Behind the Shot

A female Wood Duck floats on the water in the falling snow.
How a Photographer Captured This Dreamy Portrait of a Female Wood Duck in the Snow
December 12, 2024 — Scott Suriano relies on waders and a floating blind to snap wintry pond scenes at surface level.
A bright yellow Prothonotary Warbler emerges from a cavity in a mossy cypress knee, a woody structure that grows near the base of a cypress tree.
To Protect Her Subjects, a Photographer Chooses Patience Over Playback
April 08, 2022 — Kelley Luikey wants birders and shutterbugs to recognize that playing recorded songs can stress vulnerable birds.
Standing in profile close to the camera, a bright red Northern Cardinal spreads the feathers on its wing so that each individual feather is visible. Snow is on the ground, and is lightly falling against a dark night sky.
These Scrappy Photos Capture the Action-Packed World Beneath a Bird Feeder
December 16, 2021 — A photographer pursues common yard wildlife from a different perspective.
Three shorebirds walk on the beach towards the shore. The air is thick with smoke and gives the image a dark, orange hue.
How a Photographer Captured This Eerie Shot of Godwits in the Haze
September 09, 2021 — Sebastian Velasquez ventured onto a smoky California beach to photograph birds foraging in a landscape choked by wildfire.
For This Budding Naturalist, Time With Dad Makes Photography a Perfect Hobby
September 28, 2020 — At age seven, Ryan Cassella documented the American Robin family nesting in his family's yard.
How a Photographer Snuck Under the Wing of a Loon Parent
January 30, 2019 — To capture this image of a concealed loon chick, teenager Carolina Fraser focused on a split-second moment.
Camera Trap Captures Strange, Long-legged, Pointy-beaked Panther
November 27, 2018 — Photographer Carlton Ward got a lot less cat and a lot more Great Blue Heron than he expected during a recent project in Florida.
How One Photographer Got Up Close and Personal With a Curious Loon
November 14, 2018 — After a friendly tip, a canceled flight, and a rented bike, Liron Gertsman snapped this intimate shot of the inquisitive bird
How Lost Luggage Led to This Amazing Shot of an Atlantic Puffin
June 21, 2018 — For photographer Ann Pacheco, the potentially trip-ruining mishap ended up being a blessing in disguise.
A Curious Owlet Peeks Out of Its Nest Box. A Vigilant Photographer Is Ready.
May 04, 2018 — Ashleigh Scully, 16, captured this shot of a curious young screech owl while doing her homework at the kitchen table. Here's how.