Behind the Shot

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.
Behind the Shot

To Protect Her Subjects, a Photographer Chooses Patience Over Playback

By Carlyn Kranking
April 08, 2022 — Kelley Luikey wants birders and shutterbugs to recognize that playing recorded songs can stress vulnerable birds.
Behind the Shot

These Scrappy Photos Capture the Action-Packed World Beneath a Bird Feeder

By Carlyn Kranking
December 16, 2021 — A photographer pursues common yard wildlife from a different perspective.
Behind the Shot

For This Budding Naturalist, Time With Dad Makes Photography a Perfect Hobby

By Priyanka Runwal
September 28, 2020 — At age seven, Ryan Cassella documented the American Robin family nesting in his family's yard.
Behind the Shot

How a Photographer Snuck Under the Wing of a Loon Parent

By Jason Gregg
January 30, 2019 — To capture this image of a concealed loon chick, teenager Carolina Fraser focused on a split-second moment.
Behind the Shot

Camera Trap Captures Strange, Long-legged, Pointy-beaked Panther

By Shweta Karikehalli
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.
Behind the Shot

How One Photographer Got Up Close and Personal With a Curious Loon

By Lexi Krupp
November 14, 2018 — After a friendly tip, a canceled flight, and a rented bike, Liron Gertsman snapped this intimate shot of the inquisitive bird
Behind the Shot

How Lost Luggage Led to This Amazing Shot of an Atlantic Puffin

By Molly Bennet
June 21, 2018 — For photographer Ann Pacheco, the potentially trip-ruining mishap ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Behind the Shot

A Curious Owlet Peeks Out of Its Nest Box. A Vigilant Photographer Is Ready.

By Nell Durfee
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.
Behind the Shot

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

By Nell Durfee
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.
Behind the Shot

A Rare Encounter With an Even Rarer Bird

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