Celebrate Nature Photography Day

While you make plans to celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, consider taking your camera along, because Sunday is also Nature Photography Day. We’re huge photography fans here at National Wildlife Federation, and every year we host the National Wildlife Photo Contest. The contest is in full swing, so to fuel your inspiration to get outside, enjoy nature and take some pictures, we gathered up some of our favorites from the 2013 Contest.

Sun sets over a field of wildflowers in bloom in Mount Rainier National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Judd Patterson.
Sun sets over a field of wildflowers in bloom in Mount Rainier National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Judd Patterson.
Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant .
A mountain goat atop Mount Evans in Colorado, while a storm rolls over the horizon. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Milos Tomajko.
Dense fog envelops the giant sequoia trees in California's Sequoia National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Joshua Simas.
Dense fog envelops the giant sequoia trees in California’s Sequoia National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Joshua Simas.
This yawning ermine was spotted in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Cindy Goeddel.
This yawning ermine was spotted in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Cindy Goeddel.
Sunset over the Grapevine Hills in Big Bend National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paula Van Every.
Sunset over the Grapevine Hills in Big Bend National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paula Van Every.
Desert wildflowers bloom within Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Sean Crane.
Desert wildflowers bloom within Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Sean Crane.
The winter grandeur of Oxbow Bend Grand Teton National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Ryan Hainstock.
The winter grandeur of Oxbow Bend Grand Teton National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Ryan Hainstock.
A summer storm passes south of the border new El Paso, Texas. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Rae Ortega.
A summer storm passes south of the border new El Paso, Texas. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Rae Ortega.
A pair of adult sperm whales flanks a young calf during a dive. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Clark Miller.
A pair of adult sperm whales flanks a young calf during a dive. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Clark Miller.
Diverse desert plants, including saguaro, organ pipe and cholla cacti, brittle bush and 100 year bloom spread among Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Rob Badger.
Diverse desert plants, including saguaro, organ pipe and cholla cacti, brittle bush and 100 year bloom spread among Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Rob Badger.
Sparring elk in Colorado's Estes Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paul Suprenand.
Sparring elk in Colorado’s Estes Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paul Suprenand.
Long exposure of Roaring Fork in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Cari Povenz.
Long exposure of Roaring Fork in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Cari Povenz.
The brilliant shades of autumn frame Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Marilyn Cassell.
The brilliant shades of autumn frame Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Marilyn Cassell.
A Yukon porcupine in Kluane National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Jenaya Launstein.
A Yukon porcupine in Kluane National Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Jenaya Launstein.
The Blue Mountains in North Carolina, Just after sunset. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant David Shimchock.
The Blue Mountains in North Carolina, Just after sunset. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant David Shimchock.
A red maple stands out in the middle of the James River in Virginia. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant David Everette.
A red maple stands out in the middle of the James River in Virginia. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant David Everette.
A field of arrowleaf balsamroot flowers fronts for Wyoming's Grand Tetons. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kate Garibaldi.
A field of arrowleaf balsamroot flowers fronts for Wyoming’s Grand Tetons. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kate Garibaldi.
Mississippi's Natchez Trace is home to cypress swamps like this one. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paula Van Every.
Mississippi’s Natchez Trace is home to cypress swamps like this one. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Paula Van Every.
A young burrowing owl practices flight in Florida's Brian Piccolo Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Debbie Tubridy.
A young burrowing owl practices flight in Florida’s Brian Piccolo Park. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Debbie Tubridy.
A storm approaches near Hot Springs, South Dakota. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Jason Heritage.
A storm approaches near Hot Springs, South Dakota. Photo by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Jason Heritage.

Wildlife and Nature Photography Tips

Now that you’re (hopefully) inspired, here’s some information on taking great wildlife and nature photos, so you’ll be prepared to enter the National Wildlife Photo Contest.