Nature's Best Photography: Backyards

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  Harp Tuner Lantern Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon, USA
  By David M. Cobb | Web site: Dmcobbphoto.com
  "The lanterns in the Portland Japanese Garden are rarely lit, but on this particular summer evening, they were illuminated during the hours reserved for photo members. I headed straight for my favorite lantern in the garden, the 'Harp Tuner,' wanting to photograph during twilight before the surrounding foliage lost too much light."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 5D: 24-70mm f/2.8 lens; 13 sec at f/22; ISO 100; Gitzo 1325 tripod; kirk ball head.
  
  
  

  David M. Cobb, Nature's Best Photography

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  Bush-cricket, Rhine Valley, Germany
  By Bernd Liedtke | Web site: Naturfoto.liedtke@t-online.de
  The bush-cricket is a grasshopper species found in dry grassland and is extremely skilled at flying. "It took almost an hour before I was able to take the picture in a rare moment of stillness."
  Equipment: Nikon D300; 200mm f/4 lens; 1/40 sec at f/14; ISO 320; Macro Gitzo tripod.
  
  
  

  Bernd Liedtke, Nature's Best Photography

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  Gosling, Mirror Lake, Buffalo, New York, USA
  By Terry Cervi | Web site: Terrycervi.com
  "This image of a fuzzy gosling was captured through the grass and tiny wildflowers while I was lying on the ground."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 20D; 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens; 1/800 sec at f/5.6; ISO 100; hand-held.
  
  
  

  Terry Cervi, Nature's Best Photography

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  Egyptian Blue Lily, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Austin, Texas, USA
  By Dick Lavine
  "I waited in the gray dawn until the hot, Texas sun rose and coaxed this water lily to open its petals, revealing its vibrant yellow core that mirrored the morning sun."
  Equipment: Nikon D70s; Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens; 1/160 sec at f/20; ISO 200; hand-held.
  
  
  

  Dick Lavine, Nature's Best Photography

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  Blue Jay, Virginia Gardens, Florida, USA
  By Daniel Cedras | Web site: Pbase.com/danielc
  "A neighbor of mine was feeding various birds and squirrels in his yard. The blue jays took particular liking to the peanuts he was offering, and would land on a nearby perch before taking their acquisitions to a tree branch above."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 30D; 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens; 1/750 sec at f/6.7; ISO 500; Metz 54 MZ-3 flash.
  
  
  

  Daniel Cedras, Nature's Best Photography

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  Royal Tern, Quintana Beach, County Park, Texas, USA
  By Mark B. Bartosik | Web site: Pbase.com/mbb
  "The park at Quintana Jetty includes a small beach along the Gulf of Mexico that is often visited by birds. Royal terns come here to fish and provide for their hungry chicks who wait impatiently onshore."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 40D; 500mm f/4 lens; 1.4x tele-extender; 1/25-- sec at f/5.6; ISO 400; hand-held.
  
  
  

  Mark B. Bartosik, Nature's Best Photography

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  Monarch Caterpillar, Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown, Pennsylvania, USA
  By Jim Monroe | Web site: Jimmonroe.smugmug.com
  "While examining a beautiful cluster of butterfly weed plants, I spotted this caterpillar creeping along the understem of a flower. Since I so seldom see caterpillars, I was particularly happy to capture this moment."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 40D; 300mm f/4 lens; 1/400 sec at f/7.1; ISO 640; 1325 Gitzo tripod.
  
  
  

  Jim Monroe, Nature's Best Photography

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  Eurasian Jay, Mater, Belgium
  By Bart Heirweg | Web site: Bartheirweg.com
  "Birds like this Eurasian Jay come to collect the acorns that I set out. The moment this image was taken, the setting sun lit the trees and bushes in the background and created a soft pink hue that complemented perfectly the warm colors of the perch and the bird's feathers."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 40D; 400mm f/5.6 lens; 1.125 sec at f/5.6; ISO 100; Ameristep Outhouse blind; Feisol tripod and head.
  
  
  

  Bart Heirweg, Nature's Best Photography

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  Honey Bee, Blount County, Tennessee, USA
  By Greg Hutson
  "This honey bee really impressed me with the load it was able to carry around. As I focused on him coming in, I thought he would crash, but he made a perfect landing and then added considerably to his already large load."
  Equipment: Nikon D300; 300mm f/4 lens; 1/2000 sec at f/4; ISO 800; Manfrotto 3021 BPRO tripod; Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.
  
  
  

  Greg Hutson, Nature's Best Photography

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  Jumping Spider, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
  By Joanne Senkus
  "Last fall I found this little jumping spider staring back at me. I had never considered spiders adorable before, but these tiny creatures are."
  Equipment: Canon EOS 5D; 180mm f/3.5 lens; 1.400 sec at f/6.3; ISO 100; Gitzo 6X GT 1530 tripod; Really Right Stuff BH155 ball head.
  
  
  

  Joanne Senkus, Nature's Best Photography