Sometimes the best photo studio is just steps beyond your home. Backyards of every shape and size offer diverse subjects that can challenge your skills and sharpen your techniques.
Mute Swan Cygnets
Ayden, NC, USA
By Anne Grimes
Sony SLT-A77; Tamron 200-500mm ƒ/5-6.3 lens at 210mm; 1/2000 sec at ƒ/5; ISO 800; UV filter; hand-held.
Baltimore Oriole
Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
By Anthony Goldman
Canon 1D X; 500mm ƒ/4L IS USM lens; 1/500 sec at ƒ/10; ISO 500; hand-held.
European Ground Squirrels
Kiskunság National Park, Hungary
By Bence Máté
RED Helium S35; 200mm ƒ/2.8L II USM lens; 1.4x II teleconverter at 280mm; 1/2400 sec at ƒ/4; ISO 800; homemade low-angle tripod; Uniqball head.
Japanese Maple Tree
Kirkland, WA, USA
By Camille Nims Lamoureux
Nikon D300; Tamron 60mm ƒ/2 Di II Macro lens with Tiffen circular polarizer; 1/30 sec at ƒ/3.5; ISO 200; SLIK Pro 330DX-B tripod and head.
White-tailed Deer
Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
By Debbie Quick
Canon 7D Mark II; 500mm ƒ/4L IS II USM lens; 1/1600 sec at ƒ/5; ISO 2000; CF monopod with tilt head.
Lady’s Mantle
Wheeling, IL, USA
By Donald Bolak
Nikon D90; 200mm ƒ/4 Micro lens with ProMaster 2x extension tube; 1/5 sec at ƒ/9; ISO 200; Gitzo tripod; Induro head.
Nigella, Love-in-a-Mist
Elawa Farm, Lake Forest, IL, USA
By Donald Bolak
Nikon D800E; 24-85mm ƒ/2.8-4 Macro lens at 62mm; 1/8 sec at ƒ/32; ISO 1250; Gitzo tripod; Induro head.
American Goldfinches
Bloomington, MN, USA
By Don Specht
Canon 7D; 300mm ƒ/2.8 lens; 1/400 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 500; Manfrotto tripod; Belke Gimbal head; Oppilas wireless shutter release.
Brown Pelican
Gulf Breeze, FL, USA
By Frank Abbott
Nikon D700; 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 lens at 200mm; 1/640 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 400; hand-held.
Feral Donkeys
Custer State Park, SD, USA
By Genevieve F. Rudock
Nikon D500; 200-500mm ƒ/5.6 lens at 200mm; 1/400 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 1000; hand-held.
Grebe Family
Hinjewadi-Pune, Maharashtra, India
By Indranil Basu Mallick
Canon 70D; 400mm ƒ/5.6L USM lens; 1/1600 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 1600; bean bag on ground.
Barn Swallow
Farm, Periprava, Romania
By Javier Herranz Casellas
Nikon D810; 200-400mm ƒ/4 VR lens at 360mm; 1/2000 sec at ƒ/5; ISO 800; Benro tripod and head.
Black Skimmers
Cedar Island, VA, USA
By Joshua Galicki
Canon 1D X Mark II; 600mm ƒ/4 IS II USM lens; 1.4x III teleconverter at 840mm; 1/2500 sec at ƒ/5.6; ISO 800; Ground pod; Wimberley Gimbal head.
Hooded Warbler
Mocanaqua, PA, USA
By Joshua Galicki
Canon 5D Mark IV; 600mm ƒ/4 IS II USM lens; 1/1600 sec at ƒ/4; ISO 800; Gitzo tripod; Wimberley Gimbal head.
Raccoons
Olympia, WA, USA
By Keith Szafranski
Canon 5D Mark II; 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM lens at 400mm; 1/50 sec at f/9; ISO 400; Gitzo tripod; Arca Swiss head.
Wood Ducks
Newburgh, NY, USA
By Kenton Gomez
Canon 1D X; 600mm ƒ/4L IS II USM lens; 1/2500 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 800; Skimmer ground pod; Wimberley Gimbal head.
Canon 5DS R; 600mm ƒ/4L IS II USM lens; 1/640 at ƒ/5.6; ISO 200; Skimmer Ground pod; Wimberley Gimbal head.
Red Foxes
Apalachin, NY, USA
By Melissa C. Rowell
Nikon D500; 600mm ƒ/4 lens; 1/400 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 1250; Induro tripod; Wimberley gimbal head.
Green-throated Carib Hummingbird & Common Puerto Rican Anole
East End, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
By Melvin Rutledge
Canon 1D X; 70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS II USM lens; 2x III extender at 370mm; Ultra Optics UV filter; 1/3200 at ƒ/5.6; ISO 2500; hand-held.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Murrysville, PA, USA
By Pat Comas
Canon 5D Mark IV; 800mm ƒ/5.6L IS USM lens; 1/125 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 800; Gitzo tripod; Wimberley II Gimbal head.
Green Jay
Linn, TX, USA
By Ruth Hoyt
Canon 7D Mark II; 300mm ƒ/2.8L IS USM lens; 1/1250 sec at ƒ/4.5; ISO 1600; Gitzo tripod; Wimberley Gimbal head.
Monarch Butterflies
Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park,
Traverse City, MI, USA
By Tom Haxby
Nikon D850; 70-200mm lens; 1.4x teleconverter at 195mm; 1/640 at ƒ/10; ISO 640; Gitzo 3541 tripod; Kirk BH1 ball head.
Gambel’s Quail
Buckeye, AZ, USA
By Wendy Kaveney
Canon 7D Mark II; 200-400mm ƒ/4L IS USM EXT lens at 560mm; 1/2500 sec at ƒ/8; ISO 1250; Gitzo tripod; Kirk BH-1 ball head; Wimberley Sidekick.
The 2018 Nature’s Best® Backyards winners and the stories behind the shots are showcased in the 2019 Spring/Summer Nature's Best Photography magazine.
