Iridescence Collection

Green Hermit Hummingbird and passion flower in Costa Rica
Animals, Birds, A Green Hermit Hummingbird, Phaethornis guy, feeding on the nector of a passion flower blossom in Costa Rica

Butterfly wing, SEM
Butterfly wing. Image 2 of 6. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a wing from an unidentified butterfly (order Lepidoptera, meaning " scale-wing" in Greek)

Soap bubbles merging

Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, males displaying, Lake Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Butterfly wing scales. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of scales from the topside of a wing of an aega morpho (Morpho aega) butterfly

Slime mould (Lamproderma scintillans) super close up of 1mm tall sporangia, Buckinghamshire, England, UK, March Focus Stacked

Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), male at lek, Finland, April

Sheet ice crystals viewed by polarised light

Bacteria - iron and manganese oxidizers and their complementary reducers, in the mud of an empty fish pond, Upper Lusatia Heath and Pond Landscape, Upper Lusatia UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Germany

Blue butterfly (Lycaenidae) frozen in ice, Cortes de la Frontera, Los Alcornocales Natural Park. Spain

Fiery throated hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) an endemic bird species. Talamanca Range, Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Costa Rica

Regal jumping spider (Phidippus regius) captive male with iridescent fangs. Italy

Golden green stag beetle (Lamprima sp. ), adult male with big mandibles and a shiny
Golden green stag beetle (Lamprima sp.), adult male with big mandibles and a shiny iridescent coloration, Italy. Captive

Metallic leaf beetle ( Eumolpinae) with rain droplets, in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. South-east Atlantic forest

Scales of a Owl butterfly (Caligo sp) magnified 28x, deceased insect found in Tapirai Sao Paulo, Brazil. South-east Atlantic forest

Close-up of a Metallic jewel beetle (Buspretidae) in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. South-east Atlantic forest

Metallic leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) with rain droplets, frontal view, in Aiuruoca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. South-east Atlantic forest

Dogbane beetle (Chrysochus auratus) on dogbane, Crossways Preserve, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, August

Banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) male close up detail of head and thorax, Hertfordshire, England, UK, June. Captive. Focus stacked

Blue iridescent scales of a Nymphalid butterfly (Epiphile orea) magnified 11x, deceased insect found in Piedade, Sao Paulo, Brazil. South-east Atlantic Forest

Sword billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) in flight, Guango, Napo, Ecuador

Common Starling, close - up study showing the iridescence on feathers on a adult birds wing, Hessen, Germany
Common Starling, close - up study showing the iridescence on feathers on a adult birds&, x2019; wing, Hessen, Germany Common Starling

Black-bellied Hummingbird and Coppery-headed Emerald Hummingbird compete for a feeding
Animals, Birds, A Black-bellied Hummingbird, Euperusa nigriventris, warns off a Coppery-headed Emerald Hummingbird, Elvira cupreiceps, attempting to feed on a hairy heliconia flower

A male Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird feeds on the nectar of a tropical Passion Flower in
Animals, Bird, Hummingbird, A male Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird, Campylopterus hemileucurus, feeds on the nectar of a tropical Passion Flower in Costa Rica

Domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) male, close up of iridescence on feathers, France

Sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) in flight, North-Ecuador, Ecuador

Madagascar crested wood ibis (Lophotibis cristata) preening, endemic to dry forest of Madagascar, captive

Ice crystals viewed by polarised light

Sugar crystals viewed by polarised light

Bacteria (Leptothryx discophora) causing iridescent sheen on water surface with White willow leaf (Salix alba). Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, southern Spain, November

Green-crowned brillian-t hummingbird (Heliodoxa jacula) visiting Torch ginger flower (Etlingera elatior), Poas Volcano National Park Costa Rica

Carabid beetle (Calosoma sycophanta) on white backlit background, Antola Regional Park, Italy

Spider hunting wasp (Pompilidae) Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo

Bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) capturing a pelagic shrimp with long red antennae, in midwater, at night. Anilao, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines

Peacock (Pavo cristatus feather close up showing iridescence at 10x magnification

Cloud iridescence forming above a cumulonimbus cloud, caused by light refraction through individual water droplets and ice crystals at high altitude, Sierra Leone

South Georgia, St. Andrew's Bay, Cloud iridescence or irisation, aka rainbow clouds. Common type of photometeor. Lenticular clouds

Ruby-tailed / Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis comparata) on Mexican daisy / Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus). Podere Montecucco, Orvieto, Italy. June

Two Slime mould (Lamproderma scintillans) sporangia, around one millimeter tall, forming on decaying leaf, with peridium split open. Buckinghamshire, England, UK. February. Focus Stacked

Mexican violetear hummingbird (Colibri thalassinus) feeding on pink wildflower. Milpa Alta forest, outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico. September

Jewel weevil (Eurhinus magnificus) on stem. El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna), male flying. Sierra de San Pedro Martir National Park, Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. November

USA, Arizona. Close-up of hummingbird feathers. Date: 02-01-2021

Costa's hummingbird (Calypte costae) male, portrait, showing purple iridescence of head and neck feathers, Coachella Valley, California, USA

Chalcid Parasitoid Wasp (Pteromalidae, probably Mesopolobus tibialis). 2mm in length, found moving over opening oak buds. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. April. Focus Stacked Image

Chalcid parasitoid wasp (probably Mesopolobus tibialis), 2mm in length, moving over Oak (Quercus sp)
Chalcid parasitoid wasp (probably Mesopolobus tibialis), 2mm in length, moving over Oak (Quercus sp.) buds, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. April. Focus Stacked Image

Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris) close uo portrait, Birchover, Derbyshire, UK. April. Focus stacked image

Male Beautiful sunbird (Cinnyris Pulchellus) courtship display, Allahein River, The Gambia

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Iridescence: Nature's Dazzling Display of Colors" Nature never fails to amaze us with its breathtaking iridescence. From the vibrant hues of a Green Hermit Hummingbird and the delicate petals of a passion flower in Costa Rica, to the intricate patterns on a butterfly wing as seen through a scanning electron microscope (SEM), iridescence is everywhere. Even something as simple as soap bubbles can transform into shimmering spheres of rainbow colors, captivating both young and old alike. In Lake Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, male Wild Turkeys proudly display their iridescent feathers during courtship rituals, creating an enchanting spectacle for all who witness it. Butterfly wing scales are another prime example of nature's mastery in creating iridescent beauty. The Blue Jay in San Antonio, Texas showcases its stunning plumage that seems to change color depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In Podere Montecucco, Orvieto, Italy, a Ruby-tailed / Cuckoo wasp delicately perches on Mexican daisy / Fleabane flowers while exhibiting its own mesmerizing metallic sheen. Meanwhile, under close examination through a macro lens lies the fascinating world of slime mould sporangia - tiny structures only 1mm tall but radiating with luminous splendor. The Black Grouse males at lek in Finland create an awe-inspiring scene as they gather together showcasing their glossy black feathers adorned with striking pops of iridescent blue and purple tones. Sheet ice crystals reveal their hidden beauty when viewed under polarized light; each crystal reflecting prismatic colors like miniature rainbows. Even bacteria have joined this symphony - iron and manganese oxidizers alongside their complementary reducers form colonies that glimmer with metallic shades unseen by the naked eye.