Behind the Shot

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.

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.

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.

How a Photographer's Kind Heart Led to This Snowy Shot of a Killdeer

April 05, 2018 — By protecting the Killdeer's nest from harm, Melissa Groo was able to capture one parent's impressive devotion to its eggs.

A Rare Encounter With an Even Rarer Bird

February 15, 2018 — How Noppadol Paothong captured the one-and-only prairie chicken “Sampson” up close.