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), recognizable by the red patch on the back of its head. A beautiful subject, lit by the soft morning sun.

She positioned herself on the other side of the tree, shooting into the light—worried the bird would fly if she moved. And that fear is real. But it also became a lesson: first enjoy the moment, then observe, and only then try to capture it. Sometimes that means carefully adjusting your position. If the bird flies away, at least you truly experienced it.

This image is mine, but the moment was ours.

Woodpeckers use their reinforced skulls and shock-absorbing structures to peck thousands of times a day without injury—nature’s engineering at its finest.

Captured with my Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon 100–400.

#GreatSpottedWoodpecker #DendrocoposMajor #GroteBonteSpecht #GroesbeekseBos #DutchNature #NatureNetherlands #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #ForestBirds #MorningLight #NatureWalk #LearningPhotography #PhotographyJourney #NatureMoments #BirdLovers #WildlifeLovers #OutdoorPhotography #NatureObservation #CanonPhotography #Canon5DMarkIV #Canon100400 #Telephoto #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #ExploringNature #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #MomentsInNature
Große Überraschung am späten Nachmittag auf den Streuobstwiesen: Braunkehlchen sitzz auf einem Zaun! April 2026 bei Warmbronn.

Big surprise in the late afternoon in the meadows with fruit trees: A whinchat sitting on a fence! April 2026 near Warmbronn.

Rotkehlchen gehen immer!
April 2026 bei Warmbronn.

Always a good idea: Robin!
April 2026 near Warmbronn.

🔬: Saxicola rubetra
🇬🇧: Whinchat

#natur #vogel #vögel #voegel #birds #braunkehlchen #singvogel #whinchat #saxicolarubetra
#vogelphotographie #vogelfotografie #vogelfotografie_deutschland #birdphotography #naturphotographie #naturfotografie #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #canonphotography #vogelbeobachtung #birdwatch #birdwatching #dailybirdpix #raw_birds #dailybirdpix #raw_birds
Overcrowded⠀
...
📷: @[email protected]
📍: Yonge and Broadway, Toronto, Canada⠀
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
EXIF: 55 mm || f/5.6 || 1/640s || ISO 400
...
https://www.brandondasilva.com/photos/architecture-145-overcrowded
.
.
.
.
.
#photography #photographersofmastodon #lightroom #adobe #affinityphoto #raw #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #urbanphotography #canon #canonphotography #canoncanada #canon70d #70d
A little street photography from a recent trip to the heart of Styria.

Very fitting for #FotoVorschlag "colour: green (no plants)" ("Farbe: Grün (keine Pflanzen)"). Coincidence? You decide! :D

📍 Graz, AT
📷 Canon EOS R6 Mark II | Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM

#photography #colou #green #urbanlife #cityvibes #commuters #tram #tramstation #streetphotography #canon #canonphotography #canoneosr6m2
A busy day at the sparrow salad bar!

📍Neu-Anspach, DE
📷 Canon EOS R6 MII | Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM

#photography #canon #canonr6mii #canonphotography #animalphotography #closeup #sparrow #bird #birdportrait #spring
Passend zum gestrigen Post am anderen Ende des Kirchendaches - vor dem eigentlich für die Turmfalken gedachten Kasten: Die Dohle schaut dem Treiben der Turmfalken zu.
April 2026, Warmbronn

This jackdaw is looking down to the kestrels on the church's roof, sitting at the site which was intended as a home for the kestrels. April 2026, Warmbronn.

🔬: Coloeus monedula
🇬🇧: Eurasian Jackdaw

#natur #vogel #vögel #voegel #birds #dohle #singvogel #eurasianjackdaw #coleusmonedula
#vogelphotographie #vogelfotografie #vogelfotografie_deutschland #birdphotography #naturphotographie #naturfotografie #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #canonphotography #vogelbeobachtung #birdwatch #birdwatching #dailybirdpix #dailybirdpix #raw_birds